Information Collections Being Submitted for Review and Approval to the Office of Management and Budget, 2830-2834 [2014-00669]
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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 11 / Thursday, January 16, 2014 / Notices
11–43. The NPRM proposed to reinstate
the Commission’s video description
rules adopted in 2000. On April 22,
2011, the Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) pre-approved the
information collection requirements
contained in the proposed rules. On
August 25, 2011, the Commission
released a Report and Order, FCC 11–
126, in the CVAA Video Description
proceeding, MB Docket No. 11–43. The
Reported and Order adopted the
proposed information collection
requirements without change. The final
rules were codified at 47 CFR 79.3. On
September 8, 2011, OMB issued its final
approval for the information collection
requirements. As discussed below, the
information collection requirements
include (1) video programming provider
petitions for exemption based on
‘‘economic burden’’ and (2) non-form
consumer complaints alleging violations
of the video description rules. On June
25, 2012, the Commission received
OMB approval for the removal of a
portion of the burden hours and costs
that were approved under 3060–1148
and placed into collection 3060–0874
(relating to the FCC Form 2000). This
modification was due to the filing of
complaints alleging violations of the
video description rules now being filed
via FCC Form 2000C.
Video description is the insertion of
audio narrated descriptions of a
television program’s key visual elements
into natural pauses in the program’s
dialogue, makes video programming
more accessible to individuals who are
blind or visually impaired. In 2000, the
Commission adopted rules requiring
certain broadcasters and MVPDs to carry
programming with video description.
The United States Court of Appeals for
the District of Columbia Circuit vacated
the rules due to insufficient authority
soon after their initial adoption. As
directed by the CVAA, the
Commission’s Report and Order
reinstated the video description rules,
with certain modifications, effective
October 8, 2011. The reinstated rules
require large-market broadcast affiliates
of the top four national networks and
multichannel video programming
distributor (‘‘MVPD’’) systems with
more than 50,000 subscribers to provide
video description.
Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene H. Dortch,
Secretary, Office of the Secretary, Office of
Managing Director.
[FR Doc. 2014–00671 Filed 1–15–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712–01–P
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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS
COMMISSION
Information Collection Approved by
the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB)
Federal Communications
Commission.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
The Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) has received Office
of Management and Budget (OMB)
approval for the following public
information collection requirements
under OMB Control Number 3060–0819,
as required by the Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501–3520). An
agency may not conduct or sponsor a
collection of information unless it
displays a currently valid OMB control
number, and no person is required to
respond to a collection of information
unless it displays a currently valid
control number. Comments concerning
the accuracy of the burden estimates
and any suggestions for reducing the
burden should be directed to the person
listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT section below.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Leslie F. Smith, Office of the Managing
Director, at (202) 418–0217,
Leslie.Smith@fcc.gov or PRA@fcc.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
OMB Control Number: 3060–0819.
OMB Approval Date: December 12,
2013.
OMB Expiration Date: December 31,
2016.
Title: Lifeline and Link Up Reform
and Modernization, Advancing
Broadband Availability Through Digital
Literacy Training.
Form No.: FCC Forms 481, 497, 550,
555, and 560.
Respondents: Individuals or
households and businesses or other forprofit.
Number of Respondents and
Responses: 41,806,827 respondents;
41,838,920 responses.
Estimated Time per Response: 0.25
hours to 250 hours.
Frequency of Response: On Occasion,
Quarterly, Biennially, Monthly, One
Time, and Annual reporting
requirements, Third Party Disclosure
requirements and Recordkeeping
requirements.
Total Annual Burden: 24,184,565
hours.
Total Annual Cost: N/A.
Obligation to Respond: Required to
obtain or retain benefits. Statutory
authority for this information collection
is contained in 47 U.S.C. 1, 4(i), 201–
205, 214, 254 and 403 of the
SUMMARY:
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Communications Act of 1934, as
amended.
Privacy Impact Assessment: Yes.
