81 FR 94374 - Information Collections Being Submitted for Review and Approval to the Office of Management and Budget

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 247 (December 23, 2016)

As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, and as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, the Federal Communication Commission (FCC or Commission) invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following information collections. Comments are requested concerning: 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; the accuracy of the Commission's burden estimate; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; 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; and ways to further reduce the information collection burden on small business concerns with fewer than 25 employees. The FCC may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. No person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information subject to the PRA that does not display a valid OMB control number.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 247 (Friday, December 23, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 94374-94377]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-30899]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[OMB 3060-0865, 3060-1094, 3060-1121, 3060-xxxx]


Information Collections Being Submitted for Review and Approval 
to the Office of Management and Budget

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, 
and as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, the 
Federal Communication Commission (FCC or Commission) invites the 
general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to 
comment on the following information collections. Comments are 
requested concerning: 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; the accuracy of the Commission's burden estimate; ways to 
enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; 
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; and ways to further reduce the 
information collection burden on small business concerns with fewer 
than 25 employees.
    The FCC may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information 
unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. No person 
shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection 
of information subject to the PRA that does not display a valid OMB 
control number.

DATES: Written comments should be submitted on or before January 23, 
2017. 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 contacts below as soon as possible.

ADDRESSES: Direct all PRA comments to Kimberly R. Keravuori, OMB, via 
email [email protected]; and to Cathy Williams, FCC, via 
email [email protected] and to [email protected]. Include in the 
comments the OMB control number as shown in the Supplementary 
Information section below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information or copies 
of the information collection, contact Cathy Williams at (202) 418-
2918. To view a copy of this information collection request (ICR) 
submitted to OMB: (1) Go to the Web page http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain, (2) look for the section of the Web page called ``Currently 
Under Review,'' (3) click on the downward-pointing arrow in the 
``Select Agency'' box below the ``Currently Under Review'' heading, (4) 
select ``Federal Communications Commission'' from the list of agencies 
presented in the ``Select Agency'' box, (5) click the ``Submit'' button 
to the right of the ``Select Agency'' box, (6) when the list of FCC 
ICRs currently under review appears, look for the OMB control number of 
this ICR and then click on the ICR Reference Number. A copy of the FCC 
submission to OMB will be displayed.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    OMB Control No.: 3060-0865.
    Title: Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Universal Licensing 
System Recordkeeping and Third Party Disclosure Requirements.
    Form No.: N/A.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Respondents: Business or other for-profit entities, Individuals or 
households, Not-for-profit institutions, and State, Local or Tribal 
Government.
    Number of Respondents and Responses: 62,490 respondents; 168,908 
responses.
    Estimated Time per Response: .166 hours (10 minutes)-4 hours.
    Frequency of Response: Recordkeeping and third-party disclosure 
requirements; on occasion reporting requirement.
    Obligation To Respond: Required to obtain or retain benefits. The 
statutory authority for this collection is contained in 47 U.S.C. 
154(i) and 309(j).
    Total Annual Burden: 88,927 hours.

[[Page 94375]]

