03-22070. Notice of Public Information Collection(s) Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission

August 20, 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 October 27, 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 [phone] or via the Internet at [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

OMB Control Number: 3060-0692.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Title: Home Wiring Provisions.

Form Number: N/A.

Respondents: Business or other for-profit entities; Individuals or households.

Number of Respondents: 30,500.

Estimated Time per Response: 5 mins (0.083 hrs) to 20 hrs.

Frequency of Response: Recordkeeping; Annual and on occasion reporting requirements; Third party disclosure.

Total Annual Burden: 46,114 hours.

Total Annual Cost: None.

Needs and Uses: On January 29, 2003, the Commission issued a First Order on Reconsideration and Second Report and Order, FCC 03-9, which grants in part and denies in part the petitions for reconsideration filed in response to the Report and Order. The Commission's home run wiring rules were modified in the First Order on Reconsideration to provide that in the event of sale, the home run wiring be made available to the MDU owner or alternative provider during the 24-hour period prior to actual service termination by the incumbent and that home run wiring located behind sheet rock is physically inaccessible for purposes of determining the demarcation point between home wiring and home run wiring. In the Second Report and Order, the Commission adopted a limited exemption for small non-cable MVPDs from the signal leakage reporting requirements and concluded that the cable and home run wiring rules should apply to all MVPDs in the same manner that they apply to cable operators. The Commission declined to restrict exclusive contracts or ban perpetual contracts. The Commission also declined to allow MDU owners to require sharing of incumbent-owned cable wiring.

OMB Control Number: 3060-1038.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Title: Digital Television Transition Information Questionnaires.

Form Number: N/A.

Respondents: Business or other for-profit entities.

Number of Respondents: 844.

Estimated Time per Response: 4 to 24 hours.

Frequency of Response: On occasion reporting requirement.

Total Annual Burden: 4,823 hours.

Total Annual Cost: $251,400.

Needs and Uses: In the Telecommunications Act of 1996, Congress directed that every broadcaster be given a second channel for digital operations. At the end of the transition, broadcasters' analog channels will be returned to the government. Congress set a target date of December 31, 2006 for the end of the transition, although that date can be extended if 85% of viewers in a particular market do not have access to the digital signals. In addition, at the end of the transition the broadcast spectrum will contract from channels 2-69 to channels 2-51. This 108 MHz of spectrum (channels 52-69) can then be used by advanced wireless services and public safety authorities. There are several key building blocks to a successful transition. First, content “ consumers must perceive something significantly different than what they have in analog. Second, distribution—the content must be delivered to consumers in a simple and convenient way. Third, equipment—equipment must be capable, affordable and consumer-friendly. And fourth, education—consumers must be educated about what digital television is, and what it can do for them. These information requests are designed to gather data in these key areas.

Federal Communications Commission.

Marlene H. Dortch,

Secretary.