Nature and Extent of Confidentiality:
The rules adopted in the 2012 Lifeline
Reform Order affect individuals or
households, and thus, there are impacts
under the Privacy Act. As required by
the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, 5
U.S.C. 552a. The Commission created a
system of records notice (SORN) to
cover the collection, storage,
maintenance and disposal (when
appropriate) of any personally
identifiable information that the
Commission may collect as part of the
information collection. We note that
USAC must preserve the confidentiality
of all data obtained from respondents
and contributors to the universal service
support program mechanism, unless
otherwise directed by the Commission,
must not use the data except for
purposes of administering the universal
service support program mechanism,
must not disclose data in companyspecific form unless directed to do so by
the Commission. If the Commission
requests information that respondents
believe is confidential, respondents may
request confidential treatment of such
information under 47 U.S.C. 0.459 of the
Commission’s rules unless such
information is already publicly available
in other forms or the Commission has
previously concluded that such
information should be publicly
available.
Needs and Uses: The information
collected under OMB control number
3060–0819 is used by the FCC and
USAC to administer the universal
service Lifeline program. It is used to
provide support to eligible subscribers,
ensure subscribers’ continued eligibility
and to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse
of universal service funds.
Federal Communications Commission.
Gloria J. Miles,
Federal Register Liaison, Office of the
Secretary, Office of Managing Director.
[FR Doc. 2014–00711 Filed 1–15–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712–01–P
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS
COMMISSION
Information Collections Being
Submitted for Review and Approval to
the Office of Management and Budget
Federal Communications
Commission.
ACTION: Notice and request for
comments.
AGENCY:
As part of its continuing effort
to reduce paperwork burdens, and as
SUMMARY:
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required by the Paperwork Reduction
Act (PRA) of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501–
3520), 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 February 18,
2014. 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
Nicholas A. Fraser, OMB, via email
Nicholas_A._Fraser@omb.eop.gov; and
to Cathy Williams, FCC, via email PRA@
fcc.gov mailto:PRA@fcc.gov and to
Cathy.Williams@fcc.gov. 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 https://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
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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 Number: 3060–0311.
Title: 47 CFR 76.54, Significantly
Viewed Signals; Method to be followed
for Special Showings.
Form Number: Not applicable.
Type of Review: Extension of a
currently approved collection.
Respondents: Business or other forprofit entities.
Number of Respondents and
Responses: 500 respondents, 1,274
responses.
Frequency of Response: On occasion
reporting and third party disclosure
requirements.
Estimated Time per Response: 1–15
hours (average).
Total Annual Burden: 20,610 hours.
Total Annual Costs: $200,000.
Nature of Response: Required to
obtain or retain benefits. The statutory
authority for this information collection
is contained in Section 4(i) and 340 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: 47 CFR 76.54(b)
states significant viewing in a cable
television or satellite community for
signals not shown as significantly
viewed under 47 CFR 76.54(a) or (d)
may be demonstrated by an
independent professional audience
survey of over-the-air television homes
that covers at least two weekly periods
separated by at least thirty days but no
more than one of which shall be a week
between the months of April and
September. If two surveys are taken,
they shall include samples sufficient to
assure that the combined surveys result
in an average figure at least one
standard error above the required
viewing level.
47 CFR 76.54(c) is used to notify
interested parties, including licensees or
permittees of television broadcast
stations, about audience surveys that are
being conducted by an organization to
demonstrate that a particular broadcast
station is eligible for significantly
viewed status under the Commission’s
rules. The notifications provide
interested parties with an opportunity to
review survey methodologies and file
objections.
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47 CFR 76.54(e) and (f), are used to
notify television broadcast stations
about the retransmission of significantly
viewed signals by a satellite carrier into
these stations’ local market.
OMB Control Number: 3060–0016.
Title: Application for Authority to
Construct or Make Changes in a Low
Power TV, TV Translator or TV Booster
Station, FCC Form 346; 47 CFR
74.787(c) and 74.793(d); LPTV Out-ofCore Digital Displacement Application.
Form Number: FCC Form 346.
Type of Review: Extension of a
currently approved collection.
Respondents: Businesses or other forprofit entities; not-for-profit institutions;
and State, local or tribal government.
Number of Respondents: 3,500
respondents and 3,500 responses.
Estimated Time per Response: 2.5–7
hours.
Frequency of Response: On occasion
reporting requirement; third party
disclosure requirement.
Total Annual Burden: 33,250 hours.
Total Annual Costs: $19,418,000.
