The ULS Glossary contains a list of terms commonly used in the Universal Licensing System in regards to filing applications with the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau. Click the first letter of the term or use the scroll bar on the right to scroll through the terms.
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| Accepted Status | The status of a Required Notification of Construction that has been accepted by the Commission.
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Active License |
A license granted by the FCC that has not expired or been
cancelled or terminated. A license becomes active immediately upon grant. So long as the
license is active, the licensee is authorized to operate in accordance with its terms.
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| Administrative Update |
An application filing
that allows a licensee to update administrative data on its license(s) in the ULS
licensing database. Administrative changes are limited to changes in licensee name
(provided there is no change in license ownership, control, or corporate structure),
address, phone number, fax number, control point, e-mail address, and point of contact
information. Administrative changes do not include changes in technical specifications to
a license, control points, assignments or transfers, or other changes that would require a
modification application. (See Modification.) Previously,
applicants made administrative updates with a formal FCC modification request or an
informal letter request.
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| Alert List | A list maintained by the FCC staff that
identifies potential categories of "problem" applications so that ULS can
identify them and send them offline for manual processing. The alert list function can
then be used to flag applications based on the identity of the applicant, the spectrum
being applied for, or the type of license being sought. For example, if a particular
company is the subject of a pending enforcement action, it would be listed on the alert
list so that any application to which the company is a party would be offlined by ULS. The
staff would then need to override a system alert in order to grant the application.
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| Amendment | A request to revise a previously filed,
currently pending application. If the amendment is major, the amended application is
treated as a new application with a new filing date. If the amendment is minor, the
original application receipt date is retained.
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| Antenna Structure Registration |
(formerly Tower) The
ULS Tower system replaces our former Antenna Clearance process and automates/integrates
our Antenna Registration database and TOWAIR software as functions within the ULS process.
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| Application Search |
A feature on the FCC wide area network that
allows ULS users to view applications (pending, granted, returned, dismissed, consented,
and consummated) with their associated attachments, comments, and historical data. This
query feature includes all applications in ULS, including those that are dismissed.
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| Assignment | A transaction whereby a license is acquired
from an existing licensee (the assignor) by another entity (the assignee). (See also Transfer of Control.) In most cases, the parties must file an
application and obtain Commission consent to the assignment before it can take place. (See
Non-Pro Forma Assignments or Transfers and Pro
Forma Assignments or Transfers) An assignment can be either full or partial. A full
assignment involves acquisition of the entire license and licensed facilities. A partial
assignment involves acquisition by the assignee of a portion of the facilities, geographic
area, or spectrum covered by the license, while the assignor retains the remaining
portion. In geographically licensed services, partitioning and disaggregation are types of
partial assignment.
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| Automatic Processing |
The ability of the ULS to process (grant,
dismiss, etc.) a request filed by an applicant without the need for staff review or
intervention. This is possible if ULS does not need to offline the file to Inbox for
errors, major filings, waivers, etc. For example, renewal applications and routine
construction notifications may be auto-processed.
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| Batch Electronic Filing |
An electronic interface
that enables applicants (e.g. frequency coordinators, VECs, large companies) to remotely
submit a batch file containing multiple applications. This is distinct from Interactive Electronic Filing, which allows the applicant to work
interactively in the system when electronically filing individual applications.
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| Call Sign | The combination of letters and numbers that
serve to identify an FCC license.
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| Cancellation | The rescinding of an existing license at the
request of the licensee. This occurs, for example, if the licensee has ceased operations
and turns in its license. In the ULS database the license status code is changed from A active to C
cancelled. (Also see Termination.)
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| Clearance Check |
An automated process performed by ULS that
determines if an application requires further review/action, either automated or manual.
Examples of clearance checks include alert list, international coordination, Tower, and
basic qualifications.
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| Consent | FCC approval of an assignment or transfer of
control application. This allows the parties to proceed with the transaction. (See Consummation.)
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| Construction Requirements |
Rules requiring wireless licensees to
construct facilities and commence service within a specified time after the license grant
date (the construction period). If the licensee fails to construct and commence service
within the construction period, and does not receive an extension of time, the license
automatically terminates. "Commencement of service" refers to commencing actual
operation of the facility. In the case of common carriers, service must be provided to at
least two unaffiliated subscribers to meet this requirement.
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| Consummation | The completion by
the parties of an assignment or transfer of control transaction that has been approved by
the FCC. Consummation must occur within 60 days of FCC consent unless an extension of time
is granted.
