Getting Started
Welcome
to what we hope will be a productive experience using IBFS. The Bureau’s goal is to successfully walk you
through, step by step, the electronic filing process. We want you to “file it right” the first
time. We want you to easily track your
application once you submit it through IBFS, until it is granted.
If
you are using IBFS as a Research tool, you DON’T NEED TO SET UP AN ACCOUNT;
just use the Search Tool buttons on the IBFS home page. Click here to go directly to the Search Tool.
[http://svartifoss2.fcc.gov/prod/ib/forms/index.html]
Before
you get started, however, we’d like for you to meet our TIP GUY
…
he hangs around the instructions to link you to aids to help get you through
any filing questions you might have. If you
have more questions, or are still not sure of your IBFS “footing,” please call
the help line at 202-418-2222, or e-mail us at IBFSinfo@fcc.gov. Sorry, but the phone call is not
a toll free call.
Also,
should you experience “gibberish” – unreadable text – your internet settings
may not be set correctly relating to java script. Here’s what you need to do:
(1) Using the “Internet Explorer” browser, go to
“Tools”, “Internet Options”, “Advanced”.
Drop down to the “Java VM” section and make sure that
“Java
JIT Compiler Enabled” is checked.
Click OK.
(2) Using the “Netscape
Communicator” browser, go to “Edit”, “Preferences”, “Advanced” option. Make sure that all 3 of the “
Portions
of the IBFS homepage are currently “under construction.” We appreciate your patience as we work to
bring you these new tools. As we’ve said since the beginning, this system is
designed for you, the user, and we greatly value your feedback. In fact, many improvements have been the
direct result of users’ comments. Please
do not hesitate to e-mail us at IBFSinfo@FCC.gov.
It may take a few days, but we will get back to you.
Below
are links to various steps required to: (1) set up your account, (2)
successfully file your application, and (3) successfully file the appropriate
fee.
But,
before we get to the specifics, your system should have the following minimum system components to successfully travel through
IBFS:
¨ 166 MHz (450 MHz or higher recommended)
¨ 32 MB of RAM (128 or higher recommended)
¨ 56K modem
¨ Netscape 4.0 or better,
Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 or better
¨ 100 MB of available hard
drive space
We
use Acrobat Reader to view documents, such as public notices and the like. Go to http://www.adobe.com to download Acrobat
Reader to assist you. Please refer to
your web browser for instructions to configure a “helper” application, if the
Unknown File Type message appears.
IBFS Application Filing
Check List:
Step-By-Step Instructions
for Filing Applications in IBFS
1. SET UP YOUR NEW IBFS ACCOUNT
Before
you go to the IBFS Home page and click the “Create New Account” button, make
sure you are registered with CORES and have an FRN number. If not, click here to register. [https://svartifoss2.fcc.gov/cores/CoresHome.html]. You cannot proceed without a FRN number! You will need it once you create your new
account. The form needs to be completely
filled out, including email address. (We
use your email address to send you IBFS information on notices, system status
and updates.)
At
the bottom of the form, you will need to enter a password that you will use to
log into IBFS. Your password can be any
length. Please remember that IBFS
passwords are case-sensitive. For
example, “hello” and HeLLo” are two different passwords. Once you have entered your password in both
the “password” and “re-enter password” boxes, click the “Create Account”
button. You will then see a confirmation
screen, showing you your new IBFS Account ID number (usually a series of 6
numbers). Please
remember to write down your Account ID number and password and put them in a
safe place.
Click
the “Continue” button to login into IBFS.
Legal Name of Account
Holder: you may create your account in
your name, your company’s name, or your client’s name. This information is not used to pre-fill
information on applications forms, but your CORES
information will be used.
So, if you have multiple FRNs, make sure you are entering the correct
FRN number that will be associated with this application.
2. LOGIN
TO YOUR ACCOUNT.
You
can get to the IBFS login screen by clicking the “Login to My Account” button
on the IBFS homepage. You will then need
to enter your IBFS Account ID number and your password into the appropriate
boxes and then click the “Login” button.
3. CHOOSE AND FILL OUT THE APPROPRIATE APPLICATION FORM.
Congratulations! You are now ready to begin filling out
applications forms in IBFS. At this
point, you should choose one of the applications available for filing in
IBFS. Blank application forms are
numbered in a table close to the top of your account screen. To select a form, you simply click on the
name of the form you want to select. You will then be taken to a screen where
you need to submit the applicant’s CORES FRN number and password. The system will pre-fill the admin
information associated with the FRN number into the first section of your
application. Proceed to the second
section to continue filling out your application until completed. If you are completing an Assignment/Transfer
of Control, you will need to enter the FRN and password of the Assignee and
Transferee.
