By these rules the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is delineating its responsibilities in certifying and monitoring accounting authorities in the maritime mobile and maritime mobile-satellite radio services. These entities settle accounts for public correspondence due to foreign administrations for messages transmitted at sea by or between maritime mobile stations located on board ships subject to U.S. registry and utilizing foreign coast and coast earth station facilities. These rules are intended to ensure that settlements of accounts for U.S. licensed ship radio stations are conducted in accordance with the International Telecommunication Regulations (ITR), taking into account the applicable ITU-T Recommendations.

(a) Accounting Authority. The Administration of the country that has issued the license for a mobile station or the recognized operating agency or other entity/entities designated by the Administration in accordance with ITR, Appendix 2 and ITU-T Recommendation D.90 to whom maritime accounts in respect of mobile stations licensed by that country may be sent.

(b) Accounting Authority Certification Officer. The official designated by the Managing Director, Federal Communications Commission, who is responsible, based on the coordination and review of information related to applicants, for granting certification as an accounting authority in the maritime mobile and maritime mobile-satellite radio services. The Accounting Authority Certification Officer may initiate action to suspend or cancel an accounting authority certification if it is determined to be in the public's best interest.

(c) Accounting Authority Identification Codes (AAICs). The discrete identification code of an accounting authority responsible for the settlement of maritime accounts (Annex A to ITU-T Recommendation D.90).

(d) Administration. Any governmental department or service responsible for discharging the obligations undertaken in the Convention of the International Telecommunication Union and the Radio Regulations. For purposes of these rules, “Administration” refers to a foreign government or the U.S. Government, and more specifically, to the Federal Communications Commission.

(e) Authorization. Approval by the Federal Communications Commission to operate as an accounting authority. Synonymous with “certification”.

(f) CCITT. The internationally recognized French acronym for the International Telegraph and Telephone Consultative Committee, one of the former sub-entities of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). The CCITT (ITU-T) 1 is responsible for developing international telecommunications recommendations relating to standardization of international telecommunications services and facilities, including matters related to international charging and accounting principles and the settlement of international telecommunications accounts.

Such recommendations are, effectively, the detailed implementation provisions for topics addressed in the International Telecommunication Regulations (ITR).

(g) Certification. Approval by the FCC to operate as an accounting authority. Synonymous with “authorization”.

(h) Coast Earth Station. An earth station in the fixed-satellite service or, in some cases, in the maritime mobile-satellite service, located at a specified fixed point on land to provide a feeder link for the maritime mobile-satellite service.

(i) Coast Station. A land station in the maritime mobile service.

(j) Commission. The Federal Communications Commission. The FCC.

(k) Gold Franc. A monetary unit representing the value of a particular nation's currency to a gold par value. One of the monetary units used to effect accounting settlements in the maritime mobile and the maritime mobile-satellite services.

(l) International Telecommunication Union (ITU). One of the United Nations family organizations headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland along with several other United Nations (UN) family organizations. The ITU is the UN agency responsible for all matters related to international telecommunications. The ITU has over 180 Member Countries, including the United States, and provides an international forum for dealing with all aspects of international telecommunications, including radio, telecom services and telecom facilities.

(m) Linking Coefficient. The ITU mandated conversion factor used to convert gold francs to Special Drawing Rights (SDRs). Among other things, it is used to perform accounting settlements in the maritime mobile and the maritime mobile-satellite services.

(n) Maritime Mobile Service. A mobile service between coast stations and ship stations, or between ship stations, or between associated on-board communication stations. Survival craft stations and emergency position- indicating radiobeacon stations may also participate in this service.

(o) Maritime Mobile-Satellite Service. A mobile-satellite service in which mobile earth stations are located on board ships. Survival craft stations and emergency position-indicating radiobeacon stations may also participate in this radio service.

(p) Public Correspondence. Any telecommunication which the offices and stations must, by reason of their being at the disposal of the public, accept for transmission. This usually applies to maritime mobile and maritime mobile-satellite stations.

(q) Recognized Operating Agencies (ROAs). 2 Individuals, companies or corporations, other than governments or agencies, recognized by administrations, which operate telecommunications installations or provide telecommunications services intended for international use or which are capable of causing interference to international telecommunications. ROAs which settle debtor accounts for public correspondence in the maritime mobile and maritime mobile-satellite radio services must be certified as accounting authorities.

(r) Ship Station. A mobile station in the maritime mobile service located on board a vessel which is not permanently moored, other than a survival craft station.