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| Coverage Requirements |
In geographically licensed services, rules requiring wireless licensees to provide service covering a specified portion of the licensing area within a specified time after the license grant date (the coverage period). Typically, the portion of the licensing area that must be covered is defined in terms of population, though other criteria may be used instead of or in addition to population. If the licensee fails to provide coverage within the coverage period, and does not receive an extension of time, the license automatically terminates. |
| Disaggregation | In geographically
licensed services, the acquisition of a part of a licensee's allotted spectrum by another
entity. For example, a PCS licensee with 30 MHz of spectrum could disaggregate 10 MHz to
another entity. (See Assignment and Partitioning.)
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| Dismissal | FCC action terminating processing of an
application that is determined to be defective or otherwise not in conformance with the
Commission's rules. If an application is dismissed, the applicant may be entitled to
refile under applicable rules, but the refiled application will be treated as a new
application. Dismissal of an application is distinct from denial of an application, which
may occur if an application is contested. An application will be dismissed when the
application is not grantable on its face. An application will be denied if it is grantable
on its face, but the Commission determines that grant of the application would not be in
the public interest.
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| Duplicate | An applicant request for a copy of an
existing license.
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| Effective Date |
The date on which a license
becomes effective. In most cases this is the same as the Grant Date. (See Grant Date). One exception occurs when a Grant Date falls on a
weekend or a holiday: the Effective date will be the following business day. Another
exception occurs with Modifications. The original Grant Date
of the license will remain the same, but the Effective Date will be the day the
Modification alone becomes effective.
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| Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) |
The exchange of information between computers
by cooperating entities without human intervention. EDI will be used in the future to
submit wireless radio license applications to the FCC and to provide the applicant with
the status of the application received. Applicants will also use EDI to pay the FCC for
these applications.
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| Expiration Date |
The date after which an FCC-granted license
ceases to be valid. For example, a license with a 12/1/98 expiration is no longer valid at
12:00am 12/2/98. In most cases, wireless licenses have a 10-year term, and the expiration
date is the 10-year anniversary date of the original license grant date.
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| Extension of Time |
An applicant request to either extend the
deadline for meeting construction or coverage requirements, or extend the time allowed for
consummation of an assignment or transfer.
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| Fee Sufficiency / Insufficiency |
Indicates whether an applicant has provided
enough funds to cover required application fees.
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| GeoSearch | A feature of License Search
that allows ULS users to further limit searches to a specific
geographic area, either alone or in addition to other search criteria.
Users may search on geographic coordinates (latitude, longitude,
and minutes), street address, or state and county. For coordinates and street address searches,
users may also specify the radius of the surrounding area in which to search. (See License Search.)
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| Grant Date | The date on which a license becomes
effective, which initiates the license term (usually 10 years) and sets the timetable for
any applicable construction or coverage deadlines. In ULS, this corresponds to the date
that the license is effective. In ULS choosing a future grant date is also possible.
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| Grant | The approval of a pending license application
by the FCC. A-Grant Status refers to an application that has been granted, but not yet run through the nightly ULS batch process.
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| Granted in Part |
The approval of one or more markets within an application by the FCC, with other markets within the same application dismissed. (See Dismissal.) |
| Inactive Application |
A previous version of an application that has
been superseded by a subsequent amended application. The inactive version of the
application is maintained in the ULS database, though it no longer shows up in Inbox. It
can be viewed in Application Search.
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| Inbox | A computerized processing tool in ULS that
helps managers, examiners, and other FCC staff members to assign, track, and process
applications. Note: The ULS Inbox is not related to the FCC GroupWise e-mail Inbox.
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| Incomplete | The status of an application in ULS that is
not yet completed and submitted. The system saves incomplete applications for 30 days.
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| Interactive Electronic Filing |
An electronic
interface that enables an applicant, via the FCC wide area network, to electronically file
an application and to receive instructions and error messages from ULS in real time during
the filing process. This is distinct from Batch Electronic Filing,
which provides a means to electronically file multiple applications but which has no
real-time responses or error messages.
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| Issue Date | The date on which the FCC issues the license
to the licensee. The initial issue date may be the same as the grant date (see Grant Date), or if the license was granted with conditions, it may
be the date the conditions were fulfilled. When a license is assigned or modified, it
retains its original grant date, but the issue date is the date that the license was
changed to reflect the assignment or modification. This is not to be confused with print
date which is the date a license is printed. Issue date and print date may be different.
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| Killed | The status of an application
filed manually by the FCC which has been found to contain errors or duplicate information
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| License Search |
A feature that allows ULS users to view
active, terminated, and cancelled licenses with associated attachments, special
conditions, and historical data. This search feature is available via the FCC wide area
network; not the Internet.
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| Licensee ID | A masked Taxpayer Identification Number
(TIN). In ULS an entity's TIN is not provided to the public. However, the public will see
a Licensee ID number (masked TIN) that they can use for application and license searches.
