[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 104 (Friday, May 30, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 32509]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-13465]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION


Public Information Collection(s) Requirement Submitted to OMB for 
Emergency Review and Approval

May 22, 2003.
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(s), 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 June 30, 2003. 
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 contacts listed below as soon as possible.

ADDRESSES: Direct all comments to Kim A. Johnson, Office of Management 
and Budget, Room 10236 NEOB, Washington, DC 20503, (202) 395-3562 or 
via Internet at [email protected], and Les Smith, Federal 
Communications Commission, Room 1-A804, 445 12th Street, SW., 
Washington, DC 20554 or via 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 
Internet at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Commission has requested emergency OMB 
review of this collection with an approval by April 14, 2003.

    OMB Control Number: 3060-1038.
    Type of Review: New collection.
    Title: Digital Television Transition Information Questionnaires.
    Form Number: N/A.
    Respondents: Business or other for-profit entities.
    Number of Respondents: 844.
    Estimated Time per Response: 4 to 24 hours.
    Frequency of Response: One-time reporting requirement.
    Total Annual Burden: 4,823 hours.
    Total Annual Cost: $251,400.
    Needs and Uses: In the Telecommunications Act of 1996, Congress 
directed that every broadcaster be given a second channel for digital 
operations. At the end of the transition, broadcasters' analog channels 
will be returned to the government. Congress set a target date of 
December 31, 2006 for the end of the transition, although that date can 
be extended if 85% of viewers in a particular market do not have access 
to the digital signals. In addition, at the end of the transition the 
broadcast spectrum will contract from channels 2-69 to channels 2-51. 
This 108 MHz of spectrum (channels 52-69) can then be used by advanced 
wireless services and public safety authorities. There are several key 
building blocks to a successful transition. First, content--consumers 
must perceive something significantly different than what they have in 
analog. Second, distribution--the content must be delivered to 
consumers in a simple and convenient way. Third, equipment--equipment 
must be capable, affordable and consumer-friendly. And fourth, 
education--consumers must be educated about what digital television is, 
and what it can do for them. These information requests are designed to 
gather data in these key areas.

Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene H. Dortch,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 03-13465 Filed 5-29-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P