Nature of Response: Required to
obtain or retain benefits. The statutory
authority for this collection of
information is contained in Section
154(i), 303, 307, 308 and 309 of the
Communications Act of 1934, as
amended.
Nature and Extent of Confidentiality:
There is no need for confidentiality with
this collection.
Privacy Impact Assessment: No
impact(s).
Needs and Uses: FCC Form 346 is
used by licensees/permittees/applicants
when applying for authority to construct
or make changes in a Low Power
Television, TV Translator or TV Booster
broadcast station.
47 CFR 74.793(d) require that certain
digital low power and TV translator
stations submit information as to
vertical radiation patterns as part of
their applications (FCC Forms 346 and
301–CA) for new or modified
construction permits.
47 CFR 74.787(c) require that all low
power station with facilities on out-ofcore channels (channels 52–59) submit
a digital displacement (FCC Form 346)
application proposing an in-core
channel (channels 2–51, excluding
channel 37) not later than September 1,
2011.
OMB Control Number: 3060–1104.
Title: Section 73.682(d), DTV
Transmission and Program System and
Information Protocol (‘‘PSIP’’)
Standards.
Form Number: N/A.
Type of Review: Extension of a
currently approved collection.
Respondents: Business or other forprofit entities; not for-profit institutions.
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Number of Respondents and
Responses: 1,812 respondents and 1,812
respondents.
Estimated Hours per Response: 0.50
hours.
Frequency of Response: Third party
disclosure requirement; weekly
reporting requirement.
Total Annual Burden: 47,112 hours.
Total Annual Cost: None.
Obligation to Respond: Required to
obtain or retain benefits. The statutory
authority for this collection is contained
in Sections 309 and 337 of the
Communications Act of 1934, as
amended.
Nature and Extent of Confidentiality:
Confidentiality is not required with this
collection of information.
Privacy Impact Assessment: No
impact(s).
Needs and Uses: Section 73.682(d) of
the Commission’s rules incorporates by
reference the Advanced Television
Systems Committee, Inc. (‘‘ATSC’’)
Program System and Information
Protocol (‘‘PSIP’’) standard ‘‘A/65C.’’
PSIP data is transmitted along with a TV
broadcast station’s digital signal and
provides viewers (via their DTV
receivers) with information about the
station and what is being broadcast,
such as program information. The
Commission has recognized the utility
that the ATSC PSIP standard offers for
both broadcasters and consumers (or
viewers) of digital television (‘‘DTV’’).
ATSC PSIP standard A/65C requires
broadcasters to provide detailed
programming information when
transmitting their broadcast signal. This
standard enhances consumers’ viewing
experience by providing detailed
information about digital channels and
programs, such as how to find a
program’s closed captions, multiple
streams and V-chip information. This
standard requires broadcasters to
populate the Event Information Tables
(‘‘EITs’’) (or program guide) with
accurate information about each event
(or program) and to update the EIT if
more accurate information becomes
available. The previous ATSC PSIP
standard A/65–B did not require
broadcasters to provide such detailed
programming information but only
general information.
OMB Control Number: 3060–0960.
Title: 47 CFR 76.122, Satellite
Network Non-duplication Protection
Rules; 47 CFR 76.123, Satellite
Syndicated Program Exclusivity Rules;
47 CFR 76.124, Requirements for
Invocation of Non-duplication and
Syndicated Exclusivity Protection; 47
CFR 76.127, Satellite Sports Blackout
Rules.
Form Number: Not applicable.
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Type of Review: Extension of a
currently approved collection.
Respondents: Business or other forprofit entities.
Number of Respondents and
Responses: 1,428 respondents and
12,686 responses.
Estimated Time per Response: 0.5–1
hour.
Frequency of Response: On occasion
reporting requirement; Third party
disclosure requirement.
Total Annual Burden: 12,402 hours.
Total Annual Costs: None.
Obligation to Respond: Required to
obtain or retain benefits. The statutory
authority for this collection is contained
in Sections 4(i), 4(j), 303(r), 339 and 340
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: 47 CFR 76.122,
76.123, 76.124 and 76.127 are used to
protect exclusive contract rights
negotiated between broadcasters,
distributors, and rights holders for the
transmission of network, syndicated,
and sports programming in the
broadcasters’ recognized market areas.
