Technically correct - no "lease".
Just a whole basket of fees.
Some of which are set according to service type (AM/FM/TV, etc.) and other factors like whether commercial/non commercial, economic factors.
I haven't been able to find a concrete fee schedule but did come across some good material on the myriad fees that must be paid by anyone wishing to put a signal on "the people's" airwaves:
FCC Application Fees Going Up By 8 - Effective June 6 2014 Broadcast Law Blog
But, no, they are not lease fees; not rent. Just innocent little "fees".
Correct, there are processing fees. No one need explain to either of us how much work is involved in a frequency search.
I get a fee for my driver's license too. I'm fairly sure everyone does. But no one gives me a car. I'm kind of on my own there.
Isn't that unfair?
Lots of folks get free food.
Lots of folks get free phones.
If you need a car don't you agree that it's your right to have one and one must be given to you before anyone can be allowed to own two cars?
Nope. I already own two cars. Never had one given to me but I did get to choose what I got, and I'd rather have it that way even if I make the wrong choice.