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

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, 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 comments should be submitted on or before March 31, 2000. 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 Commissions, 445 12th Street, S.W., Room 1-A804, Washington, DC 20554 or via the Internet to lesmith@fcc.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

OMB Control Number: 3060-0551.

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

Form Number: Not Applicable.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Respondents: Business and other for-profit.

Number of Respondents: 52 (26 petitions and 26 oppositions).

Estimated Time Per Response: 1-25 hours. We estimate the total burden in undergoing all aspects of the proceeding to be 25 hours. We estimate that 50% of entities will use outside counsel and will undergo a burden of 1 hour to coordinate information with outside counsel.

Frequency of Response: On occasion reporting requirements.

Total Annual Burden: 676 hours. (26 respondents with outside counsel × 1 hour = 26 hours. 26 respondents without outside counsel × 25 hours = 650 hours.).

Total Annual Costs: $97,500. 26 respondents using outside counsel at $150 per hour = 26 × 25 hours × $150 = $97,500.

Needs and Uses: The information will be used by Commission staff 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 9 of the 1992 Cable Act and Section 628 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended.

OMB Control Number: 3060-0307.

Title: Amendment of Part 90 of the Commission's Rules to Facilitate Future Development of SMR Systems in the 800 MHz Frequency Band.

Form Number: None.

Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.

Respondents: Business or other for-profit entities.

Number of Respondents: 3700.

Estimated Time per Response: 1.5 hours.

Frequency of Responses: On occasion, reporting requirements.

Total Annual Burden: 5550 hours.

Total Annual Costs: 0.00.

Needs and Uses: In the 800 MHz Second Report and Order, the Commission established a flexible regulatory scheme for the 800 MHz Specialized Mobile Radio (SMR) service to promote efficient licensing and enhance the service's competitive potential in the commercial mobile radio marketplace. The rules adopted in the 800 MHz Second Report and Order also implement Congress's goal of regulatory symmetry in the regulation of competing commercial mobile radio services (CMRS) as described in Sections 3(n) and 332 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. 153(n), 332 (Communications Act), as amended by Title VI of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993. In the Second Report and Order, the Commission also adopted rules regarding competitive bidding for the remaining 800 MHz SMR spectrum based on Section 309(j) of the Communications Act, 47 U.S.C. 309(j), which authorizes the Commission to use auctions to select among mutually exclusive initial applications in certain services, including the 800 MHz SMR service. The actions taken in this Memorandum Opinion and Order on Reconsideration are in response to petitions for reconsideration or clarification of the 800 MHz Second Report and Order. Throughout this proceeding, we have sought to promote Congress' goal of regulatory parity for all commercial mobile radio services, and to encourage the participation of a wide variety of applicants, including small businesses, in the SMR industry. In addition, we have sought to establish rules for the SMR services that will streamline the licensing process and provide a flexible operating environment for licensees, foster competition, and promote the delivery of service to all areas of the country, including rural areas.