83 FR 42294 - Information Collections Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission Under Delegated Authority

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 162 (August 21, 2018)

Page Range		42294-42295
FR Document		2018-17944

As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, and as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), the Federal Communications 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 Office of Management and Budget (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 83 Issue 162 (Tuesday, August 21, 2018)

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 162 (Tuesday, August 21, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42294-42295]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-17944]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[OMB 3060-0180, OMB 3060-0286, OMB 3060-1194]


Information Collections Being Reviewed by the Federal 
Communications Commission Under Delegated Authority

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, 
and as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), the 
Federal Communications 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 Office of Management and Budget 
(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 PRA comments should be submitted on or before October 
22, 2018. 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 PRA comments to Cathy Williams, FCC, via email 
PRA@fcc.gov and to Cathy.Williams@fcc.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information about the 
information collection, contact Cathy Williams at (202) 418-2918.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    OMB Control Number: 3060-0180.
    Title: Section 73.1610, Equipment Tests.
    Form Number: N/A.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Respondents: Business or other for-profit entities; Not-for-profit 
institutions.
    Number of Respondents and Responses: 500 respondents; 500 
responses.
    Estimated Hours per Response: 0.5 hours.
    Frequency of Response: On occasion reporting requirement.
    Total Annual Burden: 250 hours.
    Total Annual Cost: None.
    Obligation to Respond: Required to obtain or retain benefits. The 
statutory authority for this collection is contained in Section 154(i) 
of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended.
    Nature and Extent of Confidentiality: There is no need for 
confidentiality with this collection of information.
    Privacy Impact Assessment: No impact(s).
    Needs and Uses: The information collection requirements contained 
in 47 CFR 73.1610 require the permittee of a new broadcast station to 
notify the FCC of its plans to conduct equipment tests for the purpose 
of making adjustments and measurements as may be necessary to assure 
compliance with the terms of the construction permit and applicable 
engineering standards. FCC staff use the data to assure compliance with 
the terms of the construction permit and applicable engineering 
standards.
    OMB Control No.: 3060-0286.
    Title: Section 80.302, Notice of Discontinuance, Reduction, or 
Impairment of Service Involving a Distress Watch.
    Form No.: N/A.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Respondents: Business or other for profit, not-for-profit 
institutions, and State, local, or tribal government.
    Number of Respondents and Responses: 50 respondents and 50 
responses.
    Estimated Time per Response: 1 hour.
    Frequency of Response: Third party disclosure requirement.

[[Page 42295]]

    Obligation to Respond: Required to obtain or retain benefits. The 
statutory authority for this collection 47 U.S.C. 154, 303, 307(e), 309 
and 332, unless noted.
    Total Annual Burden: 50 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 collection of information.
    Needs and Uses: The reporting requirement contained in section 
80.302 is necessary to ensure that the U.S. Coast Guard is timely 
notified when a coast station, which is responsible for maintaining a 
listening watch on a designated marine distress and safety frequency 
discontinues, reduces or impairs its communications services. This 
notification allows the Coast Guard to seek an alternate means of 
providing radio coverage to protect the safety of life and property at 
sea or object to the planned diminution of service. The information is 
used by the U.S. Coast Guard district office nearest to the coast 
station. Once the Coast Guard is aware that such a situation exists, it 
is able to inform the maritime community that radio coverage has or 
will be affected and/or seek to provide coverage of the safety watch 
via alternate means.

