[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 231 (Wednesday, December 2, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66543-66544]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-32057]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION


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

November 23, 1998.
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 collections, 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, 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 information techniques or other forms of information 
technology.

DATES: Written comments should be submitted on or before February 1, 
1999. 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, 
Room 234, 1919 M St., N.W., Washington, DC 20554 or via the Internet to 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
For additional information or copies of the information collections 
contact Les Smith at 202-418-0214 or via the Internet at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    OMB Control Number: 3060-0669.
    Title: Section 76.946, Advertising of rates.
    Form Number: N/A.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Respondents: Business and other for-profit entities.
    Number of Respondents: 11,365.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 0.5 hours.
    Frequency of Response: On occasion reporting requirements.
    Total Annual Burden: 5,683.
    Total Annual Costs: None.
    Needs and Uses: Section 76.946 states that cable operators that 
advertise rates for basic service and cable programming service tiers 
shall be required to advertise rates that include all costs and fees. 
Cable systems that cover multiple franchise areas having differing 
franchise fees or other franchise costs, different channel line-ups, or 
different rate structures may advertise a complete

[[Page 66544]]

range of fees without specific identification of the rate for each 
individual area. In such circumstances, the operator may advertise a 
``fee plus'' rate that indicates the core rate plus the range of 
possible additions, depending on the particular location of the 
subscriber. The Commission has set forth this disclosure requirement to 
ensure consumer awareness of all costs and fees associated with basic 
service and cable programming service tier rates.

    2OMB Approval Number: 3060-0674.
    Title: Section 76.931, Notification of Basic Tier Availability, and 
Section 76.932, Notification of Proposed Rate Increase.
    Form Number: N/A.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Respondents: Business and other for-profit entities.
    Number of Respondents: 11,365.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 0.5 to 2.0 hours.
    Frequency of Response: On occasion reporting requirements.
    Total Annual Burden: 25,572 hours.
    Total Annual Costs: None.
    Needs and Uses: Section 76.931 states that a cable operator shall 
provide written notification to subscribers of the availability of 
basic tier service by November 30, 1993, or three billing cycles from 
September 1, 1993, and to new subscribers at the time of installation. 
This notification is to 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. Section 76.932 states that a cable operator shall provide written 
notice to subscribers of any increase in the price to be charged for 
the basic service tier or associated equipment at least 30 days before 
any proposed increase is effective. These notice requirements ensure 
that subscribers are made aware of the price and availability of basic 
cable service and ensure that subscribers are given due notice of rate 
increases with basic cable service.

Federal Communications Commission.
Magalie Roman Salas,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 98-32057 Filed 12-1-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-M