[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 131 (Monday, July 9, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35791-35792]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-17031]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION


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

June 29, 2001.
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

[[Page 35792]]

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 September 7, 
2001. 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, SW., Room 1-A804, 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) 418-0217 or 
via the Internet at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    OMB Control Number: 3060-0667.
    Title: Section 76.1621 Equipment compatibility offer.
    Form Number: N/A.
    Type of Review: Extension of currently approved collection.
    Respondents: Business or other for-profit entities.
    Number of Respondents: 10,480.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 1-3 hours.
    Total Annual Burden: 10,515 hours.
    Total Annual Costs: $5,300.
    Needs and Uses: Section 76.1621 of the Commission's rules prohibits 
cable system operators from scrambling or otherwise encrypting signals 
carried on the basic service tier. However, cable system operators may 
file a waiver of this prohibition with the Commission. In addition, 
section 76.1621 requires cable system operators that use scrambling or 
encryption equipment to provide subscribers special equipment that will 
enable the reception of multiple signals. Section 76.1622 requires 
cable system operators to provide in writing a consumer education 
program concerning equipment compatibility. The Commission has set 
forth these disclosure requirements for consumer protection purposes to 
inform subscribers of compatibility matters, and notify subscribers of 
cable operator's requests to waive the prohibition on signal 
encryption.
    OMB Control No.: 3060-0986.
    Title: Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service--Plan for 
Reforming the Rural Universal Service Support Mechanism, CC Docket No. 
90-45.
    Form No.: N/A.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Respondents: Business or Other for Profit; State, Local or Tribal 
Government.
    Number of Respondents: 7099.
    Estimated Time Per Response: .81 hours per response (avg).
    Total Annual Burden: 5770.
    Estimated Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping Cost Burden: $0.
    Frequency of Response: On occasion; Quarterly; Annually; One-Time 
Requirement; Third Party Disclosure.
    Needs and Uses: In CC Docket 96-45, released May 23, 2001 (FCC 01-
157), the Commission modified its rules for providing high cost 
universal service support to rural telephone companies for the next 
five years based upon the proposals made by the Rural Task Force. 
Carriers are required to elect one of three paths implementing rural 
high cost reform. Carriers electing Path One must certify that it will 
not disaggregate and target support. Carriers selecting Path Two must 
file a disaggregation plan. Carriers selecting Path Three must self-
certify and provide a description of the rationale used to disaggregate 
support, including the methods and data and a discussion of how the 
plan complies with the self-certification guidelines, among other 
things. Rural carriers that elect to disaggregate and target per-line 
support under either Path Two or Three are required to report loops at 
the cost-zone level. States are required to file annual certifications 
to ensure that carriers use universal service support only for the 
provision, maintenance and upgrading of facilities and services for 
which the support is intended consistent with Section 254(e). The 
Commission requires the filing of line count data on a regular 
quarterly basis upon competitive entry into rural carrier study areas. 
Carriers must provide written notice in conjunction with their annual 
or quarterly submissions to NECA indicating that a study area meets the 
14% TPIS trigger. Rural carriers must provide written notice when their 
index year has been established for the purposes of calculating 
eligibility for safety value support.

Federal Communications Commission.

Magalie Roman Salas,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 01-17031 Filed 7-6-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P