[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 137 (Wednesday, July 18, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39422-39423]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-13918]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[DA 07-2426]


Consumer Advisory Committee

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Commission announces the re-chartering and appointment of 
members to the Consumer Advisory Committee (``Committee'') of the 
Federal Communications Commission (``Commission''). The Commission 
further designates the Chairperson of the Committee, and announces the 
date and agenda of the Committee's first meeting in calendar year 2007. 
A principal focus of the Committee will be the digital television 
transition.

DATES: The first meeting of the new Committee will take place on 
Friday, August 10, 2007, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Commission's 
Headquarters Building, Room TW-C305, 445 12th Street, SW., Washington, 
DC 20554.

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 June 8, 2007, the Commission released 
document DA 07-2426, which announced the re-chartering of its Consumer 
Advisory Committee, announced the appointment of twenty-six (26) 
members to the Committee, designated the Committee's chairperson, and 
further announced the agenda, date and time of the Committee's first 
meeting in calendar year 2007.
    On June 18, 2007, the Commission released document DA 07-2683, 
announcing the appointment of two (2) additional Committee members.
    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). On November 17, 2006, the Committee was renewed for 
another two-year term.
    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

    Digital Transition. A principal focus of the Committee will be the 
digital television transition as the Commission continues its efforts 
to assist consumers in understanding and preparing for the transition 
which, by law, must be completed by February 17, 2009. The Commission 
expects the Committee will provide specific recommendations on how best 
to ensure a smooth transition, as well as provide valuable insights 
that should further the Commission's goal of ensuring that all 
consumers, especially the elderly, low-income, non-English speaking 
consumers and people with disabilities, are aware of the transition and 
understand what specific steps, if any, they must take to continue 
watching television after the transition is complete on February 17, 
2009.
    Other Topics. In addition to digital television, other 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 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).

Appointment of Chairman and Members

    The Commission appointed twenty-eight (28) members to its Consumer 
Advisory Committee. Of this number, eleven (11) represent interests of 
consumers, minorities, and low income

[[Page 39423]]

communities; five (5) represent disabilities communities; six (6) 
represent the interest of state, local, and Native American interests, 
and, six (6) represent industry interests. The Committee's slate is 
designed to be representative of the Commission's many constituencies, 
and the diversity selected will provide a balanced point of view as 
required by the Federal Advisory Committee Act. All appointments are 
effective immediately and shall terminate November 17, 2008 or when the 
Committee is terminated, whichever is earlier.
    The roster as appointed by Chairman Kevin J. Martin is as follows:
    Ms. Debra Berlyn, representing the Digital Television Transition 
Coalition is hereby appointed as chairperson of the Committee.
    Other members by organization and primary representative name 
include:
    1. AARP--Jo Reed
    2. Alaska State Department of Law--Lew Craig
    3. Alliance for Community Media--Gloria Tristani
    4. Appalachian Regional Commission--Harry L. Roesch
    5. Benton Foundation--Charles Benton
    6. Cablevision--Dodie Tschirch
    7. Call For Action--Shirley Rooker
    8. Communication Service for the Deaf--Karen Peltz Strauss
    9. Communications Workers of America--Jeffrey Rechenbach
    10. Consumer Action--Ken McEldowney
    11. Consumer Electronics Association--Julie Kearney
    12. Consumer Federation of America--Paul Schlaver
    13. Consumers Union--Gene Kimmelman
    14. Deaf and Hard of Hearing Consumer Advocacy Network--Claude 
Stout
    15. Digital Television Transition Coalition--Debra Berlyn, 
Chairperson
    16. Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians--Brandon Stephens
    17. EchoStar Communications Corporation--Lori Kalani
    18. Hawaii State Public Utilities Commission--John Cole
    19. Hearing Loss Association of America--Janice Schacter
    20. League of United Latin American Citizens--Eduardo Pena, Jr.
    21. National Association of Broadcasters--John L. Sander
    22. National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners--
Nixyvette Santini
    23. National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates--
Brenda Pennington
    24. Northern VA Resource Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing 
Persons--Cheryl Heppner
    25. Parents Television Council--Dan Isett
    26. Southern Growth Policies Board--Jim Clinton
    27. The Seeing Eye, Inc.--Jay Stiteley
    28. Verizon Communications, Inc.--Richard T. Ellis

Meeting Dates

    On August 10, 2007, the Committee will meet to address matters of 
internal business and organization, such as the establishment of 
working groups, and will consider various consumer issues within the 
jurisdiction of the Commission including the digital television 
transition. Meetings are open to the public and are broadcast on the 
Internet in Real Audio/Real Video format with captioning at 
www.fcc.gov/cgb/cac. Members of the public may address the Committee or 
may send written comments to: Scott Marshall, Designated Federal 
Officer of the Committee, at the address indicated on the first page of 
this document.
    The meeting site is accessible to people with disabilities. 
Meetings are sign language interpreted with real-time transcription and 
assistive listening devices available. Meeting agendas and handout 
materials are provided in accessible formats.
    To request materials in accessible formats for people with 
disabilities (Braille, large print, electronic files, audio format), 
send an e-mail to [email protected] or call the Consumer & Governmental 
Affairs Bureau at 202-418-0530 (voice), 202-418-0432 (TTY).

Federal Communications Commission.
Nicole McGinnis,
Deputy Chief, Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau.
[FR Doc. E7-13918 Filed 7-17-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P