(s) Special Drawing Right (SDR). A monetary unit of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) currently based on a market basket of exchange rates for the United States, West Germany, Great Britain, France and Japan but is subject to IMF's definition. One of the monetary units used to effect accounting settlements in the maritime mobile and maritime mobile-satellite services.

(t) United States. The continental U.S., Alaska, Hawaii, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands or any territory or possession of the United States.

(a) Applicants must meet the requirements and conditions contained in these rules in order to be certified as an accounting authority. No individual or other entity, including accounting authorities approved by other administrations, may act as a United States accounting authority and settle accounts of U.S. licensed vessels in the maritime mobile or maritime mobile-satellite services without a certification from the Federal Communications Commission. Accounting authorities with interim certification as of the effective date of this rule must submit to the application process discussed in § 3.20. They will be “grandfathered”, i.e, granted permanent certification provided they demonstrate their eligibility and present a proper application.

(b) U.S. citizenship is not required of individuals in order to receive certification from the Commission to be an accounting authority. Likewise, joint ventures need not be organized under the laws of the United States in order to be eligible to perform settlements for U.S. licensed vessels. See, however, § 3.11.

(c) Prior experience in maritime accounting, general commercial accounting, international shipping or any other related endeavor will be taken into consideration by the Commission in certifying accounting authorities. The lack of such expertise, however, will not automatically disqualify an individual, partnership, corporation or other entity from becoming an accounting authority.

(d) Applicants must provide formal financial statements or documentation proving all assets, liabilities, income and expenses.

(e) Applicants must offer their services to any member of the public making a reasonable request therefor, without undue discrimination against any customer or class of customer, and fees charged for providing such services shall be reasonable and non-discriminatory. This requirement will be waived for applicants who settle their own accounts only and are eligible to be “grandfathered” during the initial application period. However, should the need for additional accounting authorities be proven, these accounting authorities will be required to offer their services to the public or relinquish their certification.

(a) Within the United States. A certified accounting authority maintaining all settlement operations, as well as associated documentation, within the United States will be assigned an AAIC with a “US” prefix.

(b) Outside the United States. A certified accounting authority maintaining settlement operations outside the United States will be assigned the same AAIC as that originally assigned to such entity by the administration of the country of origin. However, in no case will an entity be certified as an accounting authority for settlement of U.S. licensed vessel accounts unless the entity is requesting to conduct a settlement operation in the United States or has already been issued an AAIC by another administration.

Written application must be made to the Federal Communications Commission on FCC Form 44, “Application For Certification As An Accounting Authority” in order to be considered for certification as an accounting authority. No other application form may be used. No consideration will be given to applicants not submitting applications in accordance with these rules or in accordance with any other instructions the Commission may issue. FCC Form 44 may be obtained from the Commission by writing to the address shown in § 3.61.

(a) Accounting Authority applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. When applications are received on the same day, the application with the earliest mailing date, as evidenced by the postmark, will be processed first. Interim accounting authorities seeking permanent certifications through the “grandfathering” process will not compete with other applicants during the first 60 days following the effective date of these rules which is allowed for submission of their applications. After the “grandfathering” process is completed, all other applicants will be processed as in paragraph (a) of this section.

(b) At any given time, there will be no more than 25 certified accounting authorities with a minimum of 15 “US” AAICs reserved for use by accounting authorities conducting settlement operations within the United States. The Commission will retain all valid applications received after the maximum number of accounting authorities have been approved and will inform such applicants that should an AAIC become available for reassignment in the future, the Commission will conditionally certify as an accounting authority the oldest of the qualified pending applicants, as determined by the order of receipt. Final certification would be conditional upon filing of an amended application (if necessary). The Commission will inform the applicant of his/her conditional selection in writing to confirm the applicant's continued interest in becoming an accounting authority.

(a) No entity will be entitled to or assigned more than one AAIC.

(b) AAICs may not be reassigned, sold, bartered or transferred and do not convey upon sale or absorption of a company or firm without the express written approval of the Commission. Only the FCC may certify accounting authorities and assign U.S. AAICs for entities settling accounts of U.S. licensed vessels in the maritime mobile and maritime mobile-satellite services.

(c) Accounting authorities who are “grandfathered” during the initial application period may retain their interim AAIC.

The application shall be signed by the individual, partner or primary officer of a corporation who is legally able to obligate the entity for which he or she is a representative.