    OMB Control Number: 3060-1194.
    Title: AM Station Modulation Dependent Carrier Level (MDCL) 
Notification Form; FCC Form 338.
    Form Number: FCC Form 338.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Respondents: Business or other for-profit entities; Not-for-profit 
institutions.
    Number of Respondents and Responses: 100 respondents and 100 
responses.
    Estimated Hours per Response: 1 hour.
    Frequency of Response: On occasion reporting requirement.
    Total Annual Burden: 100 hours.
    Total Annual Costs: None.
    Obligation to Respond: Required to obtain or retain benefits. The 
statutory authority for this information collection is contained in 
Sections 154(i), 303, 310 and 533 of the Communications Act of 1934, as 
amended.
    Nature and Extent of Confidentiality: There is no need for 
confidentiality required with this collection of information.
    Privacy Impact Assessment: No impact(s).
    Needs and Uses: On October 23, 2015, the Commission released the 
First Report and Order, Further Notice of Proposed Rule Making, and 
Notice of Inquiry, Revitalization of the AM Radio Service (First R&O), 
FCC 15-142, MB Docket 13-249. In the First R&O, the Commission adopted 
its proposal for wider implementation of Modulation Dependent Carrier 
Level (MDCL) control technologies by amending Section 73.1560(a) of the 
rules, to provide that an AM station may commence operation using MDCL 
control technology without prior Commission authority, provided that 
the AM station licensee notifies the Commission of the station's MDCL 
control operation within 10 days after commencement of such operation 
using the Bureau's Consolidated Database System (CDBS).
    In September 2011, the Commission's Media Bureau (Bureau) had 
released an MDCL Public Notice, in which it stated that it would permit 
AM stations, by rule waiver or experimental authorization, to use MDCL 
control technologies, which are transmitter control techniques that 
vary either the carrier power level or both the carrier and sideband 
power levels as a function of the modulation level. This allows AM 
licensees to reduce power consumption while maintaining audio quality 
and their licensed station coverage areas.
    There are two basic types of MDCL control technologies. In one 
type, the carrier power is reduced at low modulation levels and 
increased at higher modulation levels. In the other type, there is full 
carrier power at low modulation levels and reduced carrier power and 
sideband powers at higher modulation levels. Use of any of these MDCL 
control technologies reduces the station's antenna input power to 
levels not permitted by Section 73.1560(a) of the Commission's rules.
    The MDCL Public Notice permitted AM station licensees wanting to 
use MDCL control technologies to seek either a permanent waiver of 
Section 73.1560(a) for those licensees already certain of the 
particular MDCL control technology to be used, or an experimental 
authorization pursuant to Section 73.1510 of the Rules for those 
licensees wishing to determine which of the MDCL control technologies 
would result in maximum cost savings and minimum effects on the 
station's coverage area and audio quality. Between release of the MDCL 
Public Notice and release of the Notice of Proposed Rule Making in MB 
Docket No. 13-249, FCC 13-139 (NPRM), 33 permanent waiver requests and 
20 experimental requests authorizing use of MDCL control technologies 
had been granted by the Bureau.
    AM station licensees using MDCL control technologies have reported 
significant savings on electrical power costs and few, if any, 
perceptible effects on station coverage area and audio quality. 
Accordingly, the NPRM tentatively concluded that use of MDCL control 
technologies reduces AM broadcasters' operating costs while maintaining 
a station's current level of service to the public, without 
interference to other stations. The Commission therefore, proposed to 
allow an AM station to commence operation using MDCL control technology 
by notification to the Commission, without prior Commission authority.
    Consistent with the Commission's new rule allowing AM broadcasters 
to implement MDCL technologies without prior authorization, by 
electronic notification within 10 days of commencing MDCL operations, 
the Commission created FCC Form 338, AM Station Modulation Dependent 
Carrier Level (MDCL) Notification. In addition to the standard general 
contact information, FCC Form 338 solicits minimal technical data, as 
well as the date that MDCL control operation commenced. This 
information collection regarding FCC Form 338 needs OMB review and 
approval.
    The following rule section is covered by this information 
collection: 47 CFR 73.1560(a)(1) specifies the limits on antenna input 
power for AM stations. AM stations using MDCL control technologies are 
not required to adhere to these operating power parameters. AM stations 
may, without prior Commission authority, commence MDCL control 
technology use, provided that within ten days after commencing such 
operation, the licensee submits an electronic notification of 
commencement of MDCL operation using FCC Form 338.
    The Commission is now requesting a three year extension for this 
collection from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

