A key element of the
FCC's Universal Licensing System (ULS) computer continues to shut down
periodically, backing up the flow of license applications and grants. According
to the ARRL, the computer's electronic batch filing system, or EBF, is the
source of the problem, which has caused at least three shutdowns since the
FCC's computer system was upgraded last September. The League says FCC staff
has now identified the cause of the problem and hopes to have a permanent fix
in place as soon as possible. Meanwhile, staffers are monitoring the system and
processing applications manually whenever the snafu pops back up.