    Annual Cost Burden: None.
    Privacy Act Impact Assessment: Yes.
    Nature and Extent of Confidentiality: This information collection 
contains personally identifiable information (PII). The FCC has a 
system of records notice (SORN), FCC/WTB-1, ``Wireless Services 
Licensing Records,'' to cover the collection, maintenance, use(s), and 
destruction of this PII, which respondents may provide to the FCC as 
part of the information collection requirement(s). This SORN was 
published in the Federal Register on April 5, 2006 (71 FR 17234, 
17269).
    Needs and Uses: The Commission will submit this information 
collection to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) as an extension 
after this 60 day comment period to obtain the full three-year 
clearance from them.
    The purpose of this information collection is to continually 
streamline and simplify processes for wireless applicants and 
licensees, who previously used a myriad of forms for various wireless 
services and types of requests, in order to provide the Commission 
information that has been collected in separate databases, each for a 
different group of services. Such processes have resulted in unreliable 
reporting, duplicate filings for the same licensees/applicants, and 
higher cost burdens to licensees/applicants. By streamlining the 
Universal Licensing System (ULS), the Commission eliminates the filing 
of duplicative applications for wireless carriers; increases the 
accuracy and reliability of licensing information; and enables all 
wireless applicants and licensees to file all licensing-related 
applications and other filings electronically, thus increasing the 
speed and efficiency of the application process. The ULS also benefits 
wireless applicants/licensees by reducing the cost of preparing 
applications, and speeds up the licensing process in that the 
Commission can introduce new entrants more quickly into this already 
competitive industry. Finally, ULS enhances the availability of 
licensing information to the public, which has access to all publicly 
available wireless licensing information on-line, including maps 
depicting a licensee's geographic service area.
    OMB Control Number: 3060-1094.
    Title: Licensing, Operation, and Transition of the 2500-2690 MHz 
Band.
    Form Number: N/A.
    Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Respondents: Business or other for-profit entities, not-for-profit 
institutions, and state, local, or tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 10 respondents, 250 responses.
    Estimated Time per Response: 0.50 hours.
    Frequency of Response: Third-party disclosure requirement.
    Obligation to Respond: Required to obtain or retain benefits. The 
statutory authority for the collection is contained in 47 U.S.C. 151, 
154(i), 301, 303(f), 303(g), 303(r), 307, 308, 316.
    Total Annual Burden: 125 hours.
    Total Annual Cost: No cost.
    Privacy Impact Assessment: No impact(s).
    Nature and Extent of Confidentiality: There is no need for 
confidentiality with this information collection.
    Needs and Uses: The information collection requirements for this 
collection are contained under 47 CFR 27.1221(f) which states a 
Broadband Radio Service/Educational Broadband Service (BRS/EBS) 
licensee shall provide the geographic coordinates, the height above 
ground level of the center of radiation for each transmit and receive 
antenna, and the date transmissions commenced for each of the base 
stations in its GSA within 30 days of receipt of a request from a co-
channel BRS/EBS licensee with an operational base station located in a 
proximate GSA. Information shared pursuant to this section shall not be 
disclosed to other parties except as required to ensure compliance with 
this section.
    The third party disclosure coordination and information exchange 
requirements are necessary to ensure that licensees do not cause 
interference to each other.
    OMB Control No.: 3060-1121.
    Title: Sections 1.30002, 1.30003, 1.30004, 73.875, 73.1657 and 
73.1690, Disturbance of AM Broadcast Station Antenna Patterns.
    Form No.: Not applicable.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Respondents: Business or other for-profit entities and Not-for-
profit Institutions.
    Number of Respondents and Responses: 1,195 respondents and 1,195 
responses.
    Estimated Time per Response: 1-2 hours.
    Frequency of Response: On occasion reporting requirement and third 
party disclosure requirement.
    Obligation to Respond: Required to obtain or retain benefits. 
Statutory authority for this information collection is contained in 
Section 154(i) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended.
    Total Annual Burden: 1,960 hours.
    Total Annual Cost: $1,078,200.
    Privacy Act Impact Assessment: No impact(s).
    Nature and Extent of Confidentiality: There is no need for 
confidentiality with this collection of information.
    Needs and Uses: On August 14, 2013, the Commission adopted the 
Third Report and Order and Second Order on Reconsideration in the 
matter of An Inquiry Into the Commission's Policies and Rules Regarding 
AM Radio Service Directional Antenna Performance Verification, MM 
Docket No. 93-177, FCC 13-115. In the Third Report and Order in this 
proceeding, the Commission harmonized and streamlined the Commission's 
rules regarding tower construction near AM stations.
    In AM radio, the tower itself functions as the antenna. 
Consequently, a nearby tower may become an unintended part of the AM 
antenna system, reradiating the AM signal and distorting the authorized 
AM radiation pattern. Our old rules contained several sections 
concerning tower construction near AM antennas that were intended to 
protect AM stations from the effects of such tower construction, 
specifically, Sections 73.1692, 22.371, and 27.63. These old rule 
sections imposed differing requirements on the broadcast and wireless 
entities, although the issue is the same regardless of the types of 
antennas mounted on a tower. Other rule parts, such as Part 90 and Part 
24, entirely lacked provisions for protecting AM stations from possible 
effects of nearby tower construction. In the Third Report and Order the 
Commission adopted a uniform set of rules applicable to all services, 
thus establishing a single protection scheme regarding tower 
construction near AM tower arrays. The Third Report and Order also 
designates ``moment method'' computer modeling as the principal means 
of determining whether a nearby tower affects an AM radiation pattern. 
This serves to replace time-consuming direct measurement procedures 
with a more efficient computer modeling methodology that is reflective 
of current industry practice.
    Information Collection Requirements Contained in this Collection 
Are as Follows:
    47 CFR 1.30002(a) requires a proponent of construction or 
modification of a tower within a specified distance of a nondirectional 
AM station, and also exceeding a specified height, to notify the AM 
station at least 30 days in advance of the commencement of 
construction. If the tower construction or modification would distort 
the AM pattern, the