All applicants must provide evidence of sound financial status. To the extent that the applicant is a business, formal financial statements will be required. Other applicants may submit documentation proving all assets, liabilities, income and expenses which supports their ability to meet their personal obligations. Applicants must provide any additional information deemed necessary by the Commission.

One original and one copy of FCC Form 44, “Application For Certification As An Accounting Authority” will be required. Only applications mailed to the Commission on official, Commission approved application forms will be considered. Applications should be mailed at least 90 days prior to planned commencement of settlement activities to allow time for the Commission to review the application and to allow for the informal public comment period.

All applications shall be mailed to the Accounting Authority Certification Officer in Washington, D.C. The designated address will be provided on the FCC Form 44, “Application for Certification As An Accounting Authority”.

Changes in circumstances that cause information previously supplied to the FCC to be incorrect or incomplete and that could affect the approval process, require the submission of an amended application. The amended application should be mailed to the Commission immediately following such change. See also §§ 3.24 and 3.51.

(a) The Commission, in its sole discretion, may refuse to grant an application to become an accounting authority for any of the following reasons:

(1) Failure to provide evidence of acceptable financial responsibility;

(2) If the applicant, in the opinion of the FCC reviewing official, does not possess the qualifications necessary to the proper functioning of an accounting authority;

(3) Application is not personally signed by the proper official(s);

(4) Applicant does not provide evidence that accounting operations will take place in the United States or its territories and the applicant does not already possess an AAIC issued by another administration;

(5) Application is incomplete, the applicant fails to provide additional information requested by the Commission or the applicant indicates that it cannot meet a particular provision; or

(6) When the Commission determines that the grant of an authorization is contrary to the public interest.

(b) These rules provide sufficient latitude to address defects in applications. Entities seeking review should follow procedures set forth in § 1.106 or § 1.115 of this chapter.

(a) The Commission will publish the name of an applicant in a Public Notice before granting certification and will invite informal public comment on the qualifications of the applicant from any interested parties. Comments received will be taken into consideration by the Commission in making its determination as to whether to approve an applicant as an accounting authority. Thirty days will be allowed for submission of comments.

(b) The Commission will notify each applicant in writing as to whether the applicant has been approved as an accounting authority. If the application is not approved, the Commission will provide a brief statement of the grounds for denial.

(c) The names and addresses of all newly certified accounting authorities will be published in a Public Notice issued by the Commission. Additionally, the Commission will notify the ITU within 30 days of any changes to its approved list of accounting authorities.

All accounting authorities must conduct their operations in conformance with the provisions contained in this section and with relevant rules and guidance issued from time to time by the Commission.

An accounting authority must begin settling accounts no later than six months from the date of certification. Failure to commence settlement operations is cause for suspension or cancellation of an accounting authority certification.

Settlement of maritime mobile and maritime mobile-satellite service accounts must be performed within the United States by all accounting authorities possessing the “US” prefix. Other accounting authorities approved by the Commission may settle accounts either in the U.S. or elsewhere. See also §§ 3.11 and 3.21(b).

Accounting authority operations must be conducted in accordance with applicable FCC rules and regulations, the International Telecommunication Regulations (ITR), and other international rules, regulations, agreements, and, where appropriate, ITU-T Recommendations. In particular, the following must be adhered to or taken into account in the case of ITU-T.

(a) The latest basic treaty instrument(s) of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU);

(b) Binding agreements contained in the Final Acts of World Administrative Radio Conferences and/or World International Telecommunication Conferences;

(c) ITU Radio Regulations;

(d) ITU International Telecommunication Regulations (ITR);

(e) ITU-T Recommendations (particularly D.90 and D.195); and

(f) FCC Rules and Regulations (47 CFR part 3).

All maritime telecommunications accounts should be timely paid in accordance with applicable ITU Regulations, Article 66 and International Telecommunication Regulations (Melbourne, 1988). Accounting authorities are deemed to be responsible for remitting, in a timely manner, all valid amounts due to foreign administrations or their agents.

Accounting Authorities may charge any reasonable fee for their settlement services. Settlements themselves, however, must adhere to the standards set forth in these rules and must be in accordance with the International Telecommunication Regulations (ITR) taking into account the applicable ITU-T Recommendations and other guidance issued by the Commission.

An accounting authority must accept accounts presented to it from foreign administrations in gold francs. These gold francs must be converted on the date of receipt of the bill to the applicable Special Drawing Right (SDR) rate (as published by the International Monetary Fund) on that date utilizing the linking coefficient of 3.061 gold francs = 1 SDR. An equivalent amount in U.S. dollars must be paid to the foreign administration. Upon written concurrence by the FCC, an accounting authority may make separate agreements, in writing, with foreign administrations or their agents for alternative settlement methods, in accordance with ITU-T Recommendation D.195.

