03-26844. Notice of Public Information Collection(s) Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission for Extension Under Delegated Authority

October 8, 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 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 Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) comments should be submitted on or before December 23, 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 Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) comments to Les Smith, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW., Room 1-A804, Washington, DC 20554 or via the Internet to [e-mail].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For additional information or copies of the information collections contact Les Smith at [phone] or via the Internet at [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

OMB Control Number: 3060-0551.

Title: Sections 76.1002 and 76.1004, Specific Unfair Practices Prohibited.

Form Number: N/A.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Respondents: Business or other for profit entities.

Number of Respondents: 20.

Estimated Time Per Response: 1-25 hours.

Frequency of Response: On occasion reporting requirement.

Total Annual Burden: 260 hours.

Total Annual Cost: $50,000.

Needs and Uses: The Commission staff will use this information to determine on a case-by-case basis whether particular exclusive contracts for cable television programming comply with the statutory public interest standard of section 19 of the 1992 Cable Television Consumer Protection and Competition Act and section 628 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended. Section 301(j) of the 1996 Telecommunications Act amends the restrictions of section 628 to include common carriers and their affiliates that provide video programming.

OMB Control Number: 3060-0607.

Title: Section 76.922, Rates for Basic Service Tiers.

Form Number: N/A.

Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.

Respondents: Business or other for-profit entities; and State, local or tribal government.

Number of Respondents: 25.

Estimated Time Per Response: 12 hours.

Frequency of Response: On occasion reporting requirement.

Total Annual Burden: 300 hours.

Total Annual Cost: None.

Needs and Use: The Commission uses the information in this collection to ensure that qualified small systems have additional incentives to add channels and that small systems are able to recover costs for headend upgrades when doing so.

OMB Control Number: 3060-0414.

Title: Terrain Shielding Policy.

Form Number: N/A.

Type of Review: Extension of currently approved collection.

Respondents: Business or other for-profit entities; Not-for-profit institutions; and State, local or tribal government.

Number of Respondents: 750.

Estimated Time Per Response: 1 hour.

Frequency of Response: On occasion reporting requirement.

Total Annual Burden: 750 hours.

Total Annual Costs: $1,012,500.

Needs and Uses: The terrain shielding policy requires respondents to submit either a detailed terrain study, or to submit letters of assent from all potentially affected parties and graphic depiction of the terrain when intervening terrain prevents a low power television applicant from interfering with other low power television or full-power television stations. FCC staff use the data to determine if terrain shielding can provide adequate interference protection and if a waiver of 47 CFR 74.705 and 74.707 of the rules is warranted.

OMB Control Number: 3060-0565.

Title: Commission Review of Franchising Authority Decisions on Rates for the Basic Service Tier and Associated Equipment, Section 76.944.

Form Number: N/A.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Respondents: Business or other for-profit entity; and State, Local or Tribal Government.

Number of Respondents: 32.

Estimated Time per Response: 20-30 hours.

Frequency of Response: On occasion reporting requirement.

Total Annual Burden: 546 hours.

Total Annual Costs: $72,000.

Needs and Uses: The information collected is reviewed by the FCC to ensure that franchising authority decisions regarding cable rates are consistent with the provisions of the Cable Television Consumer Protection and Competition Act of 1992 and the Commission's rules regarding cable rate regulation. Commission review of appeals is necessary to ensure uniformity of interpretation of Federal guidelines.

Federal Communications Commission.

Marlene H. Dortch,

Secretary.