83_FR_61363 83 FR 61134 - Procedural Revisions to the Filing of Open Video System Certification Applications

83 FR 61134 - Procedural Revisions to the Filing of Open Video System Certification Applications

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 229 (November 28, 2018)

Page Range61134-61136
FR Document2018-25913

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) modernizes the Open Video System (OVS) filing procedures by specifying that OVS applications be required to send certification applications, including FCC Form 1275 and all attachments, as well as notices of intent, via electronic email (email) delivery to a designated Commission email address. The FCC also eliminates certain existing requirements associated with the rule. Parties wishing to respond to a FCC Form 1275 filing must submit comments or oppositions via electronic mail (email).

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 229 (Wednesday, November 28, 2018)
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 229 (Wednesday, November 28, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 61134-61136]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-25913]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR Part 76

[MB Docket No. 17-105; FCC 18-150]


Procedural Revisions to the Filing of Open Video System 
Certification Applications

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC 
or Commission) modernizes the Open Video System (OVS) filing procedures 
by specifying that OVS applications be required to send certification 
applications, including FCC Form 1275 and all attachments, as well as 
notices of intent, via electronic email (email) delivery to a 
designated Commission email address. The FCC also eliminates certain 
existing requirements associated with the rule. Parties wishing to 
respond to a FCC Form 1275 filing must submit comments or oppositions 
via electronic mail (email).

DATES: Effective date: November 28, 2018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information on this 
proceeding, contact Sonia Greenaway Mickle, [email protected], of 
the Policy Division, Media Bureau, (202) 418-1419.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission's Order, 
FCC 18-150, adopted and released on October 25, 2018. The full text of 
this document is available for public inspection and copying during 
regular business hours in the FCC Reference Center, Federal 
Communications Commission, 445 12th Street SW, Room CY-A257, 
Washington, DC 20554. This document will also be available via ECFS at 
http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/ecfs/. Documents will be available 
electronically in ASCII, Microsoft Word, and/or Adobe Acrobat. Copies 
of the materials can be obtained from the FCC's Reference Information 
Center at (202) 418-0270. Alternative formats are available for people 
with disabilities (Braille, large print, electronic files, audio 
format), by sending an email to [email protected] or calling the 
Commission's Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau at (202) 418-0530 
(voice), (202) 418-0432 (TTY).

Synopsis

    1. The Commission in this Order establishes electronic filing 
procedures for parties seeking to operate an Open Video System (OVS) to 
submit a certification application and notice of intent. By replacing 
our current paper filing requirements for OVS applications and notices 
with an electronic filing system, this Order modernizes our 
regulations, reduces burdens for OVS applicants, and increases the 
efficiency of the Commission's processing of applications.
    2. The Telecommunications Act of 1996 added section 653 to the 
Communications Act of 1934, as amended (the Act), establishing OVS as a 
new framework for entry into the multichannel video programming 
distribution marketplace.\1\ Any party

[[Page 61135]]