An accounting authority must accept accounts presented to it from foreign administrations in Special Drawing Rights (SDRs). These SDRs must be converted to dollars on the date of receipt by the accounting authority and an equivalent amount in US dollars must be paid to the foreign administration. The conversion rate will be the applicable rate published by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for the date of receipt of the account from the foreign administration. Upon written concurrence by the FCC, any accounting authority may make separate agreements, in writing, with foreign administrations or their agents for alternative settlement methods, provided account is taken of ITU-T Recommendation D.195.

Accounting authorities must cooperate fully with the FCC in all respects concerning international maritime settlements issues, including the resolution of questions of fact or other issues arising as a result of settlement operations.

Accounting authorities accept their certifications on condition that they are subject to audit of their settlement activities by the Commission or its representative. Additionally, the Commission reserves the right to verify any statement(s) made or any materials submitted to the Commission under these rules. Verification may involve discussions with ship owners or others as well as the requirement to submit additional information to the Commission. Failure to respond satisfactorily to any audit findings is grounds for forfeiture or suspension or cancellation of authority to act as an accounting authority for U.S. vessels.

Accounting authorities must maintain, for the purpose of compliance with these rules, all settlement records for a period of at least seven years following settlement of an account with a foreign administration or agent.

The FCC must be notified immediately should an accounting authority plan to relinquish its certification or cease to perform settlements as authorized. Additionally, the Commission must be advised in advance of any proposed transfer of control of an accounting authority's firm or organization, by any means, to another entity.

(a) When an accounting authority is transferred, merged or sold, the new entity must apply for certification in its own right if it is interested in becoming an accounting authority. Provided the new applicant is eligible and completes the application process satisfactorily, the AAIC will be transferred to the new applicant. In the case of a merger of two accounting authorities, the merged entity must decide which AAIC to retain.

(b) Section 3.21(a) will be waived for these applicants.

(c) The applicant must comply with application process including public comment.

(d) The applicant must certify acceptance of all accounts and must furnish a list of the accounts to the Commission at the time of application.

(a) Accounting authorities must maintain procedures for resolving complaints and/or inquiries from its contractual customers (vessels for which it performs settlements), the FCC, the ITU, and foreign administrations or their agents. These procedures must be available to the Commission upon request.

(b) If a foreign administration requests assistance in collection of accounts from ships licensed by the FCC, the appropriate accounting authority will provide all information requested by the Commission in a timely manner to enable the Commission to determine the cause of the complaint and to resolve the issue. If accounts are in dispute, the Commission will determine the amount due the foreign administration, accounting authority or ROA, and may direct the accounting authority to pay the accounts to the foreign administration. If the accounting authority does not pay the disputed accounts within a reasonable timeframe, the Commission may take action to levy a forfeiture, cancel the AAIC privilege and/or to revoke any operating authority or licenses held by that accounting authority. (See also § 3.72).

An accounting authority must inform the FCC immediately should it receive notice from any source that a foreign administration or facility is refusing or plans to refuse legitimate public correspondence to or from any U.S. registered vessel.

The Commission must be notified in writing within 15 days of any change in address of an accounting authority. Such written notification should be sent to the address shown in § 3.61.

(a) Initial Inventory of Vessels. Within 60 days after receiving final approval from the FCC to be an accounting authority, each certified accounting authority must provide to the FCC an initial list of vessels for which it is performing settlements. This list should contain only U.S. registered vessels. Such list shall be typewritten or computer generated, be annotated to indicate it is the initial inventory and be in the general format of the following and provide the information shown:

(b) Semi-Annual Additions/Modifications/Deletions to Vessel Inventory. Beginning with the period ending on the last day of March or September following submission of an accounting authority's Initial Inventory of Vessels (See paragraph (a) of this section.) and each semi-annual period thereafter, each accounting authority is required to submit to the FCC a report on additions, modifications or deletions to its list of vessels for which it is performing or intending to perform settlements, whether or not settlements actually have taken place. The list should contain only U.S. registered vessels. The report shall be typewritten or computer generated and be in the following general format:

(c) End of Year Inventory. By February 1st of each year, each accounting authority must submit an end-of-year inventory report listing vessels for which the accounting authority performed settlements as of the previous December 31st. The list should contain only U.S. registered vessels. The report must be typewritten or computer generated and prepared in the same general format as that shown in paragraph (a) of this section except it should be annotated to indicate it is the End of Year inventory.

