2010-20759. Notice of Public Information Collection(s) Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission, Comments Requested

August 16, 2010.

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 (PRA) of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3501 - 3520. 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 Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) that does not display a currently valid OMB control number.

DATES:

Written Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) comments should be submitted on or before October 22, 2010. If you anticipate that you will be submitting PRA comments, but find it difficult to do so within the period of time allowed by this notice, you should advise the FCC contact listed below as soon as possible.

ADDRESSES:

Direct all PRA comments to Nicholas A. Fraser, Office of Management and Budget, via fax at 202-395-5167 or via the Internet at [e-mail] and to the Federal Communications Commission via email to [e-mail].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Judith B. Herman, Office of Managing Director, [phone]. For additional information, contact Judith B. Herman, OMD, 202-418-0214 or email [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

OMB Control Number: 3060-0999.

Title: Hearing Aid Compatibility Status Report and Section 20.19, Hearing Aid-Compatible Mobile Handsets (Hearing Aid Compatibility Act of 1988).

Form No.: FCC Form 655 - electronic only.

Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.

Respondents: Business or other for-profit.

Number of Respondents and Responses: 925 respondents; 925 responses.

Estimated Time Per Response: 1 - 2.5 hours.

Frequency of Response: Annual and on occasion reporting requirements and third party disclosure requirement.

Obligation to Respond: Required to obtain or retain benefits. Statutory authority for this information collection is contained in 47 U.S.C. sections 151, 154(i), 157, 201, 202, 208, 214, 301, 303, 308, 309(j), 310 and 610.

Total Annual Burden: 12,063 hours.

Total Annual Cost: N/A.

Privacy Act Impact Assessment: N/A.

Nature and Extent of Confidentiality: Information in the reports may include confidential information. However, covered entities would be allowed to request that such materials submitted to the Commission be withheld from public inspection under 47 CFR 0.459 of the Commission's rules.

Needs and Uses: The Commission is requesting OMB approval of a revision to this currently approved collection regarding hearing aid compatibility disclosure requirements. In the Report and Order in WT Docket No. 01-309, FCC 03-168, adopted and released in September 2003, the Federal Communications Commission modified the exemption for telephone used with public mobile services from the requirements of the Hearing Aid Compatibility Act of 1988 (HAC Act). The Order required digital wireless phone manufacturers and service providers to make certain digital wireless phones capable of effective use with hearing aids, label certain phones they sold with information about their compatibility with hearing aids, and report to the Commission (at first every six months, then on an annual basis) on the numbers and types of hearing aid-compatible phones they were producing or offering to the public.

In February 2008, the Commission adopted final rules in the Report and Order (FCC 08-68) that updated several performance benchmarks and instituted new requirements. To assist the Commission in monitoring the implementation of the new requirements and to provide information to the public, the Report and Order also required manufacturers and service providers to continue to file annual reports on the status of their compliance with the requirements, and required manufacturers and service providers that maintain public websites to publish up-to-date information on those websites regarding their hearing-aid compatible handset models. The existing, OMB-approved collection under this OMB control number supports these disclosure requirements.

Recently, on August 5, 2010, the Commission adopted final rules in a Second Report and Order, FCC 10-145, that, among other things, updated disclosure requirements for manufacturers and service providers. As a result, the Commission is requesting a revision of this collection due to the change in language required for disclosures under Section 20.19(f)(2) of the Commission's rules and the addition of content to be disclosed for certain headsets under Section 20.19(f)(2) of the Commission's rules. The updated requirements will create no additional burden for manufacturers and service providers, but will ensure that consumers are provided with consistent and sufficient information about the functionality and the limitations of their handsets. These actions are taken to ensure that consumers who use hearing aids and cochlear implants have access to a variety of phones and are adequately informed about the functionality and the limitations of the handsets, while preserving competitive opportunities for small companies as well as opportunities for innovation and investment.

Federal Communications Commission.

Marlene H. Dortch,

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