Federal Communications Commission.
Cecilia Sigmund,
Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2018-17944 Filed 8-20-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6712-01-P

42294 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 162 / Tuesday, August 21, 2018 / Notices

further reduce the information determination helps the Commission to advise the contact listed below as soon
collection burden on small business equitably distribute limited spectrum as possible.
concerns with fewer than 25 employees. and prevents spectrum warehousing. ADDRESSES: Direct all PRA comments to
The FCC may not conduct or sponsor Federal Communications Commission. Cathy Williams, FCC, via email PRA@
a collection of information unless it Cecilia Sigmund, fcc.gov and to Cathy.Williams@fcc.gov.
displays a currently valid Office of FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
Federal Register Liaison Officer. Office of the
Management and Budget (OMB) control Secretary. additional information about the
number. No person shall be subject to information collection, contact Cathy
[FR Doc. 2018–18013 Filed 8–20–18; 8:45 am]
any penalty for failing to comply with Williams at (202) 418–2918.
BILLING CODE 6712–01–P
a collection of information subject to the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
PRA that does not display a valid OMB
control number. OMB Control Number: 3060–0180.
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS Title: Section 73.1610, Equipment
DATES: Written PRA comments should COMMISSION Tests.
be submitted on or before October 22, Form Number: N/A.
2018. If you anticipate that you will be [OMB 3060–0180, OMB 3060–0286, OMB
3060–1194] Type of Review: Extension of a
submitting comments, but find it currently approved collection.
difficult to do so within the period of Information Collections Being Respondents: Business or other for-
time allowed by this notice, you should Reviewed by the Federal profit entities; Not-for-profit
advise the contact listed below as soon Communications Commission Under institutions.
as possible. Delegated Authority Number of Respondents and
ADDRESSES: Direct all PRA comments to Responses: 500 respondents; 500
Cathy Williams, FCC, via email PRA@ AGENCY: Federal Communications responses.
fcc.gov and to Cathy.Williams@fcc.gov. Commission. Estimated Hours per Response: 0.5
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For ACTION: Notice and request for hours.
additional information about the comments. Frequency of Response: On occasion
information collection, contact Cathy reporting requirement.
Williams at (202) 418–2918. SUMMARY: As part of its continuing effort Total Annual Burden: 250 hours.
to reduce paperwork burdens, and as Total Annual Cost: None.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
required by the Paperwork Reduction Obligation to Respond: Required to
OMB Control Number: 3060–0295. Act of 1995 (PRA), the Federal
Title: Section 90.607, Supplemental obtain or retain benefits. The statutory
Communications Commission (FCC or authority for this collection is contained
Information to be Furnished by Commission) invites the general public
Applicants for Facilities Under Subpart in Section 154(i) of the Communications
and other Federal agencies to take this Act of 1934, as amended.
S. opportunity to comment on the
Form Number: N/A. Nature and Extent of Confidentiality:
following information collections. There is no need for confidentiality with
Type of Review: Extension of a
Comments are requested concerning: this collection of information.
currently approved collection.
Whether the proposed collection of Privacy Impact Assessment: No
Respondents: Business or other for-
information is necessary for the proper impact(s).
profit entities, not-for-profit institutions
performance of the functions of the Needs and Uses: The information
and state, local or tribal government.
Number of Respondents and Commission, including whether the collection requirements contained in 47
Responses: 478 respondents; 478 information shall have practical utility; CFR 73.1610 require the permittee of a
responses. the accuracy of the Commission’s new broadcast station to notify the FCC
Estimated Time per Response: .25 burden estimate; ways to enhance the of its plans to conduct equipment tests
hours. quality, utility, and clarity of the for the purpose of making adjustments
Frequency of Response: One time information collected; ways to minimize and measurements as may be necessary
reporting requirement. the burden of the collection of to assure compliance with the terms of
Obligation to Respond: Required to information on the respondents, the construction permit and applicable
obtain or retain benefits. Statutory including the use of automated engineering standards. FCC staff use the
authority for this information collection collection techniques or other forms of data to assure compliance with the
is contained in 47 U.S.C. 308(b). information technology; and ways to terms of the construction permit and
Total Annual Burden: 120 hours. further reduce the information applicable engineering standards.
Total Annual Cost: No cost. collection burden on small business OMB Control No.: 3060–0286.
Privacy Impact Assessment: No concerns with fewer than 25 employees. Title: Section 80.302, Notice of
impact(s). The FCC may not conduct or sponsor Discontinuance, Reduction, or
Nature and Extent of Confidentiality: a collection of information unless it Impairment of Service Involving a
There is no need for confidentiality with displays a currently valid Office of Distress Watch.
this collection of information. Management and Budget (OMB) control Form No.: N/A.
Needs and Uses: The information number. No person shall be subject to Type of Review: Extension of a
collection requirements contained in any penalty for failing to comply with currently approved collection.
Section 90.607 require the affected a collection of information subject to the Respondents: Business or other for
PRA that does not display a valid OMB
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES

