by Kurt E. DeSoto

July, 2001

I have always enjoyed reading Henry Crawford’s articles on computer-based research tools that can increase our productivity as communications law practitioners. Unfortunately for the FCBA, however, Henry has taken a position with a software engineering company and has discontinued his newsletter column. Good luck, Henry, and thanks for all your wonderful reviews.

But now when I learn about helpful services, I can no longer simply refer their reps to Henry to spread the news. So I guess I will try to do it myself, knowing that Henry is a hard act to follow.

The two services I recently learned about offer Internet-based access to licensing information derived from the FCC’s source data, including in particular its Universal Licensing System (“ULS”). The first is called “PerCon DataLinks,” developed by PerCon Corporation. The other is offered by Washington Radio Reports, called “WRRonline.” The URL for PerCon Datalinks is http://www.perconcorp.com and a demo password is available through its site or by calling (716) 386-6015. The URL for WRRonline is http://wrronline.com and a demo password is available from Dan Roberts at (770) 893-4924 or by email at droberts@wrronline.com. Incidentally, Mr. Roberts developed the now discontinued “ISI” system that was operated under contract with the FCC to provided dial up access to licensing information before the agency established its own Internet site.

My first reaction to these services was “why pay for information that is available for free over the FCC’s website at http://wtbwww05.fcc.gov or http://gullfoss2.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/genmen/index.hts?” I soon discovered, though, that the services offer time-saving (and thus cost-saving) capabilities and features not available through the FCC’s site, and at a reasonable price too!

First, the services eliminate the requirement to “drill down” into the FCC’s database to obtain complete data regarding a specific license or application (currently, a user of the FCC’s ULS website must click through successive links and print out numerous pages to collect data on all of the locations, frequencies, and antenna information for a specific license or filing). These services provide an option to display the entire license or pending application information on one printable page that resembles an old-style FCC license.

Second, these services include features to download data directly into Excel, Access, Word or other formats. Many of PerCon’s databases are also available on CD-ROM. The FCC download feature provides only ASCII tab-delimited files in Word software that a programmer must further manipulate to be usable. Once downloaded from the PerCon or WRRonline site, the data can be easily sorted and printed in almost any format needed. For example, the data can be used as a source for a company’s or law firm’s databases of its own licenses or the licenses of other entities it might be researching or monitoring. It can also be used to create exhibits for filings.

Third, the services offer a wide variety of search options. Although many options are similar to those available under the FCC’s sites, the options offered by these companies are easier to use and more comprehensive. For example, they include the distances and bearings of retrieved sites from specified coordinates. PerCon also offers a mapping function that is more extensive than the FCC’s.

Fourth, these services serve as an alternative when the FCC’s site is down for maintenance or is slow because of intensive demand. No longer may a practitioner completely blame the FCC for an inability to obtain needed records.

Last, the services are relatively inexpensive. As of this wriritng, PerCon offered two standard levels of payment: (1) a per search charge starting at $1.50 that is assessed through a prepaid credit system or (2) an annual fee of $2,500 per account for unlimited usage. It also periodically runs discounts. WRR offered a per search option as well, starting at $1.00, a monthly option upon request, or an annual charge of $1,800 for unlimited access. The prepaid credit systems are designed for occasional users; the charges for unlimited access are designed for heavier users. These rates appear negotiable, however, depending on need and the number of users. More importantly, both companies are willing to implement custom options for their users.

Of course, a company or law firm with a good programmer can download the FCC’s files on its own and construct its own databases that perform in much the same way as these services. But most companies do not have such programmers, while others have more important tasks for their programmers. And most would not likely have time to keep their databases updated on a daily basis as does PerCon and WRR. Under these circumstances, it makes sense to leave the programming to PerCon, which has been in this business for 15 years, or WRR, which has been providing FCC licensing data to the communications industry for over 25 years (and has its main office is down the street from the FCC in Gettysburg). In fact, WRR was selected by Motorola as a reimbursable service for its dealer network.

Moreover, plans are ongoing at these companies to expand the range of their services. PerCon expects shortly to release a notification service that will advise users of database changes (such as filings by co-channel licensees) or upcoming dates (such as license expiration dates). WRR’s service is currently limited to Part 90 land mobile license data, but it intends soon to cover Part 22 land mobile and other services. WRR also plans to unveil an antenna obstructions information service similar to PerCon’s that will provide radius searchable data on both FCC towers and FAA obstructions (currently, only registered towers are searchable on the FCC’s website). In addition, WRR is planning to establish a new feature that will search for available frequencies.

The bottom line is that I would give a “thumbs up” to these services. They are helpful, fast, and cost-effective tools for the communications practitioner. Indeed, PerCon’s services are so useful that several government agencies (including the FCC!) are subscribers.