03-7558. Notice of Public Information Collection(s) Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission

March 21, 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(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 current 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 May 30, 2003. 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]

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For additional information or copies of the information collection(s) contact Les Smith at 202-418-0217 or via the Internet at [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

OMB Control Number: 3060-0331.

Title: Aeronautical Frequency Notification, FCC Form 321.

Form Number: FCC 321.

Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.

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

Number of Respondents: 1,855.

Estimated Time per Response: 40 minutes.

Frequency of Response: One-time and on occasion reporting requirements.

Total Annual Burden: 1,237 hours.

Total Annual Costs: $24,733.

Needs and Uses: On March 13, 2003, the Commission adopted a Report and Order (R&O), Amendment of the Commission's Rules for Implementation of its Cable Operations and Licensing System (COALS) to Allow for Electronic Filing of Licensing Applications, Forms, Registrations and Notifications in the Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service and the Cable Television Relay Service, FCC 03-55 This R&O provided for electronic filing and standardized information collections. Under 47 CFR Section 76.1804 of the FCC rules, an MVPD must file FCC Form 321 prior to commencing operation in the aeronautical frequency bands at an average power level across a 25 kHz bandwidth in any 160 microsecond time period equal to or greater than 10⁻⁴ watts at any point in the cable distribution system. In addition, this form must be filed prior to transmitting on any new frequency or frequencies in the aeronautical radio frequency bands. This form will replace the requirement that an MVPD send a letter containing approximately the same information. It should reduce the burden on respondents by clarifying the exact information they need to send and by providing a consistent format for the information.

OMB Control Number: 3060-0310.

Title: Cable Community Registration, FCC Form 322.

Form Number: FCC 322.

Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.

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

Number of Respondents: 316.

Estimated Time per Response: 30 minutes.

Frequency of Response: One time reporting requirement.

Total Annual Burden: 158 hours.

Total Annual Costs: $3,160.

Needs and Uses: On March 13, 2003, the Commission adopted a Report and Order (R&O), Amendment of the Commission's Rules for Implementation of its Cable Operations and Licensing System (COALS) to Allow for Electronic Filing of Licensing Applications, Forms, Registrations and Notifications in the Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service and the Cable Television Relay Service, FCC 03-55. This R&O provided for electronic filing and standardized information collections. Under 47 CFR Section 76.1801, cable operators will be required to file FCC Form 322 with the Commission prior to commencing operation of a community unit. FCC Form 322 will collect biographical information about the operator and system as well as a list of broadcast channels carried on the system. This form will replace the requirement that cable operators send a letter containing approximately the same information.

OMB Control Number: 3060-XXXX.

Title: Operator, Mail Address, and Operational Information Changes, FCC Form 324.

Form Number: FCC 324.

Type of Review: New collection.

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

Number of Respondents: 5,000.

Estimated Time per Response: 10 minutes to 1 hour.

Frequency of Response: On occasion reporting requirements.

Total Annual Burden: 2,500 hours.

Total Annual Costs: $50,000.

Needs and Uses: On March 13, 2003, the Commission adopted a Report and Order (R&O), Amendment of the Commission's Rules for Implementation of its Cable Operations and Licensing System (COALS) to Allow for Electronic Filing of Licensing Applications, Forms, Registrations and Notifications in the Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service and the Cable Television Relay Service, FCC 03-55. This R&O provided for electronic filing and standardized information collections. 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 using FCC Form 324. 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 biographical information about the operator and system—the additional information required depending largely upon the nature of the change.

OMB Control Number: 3060-0055.

Title: Application for Cable Television Relay Service Station (CARS) Authorization, FCC Form 327.

Form Number: FCC 327.

Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.

Respondents: Business and other for-profit entities; not-for-profit institutions; individuals or households; State, local, or tribal governments.

Number of Respondents: 973.

Estimated Time per Response: 3 hrs and 10 mins (3.166 hours).

Frequency of Response: Record-keeping; On occasion reporting requirements.

Total Annual Burden: 3,081 hours.

Total Annual Costs: $61,620.

Needs and Uses: On March 13, 2003, the Commission adopted a Report and Order (R&O), Amendment of the Commission's Rules for Implementation of its Cable Operations and Licensing System (COALS) to Allow for Electronic Filing of Licensing Applications, Forms, Registrations and Notifications in the Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service and the Cable Television Relay Service, FCC 03-55. This R&O provided for electronic filing and standardized information collections. Under 47 CFR Sections 78.11-78.40 of FCC Rules, an applicant files FCC Form 327 to obtain an initial license or modification, transfer, assignment, or renewal of an existing Cable television Relay Service (CARS) microwave radio license. Franchised cable systems and other eligible services use the 12 GHz and 18 GHz CARS bands for microwave relays pursuant to 47 CFR part 78 of the Commission's Rules. CARS is principally a video transmission service used for intermediate links in a distribution network, i.e., CARS stations relay broadcast television, low power television, AM, FM, and cablecasting video and audio signal transmissions for and supply program material to these various broadcast transmission systems using point-to-point and point-to-multipoint transmissions. The Commission has restructured FCC Form 327 primarily to make it conform to the online filing system.

Federal Communications Commission.

Marlene H. Dortch,

Secretary.