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| Major Filing | An amendment to an
application or a request for modification of license that is defined as major in Part 1 of
the Commission's rules. In general, major filings have significant procedural consequences
(e.g., a major amendment sets a new filing date that changes the applicant's filing
priority) and require prior Commission approval. For example, new applications, extension
of time requests, modifications to technical information, and non-Pro Forma transfer and
assignments are major filings.
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| Manual Filing | An application filed via a hard copy form.
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| Minor Filing | An amendment to an
application or a request for modification of license that is defined as minor in Part 1 of
the Commission's rules. In general, any change not defined as major is considered minor.
Minor filings generally do not affect filing priority and only require the applicant to
notify the FCC by filing a modification request. For example, duplicate license,
withdrawal, and cancellation are minor filings.
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| Modification | An applicant
request to change the terms, conditions, or specifications of an existing license, other
than administrative changes (see Administrative Update).
Modifications may be major or minor. (See Major Filing and Minor Filing)
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| Non-Pro Forma Assignment or Transfer |
An assignment of
license or transfer of control in which actual control of the license changes from the
licensee to an unaffiliated entity. Non-pro forma assignments and transfers require prior
Commission approval. (See Pro Forma Assignment or Transfer)
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| Notification | A filing stating that an event pertaining to
the license has occurred, that an assignment or transfer has been consummated, or that a
construction or coverage requirement has been met.
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| Offlined Application |
an application that requires manual review to
determine if it should be granted, returned, or dismissed. In ULS, offlined applications
are sent to Inbox for further processing.
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| Packs | A set of applications
requesting a system or subsystem of microwave links which are related to the extent that
they cannot or must not operate independently and so must all have the same grant date and
construction deadline. A pack must first be registered in ULS in order to receive a Pack
Registration Number; the Pack Registration Number is then entered on all applications to
filed as part of the pack. (See Pending Pack Filing.)
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| Partial Assignment |
Involves acquisition by the assignee of a
portion of the facilities, geographic area, or spectrum covered by the license, while the
assignor retains the remaining portion. In geographically licensed services, partitioning
and disaggregation are types of partial assignment.
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| Partitioning | In geographically
licensed services, this is the acquisition of a portion of a licensee's geographic service
area by another entity. For example, a PCS licensee with a license for an MTA could
partition a BTA within the MTA to another entity. (See Assignment
and Disaggregation)
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| Pending | Status of an application that
has been successfully filed in ULS and is awaiting FCC action. Pending
Status 1 refers to applications that have been submitted but not processed by
ULS. Pending Status 2 refers to applications that have
been submitted and need examiner intervention before a decision on the application may be
reached.
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| Pending Pack Filing |
Status of an application that
is part of a pack that has not yet been submitted to the FCC. (See Packs.)
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| Petition for Reconsideration |
A petition requesting that the Commission
reverse, modify, or otherwise reconsider a previous action, e.g., grant of a license or
dismissal of an application. Under Section 405 of the Communications Act, a petition for
reconsideration must be filed within 30 days of public notice of the FCC's action.
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| Petition to Deny |
A petition filed with the FCC by an
interested party requesting that the FCC deny a pending application. When a petition is
filed, the applicant may file an opposition and the petitioner may file a reply.
Resolution of a petition generally requires a Commission letter or order stating whether
the petition is granted, denied, or dismissed, and the reasons for the Commission's
decision.
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| Print Date | The date on which the FCC prints a license.
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| Pro Forma Assignment or Transfer |
An assignment or
transfer in which the form of ownership changes but actual control of the license remains
with the same entity. Pro forma assignments and transfers may be approved under
streamlined Forbearance procedures in the case of most telecommunications carriers
(excluding licensees with installment payment or designated entity issues). These Pro
Forma requests do not require prior FCC approval provided that the parties notify the FCC
of the change within 30 days. (See Non-Pro Forma Assignment or
Transfer). Note that private licenses are not subject to forbearance. FCC approval is
required for private pro forma transfers and assignments.
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| Public Notice | An official notification issued by the FCC
that lists Commission actions affecting applicants or licensees, e.g., acceptance of
applications for filing, or licensing actions such as grants or dismissals. In general,
the public notice date triggers procedural deadlines for parties to file pleadings or
petitions (e.g., petitions to deny, petitions for reconsideration) with the FCC regarding
the matter listed on the notice.
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| Radio Service Code |
A unique 2 letter
code used in ULS to designate each wireless service licensed by WTB. A listing of the
radio services is available in the instructions to Form 601 and 605 and in the online help
function in ULS.
