[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 250 (Wednesday, December 31, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 75559-75560]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-32113]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION


Notice of Public Information Collection(s) Being Submitted to OMB 
for Review and Approval

December 16, 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, 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 January 30, 
2004. 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 
Commission, Room 1-A804, 445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20554 or 
via the Internet to [email protected] or Kim A. Johnson, Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB), Room 10236 NEOB, Washington, DC 20503, 
(202) 395-3562 or via the Internet at [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information or copy of 
the information collection(s) contact Les Smith at (202) 418-0217 or 
via the Internet at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    OMB Control Number: 3060-1038.
    Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.

[[Page 75560]]

    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: On occasion 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--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.
    OMB Control Number: 3060-XXXX.
    Title: Telecommunication Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech 
Services for Individual with Hearing and Speech Disabilities, CC Docket 
No. 98-67 (Declaratory Ruling), FCC 03-190.
    Form Number: N/A.
    Type of Review: New collection.
    Respondents: Business or other for-profit entities.
    Number of Respondents: 1.
    Estimated Time per Response: 8 hours.
    Frequency of Response: Annual reporting requirement.
    Total Annual Burden: 8 hours.
    Total Annual Cost: None.
    Needs and Uses: On August 1, 2003, the Commission released the 
Declaratory Ruling, In the Matter of Telecommunication Relay Services 
and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech 
Disabilities, CC 98-67, FCC 03-190. In the Declaratory Ruling, the 
Commission clarifies that captioned telephone voice carry over (VCO) 
service is a type of telecommunications relay service (TRS) and that 
eligible providers of such services are eligible to recover their costs 
in accordance with section 225 of the Communications Act. The 
Commission also clarifies that certain TRS mandatory minimum standards 
do not apply to captioned VCO service, and waives Sec. Sec.  
64.604(a)(1) and (a)(3) of the Commission's rules for all current and 
future captioned telephone VCO service providers, for the same period 
of time indicated herein, beginning on the date of release of this 
Declaratory Ruling. These waivers are contingent on the filing of 
annual reports, for a period of three years, with the Commission. 
Sections 64.604 (a)(1) and (a)(3) of the Commission's rules, which 
contain information collection requirements under the Paperwork 
Reduction Act, are not effective until approved by the Office of 
Management and Budget.

    Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene H. Dortch,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 03-32113 Filed 12-30-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P