Rule sections 76.122 and 76.123
implement statutory requirements to
provide rights for in-market stations to
assert non-duplication and exclusivity
rights.
OMB Control Number: 3060–0653.
Title: Sections 64.703(b) and (c),
Consumer Information-Posting by
Aggregators.
Form No.: N/A.
Type of Review: Extension of a
currently approved collection.
Respondents: Business or other forprofit entities.
Number of Respondents: 56,075
respondents; 5,339,038 responses.
Estimated Time per Response: .017 to
3 hours.
Frequency of Response: On occasion
reporting requirement; Third party
disclosure requirement.
Obligation to Respond: Required to
obtain or retain benefits. The statutory
authority for this information collection
is found at section 226 [47 U.S.C. 226]
Telephone Operator Services codified at
47 CFR 64.703(b) Consumer
Information.
Total Annual Burden: 174,401 hours.
Total Annual Cost: $1,688,168.
Privacy Act Impact Assessment: An
assurance of confidentiality is not
offered because this information
collection does not require the
collection of personally identifiable
information (PII) from individuals.
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Nature and Extent of Confidentiality:
No impact(s).
Needs and Uses: The information
collection requirements included under
this OMB Control Number 3060–0653,
requires aggregators (providers of
telephones to the public or to transient
users of their premises) under 47 U.S.C.
226(c)(1)(A), 47 CFR 64.703(b) of the
Commission’s rules, to post in writing,
on or near such phones, information
about the pre-subscribed operator
services, rates, carrier access, and the
FCC address to which consumers may
direct complaints. Section 64.703(c) of
the Commission’s rules requires the
posted consumer information to be
added when an aggregator has changed
the pre-subscribed operator service
provider (OSP) no later than 30 days
following such change. Consumers will
use this information to determine
whether they wish to use the services of
the identified OSP.
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 forprofit entities, not-for-profit institutions,
and state, local, or tribal government.
Number of Respondents: 42
respondents, 282 responses.
Estimated Time per Response: .5–2
hours.
Frequency of Response: On occasion
and one time reporting requirements,
third-party disclosure requirement and
recordkeeping requirement.
Obligation to Respond: Required to
obtain or retain benefits. The statutory
authority is contained in 47 U.S.C. 151,
154(i), 301, 303(f), 303(g), 303(r), 307,
308, 316.
Total Annual Burden: 147 hours.
Total Annual Cost: $11,550.
Privacy Impact Assessment: No
impact(s).
Nature and Extent of Confidentiality:
There is no need for confidentiality.
Respondents or applicants may request
materials or information submitted to
the Commission be withheld from
public inspection under 47 CFR 0.459 of
the Commission’s rules.
Needs and Uses: The information
relating to substantial service is used by
the Commission staff to satisfy
requirements for licensees to
demonstrate substantial service.
Without this information, the
Commission would not be able to carry
out its statutory responsibilities. The
third party disclosure coordination
requirements are necessary to ensure
that licensees do not cause interference
to each other and that licensees who
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undertake to transition to the new band
plan receive reimbursement for eligible
costs.
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 forprofit 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.
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 threeyear 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
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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: 3060–0667.
Title: Section 76.630, Compatibility
with Consumer Electronics Equipment;
Section 76.1621, Equipment
Compatibility Offer; Section 76.1622,
Consumer Education of Equipment
Compatibility.
Form Number: Not applicable.
Type of Review: Revision of a
currently approved collection.
Respondents: Business or other forprofit entities.
Number of Respondents and
Responses: 8,250 respondents; 66,501
responses.
Estimated Time per Response: .017
hours–3 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 Section 4(i) and Section 632 of the
Communications Act of 1934, as
amended.
Total Annual Burden: 17,353 hours.
Total Annual Cost: $1,355.
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: 47 CFR 76.630(a)
states a cable system operator shall not
scramble or otherwise encrypt signals
carried on the basic service tier. This
requirement is subject to certain
exemptions explained below. Requests
for waivers of this prohibition, which
are allowed under 47 CFR 76.630(a)(2),
must demonstrate either a substantial
problem with theft of basic tier service
or a strong need to scramble basic
signals for other reasons. As part of this
showing, cable operators are required to
notify subscribers by mail of waiver
requests. The notice to subscribers must
be mailed no later than thirty calendar
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days from the date the request waiver
was filed with the Commission, and
cable operators must inform the
Commission in writing, as soon as
possible, of that notification date. The
notification to subscribers must state:
On (date of waiver request was filed
with the Commission), (cable operator’s
name) filed with the Federal
Communications Commission a request
for waiver of the rule prohibiting
scrambling of channels on the basic tier
of service. The request for waiver states
(a brief summary of the waiver request).