seeking to operate an OVS must file an application to be certified as 
an OVS operator on FCC Form 1275 \2\ as well as a ``notice of intent'' 
to establish an OVS.\3\ At present, parties cannot file these documents 
electronically. Instead, they must file paper copies of both documents 
with the Office of the Secretary and the Office of the Chief of the 
Media Bureau \4\ and file the certification application on a computer 
disk. The documents are then delivered to the Media Bureau staff who 
process and review them. After a Form 1275 certification application is 
processed by Media Bureau staff, a public notice is published on the 
Commission's website. Comments or oppositions to certification 
applications must be filed within five calendar days of the date the 
application is received at the Commission.\5\ Pursuant to Section 653, 
the Commission must act to approve or disapprove any OVS certification 
request within ten days of its receipt.\6\ To implement this statutory 
requirement, the Commission's rules provide that ``[i]f the Commission 
does not disapprove the certification application within ten days after 
receipt of an applicant's request, the certification application will 
be deemed approved.'' \7\ Media Bureau staff also provide public notice 
of OVS notices of intent.\8\
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    \1\ Telecommunications Act of 1996, Public Law 104-104, 110 
Stat. 56, approved February 8, 1996. An open video system is similar 
to a cable system in that it is a facilities-based system for the 
delivery of video programming. Unlike cable systems, however, open 
video systems must set aside up to two thirds of their channel 
capacity for the delivery of independent programming of third 
parties. The OVS framework was established to provide competition 
and lower barriers to entry in the provision of video programming to 
consumers. See Implementation of Section 302 of the 
Telecommunications Act of 1996, Open Video Systems, 11 FCC Rcd 
18223, 18227, para. 2-3 (1996) (Second Report and Order). The 
approach developed for the OVS model provides streamlined 
regulations and reduced regulatory burdens. See 47 U.S.C. 573(c).
    \2\ 47 U.S.C. 573(a)(1); 47 CFR 76.1502. The Form 1275 includes 
facts and representations regarding the OVS applicant and system 
information, including the anticipated communities or area to be 
served upon completion of the open video system. See https://transition.fcc.gov/Forms/Form1275/1275.pdf.
    \3\ 47 CFR 76.1503(b)(1). In order to commence the channel 
allocation process, an OVS operator is required to file a notice of 
intent with the Commission. A notice of intent provides details 
regarding the operator's projected channel capacity, service area, 
and other technical information about the operator's system. Second 
Report and Order, 11 FCC Rcd at 18252, para. 45.
    \4\ See Second Report and Order, 11 FCC Rcd at 18247, para. 34 
(1996) (stating that ``hard copies of the [Form 1275] certification 
forms be filed with the Office of the Secretary, Federal 
Communications Commission''); see also id. at Appendix C (``A hard 
copy of FCC Form 1275 and all attachments must be filed with the 
Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission . . . and 
with the Office of the Bureau Chief, Cable Services Bureau''). The 
Cable Services Bureau was superseded by the Media Bureau in 2002. 
See Establishment of the Media Bureau and Other Organizational 
Changes, Order, 17 FCC Rcd 4510 (2002); see also 47 CFR 
76.1503(b)(1) (stating that Notices of Intent must be filed with the 
Secretary of the Federal Communications Commission and directed to 
the Media Bureau). Some of the specific filing requirements do not 
appear in the OVS rules, but in other locations such as in the 
instructions for FCC Form 1275.
    \5\ 47 CFR 76.1502(e)(1).
    \6\ 47 U.S.C. 573(a)(1).
    \7\ 47 CFR 76.1502(f).
    \8\ 47 CFR 76.1503(b)(1).
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    3. Because electronic filing is a more modern and efficient way for 
parties to file and for Commission staff to receive applications, we 
conclude that the OVS paper filing requirements have outlived their 
usefulness. The Commission has moved to electronic filing for other 
applications and filings.\9\ Moreover, the nature of the OVS 
application process necessitates immediate receipt by appropriate 
staff, which can better be assured via electronic means. On several 
recent occasions, tracking down OVS applications mailed to Commission 
headquarters has been time consuming for staff and has caused 
processing delays. In addition, the requirement to file the 
certification application on a computer disk is an unnecessary, 
duplicative, and outdated mode of information delivery. Given the very 
short deadline by which the Commission must act on OVS certification 
applications, processing delays and outdated requirements have proven 
to be problematic for both the staff of the Media Bureau and OVS 
applicants.\10\
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    \9\ See, e.g., Amendment of Certain of the Commission's Part 1 
Rules of Practice and Procedure Relating to the Filing of Formal 
Complaints Under Section 208 of the Communications Act and Pole 
Attachment Complaints Under Section 224 of the Communications Act, 
