[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 10 (Wednesday, January 15, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2047-2048]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-814]



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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[DA 02-3606]


Consumer Advisory Committee

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This document announces the rechartering of the Consumer 
Advisory Committee, formerly known as the Consumer/Disability 
Telecommunications Advisory Committee (hereinafter ``the Committee''), 
whose purpose is to make recommendations to the Federal Communications 
Commission (``FCC'' or ``Commission'') regarding consumer issues within 
the jurisdiction of the Commission and to facilitate the participation 
of consumers (including people with disabilities and underserved 
populations, such as American Indians and persons living in rural 
areas) in proceedings before the Commission. The Commission also 
requests applications for membership on the Committee.

DATES: Applications should be received no later than January 31, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Applications should be sent to the Federal Communications 
Commission, Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau, Attn.: Scott 
Marshall, via e-mail to [email protected], via facsimile to 202-418-6509 or 
via U.S. Mail, to 445 12th Street, SW., Room 5A824, Washington, DC 
20554.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott Marshall, Consumer & 
Governmental Affairs Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, 202-
418-2809 (voice), 202-418-0179 (TTY), or e-mail [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A public notice, which announced the 
rechartering of the Consumer Advisory Committee (formerly known as the 
Consumer/Disability Telecommunications Advisory Committee), was 
released on December 31, 2002.

Electronic Access and Filing

    A copy of this notice also is available in alternate formats 
(Braille, cassette tape, large print or diskette) upon request. The 
notice also is posted on the Commission's Web site at www.fcc.gov/cgb/cac. Applications for membership on the Committee may be sent to the 
Commission via email addressed to Consumer & Governmental Affairs 
Bureau, Attn.: Scott Marshall, [email protected], may be transmitted via 
facsimile to 202-418-6509, or may be sent via U.S. mail to 445 12th 
Street, SW., Room 5A824, Washington, DC 20554.

Background

    The establishment of the Committee was announced by public notice 
dated November 30, 2000, 15 FCC Rcd 23798, as published in the Federal 
Register (65 FR 76265, December 6, 2000). On November 20, 2002, the 
initial Charter of the Committee terminated. The Charter was renewed 
for another two year term, and the name of the Committee was changed to 
the Consumer Advisory Committee to better reflect its mandate and 
activities. The Committee is organized under, and will operate in 
accordance with, the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 
5 U.S.C. App. 2 (1988).
    The mission of the Committee is to make recommendations to the 
Commission regarding consumer issues within the jurisdiction of the 
Commission and to facilitate the participation of consumers (including 
people with disabilities and underserved populations, such as American 
Indians and persons living in rural areas) in proceedings before the 
Commission.
    Each meeting of the full Committee will be open to the public. A 
notice of each meeting will be published in the Federal Register at 
least 15 days in advance of the meeting. Records will be maintained of 
each meeting and made available for public inspection.

Functions of the Committee

    The topics to be addressed by the Committee will include, but are 
not limited to, the following areas:
    [sbull] Consumer protection and education (e.g., cramming, 
slamming, consumer friendly billing, detariffing, bundling of services, 
Lifeline/Linkup programs, customer service, privacy, telemarketing 
abuses, and outreach to underserved populations, such as Native 
Americans and persons living in rural areas).
    [sbull] Access by people with disabilities (e.g., 
telecommunications relay services, closed captioning, accessible 
billing and access to telecommunications products and services).
    [sbull] Impact upon consumers of new and emerging technologies 
(e.g., availability of broadband, digital television, cable, satellite, 
low power FM, and the convergence of these and emerging technologies).
    [sbull] Implementation of Commission rules and consumer 
participation in the FCC rulemaking process.
    During calendar year 2003, it is anticipated that the Committee 
will meet in Washington, DC for three one-day meetings on April 11, 
June 27, and November 14. In addition, as needed, working groups will 
be established to facilitate the Committee's work between meetings of 
the full Committee. Meetings will be fully accessible to individuals 
with disabilities.

Membership

    The Commission seeks applications from interested organizations, 
from both the public and private sectors, that wish to be considered 
for membership on the Committee. Selections will be made on the basis 
of factors such as expertise and diversity of viewpoints that are 
necessary to address effectively the questions before the Committee. 
Applicants should be recognized experts in their fields, including, but 
not limited to, consumer advocacy, disabilities, underserved 
populations (e.g., persons living in rural areas and tribal 
communities), telecommunications infra-structure and equipment, 
telecommunications services (including wireless), and broadcast/cable 
services. The number of Committee members will be established to 
effectively accomplish the Committee's work. Organizations with similar 
interests are encouraged to nominate one person to represent their 
interests.
    Members must be willing to commit to a 2-year term of service, 
should be willing and able to attend three 1-day meetings per year in 
Washington, DC, and are also expected to participate in deliberations 
of at least one working group. The Commission is unable to pay per diem 
or travel costs.

Applications for Membership/ Deadline

    Applications should be received by the Commission no later than 
January 31, 2003, and should be sent to the Federal Communications 
Commission, Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau, Attn.: Scott 
Marshall, via e-mail to [email protected], via facsimile to 202-418-6509 or 
via U.S. mail to 445 12th Street, SW., Room 5A824, Washington, DC 
20554.
    Due to the extensive security screening of incoming mail since 
September 11, 2001, delivery of mail sent to the FCC may be delayed. 
Therefore, we encourage submission by email or fax. If an application 
is sent via U.S. mail, we encourage applicants to follow up with a 
phone call to Scott Marshall, 202-418-2809, or 202-418-0179 (TTY), to 
confirm receipt. A specified application form is not required. However, 
applications should include the name of the organization, the 
representative's name, the name of an alternate representative, title, 
address

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and telephone number, a statement of the interests represented and the 
issues of interest to the applicant, and a detailed description of the 
applicant's knowledge and qualifications to serve on the Committee. The 
application should further be supported by a statement indicating a 
willingness to serve on the Committee for a 2 year period of time; a 
commitment to attend three 1-day meetings per year in Washington, DC at 
the applicant's own expense; and a commitment to work on at least one 
working group. Members will have an initial and continuing obligation 
to disclose any interests in, or connections to, persons or entities 
that are, or will be, regulated by or have interests before the 
Commission.
    After the applications have been reviewed, the Commission will 
publish a notice in the Federal Register announcing the appointment of 
the Committee members and the first meeting date of the Committee. It 
is anticipated that the first Committee meeting will take place on 
April 11, 2003.

Federal Communications Commission.
K. Dane Snowden,
Chief, Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau.
[FR Doc. 03-814 Filed 1-14-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P