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

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

Notice of Public Information Collection Submitted to OMB for

Review and Approval

May 19, 1998.

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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 collections, as required by the Paperwork

Reduction Act of 1995, Pub. L. 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, and utility, 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 information techniques or other forms of information

technology.

DATES: Written comments should be submitted on or before June 29, 1998.

If

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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, contact Les Smith at 202-418-0214 or via

internet at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

OMB Approval Number: 3060-0560.

Title: Section 76.911, Petition for reconsideration of

certification.

Form No.: N/A.

Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.

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

and tribal governments.

Number of Respondents: 45 [(20 petitions x 2 parties) + 5

competing operators].

Estimated Time Per Response: 2-10 hours.

Frequency of Response: On occasion reporting requirement; third

party disclosure.

Cost to Respondents: $410 (postage and stationery costs).

Total Annual Burden: 410 hours.

Needs and Uses: Section 76.911 states that a cable operator, or

other interested party, may challenge a franchising authority's

certification by filing a petition for reconsideration. The petition

may allege either that the cable operator is not subject to rate

regulation because effective competition exists, or that the

franchising authority does not meet the Commission's certification

standards. The burden associated with the petition process was not

previously accounted for in this collection; therefore, this collection

has been revised. Section 76.911(b)(2) also states that if evidence

establishing effective competition is not otherwise available, then

cable operators may request from a competitor information regarding the

competitor's reach and number of subscribers. A competitor must respond

to such request within 15 days and such responses may be limited to

numerical totals. Commission staff use information derived from

petitions for reconsideration of certification to resolve disputes

concerning the presence or absence of effective competition in

franchise areas and to determine whether there are grounds for denying

franchising authority certifications to regulate rates.

Federal Communications Commission.

Magalie Roman Salas,

Secretary.

[FR Doc. 98-14096 Filed 5-27-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6712-10-P