A copy of the request for waiver is on
file for public inspection at (the address
of the cable operator’s local place of
business).
Individuals who wish to comment on
this request for waiver should mail
comments to the Federal
Communications Commission by no
later than 30 days from (the date the
notification was mailed to subscribers).
Those comments should be addressed to
the: Federal Communications
Commission, Media Bureau,
Washington, DC 20554, and should
include the name of the cable operator
to whom the comments are applicable.
Individuals should also send a copy of
their comments to (the cable operator at
its local place of business). Cable
operators may file comments in reply no
later than 7 days from the date
subscriber comments must be filed.
47 CFR 76.1621 states a cable system
operators that use scrambling,
encryption or similar technologies in
conjunction with cable system terminal
devices, as defined in § 15.3(e) of this
chapter, that may affect subscribers’
reception of signals shall offer to supply
each subscriber with special equipment
that will enable the simultaneous
reception of multiple signals. The
equipment offered shall include a single
terminal device with dual descramblers/
decoders and/or timers and bypass
switches. Other equipment, such as two
independent set-top terminal devices
may be offered at the same time that the
single terminal device with dual tuners/
descramblers is offered. For purposes of
this rule, two set-top devices linked by
a control system that provides
functionality equivalent to that of a
single device with dual descramblers is
considered to be the same as a terminal
device with dual descramblers/
decoders.
(a) The offer of special equipment
shall be made to new subscribers at the
time they subscribe and to all
subscribers at least once each year (i.e.,
in subscriber billings or pre-printed
information on the bill).
(b) Such special equipment shall, at a
minimum, have the capability:
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(1) To allow simultaneous reception
of any two scrambled or encrypted
signals and to provide for tuning to
alternative channels on a preprogrammed schedule; and
(2) To allow direct reception of all
other signals that do not need to be
processed through descrambling or
decryption circuitry (this capability can
generally be provided through a
separate by-pass switch or through
internal by-pass circuitry in a cable
system terminal device).
(c) Cable system operators shall
determine the specific equipment
needed by individual subscribers on a
case-by-case basis, in consultation with
the subscriber. Cable system operators
are required to make a good faith effort
to provide subscribers with the amount
and types of special equipment needed
to resolve their individual compatibility
problems.
(d) Cable operators shall provide such
equipment at the request of individual
subscribers and may charge for purchase
or lease of the equipment and its
installation in accordance with the
provisions of the rate regulation rules
for customer premises equipment used
to receive the basic service tier, as set
forth in § 76.923. Notwithstanding the
required annual offering, cable operators
shall respond to subscriber requests for
special equipment for reception of
multiple signals that are made at any
time.
ehiers on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Information Collection Requirements
Which Require OMB Approval
In October 2012, the Commission
loosened its prohibition on encryption
of the basic service tier. This rule
change allows all-digital cable operators
to encrypt, subject to certain consumer
protection measures. 77 FR 67290 (Nov.
9, 2012); 47 CFR 76.630(a)(1).
Encryption of all-digital cable service
will allow cable operators to activate
and/or deactivate cable service
remotely, thus relieving many
consumers of the need to wait at home
to receive a cable technician when they
sign up for or cancel cable service, or
expand service to an existing cable
connection in their home.
In addition, encryption will reduce
service theft by ensuring that only
paying subscribers have decryption
equipment. Encryption could reduce
cable rates and reduce the theft that
often degrades the quality of cable
service received by paying subscribers.
Encryption also will reduce the number
of service calls necessary for manual
installations and disconnections, which
may have beneficial effects on vehicle
traffic and the environment.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
19:19 Jan 15, 2014
Jkt 232001
Because this rule change allows cable
operators to encrypt the basic service
tier without filing a request for waiver,
we expect that the number of requests
for waiver will decrease significantly.