applicants to submit a list of any radio profit, not-for-profit institutions, and
facilities they hold within 40 miles of control number. State, local, or tribal government.
the base station transmitter site being DATES: Written PRA comments should Number of Respondents and
applied for. be submitted on or before October 22, Responses: 50 respondents and 50
This information is used to determine 2018. If you anticipate that you will be responses.
if an applicant’s proposed system is submitting comments, but find it Estimated Time per Response: 1 hour.
necessary in light of communications difficult to do so within the period of Frequency of Response: Third party
facilities it already owns. Such a time allowed by this notice, you should disclosure requirement.

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Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 162 / Tuesday, August 21, 2018 / Notices 42295

Obligation to Respond: Required to Proposed Rule Making, and Notice of significant savings on electrical power
obtain or retain benefits. The statutory Inquiry, Revitalization of the AM Radio costs and few, if any, perceptible effects
authority for this collection 47 U.S.C. Service (First R&O), FCC 15–142, MB on station coverage area and audio
154, 303, 307(e), 309 and 332, unless Docket 13–249. In the First R&O, the quality. Accordingly, the NPRM
noted. Commission adopted its proposal for tentatively concluded that use of MDCL
Total Annual Burden: 50 hours. wider implementation of Modulation control technologies reduces AM
Annual Cost Burden: No cost. Dependent Carrier Level (MDCL) control broadcasters’ operating costs while
Privacy Act Impact Assessment: No technologies by amending Section maintaining a station’s current level of
impact(s). 73.1560(a) of the rules, to provide that service to the public, without
Nature and Extent of Confidentiality: an AM station may commence operation interference to other stations. The
There is no need for confidentiality with using MDCL control technology without Commission therefore, proposed to
this collection of information. prior Commission authority, provided allow an AM station to commence
Needs and Uses: The reporting that the AM station licensee notifies the operation using MDCL control
requirement contained in section 80.302 Commission of the station’s MDCL technology by notification to the
is necessary to ensure that the U.S. control operation within 10 days after Commission, without prior Commission
Coast Guard is timely notified when a commencement of such operation using authority.
coast station, which is responsible for the Bureau’s Consolidated Database Consistent with the Commission’s
maintaining a listening watch on a System (CDBS). new rule allowing AM broadcasters to
designated marine distress and safety In September 2011, the Commission’s implement MDCL technologies without
frequency discontinues, reduces or Media Bureau (Bureau) had released an prior authorization, by electronic
impairs its communications services. MDCL Public Notice, in which it stated notification within 10 days of
This notification allows the Coast Guard that it would permit AM stations, by commencing MDCL operations, the
to seek an alternate means of providing rule waiver or experimental Commission created FCC Form 338, AM
radio coverage to protect the safety of authorization, to use MDCL control Station Modulation Dependent Carrier
life and property at sea or object to the technologies, which are transmitter Level (MDCL) Notification. In addition
planned diminution of service. The control techniques that vary either the to the standard general contact
information is used by the U.S. Coast carrier power level or both the carrier information, FCC Form 338 solicits
Guard district office nearest to the coast and sideband power levels as a function minimal technical data, as well as the
station. Once the Coast Guard is aware of the modulation level. This allows AM date that MDCL control operation
that such a situation exists, it is able to licensees to reduce power consumption commenced. This information
