James Bradshaw, FCC Mass Media Bureau expert on electronic filing...

Assn. of Federal Communications Consulting Engineers (AFCCE) lunch, he faced complaints that system still had many bugs. “It’s going to be interesting,” as FCC attempts to fix glitches, he said, conceding “we've been struggling internally.” One recurring complaint was that electronic filing system often went down on Fri. evening and there was nobody to put it back online until Mon. “That’s fairly typical,” Bradshaw said, but on filing deadlines on major issues Commission keeps someone in place until around 11 p.m. to make sure system is operating properly. Commission has “drastically reduced” number of fee payments that don’t get associated with proper filings -- as well as attachments and exhibits that get misfiled, he said. Parties are permitted 2-week delay in paying fees after application is filed, Bradshaw said, and things move much faster if payment is made by credit card. Where fee payments formerly were handled manually (resulting in delays), they now are handled electronically and can go on public notice day after fee is received, he said. Starting Mon. (Dec. 3), he said, all electronic filings must be made using registration number (FRN) assigned by FCC. Also, he said, Commission this week added ability for parties to make AM inquiries online to go with electronic system already in place for TV and FM. Bradshaw is deputy chief-engineering of Audio Div. of Mass Media Bureau.