2010-25927. Notice of Public Information Collection(s) Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission, Comments Requested

October 6, 2010.

SUMMARY:

The Federal Communications Commission, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burden invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following information collection(s), as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520. Comments are requested concerning: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Commission, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Commission's burden estimate; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology; and (e) ways to further reduce the information collection burden on small business concerns with fewer than 25 employees.

The FCC may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. No person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) that does not display a valid OMB control number.

DATES:

Written Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) comments should be submitted on or before December 14, 2010. If you anticipate that you will be submitting PRA comments but find it difficult to do so within the period of time allowed by this notice, you should advise the FCC contact listed below as soon as possible.

ADDRESSES:

Direct all PRA comments to Nicholas A. Fraser, Office of Management and Budget, via fax at 202-395-5167 or via Internet at [e-mail] and to the Federal Communications Commission. To submit your PRA comments by e-mail, send them to: [e-mail].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For additional information, contact Judith B. Herman at 202-418-0214 or via the Internet at [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

OMB Control Number: 3060-0484.

Title: Sections 4.1 and 4.2, and Part 4 of the Commission's Rules Concerning Disruptions to Communications (NORS).

Form No.: N/A.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Respondents: Business or other for-profit, not-for-profit institutions, and State, local or tribal government.

Number of Respondents: 71 respondents; 139 responses.

Estimated Time per Response: 2 hours.

Frequency of Response: On occasion reporting requirement.

Obligation To Respond: Required to obtain or retain benefits. Statutory authority for this information collection is contained in 47 U.S.C. 151, 154, 218, 219, 230, 256, 301, 302, 303, 403, and 621.

Total Annual Burden: 19,738 hours.

Total Annual Cost: N/A.

Privacy Act Impact Assessment: N/A.

Nature and Extent of Confidentiality: In accordance with 47 CFR 4.2 of the Commission's rules, reports under Part 4 are presumed confidential.

Needs and Uses: The Commission will submit this expiring information collection to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) after this 60-day comment period in order to obtain the full three-year clearance from them. The Commission is requesting approval of an extension of this information collection (no change in the reporting requirement). The Commission is reporting a significant increase of 10,100 hours in the total annual burden hours. This is due to a recalculation of our burden estimates and fewer respondents reporting information. The estimated number of respondents fluctuates because of the type of event to be reported and the location where it occurred.

In recognition of the critical need for rapid, full, and accurate information on service disruptions that could affect homeland security, public health and safety, as well as the economic well-being of our Nation, and in view of the increasing importance of non-wireline communications in the Nation's communications networks and critical infrastructure, the Commission adopted rules requiring mandatory service disruptions reporting from all communications providers (cable, satellite, wireline and wireless) that provide voice and/or paging communications. As envisioned, the information collected pursuant to these rules has helped improve network reliability.

OMB Control Number: 3060-1094.

Title: Sections 27.14 and 27.1221, Licensing, Operation and Transition of the 2500-2690 MHz Band.

Form No.: N/A.

Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.

Respondents: Business or other for-profit, not-for-profit institutions, and State, local or tribal government.

Number of Respondents: 2,500 respondents; 5,140 responses.

Estimated Time per Response: .50-2.25 hours.

Frequency of Response: On occasion and one-time reporting requirements, recordkeeping requirement and third party disclosure requirement.

Obligation To Respond: Required to obtain or retain benefits. Statutory authority for this information collection is contained in 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 301, 303(f), 303(g), 303(r), 307, 308, and 316.

Total Annual Burden: 3,510 hours.

Total Annual Cost: $302,667.

Privacy Act Impact Assessment: N/A.

Needs and Uses: The Commission will submit this revised information collection to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) after this 60-day comment period in order to obtain the full three-year clearance from them.

The Commission is reporting a program change decrease of 7,214 hours which is due to elimination of the pre-transition data request, the transition notice, the initiation plan, the post-transition notification and the transition plan because they relate to the transition of BRS and EBS licensees to the new band plan and these requirements have been met. The Commission is also reporting an adjustment decrease of 2,267 hours due to recalculation of all the remaining burden estimates.

The FCC adopted and released a Fourth Memorandum Opinion and Order (2008 Order), FCC 08-83, which adopted section 27.14(o) of the Commission's rules. That rule requires all Broadband Radio Service (BRS) and Educational Broadband Service (EBS) licensees to make a showing of “substantial service” no later than May 1, 2011 on a license-by-license basis. The requirement was modified by the Third Report and Order (2010 Order), FCC 10-107, to require that licensees issue a new BRS license on or after November 6, 2009, and would have four years from the date of initial grant to provide substantial service. A licensee must demonstrate that it provided service which is sound, favorable and substantially above the level of mediocre service which might minimally warrant renewal.

The information relating to substantial service is used by the Commission staff to satisfy requirements for licensees to demonstrate substantial service at the time of license renewal. Without this information, the Commission would not be able to carry out its statutory responsibilities. The third party disclosure coordination requirements are necessary to ensure that licensees do not cause interference to each other and that licensees who undertake to transition to the new band plan receive reimbursement for eligible costs.

Federal Communications Commission.

Marlene H. Dortch,

Secretary.