Computech, Inc.::Projects::Computech, Inc. :: Our Projects :: Federal Communications Commission

OUR PROJECTS :: FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION - ULS

The Challenge
The Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (WTB) oversees millions of private, commercial, and non-governmental spectrum authorizations. For years, the WTB issued hundreds of thousands of spectrum licenses under 10 wireless services, each characterized by a unique business process and licensing system. Subsequently, a disproportionate number of paper forms collected by the FCC contained inconsistent information, ultimately creating latent and costly application processing delays.

The FCC required that its automated system be efficient, user friendly, and able to handle tremendous volumes of paperwork—all while minimizing processing time. Historically, applicants filled out multiple forms for each license and then mailed the paperwork to the FCC for approval. Because the FCC’s examiners manually processed these requests, delays in awards increased, as did the potential for human error.

Already familiar with Computech’s expertise in building custom software solutions for its key systems, the FCC awarded Computech the opportunity to create a universal method for collecting and processing this application information. The FCC required that its automated system be efficient, user friendly, and able to handle tremendous volumes of paperwork—all while minimizing processing time.

Additionally, the FCC intended to reduce the number of forms, decrease manual intervention, and enable users to review and analyze application and license information online.

The Solution
Working in partnership with the FCC, Computech merged the 10 legacy systems into a single optimal Web-based Universal Licensing System (ULS). To establish consistency across spectrum leasing services, Computech first defined and documented each service’s FCC business processes. The FCC•Computech team found creative ways to consolidate all of the application information into four streamlined ULS forms. By creating a universal method for capturing this information, the team eliminated the need to fill out and track numerous forms for multiple licenses.

FCC•Computech then integrated the 10 legacy systems into a single Web-based application, accessible to both the FCC and the public, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The standardized online data entry module now includes a dynamic Wizard-like intelligence that guides users through each step of the process. Such functionality enables fast, secure, and easy electronic filing.

Using the previously defined business processes, FCC•Computech built in front- and back-end intelligence to decrease the number of filing errors. By replacing manual intervention with an automated filing procedure, the team reduced licensing time and improved data integrity. FCC•Computech then built an extensive Application and License Search function that empowers users to access these data from their desktops.

The Payoff
In 2005, the WTB administered 3.2 million licenses and processed more than 600,000 applications. The FCC currently processes approximately 1,800 spectrum license applications per day. With the ULS, both the public and the FCC reap significant benefits:

Applicants seeking multiple licenses file fewer forms.
Processing applications and license renewals electronically, rather than manually, saves time and yields higher data integrity.
Automated processing cuts most response times by 30 days.

In addition, the system’s capabilities facilitate interagency collaboration. For example, the FCC and the FAA automatically exchange data to avert potential conflicts involving radio towers and antennas.

Most important, the ULS offers applicants and licensees an easy way to submit information from their computers, while providing the FCC with a reliable and cost-effective way to collect, process, and track data.