2011-32463. Information Collections Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission Under Delegated Authority

AGENCY:

Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION:

Notice and request for comments.

SUMMARY:

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), 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, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995. 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 control number. No person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information subject to the PRA that does not display a valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number.

DATES:

Written PRA comments should be submitted on or before February 21, 2012. 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:

Direct all PRA comments to the Federal Communications Commission via email to [e-mail] and [e-mail].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For additional information about the information collection, contact Cathy Williams at [phone].

OMB Control Number: 3060-0055.

Title: Application for Cable Television Relay Service Station License, FCC Form 327.

Form Number: FCC Form 327.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Respondents: Business or other for-profit entities; Not-for-profit institutions.

Number of Respondents and Responses: 400 respondents; 400 responses.

Estimated Time per Response: 3.166 hours.

Frequency of Response: On occasion reporting requirement; Every 5 years reporting requirement.

Total Annual Burden: 1,266 hours.

Total Annual Costs: $98,000.

Obligation To Respond: Required to obtain or retain benefits. The statutory authority for this collection of information is contained in Sections 154(i), 308 and 309 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended.

Nature and Extent of Confidentiality: There is no need for confidentiality with this collection of information.

Privacy Impact Assessment(s): No impact(s).

Needs and Uses: This filing is the application for a Cable Television Relay Service (CARS) microwave radio license. Franchised cable systems and other eligible services use the 2, 7, 12 and 18 GHz CARS bands for microwave relays pursuant to part 78 of the Commission's Rules. CARS is principally a video transmission service used for intermediate links in a distribution network. CARS stations relay signals for and supply program material to cable television systems and other eligible entities using point-to-point and point-to-multipoint transmissions. These relay stations enable cable systems and other CARS licensees to transmit television broadcast and low power television and related audio signals, AM and FM broadcast stations, and cablecasting from one point (e.g., on one side of a river or mountain) to another point (e.g., the other side of the river or mountain) or many points (“multipoint”) via microwave. The filing is done for an initial license, for modification of an existing license, for transfer or assignment of an existing license, and for renewal of a license after five years from initial issuance or from renewal of a license. Filing is done in accordance with Sections 78.11 to 78.40 of the Commission's Rules. The form consists of multiple schedules and exhibits, depending on the specific action for which it is filed. Initial applications are the most complete, and renewal applications are the most brief. The data collected is used by Commission staff to determine whether grant of a license is in accordance with Commission requirements on eligibility, permissible use, efficient use of spectrum, and prevention of interference to existing stations.

OMB Control Number: 3060-0938.

Title: Application for a Low Power FM Broadcast Station License, FCC Form 319.

Form Number: FCC Form 319.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions, State, local or Tribal Government.

Number of Respondents and Responses: 200 respondents and 200 responses.

Estimated Time per Response: 1 hour.

Frequency of Response: On occasion reporting requirement.

Total Annual Burden: 200 hours.

Total Annual Costs: $27,500.

Obligation to Respond: Required to obtain or retain benefits. The statutory authority for this collection of information is contained in Sections 154(i), 303 and 308 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended.

Privacy Impact Assessment(s): No impacts.

Needs and Uses: On January 20, 2000, the Commission adopted a Report and Order (R&O) in MM Docket No. 99-25, In the Matter of Creation of Low Power Radio Service. With the adoption of this R&O, the Commission authorized the licensing of two new classes of FM radio stations, generally referred to as low power FM stations (LPFM): a LP100 class for stations operating at 50-100 watts effective radiated power (ERP) at an antenna height above average terrain (HAAT) of 30 meters; and a LP10 class for stations operating at 1-10 watts ERP and an antenna height of 30 meters HAAT. These stations will be operated on a noncommercial educational basis by entities that do not hold attributable interests in any other broadcast station or other media subject to the Commission's ownership rules. The LPFM service authorized in this Report and Order provides significant opportunities for new radio services. The LPFM service creates a class of radio stations designed to serve very localized communities or underrepresented groups within communities.

In connection with this new service, the Commission developed a new FCC Form 319, Application for a Low Power FM Broadcast Station License. FCC Form 319 is required to apply for a license for a new or modified Low Power FM (LPFM) station.

OMB Control Number: 3060-1045.

Title: Section 76.1610, Change of Operational Information; FCC Form 324, Operator, Mail Address, and Operational Status Changes Operator, Mail Address, and Operational Information Changes, FCC Form 324.

Form Number: FCC Form 324.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Respondents: Business and other for-profit entities; Not-for-profit institutions.

Number of Respondents and Responses: 5,000 respondents; 5,000 responses.

Estimated Time per Response: 0.5 hours.

Frequency of Response: On occasion reporting requirement.

Total Annual Burden: 2,500 hours.

Total Annual Costs: None.

Obligation to Respond: Required to obtain or retain benefits. The statutory authority for this collection of information is contained in 154(i), 303, 308, 309 and 621 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended.

Privacy Impact Assessment(s): No impact(s).

Needs and Uses: Under 47 CFR Section 76.1610, cable operators must notify the Commission of changes in ownership information or operating status within 30 days of such change. FCC Form 324 is used to update information filed with the Commission concerning the Cable Community Registration. The information is the basic operational information on operator name, mailing address, community served, and system identification. FCC Form 324 will cover a variety of changes related to cable operators, replacing the requirement of a letter containing approximately the same information. Every Form 324 filing will require information about the system—the additional information required depending largely upon the nature of the change.

Federal Communications Commission.

Bulah P. Wheeler,

Deputy Manager, Office of the Secretary, Office of Managing Director.