01-3118. Notice of Public Information Collection(s) Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission

January 30, 2001.

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 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 March 9, 2001. 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 Judy Boley, Federal Communications Commission, Room 1-C804, 445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20554 or via the Internet to [e-mail].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For additional information or copies of the information collection(s), contact Judy Boley at 202-418-0214 or via the Internet at [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

OMB Control No.: 3060-0625.

Title: Amendment of the Commission's Rules to Establish New Personal Communications Services under Part 24.

Form No.: N/A.

Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.

Respondents: Individuals or households, business or other for-profit, not-for-profit institutions, and state, local or tribal government.

Number of Respondents: 1,500.

Estimated Time Per Response: 3 hours.

Frequency of Response: On occasion reporting requirements, and recordkeeping requirements.

Total Annual Burden: 1,688 hours.

Total Annual Cost: $675,000.

Needs and Uses: This revised information collection adopts a number of modifications to the Commission's existing narrowband Personal Communications Services (PCA) rules. These include the use of Major Trading Areas (MTA's) for future licensing, the establishment of a “substantial service” alternative to the current construction benchmarks, and modifications to certain provisions of the narrowband PCS competitive bidding rules. The Commission also eliminates the narrowband PCS spectrum aggregation limit and adopts partitioning and disaggregation rules. The Commission believes that the rule modifications it adopts will improve the efficiency of spectrum use, reduce the regulatory burden on spectrum users, encourage competition, and promote service to the largest feasible number of users.

Federal Communications Commission.

Magalie Roman Salas,

Secretary.