These Requirements Remain
Unchanged Since Last Approved by
OMB
47 CFR 76.1622 states that Cable
system operators shall provide a
consumer education program on
compatibility matters to their
subscribers in writing, as follows:
(a) The consumer information
program shall be provided to
subscribers at the time they first
subscribe and at least once a year
thereafter. Cable operators may choose
the time and means by which they
comply with the annual consumer
information requirement. This
requirement may be satisfied by a oncea-year mailing to all subscribers. The
information may be included in one of
the cable system’s regular subscriber
billings.
(b) The consumer information
program shall include the following
information:
(1) Cable system operators shall
inform their subscribers that some
models of TV receivers and
videocassette recorders may not be able
to receive all of the channels offered by
the cable system when connected
directly to the cable system. In
conjunction with this information, cable
system operators shall briefly explain,
the types of channel compatibility
problems that could occur if subscribers
connected their equipment directly to
the cable system and offer suggestions
for resolving those problems. Such
suggestions could include, for example,
the use of a cable system terminal
device such as a set-top channel
converter. Cable system operators shall
also indicate that channel compatibility
problems associated with reception of
programming that is not scrambled or
encrypted programming could be
resolved through use of simple
converter devices without descrambling
or decryption capabilities that can be
obtained from either the cable system or
a third party retail vendor.
(2) In cases where service is received
through a cable system terminal device,
cable system operators shall indicate
that subscribers may not be able to use
special features and functions of their
TV receivers and videocassette
recorders, including features that allow
the subscriber to: View a program on
one channel while simultaneously
recording a program on another
channel; record two or more
consecutive programs that appear on
PO 00000
Frm 00022
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
different channels; and, use advanced
picture generation and display features
such as ‘‘Picture-in-Picture,’’ channel
review and other functions that
necessitate channel selection by the
consumer device.
(3) In cases where cable system
operators offer remote control capability
with cable system terminal devices and
other customer premises equipment that
is provided to subscribers, they shall
advise their subscribers that remote
control units that are compatible with
that equipment may be obtained from
other sources, such as retail outlets.
Cable system operators shall also
provide a representative list of the
models of remote control units currently
available from retailers that are
compatible with the customer premises
equipment they employ. Cable system
operators are required to make a good
faith effort in compiling this list and
will not be liable for inadvertent
omissions. This list shall be current as
of no more than six months before the
date the consumer education program is
distributed to subscribers. Cable
operators are also required to encourage
subscribers to contact the cable operator
to inquire about whether a particular
remote control unit the subscriber might
be considering for purchase would be
compatible with the subscriber’s
customer premises equipment.
Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene H. Dortch,
Secretary, Office of the Secretary, Office of
Managing Director.
[FR Doc. 2014–00669 Filed 1–15–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712–01–P
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS
COMMISSION
Notice of Public Information
Collection(s) Being Reviewed by the
Federal Communications Commission,
Comments Requested
Federal Communications
Commission.
ACTION: Notice; request for comments.
AGENCY:
As part of its continuing effort
to reduce paperwork burden and as
required by the Paperwork Reduction
Act (PRA) of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501–
3520), the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) invites the general
public and other Federal agencies to
take this opportunity to comment on the
following information collection(s).
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
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\16JAN1.SGM
16JAN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 11 (Thursday, January 16, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2830-2834]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-00669]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
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.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens,
and as
[[Page 2831]]
required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-
3520), 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 February 18,
2014. 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 Nicholas A. Fraser, OMB, via
email Nicholas_A._Fraser@omb.eop.gov; and to Cathy Williams, FCC, via
email PRA@fcc.gov mailto:PRA@fcc.gov and to Cathy.Williams@fcc.gov.
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 https://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 Number: 3060-0311.
Title: 47 CFR 76.54, Significantly Viewed Signals; Method to be
followed for Special Showings.
Form Number: Not applicable.
Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
Respondents: Business or other for-profit entities.
Number of Respondents and Responses: 500 respondents, 1,274
responses.
Frequency of Response: On occasion reporting and third party
disclosure requirements.
Estimated Time per Response: 1-15 hours (average).
Total Annual Burden: 20,610 hours.
Total Annual Costs: $200,000.
