E8-27247. Notice of Public Information Collection(s) Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission, Comments Requested

November 12, 2008.

SUMMARY:

The Federal Communications Commission, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, 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 of 1995 (PRA), Public Law No. 104-13. An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid control number. Subject to the PRA, no person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information that does not display a valid control number. 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; and (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.

DATES:

Written PRA comments should be submitted on or before January 16, 2009. If you anticipate that you will be submitting comments, but find it difficult to do so within the period of time allowed by this notice, you should advise the contact listed below as soon as possible.

ADDRESSES:

Interested parties may submit all PRA comments by e-mail or U.S. post mail. To submit your comments by e-mail, send them to [e-mail] and/or to [e-mail]. To submit your comments by U.S. mail, mark them to the attention of Cathy Williams, Federal Communications Commission, Room 1-C823, 445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20554.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For additional information about the information collection(s), contact Cathy Williams at [phone] or send an e-mail to [e-mail] and/or [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

OMB Control No.: 3060-0678.

Title: Part 25 of the Commission's Rules Governing the Licensing of, and Spectrum Usage by, Satellite Network Stations and Space Stations.

Form No.: FCC Form 312 and Schedule S.

Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.

Respondents: Business or other for-profit entities.

Number of Respondents: 4,112 respondents; 4,112 responses.

Estimated Time per Response: 1 Hour.

Frequency of Response: On occasion and annual reporting requirements; Third party disclosure requirement.

Obligation to Respond: Required to obtain or retain benefits. The Commission has statutory approval for the information collection requirements under Sections 4(i), 7(a), 303(c), 303(f), 303(g) and 303(r) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. Sections 154(i), 157(a), 303(c), 303(f), 303(g) and 303(r).

Total Annual Burden: 42,579 hours.

Total Annual Cost: $613,719,126.

Privacy Act Impact Assessment: No impact(s).

Nature and Extent of Confidentiality: There is no need for confidentiality pertaining to the information collection requirements in this collection.

Needs and Uses: On October 17, 2008, the Federal Communications Commission (“Commission”) released an Eighth Report and Order and Order on Reconsideration titled, “In the Matter of 2000 Biennial Regulatory Review—Streamlining and Other Revisions of Part 25 of the Commission's Rules Governing the Licensing of, and Spectrum Usage by, Satellite Network Earth Stations and Space Stations; Streamlining the Commission's Rules and Regulations for Satellite Applications and Licensing Procedures” (FCC 08-246), IB Docket Nos. 00-248 and 95-117. In the Eighth Report and Order, the Commission further streamlined the Commission's non-routine earth station processing rules by adopting a new earth station procedure that will enable the Commission to treat more applications routinely than is possible under the current earth station procedures. This rulemaking facilitates the provision of broadband Internet access services.

The PRA information collection requirements contained in the Eighth Report and Order are as follows:

1. The Commission plans to modify the “Application for Satellite Space and Earth Station Authorizations” (FCC Form 312), including Schedule B, in the International Bureau Filing System (“MyIBFS”) to reflect the off-axis equivalent isotropically radiated power (EIRP) envelope compliance requirement. In the interim, earth station applicants must submit a table as an attachment to the FCC Form 312 to show their compliance with the off-axis EIRP requirement.

2. Earth station licensees who plan to use a contention protocol must certify that their contention protocol usage will be reasonable. In the future, the Commission will revise the FCC Form 312 in MyIBFS to provide a streamlined method for earth station applicants planning to use a contention protocol to make this certification.

The information collection requirements accounted for in this collection are necessary to determine the technical and legal qualifications of applicants or licensees to operate a station, transfer or assign a license, and to determine whether the authorization is in the public interest, convenience and necessity. Without such information, the Commission could not determine whether to permit respondents to provide telecommunication services in the U.S. Therefore, the Commission would be unable to fulfill its statutory responsibilities in accordance with the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, and the obligations imposed on parties to the World Trade Organization (WTO) Basic Telecom Agreement.

Federal Communications Commission.

Marlene H. Dortch,

Secretary.