[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 249 (Wednesday, December 29, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 78024-78025]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-28529]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[DA 04-3892]


Consumer Advisory Committee

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This document announces the rechartering of the Consumer 
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, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, NW., 
Washington, DC 20554.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On December 14, 2004, the Commission 
released a Public Notice, DA 04-3892 that announced the rechartering of 
the Consumer Advisory Committee and solicited applications for 
membership on the Committee.

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] or may be 
transmitted via facsimile to (202) 418-6509.

Background

    The rechartering of the Committee was announced by Public Notice 
dated December 14, 2004. On November 19, 2004, the initial Charter of 
the Committee terminated. The Charter was renewed for another two (2) 
year term. This renewal is necessary and is in the public interest. 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 fifteen (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:
     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).
     Access by people with disabilities (e.g., 
telecommunications relay services, video description, closed 
captioning, accessible billing and access to

[[Page 78025]]

telecommunications products and services).
     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).
     Implementation of Commission rules and consumer 
participation in the FCC rulemaking process.
    During calendar year 2005, it is anticipated that the Committee 
will meet in Washington, DC, for three (3) one-day meetings. In 
addition, as needed, working groups or subcommittees 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 or 
institutions, 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, organizations focusing upon 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. Individuals who do not represent an 
organization or institution are also welcome to apply, but each 
individual should be aware that government ethics rules requiring 
financial and other disclosures may apply to such applicants.
    The number of Committee members will be established to effectively 
accomplish the Committee's work. Members must be willing to commit to a 
two-year term of service, should be willing and able to attend three 
(3) one-day meetings per year in Washington, DC, and are also expected 
to participate in deliberations of at least one working group or 
subcommittee. 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, 2005, and should be sent to the Federal Communications 
Commission, Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau, Attn.: Scott 
Marshall, via e-mail to [email protected] or, via facsimile to 
(202) 418-6509.
    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 ask that applications be submitted by email or fax. 
Applications will be acknowledged within five (5) business days of 
receipt, via a date stamped copy of the application mailed to the 
address of the primary representative specified in the application.
    A specified application form is not required. However, applications 
should include the the following information:
    (1) The name of the organization or institution applying for 
Committee membership (hereinafter the ``applicant''); (2) the name of 
the applicant's including title, postal mailing address, email address, 
and telephone number; (3) The name of applicant's alternate 
representative including title, postal mailing address, email address, 
and telephone number; (4) A statement of the interests represented by 
the applicant and a detailed description of the applicant's knowledge 
and qualifications to serve on the Committee; (5) A statement by the 
applicant indicating a willingness to serve on the Committee for a two 
year period of time. (6) A commitment to attend three (3) one-day 
meetings per year in Washington, DC, at the applicant's own expense; 
and (7) A commitment to work on at least one working group or 
subcommittee. 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. All 
applicants will be notified via U.S. mail concerning the disposition of 
their applications. It is anticipated that appointments to the 
Committee will be made in March of 2005 with the first meeting of the 
Committee to occur in April of 2005.

Federal Communications Commission.
K. Dane Snowden,
Chief, Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau.
[FR Doc. 04-28529 Filed 12-28-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P