Nature of Response: Required to obtain or retain benefits. The
statutory authority for this information collection is contained in
Section 4(i) and 340 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: 47 CFR 76.54(b) states significant viewing in a
cable television or satellite community for signals not shown as
significantly viewed under 47 CFR 76.54(a) or (d) may be demonstrated
by an independent professional audience survey of over-the-air
television homes that covers at least two weekly periods separated by
at least thirty days but no more than one of which shall be a week
between the months of April and September. If two surveys are taken,
they shall include samples sufficient to assure that the combined
surveys result in an average figure at least one standard error above
the required viewing level.
47 CFR 76.54(c) is used to notify interested parties, including
licensees or permittees of television broadcast stations, about
audience surveys that are being conducted by an organization to
demonstrate that a particular broadcast station is eligible for
significantly viewed status under the Commission's rules. The
notifications provide interested parties with an opportunity to review
survey methodologies and file objections.
47 CFR 76.54(e) and (f), are used to notify television broadcast
stations about the retransmission of significantly viewed signals by a
satellite carrier into these stations' local market.
OMB Control Number: 3060-0016.
Title: Application for Authority to Construct or Make Changes in a
Low Power TV, TV Translator or TV Booster Station, FCC Form 346; 47 CFR
74.787(c) and 74.793(d); LPTV Out-of-Core Digital Displacement
Application.
Form Number: FCC Form 346.
Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
Respondents: Businesses or other for-profit entities; not-for-
profit institutions; and State, local or tribal government.
Number of Respondents: 3,500 respondents and 3,500 responses.
Estimated Time per Response: 2.5-7 hours.
Frequency of Response: On occasion reporting requirement; third
party disclosure requirement.
Total Annual Burden: 33,250 hours.
Total Annual Costs: $19,418,000.
Nature of Response: Required to obtain or retain benefits. The
statutory authority for this collection of information is contained in
Section 154(i), 303, 307, 308 and 309 of the Communications Act of
1934, as amended.
Nature and Extent of Confidentiality: There is no need for
confidentiality with this collection.
Privacy Impact Assessment: No impact(s).
Needs and Uses: FCC Form 346 is used by licensees/permittees/
applicants when applying for authority to construct or make changes in
a Low Power Television, TV Translator or TV Booster broadcast station.
47 CFR 74.793(d) require that certain digital low power and TV
translator stations submit information as to vertical radiation
patterns as part of their applications (FCC Forms 346 and 301-CA) for
new or modified construction permits.
47 CFR 74.787(c) require that all low power station with facilities
on out-of-core channels (channels 52-59) submit a digital displacement
(FCC Form 346) application proposing an in-core channel (channels 2-51,
excluding channel 37) not later than September 1, 2011.
OMB Control Number: 3060-1104.
Title: Section 73.682(d), DTV Transmission and Program System and
Information Protocol (``PSIP'') Standards.
Form Number: N/A.
Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
Respondents: Business or other for-profit entities; not for-profit
institutions.
[[Page 2832]]
Number of Respondents and Responses: 1,812 respondents and 1,812
respondents.
Estimated Hours per Response: 0.50 hours.
Frequency of Response: Third party disclosure requirement; weekly
reporting requirement.
Total Annual Burden: 47,112 hours.
Total Annual Cost: None.
Obligation to Respond: Required to obtain or retain benefits. The
statutory authority for this collection is contained in Sections 309
and 337 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended.
Nature and Extent of Confidentiality: Confidentiality is not
required with this collection of information.
Privacy Impact Assessment: No impact(s).
Needs and Uses: Section 73.682(d) of the Commission's rules
incorporates by reference the Advanced Television Systems Committee,
Inc. (``ATSC'') Program System and Information Protocol (``PSIP'')
standard ``A/65C.'' PSIP data is transmitted along with a TV broadcast
station's digital signal and provides viewers (via their DTV receivers)
with information about the station and what is being broadcast, such as
program information. The Commission has recognized the utility that the
ATSC PSIP standard offers for both broadcasters and consumers (or
viewers) of digital television (``DTV'').
ATSC PSIP standard A/65C requires broadcasters to provide detailed
programming information when transmitting their broadcast signal. This
standard enhances consumers' viewing experience by providing detailed
information about digital channels and programs, such as how to find a
program's closed captions, multiple streams and V-chip information.
