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

September 14, 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, 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 October 26,

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,

Room 234, 1919 M St., N.W., Washington, DC 20554 or via internet to

[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information or copies

of the information collections contact Les Smith at 202-418-0217 or via

internet at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

OMB Approval Number: 3060-0667.

Title: Section 76.630, Compatibility with Consumer Electronics

Equipment.

Form Number: N/A.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Respondents: Business and other for-profit entities.

Number of Respondents: 11,000.

Estimated Time Per Response: 1-3 hours.

Frequency of Response: On occasion reporting requirements; Third

party disclosure.

Total Annual Burden: 11,160 hours.

Cost to Respondents: $19,300 ($960 filing fee/request; stationery

and postage costs).

Needs and Uses: Section 76.630 (a) states that cable system

operators shall not scramble or otherwise encrypt signals carried on

the basic service tier, though operators may file requests for waivers

of this prohibition with the Commission. When filing requests for

waivers of this prohibition, operators must notify subscribers by mail

of waiver requests. Section 76.630(c) states that cable system

operators that use scrambling, encryption or similar techniques shall

offer to supply each subscriber with special equipment that will enable

the simultaneous reception of multiple signals. This offer of special

equipment must be made to new subscribers at the time they subscribe,

to all subscribers at least once each year, and to subscribers that

make such requests at any time. Section 76.630(d) states that cable

system operators shall provide a consumer education program on

compatibility matters to their subscribers in writing. The information

shall be provided to subscribers at the time that they first subscribe

and at least once a year thereafter, and may be included in one of the

cable system's regular subscriber billings. The Commission has set

forth these disclosure requirements for consumer protection purposes,

to inform subscribers of compatibility matters, and notify subscribers

of cable operators' requests to waive the prohibition on signal

encryption.

OMB Approval Number: 3060-XXXX.

Title: Commercial Availability of Navigation Devices.

Type of Review: New collection.

Respondents: Businesses or other for-profit entities.

Number of Respondents: 200.

Estimated Time Per Response: 10 minutes to 40 hours.

Frequency of Response: Semi-annual and on occasion reporting

requirements; Third party disclosure.

Total Annual Burden to Respondents: 3,266 hours.

Total Annual Cost to Respondents: $29,632.

Needs and Uses: The disclosure requirements set forth in this

proceeding will ensure that consumers can make informed decisions about

the purchase and proper installation of navigation devices. The Section

76.1207 petition process will give providers of multichannel video

programming and equipment providers a forum in which to request relief

from regulations adopted under this part for a limited time, provided

that there is an appropriate showing that such a waiver is necessary to

assist the development or introduction of a new or improved

multichannel video programming or other service offered over

multichannel video programming systems, technology, or products. The

Section 76.1208 petition process allows interested parties to petition

the Commission to provide for a sunset of navigation devices

regulations. The semiannual reports will be used by the Commission to

monitor the progress of key industry entities of their efforts to

assure the commercial availability of navigation devices.

Federal Communications Commission.

William F. Caton,

Deputy Secretary.

[FR Doc. 98-25679 Filed 9-24-98; 8:45 am]

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