Order, 79 FR 73844, Dec. 12, 2014, 29 FCC Rcd 14078 (2014).
    \10\ In at least one recent case, an OVS application was 
received by Media Bureau staff weeks after it was received at the 
Commission. The Media Bureau failed to have an opportunity to place 
the application on Public Notice or to review and assess the 
application within the ten-day timeframe specified by the 
Communications Act and the Commission's rules, and the application 
was deemed approved by operation of law. After reviewing the OVS 
certification application, it was deemed deficient, requiring the 
Media Bureau to adopt a sua sponte Order on Reconsideration revoking 
the OVS certification. See Digital Broadcasting Certification to 
Operate an Open Video System, 32 FCC Rcd 3149 (MB 2017).
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    4. Therefore, we modify the procedural rules for the filing of OVS 
certification applications and notices of intent to make the process 
less burdensome for applicants and to ensure that these documents are 
timely received by Commission staff.\11\ We conclude that the most 
efficient process is for OVS applicants to send certification 
applications, including FCC Form 1275 and all attachments, as well as 
notices of intent, via electronic mail (email) delivery to a designated 
Commission email address.\12\ Specifically, under the rule we adopt 
here, when filing a certification application or notice of intent, 
applicants will be required to send all documents to the following 
email address: [email protected]. Comments or oppositions also will be 
required to be sent via email to this same designated email 
address.\13\ The rule changes in this Order do not affect the 
requirement that the certification application must be served on all 
local communities in which the applicant intends to operate.\14\ We 
note that the rule changes adopted herein involve a non-substantive 
change to an approved information collection for which we must obtain 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval under the Paperwork 
Reduction Act (PRA) before the rule changes can take effect. To 
expedite the ability of parties and staff to utilize these new 
procedures, we make these rule revisions effective upon publication of 
the Order in the Federal Register. The requirement that publication of 
a ``substantive'' rule be made at least 30 days before its effective 
date does not apply to the procedural rules adopted in this Order.\15\
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    \11\ The rule revisions adopted in this Order and set forth in 
the Final Rules section are procedural in nature. Because they 
modify existing agency procedural rules, notice and comment 
procedures are not required under the Administrative Procedure Act. 
See 5 U.S.C. 553(b) (stating that notice and comment requirements do 
not apply to rules of agency procedure); Amendment of Certain of the 
Commission's Part 1 Rules of Practice and Procedure and Part 0 Rules 
of Commission Organization, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 75 FR 
14401, March 25, 2010, 25 FCC Rcd 2430, 2430, para. 1 n.1; 2434, 
para. 11 n.15; 2436, para. 16 n.23 (2010); Amendment of Certain of 
the Commission's Part 1 Rules of Practice and Procedure and Part 0 
Rules of Commission Organization, Report and Order, 76 FR 24383, May 
2, 2011, 26 FCC Rcd 1594, 1598, para. 10 n.23; 1600, para. 15 n.44 
(2011) (notice and comment is not required for procedural changes).
    \12\ Because the certification application will be 
electronically delivered to a designated OVS email box, a specific 
cover sheet identifying the filing as an ``OVS Certification 
Application'' and ``Attention: Media Bureau'' is no longer 
necessary. Therefore, we are eliminating the requirement that a 
cover sheet be filed with a certification application, comments, or 
oppositions. See 47 CFR 76.1502(d)(2), (e)(2). We also are 
eliminating the cover sheet requirements for notices of intent. See 
47 CFR 76.1503(b)(1). In addition, computer disks are no longer 
required to be filed.
    \13\ See the Final Rules section. As under the current rule, 
comments or oppositions to a certification must be served on the 
party that filed the certification. 47 CFR 76.1502(e)(1).
    \14\ See 47 CFR 76.1502(d)(1); see also 47 CFR 76.1502(f) 
(requiring that, if an application is disapproved, a refiled 
application must be served on any objecting party or parties and on 
all local communities in which the applicant intends to operate); 47 
CFR 76.1503(b)(1)(viii) (requiring that a notice of intent be served 
on all local franchising authorities).
    \15\ See 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) (stating that publication of a 
``substantive'' rule shall be made not less than 30 days before its 
effective date, except . . . as otherwise provided by the agency for 
good cause found and published with the rule). We anticipate that 
these new procedures will significantly decrease the likelihood that 
a certification application will fail to reach Media Bureau staff 
prior to the time that it is deemed approved. We likewise expect 
that, since the new procedures will decrease filing burdens on 
applicants and other filers, no filing party or opponent of an OVS 
application is likely to be prejudiced by the rules taking effect 
upon publication of the Order in the Federal Register.

