[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 179 (Tuesday, September 16, 1997)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 48486-48487] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-24213] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 47 CFR Part 25 [IB Docket No. 95-117; FCC 96-425] Streamlining Rules and Regulations for Satellite Application and Licensing Procedures AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission. ACTION: Final rule; establishment of effective date. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The modifications to the Commission's rules and regulations on application and licensing requirements for satellite space and earth stations adopted in the Part 25 Streamlining Order, including the new FCC Form 312, became effective April 21, 1997. These modifications, which contained modified information collection requirements, were published in the Federal Register of February 10, 1997. EFFECTIVE DATE: The modifications to 47 CFR part 25 published at 62 FR 5924 (February 10, 1997) and the new FCC Form 312 became effective April 21, 1997. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kathleen Campbell, International Bureau, (202) 418-0753. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On Febuary 10, 1997, the Commission published the Federal Register summary of the Part 25 Streamlining Order (FCC 96-425, 62 FR 5924 (February 10, 1997)). The Part 25 Streamlining Order streamlined the existing application and licensing procedures, reduced reporting requirements for a number of services, and consolidated various forms to make data collection more efficient. Specifically, the FCC (1) waived the construction permit requirement for satellite space stations; (2) extended the construction period for Very Small Aperture Terminals (``VSATs''); (3) eliminated the annual reporting requirement for VSATs; (4) increased the license term for temporary fixed earth stations operating in the C-band from one year to ten years; (5) reduced reporting requirements for earth and space stations; (6) reviewed and consolidated FCC Forms 430, 493, 704 and 702 into a new Form 312 with specific schedules; (7) expedited the processing of satellite inclined orbit authorizations; (8) streamlined the earth station modification process; (9) updated Part 25 rules in accordance with ITU Radio Regulations; and (10) eliminated burdensome space station application provisions. Because these rule changes impose new or modified information collection requirements, they could not become effective until approved by the Office of Management and Budget (``OMB'') pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. In the February 10, 1997 Federal Register summary, we stated that the rules, regulations and the FCC Form 312 established in the Part 25 Streamlining Order would become effective upon approval by OMB, but no sooner than sixty days after publication in the Federal Register. OMB approved these rule changes on April 21, 1997. The Federal Register Summary stated that ``[t]he Federal Communications Commission will publish a document at a later date announcing the effective date of these rules,'' see 62 FR 5924 (February 10, 1997). Therefore, the Commission announces that the rule changes adopted in the Part 25 Streamlining Order became effective on April 21, 1997. List of Subjects in 47 CFR Part 25 Communciations common carriers, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Satellites. [[Page 48487]] Federal Communications Commission. William F. Caton, Acting Secretary. [FR Doc. 97-24213 Filed 9-15-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6712-01-P