[[Page 94376]]

proponent shall be responsible for the installation and maintenance of 
detuning equipment.
    47 CFR 1.30002(b) requires a proponent of construction or 
modification of a tower within a specified distance of a directional AM 
station, and also exceeding a specified height, to notify the AM 
station at least 30 days in advance of the commencement of 
construction. If the tower construction or modification would distort 
the AM pattern, the proponent shall be responsible for the installation 
and maintenance of detuning equipment.
    47 CFR 1.30002(c) states that proponents of tower construction or 
alteration near an AM station shall use moment method modeling, 
described in Sec.  73.151(c), to determine the effect of the 
construction or alteration on an AM radiation pattern.
    47 CFR 1.30002(f) states that, with respect to an AM station that 
was authorized pursuant to a directional proof of performance based on 
field strength measurements, the proponent of the tower construction or 
modification may, in lieu of the study described in Sec.  1.30002 (c), 
demonstrate through measurements taken before and after construction 
that field strength values at the monitoring points do not exceed the 
licensed values. In the event that the pre-construction monitoring 
point values exceed the licensed values, the proponent may demonstrate 
that post-construction monitoring point values do not exceed the pre-
construction values. Alternatively, the AM station may file for 
authority to increase the relevant monitoring point value after 
performing a partial proof of performance in accordance with Sec.  
73.154 to establish that the licensed radiation limit on the applicable 
radial is not exceeded.
    47 CFR 1.30002(g) states that tower construction or modification 
that falls outside the criteria described in paragraphs Sec.  
1.30002(a) and (b) is presumed to have no significant effect on an AM 
station. In some instances, however, an AM station may be affected by 
tower construction notwithstanding the criteria set forth in paragraphs 
Sec.  1.30002(a) and (b). In such cases, an AM station may submit a 
showing that its operation has been affected by tower construction or 
alteration. Such showing shall consist of either a moment method 
analysis or field strength measurements. The showing shall be provided 
to (i) the tower proponent if the showing relates to a tower that has 
not yet been constructed or modified and otherwise to the current tower 
owner, and (ii) to the Commission, within two years after the date of 
completion of the tower construction or modification. If necessary, the 
Commission shall direct the tower proponent to install and maintain any 
detuning apparatus necessary to restore proper operation of the AM 
antenna.
    47 CFR 1.30002(h) states that an AM station may submit a showing 
that its operation has been affected by tower construction or 
modification commenced or completed prior to or on the effective date 
of the rules adopted in this Part pursuant to MM Docket No. 93-177. 
Such a showing shall consist of either a moment method analysis or of 
field strength measurements. The showing shall be provided to the 
current owner and the Commission within one year of the effective date 
of the rules adopted in this Part. If necessary, the Commission shall 
direct the tower owner, if the tower owner holds a Commission 
authorization, to install and maintain any detuning apparatus necessary 
to restore proper operation of the AM antenna.
    47 CFR 1.30002(i) states that a Commission applicant may not 
propose, and a Commission licensee or permittee may not locate, an 
antenna on any tower or support structure, whether constructed before 
or after the effective date of these rules, that is causing a 
