03-32113. Notice of Public Information Collection(s) Being Submitted to OMB for Review and Approval

December 16, 2003.

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, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. An agency 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 Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) 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 comments should be submitted on or before January 30, 2004. 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 comments to Les Smith, Federal Communications Commission, Room 1-A804, 445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20554 or via the Internet to [e-mail] or Kim A. Johnson, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Room 10236 NEOB, Washington, DC 20503, [phone] or via the Internet at [e-mail].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For additional information or copy of the information collection(s) contact Les Smith at [phone] or via the Internet at [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

OMB Control Number: 3060-1038.

Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.

Title: Digital Television Transition Information Questionnaires.

Form Number: N/A.

Respondents: Business or other for-profit entities.

Number of Respondents: 844.

Estimated Time per Response: 4 to 24 hours.

Frequency of Response: On occasion reporting requirement.

Total Annual Burden: 4,823 hours.

Total Annual Cost: $251,400.

Needs and Uses: In the Telecommunications Act of 1996, Congress directed that every broadcaster be given a second channel for digital operations. At the end of the transition, broadcasters' analog channels will be returned to the government. Congress set a target date of December 31, 2006, for the end of the transition, although that date can be extended if 85% of viewers in a particular market do not have access to the digital signals. In addition, at the end of the transition the broadcast spectrum will contract from channels 2-69 to channels 2-51. This 108 MHz of spectrum (channels 52-69) can then be used by advanced wireless services and public safety authorities. There are several key building blocks to a successful transition. First, content—consumers must perceive something significantly different than what they have in analog. Second, distribution—the content must be delivered to consumers in a simple and convenient way. Third, equipment—must be capable, affordable and consumer-friendly. And fourth, education—consumers must be educated about what digital television is, and what it can do for them. These information requests are designed to gather data in these key areas.

OMB Control Number: 3060-XXXX.

Title: Telecommunication Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individual with Hearing and Speech Disabilities, CC Docket No. 98-67 (Declaratory Ruling), FCC 03-190.

Form Number: N/A.

Type of Review: New collection.

Respondents: Business or other for-profit entities.

Number of Respondents: 1.

Estimated Time per Response: 8 hours.

Frequency of Response: Annual reporting requirement.

Total Annual Burden: 8 hours.

Total Annual Cost: None.

Needs and Uses: On August 1, 2003, the Commission released the Declaratory Ruling, In the Matter of Telecommunication Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities, CC 98-67, FCC 03-190. In the Declaratory Ruling, the Commission clarifies that captioned telephone voice carry over (VCO) service is a type of telecommunications relay service (TRS) and that eligible providers of such services are eligible to recover their costs in accordance with section 225 of the Communications Act. The Commission also clarifies that certain TRS mandatory minimum standards do not apply to captioned VCO service, and waives §§ 64.604(a)(1) and (a)(3) of the Commission's rules for all current and future captioned telephone VCO service providers, for the same period of time indicated herein, beginning on the date of release of this Declaratory Ruling. These waivers are contingent on the filing of annual reports, for a period of three years, with the Commission. Sections 64.604 (a)(1) and (a)(3) of the Commission's rules, which contain information collection requirements under the Paperwork Reduction Act, are not effective until approved by the Office of Management and Budget.

Federal Communications Commission.

Marlene H. Dortch,

Secretary.