inform the maritime community that while maintaining audio quality and collection regarding FCC Form 338
radio coverage has or will be affected their licensed station coverage areas. needs OMB review and approval.
There are two basic types of MDCL The following rule section is covered
and/or seek to provide coverage of the
control technologies. In one type, the by this information collection: 47 CFR
safety watch via alternate means.
carrier power is reduced at low 73.1560(a)(1) specifies the limits on
OMB Control Number: 3060–1194. modulation levels and increased at antenna input power for AM stations.
Title: AM Station Modulation higher modulation levels. In the other AM stations using MDCL control
Dependent Carrier Level (MDCL) type, there is full carrier power at low technologies are not required to adhere
Notification Form; FCC Form 338. modulation levels and reduced carrier to these operating power parameters.
Form Number: FCC Form 338. power and sideband powers at higher AM stations may, without prior
Type of Review: Extension of a modulation levels. Use of any of these Commission authority, commence
currently approved collection. MDCL control technologies reduces the MDCL control technology use, provided
Respondents: Business or other for- station’s antenna input power to levels that within ten days after commencing
profit entities; Not-for-profit not permitted by Section 73.1560(a) of such operation, the licensee submits an
institutions. the Commission’s rules. electronic notification of
Number of Respondents and The MDCL Public Notice permitted commencement of MDCL operation
Responses: 100 respondents and 100 AM station licensees wanting to use using FCC Form 338.
responses. MDCL control technologies to seek The Commission is now requesting a
Estimated Hours per Response: 1 either a permanent waiver of Section three year extension for this collection
hour. 73.1560(a) for those licensees already from the Office of Management and
Frequency of Response: On occasion certain of the particular MDCL control Budget (OMB).
reporting requirement. technology to be used, or an Federal Communications Commission.
Total Annual Burden: 100 hours. experimental authorization pursuant to
Cecilia Sigmund,
Total Annual Costs: None. Section 73.1510 of the Rules for those
Obligation to Respond: Required to Federal Register Liaison Officer.
licensees wishing to determine which of
obtain or retain benefits. The statutory the MDCL control technologies would [FR Doc. 2018–17944 Filed 8–20–18; 8:45 am]
authority for this information collection result in maximum cost savings and BILLING CODE 6712–01–P
is contained in Sections 154(i), 303, 310 minimum effects on the station’s
and 533 of the Communications Act of coverage area and audio quality.
1934, as amended. Between release of the MDCL Public FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS
Nature and Extent of Confidentiality: Notice and release of the Notice of COMMISSION
There is no need for confidentiality
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES

Proposed Rule Making in MB Docket [CC Docket No. 92–237; DA 18–815]
required with this collection of No. 13–249, FCC 13–139 (NPRM), 33
information. permanent waiver requests and 20 Next Meeting of the North American
Privacy Impact Assessment: No experimental requests authorizing use of Numbering Council
impact(s). MDCL control technologies had been AGENCY: Federal Communications
Needs and Uses: On October 23, 2015, granted by the Bureau. Commission.
the Commission released the First AM station licensees using MDCL
ACTION: Notice.
Report and Order, Further Notice of control technologies have reported

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Document Created: 2018-08-21 00:06:57
Document Modified: 2018-08-21 00:06:57

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice and request for comments.
Dates		Written PRA comments should be submitted on or before October 22, 2018. 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.
Contact		For additional information about the information collection, contact Cathy Williams at (202) 418-2918.
FR Citation		83 FR 42294