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| Receipt Date | The date (and time, in case of electronic
filing) that an application is received by the Commission. In the case of an electronic
filing in ULS, the receipt date is the date/time the application is electronically
submitted by the applicant into the ULS. In the case of a manual filing, the receipt date
is the date the FCC or Mellon Bank received the application by mail or by hand, not the
date it is subsequently key-entered into ULS.
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| Reinstatement | An applicant's request that a license be
restored after termination, cancellation, or expiration. Under ULS, reinstatement is no
longer an available procedure. However, the licensee does have the right to file a
petition for reconsideration of a Commission action terminating its license.
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| Renewal | A grant to a licensee of an additional
license term at the conclusion of the current license term. To obtain a renewal, licensees
must file a renewal application on or before the current license expiration date. When the
renewal is granted, the license receives a new expiration date at the end of the renewal
term. Special temporary authorizations and developmental authorizations may also be
renewed, subject to some restrictions.
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| Resubmit | The refiling of a previously filed
application with additional or corrected information when it has been returned by the
Commission. (See Return.) A resubmittal is a type of amendment to
the application.
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| Return | The status of an
application that has been sent back to the applicant with instructions to amend the
application with corrections or additional information. A returned application is not
dismissed. However, if the applicant fails to amend its application within a specified
time, the application is dismissed.
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| Saved Applications |
An incomplete application that has been
partially entered by the applicant into ULS but has not been completed or submitted.
Unless completed or submitted, applications in "saved" status are deleted from
the ULS database after 30 days.
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| Service Code | A code designating certain groups of wireless
services based on the legacy databases in which licensing data was stored prior to the
deployment of ULS. For example, services that have been licensed in the Microwave database
are designated "MW" and services in the Land Mobile database are designated
"LM" for Land Mobile. Note: Service codes will be phased out as legacy systems are converted. ULS will rely on radio service codes for classification of all wireless services.
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| Special Conditions |
Special rules or restrictions that apply to a
particular license, location, or frequency.
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| Special Temporary Authority (STA) |
An authorization that allows the applicant to
operate radio facilities for a short period (renewable, but limited to180 days) without a
full license. STAs are only granted under unusual circumstances, e.g., where there is an
emergency need for service before a license application can be granted, or where an STA is
needed to prevent operations from being interrupted due to circumstances beyond the
applicant's control.
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| Spectrum Leasing |
A type of filing for either a spectrum manager lease notification or a de facto transfer lease application. The filing purposes under Spectrum Leasing include: 1) New Lease; 2) New Sublease; 3) Revision of an Existing Lease/Sublease; 4) Assignment of a Lease/Sublease; and 5) Transfer of Control of the Lessee/Sublessee. Note: The licensee must submit all filings under its FCC Registration Number (FRN) and password.
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| Status | License status codes:
(A) Active -
An FCC-granted license that has not expired or been cancelled or terminated. | |
| Application status codes:
(1) Pending Level 1 -
Application has been filed but has not begun FCC processing.
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| Termination |
An action by the
Commission to rescind a existing license before its expiration date for failure by the
licensee to fulfill a condition of the license, meet a construction or coverage
requirement, or other reasons such as rule violations by the licensee. ULS uses
"cancellation" to refer to action requested by the licensee, while
"termination" refers to action initiated by the FCC. Note that a licensee may
have certain procedural rights before the FCC can terminate its license, e.g., a right to
a hearing, unless the rules specifically provide for automatic termination.
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| TIN | The Taxpayer Identification Number. The
collection of this number by the FCC is mandated by the Debt Collection Act of 1996. In
ULS it provides a unique identifier for each wireless licensee. All applicants must
register their TIN in order to file applications in the ULS environment. A TIN is required
for any request that affects the licensing database. For example, a TIN is required to
process a licensing request but is not required for a petition.
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| Tower | See Antenna Structure
Registration.
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| Transfer of Control |
A transaction in which control of the entity
that holds a license passes from one entity (the transferor) to another (the transferee).
(See also Assignment.) In most cases, the parties must file an
application and obtain Commission consent to the transfer before it can take place. (See Non-Pro Forma Assignments or Transfers and Pro
Forma Assignments or Transfers)
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| Unjust Enrichment |
FCC rules that require a transferee or
assignee of a license to pay back financial benefits that were received by the original
auction winner under the Commission's designated entity rules, but for which the
transferee or assignee is not eligible. For example, if a small business licensee received
a bidding credit or installment payments in an auction, and then seeks to assign the
license to a non-small business, the assignee may be required to pay back the installment
balance or the bidding credit amount to the Commission as a condition of the assignment.
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| Waiver | A request that the Commission allow an
exception to a specified rule in the case of a particular applicant or licensee based on
unusual and compelling circumstances.
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| Withdrawal | A request by the applicant that the Commission cease processing and dismiss a pending application. |