2011-21986. Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission

AGENCY:

Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION:

Notice and request for comments.

SUMMARY:

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following information collection, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995. 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 PRA that does not display a valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number.

DATES:

Written PRA comments should be submitted on or before October 28, 2011. 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 the Federal Communications Commission via e-mail to [e-mail] and [e-mail].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For additional information about the information collection, contact Cathy Williams at [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

OMB Control Number: 3060-0685.

Title: Updating Maximum Permitted Rates for Regulated Services and Equipment, FCC Form 1210; Annual Updating of Maximum Permitted Rates for Regulated Cable Services, FCC Form 1240.

Form Number: FCC Forms 1210 and 1240.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Respondents: Businesses or other for-profit entities; State, Local or Tribal Government.

Number of Respondents and Responses: 3,400 respondents; 5,350 responses.

Estimated Time per Response: 1 hour to 15 hours.

Frequency of Response: Annual reporting requirement; Quarterly reporting requirement; Third party disclosure requirement.

Obligation to Respond: Required to obtain or retain benefits. The statutory authority for this collection is contained in Sections 4(i) and 623 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended.

Total Annual Burden: 44,800 hours.

Total Annual Cost: $2,034,375.

Privacy Act Impact Assessment: No impact(s).

Nature and Extent of Confidentiality: There is no need for confidentiality with this collection of information.

Needs and Uses: Cable operators use FCC Form 1210 to file for adjustments in maximum permitted rates for regulated services to reflect external costs. Regulated cable operators submit this form to local franchising authorities or the Commission, in situations where the FCC has assumed jurisdiction. FCC Form is filed by cable operators quarterly.

FCC Form 1240 is filed by cable operators seeking to adjust maximum permitted rates for regulated cable services to reflect changes in external costs. Cable operators submit FCC Form 1240 to their respective local franchising authorities (“LFAs”) to justify rates for the basic service tier and related equipment or with the Commission, in situations where the Commission has assumed jurisdiction. FCC Form 1240 is a filing alternative to FCC Form 1210. FCC Form 1240 is filed by cable operators annually.

Federal Communications Commission.

Avis Mitchell,

Federal Register Liaison, Office of the Secretary, Office of Managing Director.