Information Collections 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 of 1995 (PRA), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following information collections. 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.

The FCC may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 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 OMB control number.

DATES:

Written PRA comments should be submitted on or before February 3, 2020. 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 Cathy Williams, FCC, via email PRA@fcc.gov and to Cathy.Williams@fcc.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For additional information about the information collection, contact Cathy Williams, (202) 418-2918.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

OMB Control Number: 3060-0126.

Title: Section 73.1820, Station Log.

Form Number: N/A.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Respondents: Business or other for-profit entities; not-for-profit institutions.

Number of Respondents and Responses: 15,200 respondents; 15,200 responses.

Estimated Time per Response: 0.017-0.5 hours.

Frequency of Response: Recordkeeping requirement.

Obligation to Respond: Required to obtain or retain benefits. The statutory authority for this collection of information is contained in Section 154(i) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended.

Total Annual Burden: 15,095 hours.

Total Annual Cost: None.

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: The information collection requirements contained in 47 CFR 73.1820 require that each licensee of an AM, FM or TV broadcast station maintain a station log. Each entry must accurately reflect the station's operation. This log should reflect adjustments to operating parameters for AM stations with directional antennas without an approved sampling system; for all stations the actual time of any observation of extinguishment or improper operation of tower lights; and entry of each test of the Emergency Broadcast System (EBS) for commercial stations.

OMB Control Number: 3060-0674.

Title: Section 76.1618, Basic Tier Availability.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Respondents: Business or other for-profit entities.

Number of Respondents and Responses: 8,250 respondents; 8,250 responses.

Estimated Time per Response: 2.25 hours.

Frequency of Response: Third party disclosure requirement.

Obligation to Respond: Required to obtain or retain benefits. The statutory authority for this collection of information is contained in Section 4(i) and Section 632 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended.

Total Annual Burden: 18,563 hours.

Total Annual Cost: None.

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: The information collection requirements contained in 47 CFR 76.1618 state that a cable operator shall provide written notification to subscribers of the availability of basic tier service to new subscribers at the time of installation. This notification shall include the following information: (a) That basic tier service is available; (b) the cost per month for basic tier service; and (c) a list of all services included in the basic service tier. These notification requirements are to ensure the subscribers are made aware of the availability of basic cable service at the time of installation.

OMB Control No.: 3060-1203.

Title: Section 79.107 User Interfaces Provided by Digital Apparatus; Section 79.108 Video Programming Guides and Menus Provided by Navigation Devices; Section 79.110 Complaint Procedures for User Interfaces, Menus and Guides, and Activating Accessibility Features on Digital Apparatus and Navigation Devices.

Form No.: N/A.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Respondents: Individuals or households; Business or other for-profit entities; Not for profit institutions; State, Local or Tribal government.

Number of Respondents and Responses: 4,175 respondents and 516,982 responses.

Estimated Time per Response: 0.0167 hours to 10 hours.

Frequency of Response: On occasion reporting requirement; Third party disclosure requirement; Recordkeeping requirement.

Obligation to Respond: Voluntary. The statutory authority for this information collection is contained in the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (CVAA), Public Law 111-260, 124 Stat. 2751, and sections 4(i), 4(j), 303(r), 303(u), 303(aa), 303(bb), and 716(g) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. 154(i), 154(j), 303(r), 303(u), 303(aa), 303(bb), and 617(g).

Total Annual Burden: 24,043 hours.

Annual Cost Burden: $70,500.

Nature and Extent of Confidentiality: Confidentiality is an issue to the extent that individuals and households provide personally identifiable information, which is covered under the FCC's updated system of records notice (SORN), FCC/CGB-1, “Informal Complaints, Inquiries, and Requests for Dispute Assistance.” As required by the Privacy Act, 5 U.S.C. 552a, the Commission also published a SORN, FCC/CGB-1 “Informal Complaints, Inquiries, and Requests for Dispute Assistance,” in the Federal Register on August 15, 2014 (79 FR 48152) which became effective on September 24, 2014.

Privacy Act Impact Assessment: The FCC completed a Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) on June 28, 2007. It may be reviewed at http://www.fcc.gov/omd/privacyact/Privacy-Impact-Assessment.html. The Commission is in the process of updating the PIA to incorporate various revisions to it as a result of revisions to the SORN.

Needs and Uses: The Commission will use the information submitted by a digital apparatus manufacturer or other party to determine whether it is achievable for digital apparatus to be fabricated so that control of appropriate built-in apparatus functions are accessible to and usable by individuals who are blind or visually impaired or whether it is achievable to comply with the information, documentation, and training requirements. The Commission will use the information submitted by an Multichannel Video Programming Distributor (MVPD) or navigation device manufacturer or other party to determine whether it is achievable for on-screen text menus and guides provided by navigation devices for the display or selection of multichannel video programming to be audibly accessible in real time upon request by individuals who are blind or visually impaired or whether it is achievable to comply with the information, documentation, and training requirements. Consumers will use the information provided by manufacturers of digital apparatus on the full functionalities of digital apparatus, such as instructions and product information, as well as information provided by manufacturers and MVPDs in accordance with the information, documentation, and training requirements, in order to have accessible information and support on how to use the device. Consumers will use the information provided by manufacturers and MVPDs notifying consumers of the availability of accessible digital apparatus and navigation devices to determine which devices accessible and whether they wish to request an accessible device. MVPDs and manufacturers of navigation devices will use the information provided by consumers who are blind or visually impaired consumers when requesting accessible navigation devices to fulfill such requests. MVPDs will use information provided by customers who are blind or visually impaired as reasonable proof of disability as a condition to providing equipment and/or services at a price that is lower than that offered to the general public. Consumers will use the contact information of covered entities to file written complaints regarding the accessibility requirements for digital apparatus and navigation devices. Finally, the Commission will use information received pursuant to the complaint procedures for violations of sections 79.107-79.109 to enforce the Commission's digital apparatus and navigation device accessibility requirements. The Commission will forward complaints, as appropriate, to the named manufacturer or provider for its response, as well as to any other entity that the Commission determines may be involved, and it may request additional information from relevant parties.