2024-11458. Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission

AGENCY:

Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION:

Notice and request for comments.

SUMMARY:

As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, and as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or the Commission) invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following information collection. Comments are requested concerning: 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; the accuracy of the Commission's burden estimate; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; 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 ways to further reduce the information collection burden on small business concerns with fewer than 25 employees.

DATES:

Written PRA comments should be submitted on or before July 23, 2024. 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 Nicole Ongele, FCC, via email [e-mail] and to [e-mail].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For additional information about the information collection, contact Nicole Ongele, [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

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.

OMB Control Number: 3060-1003.

Title: Communications Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS).

Form Number: N/A.

Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.

Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Not-for-profit institutions; State, Local or Tribal Government.

Number of Respondents and Responses: 18,306 respondents; 292,896 responses.

Estimated Time per Response: 10 minutes.

Frequency of Response: On occasion and annual reporting requirements; recordkeeping requirements.

Obligation to Respond: Mandatory. Statutory authority for this collection is contained in 1, 4(i), 4(j), 4(n), 201, 214, 218, 251(e)(3), 301, 303(b), 303(g), 303(j), 303(r), 307, 309 316, 332, and 403 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, and 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i)-(j) & (n), 201, 214, 218, 251(e)(3), 301, 303(b), 303(g), 303(r), 307, 309(a), 309(j), 316, 332, 403; sections 2, 3(b), and 6-7 of the Wireless Communications and Public Safety Act of 1999, 47 U.S.C. 615 note, 615, 615a-1, 615b, section 106 of the Twenty First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010, 47 U.S.C. 615c, section 506(a) of the Repack Airways Yielding Better Access for Users of Modern Services Act of 2018 (RAY BAUM'S Act), and section 6206 of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012, 47 U.S.C. 1426.

Total Annual Burden: 48,816 hours.

Total Annual Cost: No Cost.

Needs and Uses: The Commission launched the Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS) in 2007 pursuant to its mandate to promote the safety of life and property through the use of wire and radio communication as required by the Communications Act of 1934, as amended. DIRS is an efficient, and web-based system that communications companies use to report their infrastructure status during times of crisis ( e.g., related to a disaster). DIRS uses a number of template forms tailored to different communications sectors ( i.e., wireless, wireline, broadcast, and cable) to facilitate the entry of this information. To use DIRS, a company first inputs its emergency contact information. After this, they submit information using the template form appropriate for their communications sector. Certain federal, state, territorial, and Tribal Nation agencies may request access to certain geographically relevant reports filed in DIRS.

In a Second Report and Order adopted on January 25, 2024, as FCC 24-5, the Commission adopted rules requiring cable communications, wireless, wireline and interconnected VoIP providers (Subject Providers) to report on their infrastructure status in during emergencies and crises when DIRS is activated and to submit a final report to the Commission within 24 hours of DIRS deactivation. This new cadence for DIRS reporting will improve management and mitigation of the short-term and long-term impacts of disasters on communications networks which will enhance situational awareness in emergency and disaster situations for the Commission, emergency responders, and the public at large.

Federal Communications Commission.

Marlene Dortch,

Secretary, Office of the Secretary.