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

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

Notice of Public Information Collection(s) Submitted to OMB for

Review and Approval

April 29, 1998.

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 10, 1998.

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 234, 1919 M St., NW., Washington, DC 20554 or via

internet to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information or copies

of the information collection(s), contact Les Smith at 202-418-0217 or

via internet at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

OMB Control No.: 3060-0595.

Title: N/A.

Form No.: FCC Form 1210 Updating Maximum Permitted Rates for

Regulated Services and Equipment.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Respondents: Business or other for-profit; State, local and tribal

governments.

Number of Respondents: 6,000 (4,000 filings and 2,000 LFA reviews).

Estimated Time Per Response: 2-15 hours.

Frequency of Response: On occasion.

Total Annual Burden to Respondents: 54,000 hours, calculated as

follows: We estimate that approximately 4,000 FCC Form 1210s will be

filed in the next year, approximately 50% with the Commission and 50%

with LFAs. The average burden for cable operators to complete FCC Form

1210 is estimated to be 15 hours. The average burden for local

franchise authorities to review Form 1210 filings is estimated to be 10

hours per filing. Cable operators are estimated to use in-house staff

to complete approximately 50% of the filings. When using outside

assistance to complete the other 50%, we estimate operators undergo a

burden of 2 hours per filing to coordinate information with the outside

assistance.

2,000 (50% of 4,000) filings completed with in-house staff x 15

hours per filing = 30,000 hours. 2,000 (50% of 4,000) filings

coordinated with outside assistance x 2 hours per filing = 4,000 hours.

2,000 filings reviewed by LFAs at an average burden of 10 hours per

filing = 2,000 x 10 hours per filing = 20,000 hours.

Total Annual Cost to all Respondents: $3,008,000 calculated as

follows: Printing, photocopying and postage costs incurred by

respondents are estimated to be $2 per filing. 4,000 annual filings x

$2 per filing = $8,000. We estimate that cable operators that use

outside legal and accounting contractors will pay for these services at

an average rate of $100/hour. 2,000 filings x 15 hours per filing x

$100/hour = $3,000,000.

Needs and Uses: FCC Form 1210 is used by cable operators to file

for adjustments in maximum permitted rates for regulated services to

reflect external costs. Regulated cable operators submit this form to

local franchising authorities or the Commission (in situations where

the FCC has assumed jurisdiction). It is also filed with the Commission

when responding to a complaint filed with the Commission concerning

cable programming service rates and associated equipment. The filings

are used by the Commission and local franchising authorities (``LFAs'')

to adjudicate permitted rates for regulated cable services and

equipment, for the addition of new programming tiers and to account for

the addition and deletion of channels, and for the allowance for pass

throughs of external costs and costs due to inflation.

Federal Communications Commission.

Magalie Roman Salas,

Secretary.

[FR Doc. 98-12408 Filed 5-8-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3510-22-F