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[[Page 61136]]

    5. Paperwork Reduction Act. This document contains a non-
substantive and non-material modification of information collection 
requirements that were previously reviewed and approved by OMB pursuant 
to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), Public Law 104-13.\16\ 
Filing burdens are reduced with the use of email filings to the 
Commission.
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    \16\ See OMB, Notice of Office of Management and Budget Action, 
ICR Reference No. 201604-3060-006, OMB Control No. 3060-0700 (May 
23, 2016), https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAViewICR?ref_nbr=201604-3060-006# (select the ``Retrieve Notice of 
Action (NOA)'' hyperlink); 5 CFR 1320.5(g) (stating that an agency 
may not make ``a substantive or material modification to a 
collection of information'' after such collection of information has 
been approved by OMB, unless the modification has been submitted to 
OMB for review and approval under 5 U.S.C. part 1320).
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    6. Congressional Review Act. The Commission will send a copy of 
this Order to Congress and the Government Accountability Office 
pursuant to the Congressional Review Act, see 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A).
    7. Accordingly, it is ordered that part 76 of the Commission's 
rules is amended, as set forth in the Final Rules section, pursuant to 
the authority contained in sections 4(i), 303(r), and 653 of the 
Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. 154(i), 303(r), and 
573.
    8. It is further ordered that this Order and the rule changes 
adopted herein shall be effective upon publication in the Federal 
Register.

List of Subjects in 47 CFR Part 76

    Administrative practice and procedure, Cable television, Reporting 
and recordkeeping requirements.

Federal Communications Commission.
Katura Jackson,
Federal Register Liaison Officer, Office of the Secretary.

Final Rules

    For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Federal 
Communications Commission amends 47 CFR part 76 as follows:

PART 76--MULTICHANNEL VIDEO AND CABLE TELEVISION SERVICE

0
1. The authority citation for part 76 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 47 U.S.C. 151, 152, 153, 154, 301, 302, 302a, 303, 
303a, 307, 308, 309, 312, 315, 317, 325, 338, 339, 340, 341, 503, 
521, 522, 531, 532, 534, 535, 536, 537, 543, 544, 544a, 545, 548, 
549, 552, 554, 556, 558, 560, 561, 571, 572, 573.


0
2. Amend Sec.  76.1502 by revising paragraphs (d), (e)(2), and (f) to 
read as follows:


Sec.  76.1502  Certification.