disturbance to the radiation pattern of the AM station, as defined in 
paragraphs Sec.  1.30002(a) and (b), unless the applicant, licensee, or 
tower owner completes the new study and notification process and takes 
appropriate ameliorative action to correct any disturbance, such as 
detuning the tower, either prior to construction or at any other time 
prior to the proposal or antenna location.
    47 CFR 1.30003(a) states that when antennas are installed on a 
nondirectional AM tower the AM station shall determine operating power 
by the indirect method (see Sec.  73.51). Upon the completion of the 
installation, antenna impedance measurements on the AM antenna shall be 
made. If the resistance of the AM antenna changes, an application on 
FCC Form 302-AM (including a tower sketch of the installation) shall be 
filed with the Commission for the AM station to return to direct power 
measurement. The Form 302-AM shall be filed before or simultaneously 
with any license application associated with the installation.
    47 CFR 1.30003(b) requires that, before antennas are installed on a 
tower in a directional AM array, the proponent shall notify the AM 
station so that, if necessary, the AM station may determine operating 
power by the indirect method (see Sec.  73.51) and request special 
temporary authority pursuant to Sec.  73.1635 to operate with 
parameters at variance. For AM stations licensed via field strength 
measurements (see Sec.  73.151(a)), a partial proof of performance (as 
defined by Sec.  73.154) shall be conducted both before and after 
construction to establish that the AM array will not be and has not 
been adversely affected. For AM stations licensed via a moment method 
proof (see Sec.  73.151(c)), the proof procedures set forth in Sec.  
73.151(c) shall be repeated. The results of either the partial proof of 
performance or the moment method proof shall be filed with the 
Commission on Form 302-AM before or simultaneously with any license 
application associated with the installation.
    47 CFR 1.30004(a) requires proponents of proposed tower 
construction or modification to an existing tower near an AM station 
that are subject to the notification requirement in Sec. Sec.  1.30002-
1.30003 to provide notice of the proposed tower construction or 
modification to the AM station at least 30 days prior to commencement 
of the planned tower construction or modification. Notification to an 
AM station and any responses may be oral or written. If such 
notification and/or response is oral, the party providing such 
notification or response must supply written documentation of the 
communication and written documentation of the date of communication 
upon request of the other party to the communication or the Commission. 
Notification must include the relevant technical details of the 
proposed tower construction or modification, and, at a minimum, also 
include the following: proponent's name and address; coordinates of the 
tower to be constructed or modified; physical description of the 
planned structure; and results of the analysis showing the predicted 
effect on the AM pattern, if performed.
    47 CFR 1.30004(b) requires that a response to a notification 
indicating a potential disturbance of the AM radiation pattern must 
specify the technical details and must be provided to the proponent 
within 30 days.
    47 CFR 1.30004(d) states that if an expedited notification period 
(less than 30 days) is requested by the proponent, the notification 
shall be identified as ``expedited,'' and the requested response date 
shall be clearly indicated.
    47 CFR 1.30004(e) states that in the event of an emergency 
situation, if the proponent erects a temporary new tower or makes a 
temporary significant