Some helpful
hints that apply to all application forms:
(a) You may validate/SAVE your application and log out of IBFS and return
to your application to make edits as many times as you like before filing. IBFS stores your draft applications and filed
applications in your Account for you.
(b) To see the list of applications stored in your account, click on the
“List of Current Applications” link at the top of your account screen. To view a specific application, click on the
form title link above the description of the application you want to view.
(c) The first box of every form requires you to enter a description of the
application to identify it on the main menu.
The more descriptive you are, the easier it will be for you to identify
it in your list of saved applications in your account. (This box is considered public information,
so be careful NOT to enter any proprietary information here.)
4. VALIDATE
Remember to click the “Validate” button
to ensure that your data is saved and that all
required fields are entered.
In
every application form, you will see a “Validate” button at the top and bottom
of the application. The “Validate”
button does 2 things: (1) insures that
certain required fields contain data, and (2) it saves
the work you’ve done. It is very
important to validate throughout the filing process. If some information is missing in your
application, the validation process will lead you directly to the error.
5. FILE
YOUR APPLICATION.
Scroll
down the list of applications you have filled out. In the left column, click the radio button
next to the application you wish to file.
Then scroll down to the bottom of the page
and click the “File a Form” button. You will then see a confirmation
window. Click “OK” if you are ready to
file the application. Once it is filed,
the status of the application will change to “Filed” and a Submission ID will
appear under the description of the application. The Submission ID is your confirmation
number;
it is also the number
we use to match your filing to your payment.
When you submit your payment to Mellon Bank, you must ensure that the Submission ID is printed clearly in box
29(A) labeled “FCC Code 2” on the FCC
Form 159.
Remember that you can only file one application at a time.
6. PRINT YOUR APPLICATION
Keep
the signed original in your files for future reference as we may ask you for
this at a later date. You can print out
your application by clicking on the blue link to it in your account maintenance
window, and pressing the print button at the top of your browser.
7. CREATE A FORM 159 FOR FEE FILING
To
complete the manual fee filing process, print out the Form 159, complete it,
and MAIL IT and YOUR CHECK to the appropriate Mellon Bank lockbox address.
[http://svartifoss2.fcc.gov/prod/ib/forms/payment_instructions.htm#FeeFilingGuide]
Do
not send paper copies of your application, including attachments, with your fee
payment and Form 159, since you have already filed it electronically.
Don’t forget
to make sure your submission ID is printed in Box 29A (FCC Code 2).
Regarding
fees, §1.1114 of the rules sets out which applications requires fees and which
do not. Examples of applications not
requiring fees include special emergency and public safety applications. Keep in mind, if you are FEE EXEMPT, you are
not required to file form 159 after you file your application through
IBFS.
If you are FEE EXEMPT, simply file your application – don’t send anything to us. Make sure you’ve noted your exempt status in your application and explained how you meet the standard for exemptions set out in §1.1114
To
complete the electronic fee filing process, click on the "Form 159
Menu" button on the Application Menu System screen. IBFS will list all of the applications in
your account that have a "Filed" status. First, provide the Applicant’s and Payer’s
TIN (if applicable), then click on the radio button next to one or more
applications to file on a single Form 159.
(Refer to the Commission's Rules regarding the filing of multiple
applications on a singe Form 159) Next,
click the "Continue" button. You will be presented with an “Electronic Form 159” screen. Enter the Payer FRN and Password and press
“Continue”. The “Payment Summary”
screen” will open and you can choose to either view your Form 159, or pay
electronically using a credit card.
View Form 159.
To view the completed Form 159 for accuracy,
press the “View 159 Form” button. Scroll
down and confirm that the pre-filled application information is correct. Once you are satisfied with your Form 159,
return to the Payment Summary screen, hitting the back button twice
on the tool bar.
Pay by credit card.
To pay by credit card, press the “Pay Now”
button on the Payment Summary screen.
Enter the card type, card number, and expiration date and press the
“Submit Payment” button. You will
receive confirmation that your submission was successful, along with a
Remittance ID and Authorization Number.
It is recommended that you print this screen together with a copy of the
Form 159 and file them.
8. PRINT/MAIL CHECK
Use
your browser’s print function (usually, you will have a “print button” on your
browser’s button bar) to print out the Form 159. If you are paying by check,
attach your check to your Form 159 and mail it to the address specified for
your type of application in the International Satellite Services Fee Filing
Guide.
9. CONGRATULATIONS!
You have successfully filed
through IBFS. Give yourself a pat on the
back, and then check the web for the status of your application.