* * * * *
    (d)(1) All open video system certification applications, including 
FCC Form 1275 and all attachments, must be filed via electronic mail 
(email) at the following address: [email protected]. The subject line shall 
read ``Open Video System Certification Application.'' Open video system 
certification applications will not be considered properly filed unless 
filed as described in this paragraph (d).
    (2) On or before the date an FCC Form 1275 is filed with the 
Commission, the applicant must serve a copy of its filing on all local 
communities identified pursuant to paragraph (c)(6) of this section and 
must include a statement informing the local communities of the 
Commission's requirements in paragraph (e) of this section for filing 
oppositions and comments. Service by mail is complete upon mailing, but 
if mailed, the served documents must be postmarked at least 3 days 
prior to the filing of the FCC Form 1275 with the Commission.
    (e) * * *
    (2) Parties wishing to respond to a FCC Form 1275 filing must 
submit comments or oppositions via electronic mail (email) at the 
following address: [email protected]. The subject line shall read ``Open 
Video System Certification Application Comments.'' Comments and 
oppositions will not be considered properly filed unless filed as 
described in this paragraph (e).
    (f) If the Commission does not disapprove the certification 
application within ten days after receipt of an applicant's request, 
the certification application will be deemed approved. If disapproved, 
the applicant may file a revised certification or refile its original 
submission with a statement addressing the issues in dispute in 
accordance with the procedures described in paragraph (d) of this 
section. Such refilings must be served on any objecting party or 
parties and on all local communities in which the applicant intends to 
operate pursuant to instructions in paragraph (d)(2) of this section. 
The Commission will consider any revised or refiled FCC Form 1275 to be 
a new proceeding and any party who filed comments regarding the 
original FCC Form 1275 will have to refile their original comments if 
they think such comments should be considered in the subsequent 
proceeding.

0
3. Amend Sec.  76.1503 by revising paragraph (b)(1) introductory text 
to read as follows:


Sec.  76.1503  Carriage of video programming providers on open video 
systems.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (1) Notification. An open video system operator shall file a 
``Notice of Intent'' to establish an open video system, which the 
Commission will release in a Public Notice. The Notice of Intent must 
be filed via electronic mail (email) at the following address: 
[email protected]. The subject line shall read ``Open Video System Notice of 
Intent.'' An Open Video system notice of intent will not be considered 
properly filed unless filed as described in this paragraph (b). This 
Notice of Intent shall include the following information:
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2018-25913 Filed 11-27-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P



     61134        Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 229 / Wednesday, November 28, 2018 / Rules and Regulations