[[Page 94377]]

modification to an existing tower without prior notice, the proponent 
must provide written notice to potentially affected AM stations within 
five days of the construction or modification of the tower and 
cooperate with such AM stations to remedy any pattern distortions that 
arise as a consequence of such construction.
    47 CFR 73.875(c) requires an LPFM applicant to submit an exhibit 
demonstrating compliance with Sec.  1.30003 or Sec.  1.30002, as 
applicable, with any modification of license application filed solely 
pursuant to paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this section, where the 
installation is on or near an AM tower, as defined in Sec.  1.30002.
    47 CFR 73.1675(c)(1) states that where an FM, TV, or Class A TV 
licensee or permittee proposes to mount an auxiliary facility on an AM 
tower, it must also demonstrate compliance with Sec.  1.30003 in the 
license application.
    47 CFR 73.1690(c) requires FM, TV, or Class A TV station applicants 
to submit an exhibit demonstrating compliance with Sec.  1.30003 or 
Sec.  1.30002, as applicable, with a modification of license 
application, except for applications solely filed pursuant to 
paragraphs (c)(6) or (c)(9) of this section, where the installation is 
located on or near an AM tower, as defined in Sec.  1.30002.
    OMB Control No.: 3060-xxxx.
    Title: Sections 80.233, Technical requirements for Automatic 
Identification System Search and Rescue Transmitter (AIS-SART) 
equipment, 80.1061 Special requirements for 406.0-406.1 MHz EPIRB 
stations, 95.1402 Special requirements for 406 MHz PLBs, 95.1403 
Special Requirements for Maritime Survivor Locating Devices.
    Form No.: N/A.
    Type of Review: New collection.
    Respondents: Business or other for-profit entities.
    Number of Respondents and Responses: 80 respondents and 80 
responses.
    Estimated Time per Response: 1 hour.
    Frequency of Response: Third party disclosure requirement and on 
occasion reporting requirement.
    Obligation to Respond: Required to obtain or retain benefits. 
Statutory authority for this collection of information is contained in 
Sections 4, 303, 48 Stat. 1066, 1082, as amended; 47 U.S.C. 154, 303 
unless otherwise noted.
    Total Annual Burden: 80 hours.
    Annual Cost Burden: No cost.
    Privacy Act Impact Assessment: No impact(s).
    Nature and Extent of Confidentiality: There is no need for 
confidentiality with this information collection.
    Needs and Uses: The Commission will submit this information 
collection to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) after this 60 
day comment period in order to obtain the full three year clearance 
from them.
    The information collections contained in these rule sections 
require manufacturers of certain emergency radio beacons to include 
supplemental information with their equipment certification application 
which are due to the I formation collection requirements which were 
adopted by the Federal Communications Commission in FCC 16-119 on 
August 30, 2016. Manufacturers of Automatic Identification System 
Search and Rescue Transmitters (AIS-SARTS), 406 MHz Emergency Position 
Indicating RadioBeacons (EPRIBs) and Maritime Survivor Locating Device 
(MSLD) must provide a copy of letter from the U.S. Coast Guard stating 
their devices satisfies technical requirements specified in the IEC 
61097-17 technical standard for AIS-SARTs, or Radio Technical 
Commission for Maritime Services (RTCM) Standard 11000 for 406 MHz 
EPIRBs, or that RTCM Standard 11901 for MSLDs. They must also provide a 
copy or the technical test data, and the instruction manual(s). For 406 
MHz PLBs manufacturers must include documentation from COSPAS/SARSAT 
recognized test facility that the PLB satisfies the technical 
requirements specified in COSPAS-SARSAT Standard C/S T.001 and COSPAS-
SARSAT Standard C/S T.007 standards and documentation from an 
independent test facility stating that the PLB complies RTCM Standard 
11010.2. The information is used by Telecommunications Certification 
Bodies (TCBs) to determine if the devices meets the necessary 
international technical standards and insure compliance with applicable 
rules. If this information were not available, operation of marine 
safety equipment could be hindered threatening the ability of rescue 
personnel to locate vessels in distress.

Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene H. Dortch,
Secretary, Office of the Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016-30899 Filed 12-22-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6712-01-P