2012-2542. Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission

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 April 6, 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 Cathy Williams, FCC, via email [e-mail] and to [e-mail].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

OMB Control Number: 3060-0687.

Title: Access to Telecommunications Equipment and Services by Persons with Disabilities, CC Docket No. 87-124.

Form Number: N/A.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Respondents: Business or other for-profit entities.

Number of Respondents and Responses: 1,268 respondents; 22,500,000 responses.

Estimated Time per Response: 1 second (0.000278 hours) to 15 seconds (0.004167 hours).

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

Obligation To Respond: Required to obtain or retain benefits. The statutory authority for this information collection is contained in section 710 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. 610, and Public Law 100-394, the “Hearing Aid Compatibility Act of 1988,” 102 Stat. 976, Aug. 16, 1988.

Total Annual Burden: 6,693 hours.

Total Annual Cost: $266,280.

Nature and Extent of Confidentiality: An assurance of confidentiality is not offered because this information collection does not require the collection of personally identifiable information from individuals.

Privacy Impact Assessment: No impact(s).

Needs and Uses: 47 CFR 68.224—Notice of non-hearing aid compatibility. Every non-hearing aid compatible telephone offered for sale to the public on or after August 17, 1989, whether previously registered, newly registered or refurbished shall (a) contain in a conspicuous location on the surface of its packaging a statement that the telephone is not hearing aid compatible, or if offered for sale without a surrounding package, shall be affixed with a written statement that the telephone is not hearing aid compatible; and (b) be accompanied by instructions in accordance with 47 CFR 62.218(b)(2).

47 CFR 68.300—Labeling requirements. As of April 1, 1997, all registered telephones, including cordless telephones, manufactured in the United States (other than for export) or imported for use in the United States, that are hearing aid compatible shall have the letters “HAC” permanently affixed. The information collections for both rules contain third party disclosure and labeling requirements. The information is used primarily to inform consumers who purchase and/or use telephone equipment whether the telephone is hearing aid compatible.

Federal Communications Commission.

Marlene H. Dortch,

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