     PART 51—REQUIREMENTS FOR                                1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane                      FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:         For
     PREPARATION, ADOPTION, AND                              ((CF3)2CFCF2OCH3); 1-ethoxy-                          additional information on this
     SUBMITTAL OF IMPLEMENTATION                             1,1,2,2,3,3,4,4,4-nonafluorobutane                    proceeding, contact Sonia Greenaway
     PLANS                                                   (C4F9OC2H5 or HFE–7200); 2-                           Mickle, Sonia.Greenaway@fcc.gov, of
                                                             (ethoxydifluoromethyl)-1,1,1,2,3,3,3-                 the Policy Division, Media Bureau, (202)
     ■ 1. The authority citation for part 51                 heptafluoropropane                                    418–1419.
     continues to read as follows:                           ((CF3)2CFCF2OC2H5); methyl acetate;                   SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a
       Authority: 23 U.S.C. 101; 42 U.S.C. 7401–             1,1,1,2,2,3,3-heptafluoro-3-methoxy-                  summary of the Commission’s Order,
     7671q.                                                  propane (n-C3F7OCH3, HFE–7000); 3-                    FCC 18–150, adopted and released on
                                                             ethoxy- 1,1,1,2,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,6-                      October 25, 2018. The full text of this
     Subpart F—Procedural Requirements                       dodecafluoro-2-(trifluoromethyl) hexane               document is available for public
                                                             (HFE–7500); 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-                            inspection and copying during regular
     ■ 2. Section 51.100 is amended by
                                                             heptafluoropropane (HFC 227ea);                       business hours in the FCC Reference
     revising paragraph (s)(1) introductory
                                                             methyl formate (HCOOCH3);                             Center, Federal Communications
     text to read as follows:
                                                             1,1,1,2,2,3,4,5,5,5-decafluoro-3-                     Commission, 445 12th Street SW, Room
     § 51.100   Definitions.                                 methoxy-4-trifluoromethyl-pentane                     CY–A257, Washington, DC 20554. This
     *      *     *    *     *                               (HFE–7300); propylene carbonate;                      document will also be available via
        (s) * * *                                            dimethyl carbonate; trans-1,3,3,3-                    ECFS at http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/ecfs/.
        (1) This includes any such organic                   tetrafluoropropene; HCF2OCF2H (HFE–                   Documents will be available
     compound other than the following,                      134); HCF2OCF2OCF2H (HFE–236cal2);                    electronically in ASCII, Microsoft Word,
     which have been determined to have                      HCF2OCF2CF2OCF2H (HFE–338pcc13);                      and/or Adobe Acrobat. Copies of the
     negligible photochemical reactivity:                    HCF2OCF2OCF2CF2OCF2H (H-Galden                        materials can be obtained from the
     Methane; ethane; methylene chloride                     1040x or H-Galden ZT 130 (or 150 or                   FCC’s Reference Information Center at
     (dichloromethane); 1,1,1-trichloroethane                180)); trans 1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoroprop-            (202) 418–0270. Alternative formats are
     (methyl chloroform); 1,1,2-trichloro-                   1-ene; 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene; 2-                 available for people with disabilities
     1,2,2-trifluoroethane (CFC–113);                        amino-2-methyl-1-propanol; t-butyl                    (Braille, large print, electronic files,
     trichlorofluoromethane (CFC–11);                        acetate; 1,1,2,2- Tetrafluoro -1-(2,2,2-              audio format), by sending an email to
     dichlorodifluoromethane (CFC–12);                       trifluoroethoxy) ethane; cis-1,1,1,4,4,4-             fcc504@fcc.gov or calling the
     chlorodifluoromethane (HCFC–22);                        hexafluorobut-2-ene (HFO–1336mzz-Z);                  Commission’s Consumer and
     trifluoromethane (HFC–23); 1,2-dichloro                 and perfluorocarbon compounds which                   Governmental Affairs Bureau at (202)
     1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane (CFC–114);                    fall into these classes:                              418–0530 (voice), (202) 418–0432
     chloropentafluoroethane (CFC–115);                      *      *    *     *      *                            (TTY).
     1,1,1-trifluoro 2,2-dichloroethane                      [FR Doc. 2018–25891 Filed 11–27–18; 8:45 am]
     (HCFC–123); 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane                   BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
                                                                                                                   Synopsis
     (HFC–134a); 1,1-dichloro 1-fluoroethane                                                                          1. The Commission in this Order
     (HCFC–141b); 1-chloro 1,1-                                                                                    establishes electronic filing procedures
     difluoroethane (HCFC–142b); 2-chloro-                   FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS                                for parties seeking to operate an Open
     1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (HCFC–124);                   COMMISSION                                            Video System (OVS) to submit a
     pentafluoroethane (HFC–125); 1,1,2,2-                                                                         certification application and notice of
     tetrafluoroethane (HFC–134); 1,1,1-                     47 CFR Part 76                                        intent. By replacing our current paper
     trifluoroethane (HFC–143a); 1,1-                                                                              filing requirements for OVS applications
                                                             [MB Docket No. 17–105; FCC 18–150]
     difluoroethane (HFC–152a);                                                                                    and notices with an electronic filing
     parachlorobenzotrifluoride (PCBTF);                     Procedural Revisions to the Filing of                 system, this Order modernizes our
     cyclic, branched, or linear completely                  Open Video System Certification                       regulations, reduces burdens for OVS
     methylated siloxanes; acetone;                          Applications                                          applicants, and increases the efficiency
     perchloroethylene (tetrachloroethylene);                                                                      of the Commission’s processing of
     3,3-dichloro-1,1,1,2,2-                                 AGENCY:  Federal Communications                       applications.
     pentafluoropropane (HCFC–225ca); 1,3-                   Commission.                                              2. The Telecommunications Act of
     dichloro-1,1,2,2,3-pentafluoropropane                   ACTION: Final rule.                                   1996 added section 653 to the
     (HCFC–225cb); 1,1,1,2,3,4,4,5,5,5-                                                                            Communications Act of 1934, as
     decafluoropentane (HFC 43–10mee);                       SUMMARY:    In this document, the Federal             amended (the Act), establishing OVS as
     difluoromethane (HFC–32);                               Communications Commission (FCC or                     a new framework for entry into the
     ethylfluoride (HFC–161); 1,1,1,3,3,3-                   Commission) modernizes the Open                       multichannel video programming
     hexafluoropropane (HFC–236fa);                          Video System (OVS) filing procedures                  distribution marketplace.1 Any party
     1,1,2,2,3-pentafluoropropane (HFC–                      by specifying that OVS applications be
     245ca); 1,1,2,3,3-pentafluoropropane                    required to send certification                          1 Telecommunications Act of 1996, Public Law

     (HFC–245ea); 1,1,1,2,3-                                 applications, including FCC Form 1275                 104–104, 110 Stat. 56, approved February 8, 1996.
                                                             and all attachments, as well as notices               An open video system is similar to a cable system
     pentafluoropropane (HFC–245eb);                                                                               in that it is a facilities-based system for the delivery
     1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane (HFC–                      of intent, via electronic email (email)               of video programming. Unlike cable systems,
     245fa); 1,1,1,2,3,3-hexafluoropropane                   delivery to a designated Commission                   however, open video systems must set aside up to
     (HFC–236ea); 1,1,1,3,3-                                 email address. The FCC also eliminates                two thirds of their channel capacity for the delivery
                                                             certain existing requirements associated              of independent programming of third parties. The
     pentafluorobutane (HFC–365mfc);                                                                               OVS framework was established to provide
     chlorofluoromethane (HCFC–31); 1                        with the rule. Parties wishing to                     competition and lower barriers to entry in the
     chloro-1-fluoroethane (HCFC–151a); 1,2-                 respond to a FCC Form 1275 filing must                provision of video programming to consumers. See
     dichloro-1,1,2-trifluoroethane (HCFC–                   submit comments or oppositions via                    Implementation of Section 302 of the
                                                             electronic mail (email).                              Telecommunications Act of 1996, Open Video
     123a); 1,1,1,2,2,3,3,4,4-nonafluoro-4-                                                                        Systems, 11 FCC Rcd 18223, 18227, para. 2–3 (1996)
     methoxy-butane (C4F9OCH3 or HFE–                        DATES: Effective date: November 28,                   (Second Report and Order). The approach
     7100); 2-(difluoromethoxymethyl)-                       2018.                                                 developed for the OVS model provides streamlined



