Notice of Public Information Collection(s) Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission

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 (PRA), 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 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 PRA comments should be submitted on or before November 1, 2004. 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 Les Smith, Federal Communications Commission, Room 1-A804, 445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20554, or via the Internet to Leslie.Smith@fcc.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For additional information or copies of the information collection(s) contact Les Smith at (202) 418-0217 or via the Internet at Leslie.Smith@fcc.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

OMB Control Number: 3060-1043.

Title: Telecommunication Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individual with Hearing and Speech Disabilities, CC Docket No. 98-67 and CC Docket No. 90-571 (Report and Order, Order on Reconsideration), FCC 04-137.

Form Number: N/A.

Type of Review: Revision of currently approved collection.

Respondents: Business or other for-profit entities.

Number of Respondents: 11 (4 IP Relay providers and 7 VRS providers).

Estimated Time per Response: 10 hours.

Frequency of Response: Annual reporting requirement.

Total Annual Burden: 110 hours.

Total Annual Cost: None.

Privacy Impact Assessment: No impact(s).

Needs and Uses: On June 30, 2004, the Commission released the Report and Order, Order on Reconsideration, (Report and Order) In the Matter of Telecommunication Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities, CC Docket No. 98-67 and CC Docket No. 90-571, FCC 04-137. In the Report and Order, the Commission grants Video Relay Service (VRS) waiver requests of the following Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) mandatory minimum requirements: (1) 47 CFR Section 64.604 (a)(3) types of calls that must be handled; (2) 47 CFR Section 64.604 (a)(3)(iv) pay-per-call services; (3) 47 CFR Section 64.604 (a)(4) emergency call handling; (4) 47 CFR Section 64.604 (b)(2) speed of answer; and (5) 47 CFR Section 64.604 (b)(3) equal access to interexchange carriers. These waivers are granted provided that VRS providers submit an annual report to the Commission, in a narrative form, detailing: (1) The provider's plan or general approach to meet the waived standards; (2) any additional costs that would be required to meet the standards; (3) the development of any new technology that may affect the particular waivers; (4) the progress made by the provider to meet the standards; (5) the specific steps taken to resolve any technical problems that prohibit the provider from meeting the standards; and (6) any other factors relevant to whether the waivers should continue in effect. Further, as requested by the parties and for administrative convenience, VRS providers may combine the reporting requirement established in the Report and Order with existing VRS/IP Relay reporting requirements, which are scheduled to be submitted annually on April 16th of each year pursuant to the IP Relay Order on Reconsideration and Second Improved TRS Order & NPRM. In the Order on Reconsideration, the Commission affirms, except as otherwise specifically provided therein, the cost recovery methodology for VRS established in the June 30, 2003 Bureau TRS Order. The Commission adjusts the VRS compensation rate to a per-minute compensation rate of $8.854. On June 30, 2004, the Commission also released a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, In the Matter of Telecommunication Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities, CG Docket No. 03-123, FCC 04-137, that addressed a number of outstanding issues with respect to VRS and IP Relay, none of which have any implications under the Paperwork Reduction Act.