(d) Annual Statistical Report of Settlement Operations. By February 1st of each year, each accounting authority settling accounts for U.S. registered vessels must submit to the FCC an Annual Statistical Report, FCC Form 45, which details the number and dollar amount of settlements, by foreign administration, during the preceding twelve months. Information contained in this report provides statistical data that will enable the Commission to monitor operations to ensure adherence to these rules and to appropriate international settlement procedures. FCC Form 45 can be obtained by writing to the address in 3.61 of these rules.

All reports must be received at the following address no later than the required reporting date: Accounting Authority Certification Officer, Financial Operations Center, Federal Communications Commission, at the address indicated in 47 CFR 0.401(a).

Applicants should comply with § 0.459 of this chapter when requesting confidentiality and cannot assume that it will be offered automatically.

The Commission may investigate any complaints made against accounting authorities to ensure compliance with the Commission's rules and with applicable ITU Regulations and other international maritime accounting procedures.

The Commission may issue written warnings or forfeitures to accounting authorities which are found not to be operating in accordance with established rules and regulations. Warnings will generally be issued for violations which do not seriously or immediately affect settlement functions or international relations. Continued or unresolved violations may lead to further enforcement action by the Commission, including any or all legally available sanctions, including but not limited to, forfeitures (Communications Act of 1934, Sec. 503), suspension or cancellation of the accounting authority certification.

(a) The Commission may take further enforcement action, including forfeiture, suspension or cancellation of an accounting authority certification, if it is determined that the public interest so requires. Reasons for which such action may be taken include, inter alia:

(1) Failure to initiate settlements within six months of certification or failure to perform settlements during any subsequent six month period;

(2) Illegal activity or fraud;

(3) Non-payment or late payment to a foreign administration or agent;

(4) Failure to follow ITR requirements and procedures;

(5) Failure to take into account ITU-T Recommendations;

(6) Failure to follow FCC rules and regulations;

(7) Bankruptcy; or

(8) Providing false or incomplete information to the Commission or failure to comply with or respond to requests for information.

(b) Prior to taking any of the enforcement actions in paragraph (a) of this section, the Commission will give notice of its intent to take the specified action and the grounds therefor, and afford a 30-day period for a response in writing; provided that, where the public interest so requires, the Commission may temporarily suspend a certification pending completion of these procedures. Responses must be forwarded to the Accounting Authority Certification Officer. See § 3.61.

An accounting authority whose certification has been cancelled must wait a minimum of three years before reapplying to be an accounting authority.

(a) Whenever the accounting authority privilege has been suspended, cancelled or relinquished, the accounting authority is responsible for immediately notifying all U.S. ship licensees for which it was performing settlements of the circumstances and informing them of the requirement contained in paragraph (b) of this section.

(b) Those ship stations utilizing an accounting authority's AAIC for which the subject accounting authority certification has been suspended, cancelled or relinquished, should make contractual arrangements with another properly authorized accounting authority to settle its accounts.

(c) The Commission will notify the ITU of all accounting authority suspensions, cancellations and relinquishments, and

(d) The Commission will publish a Public Notice detailing all accounting authority suspensions, cancellations and relinquishments.

Failure to remit proper and timely payment to the Commission or to an accounting authority may result in one or more of the following actions against the licensee:

(a) Forfeiture or other authorized sanction.

(b) The refusal by foreign countries to accept or refer public correspondence communications to or from the vessel or vessels owned, operated or licensed by the person or entity failing to make payment. This action may be taken at the request of the Commission or independently by the foreign country or coast station involved.

(c) Further action to recover amounts owed utilizing any or all legally available debt collection procedures.

The U.S. ship station licensee bears ultimate responsibility for final payment of its accounts. This responsibility cannot be superseded by the contractual agreement between the ship station licensee and the accounting authority. In the event that an accounting authority does not remit proper and timely payments on behalf of the ship station licensee:

(a) The ship station licensee will make arrangements for another accounting authority to perform future settlements, and

(b) The ship station licensee will settle any outstanding accounts due to foreign entities.

(c) The Commission will, upon request, take all possible steps, within the limits of applicable national law, to ensure settlement of the accounts of the ship station licensee. As circumstances warrant, this may include issuing warnings to ship station licensees when it becomes apparent that an accounting authority is failing to settle accounts. See also §§ 3.70 through 3.74.