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                   Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 229 / Wednesday, November 28, 2018 / Rules and Regulations                                                   61135

     seeking to operate an OVS must file an                  provide public notice of OVS notices of                 conclude that the most efficient process
     application to be certified as an OVS                   intent.8                                                is for OVS applicants to send
     operator on FCC Form 1275 2 as well as                     3. Because electronic filing is a more               certification applications, including
     a ‘‘notice of intent’’ to establish an                  modern and efficient way for parties to                 FCC Form 1275 and all attachments, as
     OVS.3 At present, parties cannot file                   file and for Commission staff to receive                well as notices of intent, via electronic
     these documents electronically. Instead,                applications, we conclude that the OVS                  mail (email) delivery to a designated
     they must file paper copies of both                     paper filing requirements have outlived                 Commission email address.12
     documents with the Office of the                        their usefulness. The Commission has                    Specifically, under the rule we adopt
                                                             moved to electronic filing for other                    here, when filing a certification
     Secretary and the Office of the Chief of
                                                             applications and filings.9 Moreover, the                application or notice of intent,
     the Media Bureau 4 and file the
                                                             nature of the OVS application process                   applicants will be required to send all
     certification application on a computer                 necessitates immediate receipt by                       documents to the following email
     disk. The documents are then delivered                  appropriate staff, which can better be                  address: OVS@fcc.gov. Comments or
     to the Media Bureau staff who process                   assured via electronic means. On several                oppositions also will be required to be
     and review them. After a Form 1275                      recent occasions, tracking down OVS                     sent via email to this same designated
     certification application is processed by               applications mailed to Commission                       email address.13 The rule changes in
     Media Bureau staff, a public notice is                  headquarters has been time consuming                    this Order do not affect the requirement
     published on the Commission’s website.                  for staff and has caused processing                     that the certification application must
     Comments or oppositions to                              delays. In addition, the requirement to                 be served on all local communities in
     certification applications must be filed                file the certification application on a                 which the applicant intends to
     within five calendar days of the date the               computer disk is an unnecessary,                        operate.14 We note that the rule changes
     application is received at the                          duplicative, and outdated mode of                       adopted herein involve a non-
     Commission.5 Pursuant to Section 653,                   information delivery. Given the very                    substantive change to an approved
     the Commission must act to approve or                   short deadline by which the                             information collection for which we
     disapprove any OVS certification                        Commission must act on OVS                              must obtain Office of Management and
     request within ten days of its receipt.6                certification applications, processing                  Budget (OMB) approval under the
     To implement this statutory                             delays and outdated requirements have                   Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) before
     requirement, the Commission’s rules                     proven to be problematic for both the                   the rule changes can take effect. To
     provide that ‘‘[i]f the Commission does                 staff of the Media Bureau and OVS                       expedite the ability of parties and staff
                                                             applicants.10                                           to utilize these new procedures, we
     not disapprove the certification                           4. Therefore, we modify the                          make these rule revisions effective upon
     application within ten days after receipt               procedural rules for the filing of OVS                  publication of the Order in the Federal
     of an applicant’s request, the                          certification applications and notices of               Register. The requirement that
     certification application will be deemed                intent to make the process less                         publication of a ‘‘substantive’’ rule be
     approved.’’ 7 Media Bureau staff also                   burdensome for applicants and to                        made at least 30 days before its effective
                                                             ensure that these documents are timely                  date does not apply to the procedural
     regulations and reduced regulatory burdens. See 47      received by Commission staff.11 We                      rules adopted in this Order.15
     U.S.C. 573(c).
        2 47 U.S.C. 573(a)(1); 47 CFR 76.1502. The Form
                                                               8 47  CFR 76.1503(b)(1).
     1275 includes facts and representations regarding                                                               Part 1 Rules of Practice and Procedure and Part 0
                                                               9 See,  e.g., Amendment of Certain of the             Rules of Commission Organization, Report and
     the OVS applicant and system information,
                                                             Commission’s Part 1 Rules of Practice and               Order, 76 FR 24383, May 2, 2011, 26 FCC Rcd 1594,
     including the anticipated communities or area to be
                                                             Procedure Relating to the Filing of Formal              1598, para. 10 n.23; 1600, para. 15 n.44 (2011)
     served upon completion of the open video system.
                                                             Complaints Under Section 208 of the                     (notice and comment is not required for procedural
     See https://transition.fcc.gov/Forms/Form1275/
                                                             Communications Act and Pole Attachment                  changes).
     1275.pdf.
        3 47 CFR 76.1503(b)(1). In order to commence the
                                                             Complaints Under Section 224 of the                       12 Because the certification application will be
                                                             Communications Act, Order, 79 FR 73844, Dec. 12,        electronically delivered to a designated OVS email
     channel allocation process, an OVS operator is          2014, 29 FCC Rcd 14078 (2014).                          box, a specific cover sheet identifying the filing as
     required to file a notice of intent with the               10 In at least one recent case, an OVS application   an ‘‘OVS Certification Application’’ and ‘‘Attention:
     Commission. A notice of intent provides details         was received by Media Bureau staff weeks after it       Media Bureau’’ is no longer necessary. Therefore,
     regarding the operator’s projected channel capacity,    was received at the Commission. The Media Bureau        we are eliminating the requirement that a cover
     service area, and other technical information about     failed to have an opportunity to place the              sheet be filed with a certification application,
     the operator’s system. Second Report and Order, 11      application on Public Notice or to review and assess    comments, or oppositions. See 47 CFR
     FCC Rcd at 18252, para. 45.                             the application within the ten-day timeframe            76.1502(d)(2), (e)(2). We also are eliminating the
        4 See Second Report and Order, 11 FCC Rcd at
                                                             specified by the Communications Act and the             cover sheet requirements for notices of intent. See
     18247, para. 34 (1996) (stating that ‘‘hard copies of   Commission’s rules, and the application was             47 CFR 76.1503(b)(1). In addition, computer disks
     the [Form 1275] certification forms be filed with the   deemed approved by operation of law. After              are no longer required to be filed.
     Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications         reviewing the OVS certification application, it was       13 See the Final Rules section. As under the
     Commission’’); see also id. at Appendix C (‘‘A hard     deemed deficient, requiring the Media Bureau to         current rule, comments or oppositions to a
     copy of FCC Form 1275 and all attachments must          adopt a sua sponte Order on Reconsideration             certification must be served on the party that filed
     be filed with the Office of the Secretary, Federal      revoking the OVS certification. See Digital             the certification. 47 CFR 76.1502(e)(1).
     Communications Commission . . . and with the            Broadcasting Certification to Operate an Open             14 See 47 CFR 76.1502(d)(1); see also 47 CFR
     Office of the Bureau Chief, Cable Services Bureau’’).   Video System, 32 FCC Rcd 3149 (MB 2017).                76.1502(f) (requiring that, if an application is
     The Cable Services Bureau was superseded by the            11 The rule revisions adopted in this Order and      disapproved, a refiled application must be served
     Media Bureau in 2002. See Establishment of the          set forth in the Final Rules section are procedural     on any objecting party or parties and on all local
     Media Bureau and Other Organizational Changes,          in nature. Because they modify existing agency          communities in which the applicant intends to
     Order, 17 FCC Rcd 4510 (2002); see also 47 CFR          procedural rules, notice and comment procedures         operate); 47 CFR 76.1503(b)(1)(viii) (requiring that
     76.1503(b)(1) (stating that Notices of Intent must be   are not required under the Administrative               a notice of intent be served on all local franchising
     filed with the Secretary of the Federal                 Procedure Act. See 5 U.S.C. 553(b) (stating that        authorities).
     Communications Commission and directed to the           notice and comment requirements do not apply to           15 See 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) (stating that publication
     Media Bureau). Some of the specific filing              rules of agency procedure); Amendment of Certain        of a ‘‘substantive’’ rule shall be made not less than
     requirements do not appear in the OVS rules, but        of the Commission’s Part 1 Rules of Practice and        30 days before its effective date, except . . . as
     in other locations such as in the instructions for      Procedure and Part 0 Rules of Commission                otherwise provided by the agency for good cause
     FCC Form 1275.                                          Organization, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 75         found and published with the rule). We anticipate
        5 47 CFR 76.1502(e)(1).
                                                             FR 14401, March 25, 2010, 25 FCC Rcd 2430, 2430,        that these new procedures will significantly
        6 47 U.S.C. 573(a)(1).
                                                             para. 1 n.1; 2434, para. 11 n.15; 2436, para. 16 n.23   decrease the likelihood that a certification
        7 47 CFR 76.1502(f).                                 (2010); Amendment of Certain of the Commission’s                                                    Continued




