FCC Issues 'What You Owe' Fees for 6 Categories

The Federal Communications Commission has released details of its annual "What You Owe" message to licensees in six categories of regulated services. Sept 6’s posting provides details of the Assessment of Regulatory Fees for Fiscal Year 2016, which the Commission issued on Sept 2. Industry-specific fact sheets about the fees are posted on the FCC website. The regulatory fee payments must be received by Sep. 27, 2016. The notices also include information about exemptions from the fee payments.

"What You Owe" advisories have been issued for media services licensees (radio and television, including low power stations), cable TV systems (including direct broadcasting satellite providers), commercial wireless services, international and satellite service licensees and interstate telecommunications service providers. The regulatory fees vary depending on the nature of each licensed business. For example, cable and DBS fees are based on the number of subscribers or on a CARS license. Fees for AM and FM radio station licensees are based on class of station and market population served.