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     61136        Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 229 / Wednesday, November 28, 2018 / Rules and Regulations

       5. Paperwork Reduction Act. This                      Federal Communications Commission.                    mail (email) at the following address:
     document contains a non-substantive                     Katura Jackson,                                       OVS@fcc.gov. The subject line shall
     and non-material modification of                        Federal Register Liaison Officer, Office of the       read ‘‘Open Video System Certification
     information collection requirements that                Secretary.                                            Application Comments.’’ Comments and
     were previously reviewed and approved                   Final Rules                                           oppositions will not be considered
     by OMB pursuant to the Paperwork                                                                              properly filed unless filed as described
                                                               For the reasons discussed in the                    in this paragraph (e).
     Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), Public
                                                             preamble, the Federal Communications                    (f) If the Commission does not
     Law 104–13.16 Filing burdens are                        Commission amends 47 CFR part 76 as
     reduced with the use of email filings to                                                                      disapprove the certification application
                                                             follows:                                              within ten days after receipt of an
     the Commission.
                                                             PART 76—MULTICHANNEL VIDEO                            applicant’s request, the certification
       6. Congressional Review Act. The                                                                            application will be deemed approved. If
     Commission will send a copy of this                     AND CABLE TELEVISION SERVICE
                                                                                                                   disapproved, the applicant may file a
     Order to Congress and the Government                    ■ 1. The authority citation for part 76               revised certification or refile its original
     Accountability Office pursuant to the                   continues to read as follows:                         submission with a statement addressing
     Congressional Review Act, see 5 U.S.C.                                                                        the issues in dispute in accordance with
                                                               Authority: 47 U.S.C. 151, 152, 153, 154,
     801(a)(1)(A).                                                                                                 the procedures described in paragraph
                                                             301, 302, 302a, 303, 303a, 307, 308, 309, 312,
       7. Accordingly, it is ordered that part               315, 317, 325, 338, 339, 340, 341, 503, 521,          (d) of this section. Such refilings must
     76 of the Commission’s rules is                         522, 531, 532, 534, 535, 536, 537, 543, 544,          be served on any objecting party or
     amended, as set forth in the Final Rules                544a, 545, 548, 549, 552, 554, 556, 558, 560,         parties and on all local communities in
                                                             561, 571, 572, 573.                                   which the applicant intends to operate
     section, pursuant to the authority
     contained in sections 4(i), 303(r), and                 ■ 2. Amend § 76.1502 by revising                      pursuant to instructions in paragraph
     653 of the Communications Act of 1934,                  paragraphs (d), (e)(2), and (f) to read as            (d)(2) of this section. The Commission
     as amended, 47 U.S.C. 154(i), 303(r),                   follows:                                              will consider any revised or refiled FCC
     and 573.                                                                                                      Form 1275 to be a new proceeding and
                                                             § 76.1502    Certification.                           any party who filed comments regarding
       8. It is further ordered that this Order              *      *     *    *     *                             the original FCC Form 1275 will have to
     and the rule changes adopted herein                        (d)(1) All open video system                       refile their original comments if they
     shall be effective upon publication in                  certification applications, including                 think such comments should be
     the Federal Register.                                   FCC Form 1275 and all attachments,                    considered in the subsequent
                                                             must be filed via electronic mail (email)             proceeding.
     List of Subjects in 47 CFR Part 76                      at the following address: OVS@fcc.gov.
                                                                                                                   ■ 3. Amend § 76.1503 by revising
       Administrative practice and                           The subject line shall read ‘‘Open Video
                                                             System Certification Application.’’                   paragraph (b)(1) introductory text to
     procedure, Cable television, Reporting                                                                        read as follows:
                                                             Open video system certification
     and recordkeeping requirements.
                                                             applications will not be considered                   § 76.1503 Carriage of video programming
                                                             properly filed unless filed as described              providers on open video systems.
                                                             in this paragraph (d).                                *      *     *     *    *
                                                                (2) On or before the date an FCC Form
                                                                                                                      (b) * * *
     application will fail to reach Media Bureau staff       1275 is filed with the Commission, the
     prior to the time that it is deemed approved. We        applicant must serve a copy of its filing                (1) Notification. An open video
     likewise expect that, since the new procedures will     on all local communities identified                   system operator shall file a ‘‘Notice of
     decrease filing burdens on applicants and other         pursuant to paragraph (c)(6) of this                  Intent’’ to establish an open video
     filers, no filing party or opponent of an OVS
                                                             section and must include a statement                  system, which the Commission will
     application is likely to be prejudiced by the rules                                                           release in a Public Notice. The Notice of
     taking effect upon publication of the Order in the      informing the local communities of the
                                                             Commission’s requirements in                          Intent must be filed via electronic mail
     Federal Register.
        16 See OMB, Notice of Office of Management and       paragraph (e) of this section for filing              (email) at the following address: OVS@
     Budget Action, ICR Reference No. 201604–3060–           oppositions and comments. Service by                  fcc.gov. The subject line shall read
     006, OMB Control No. 3060–0700 (May 23, 2016),          mail is complete upon mailing, but if                 ‘‘Open Video System Notice of Intent.’’
     https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/                      mailed, the served documents must be                  An Open Video system notice of intent
     PRAViewICR?ref_nbr=201604-3060-006# (select the         postmarked at least 3 days prior to the               will not be considered properly filed
     ‘‘Retrieve Notice of Action (NOA)’’ hyperlink); 5
                                                             filing of the FCC Form 1275 with the                  unless filed as described in this
     CFR 1320.5(g) (stating that an agency may not make                                                            paragraph (b). This Notice of Intent shall
     ‘‘a substantive or material modification to a           Commission.
                                                                (e) * * *                                          include the following information:
     collection of information’’ after such collection of
     information has been approved by OMB, unless the           (2) Parties wishing to respond to a                *      *     *     *    *
     modification has been submitted to OMB for review       FCC Form 1275 filing must submit                      [FR Doc. 2018–25913 Filed 11–27–18; 8:45 am]
     and approval under 5 U.S.C. part 1320).                 comments or oppositions via electronic                BILLING CODE 6712–01–P




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Document Created: 2018-11-27 23:48:25
Document Modified: 2018-11-27 23:48:25
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionRules and Regulations
ActionFinal rule.
DatesEffective date: November 28, 2018.
ContactFor additional information on this proceeding, contact Sonia Greenaway Mickle, [email protected], of the Policy Division, Media Bureau, (202) 418-1419.
FR Citation83 FR 61134 
CFR AssociatedAdministrative Practice and Procedure; Cable Television and Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements

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