This standard requires broadcasters to populate the Event Information
Tables (``EITs'') (or program guide) with accurate information about
each event (or program) and to update the EIT if more accurate
information becomes available. The previous ATSC PSIP standard A/65-B
did not require broadcasters to provide such detailed programming
information but only general information.
OMB Control Number: 3060-0960.
Title: 47 CFR 76.122, Satellite Network Non-duplication Protection
Rules; 47 CFR 76.123, Satellite Syndicated Program Exclusivity Rules;
47 CFR 76.124, Requirements for Invocation of Non-duplication and
Syndicated Exclusivity Protection; 47 CFR 76.127, Satellite Sports
Blackout Rules.
Form Number: Not applicable.
Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
Respondents: Business or other for-profit entities.
Number of Respondents and Responses: 1,428 respondents and 12,686
responses.
Estimated Time per Response: 0.5-1 hour.
Frequency of Response: On occasion reporting requirement; Third
party disclosure requirement.
Total Annual Burden: 12,402 hours.
Total Annual Costs: None.
Obligation to Respond: Required to obtain or retain benefits. The
statutory authority for this collection is contained in Sections 4(i),
4(j), 303(r), 339 and 340 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: 47 CFR 76.122, 76.123, 76.124 and 76.127 are used
to protect exclusive contract rights negotiated between broadcasters,
distributors, and rights holders for the transmission of network,
syndicated, and sports programming in the broadcasters' recognized
market areas. Rule sections 76.122 and 76.123 implement statutory
requirements to provide rights for in-market stations to assert non-
duplication and exclusivity rights.
OMB Control Number: 3060-0653.
Title: Sections 64.703(b) and (c), Consumer Information-Posting by
Aggregators.
Form No.: N/A.
Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
Respondents: Business or other for-profit entities.
Number of Respondents: 56,075 respondents; 5,339,038 responses.
Estimated Time per Response: .017 to 3 hours.
Frequency of Response: On occasion reporting requirement; Third
party disclosure requirement.
Obligation to Respond: Required to obtain or retain benefits. The
statutory authority for this information collection is found at section
226 [47 U.S.C. 226] Telephone Operator Services codified at 47 CFR
64.703(b) Consumer Information.
Total Annual Burden: 174,401 hours.
Total Annual Cost: $1,688,168.
Privacy Act Impact Assessment: An assurance of confidentiality is
not offered because this information collection does not require the
collection of personally identifiable information (PII) from
individuals.
Nature and Extent of Confidentiality: No impact(s).
Needs and Uses: The information collection requirements included
under this OMB Control Number 3060-0653, requires aggregators
(providers of telephones to the public or to transient users of their
premises) under 47 U.S.C. 226(c)(1)(A), 47 CFR 64.703(b) of the
Commission's rules, to post in writing, on or near such phones,
information about the pre-subscribed operator services, rates, carrier
access, and the FCC address to which consumers may direct complaints.
Section 64.703(c) of the Commission's rules requires the posted
consumer information to be added when an aggregator has changed the
pre-subscribed operator service provider (OSP) no later than 30 days
following such change. Consumers will use this information to determine
whether they wish to use the services of the identified OSP.
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: 42 respondents, 282 responses.
Estimated Time per Response: .5-2 hours.
Frequency of Response: On occasion and one time reporting
requirements, third-party disclosure requirement and recordkeeping
requirement.
Obligation to Respond: Required to obtain or retain benefits. The
statutory authority is contained in 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 301, 303(f),
303(g), 303(r), 307, 308, 316.
Total Annual Burden: 147 hours.
Total Annual Cost: $11,550.
Privacy Impact Assessment: No impact(s).
Nature and Extent of Confidentiality: There is no need for
confidentiality. Respondents or applicants may request materials or
information submitted to the Commission be withheld from public
inspection under 47 CFR 0.459 of the Commission's rules.
Needs and Uses: The information relating to substantial service is
used by the Commission staff to satisfy requirements for licensees to
demonstrate substantial service. Without this information, the
Commission would not be able to carry out its statutory
responsibilities. The third party disclosure coordination requirements
are necessary to ensure that licensees do not cause interference to
each other and that licensees who
[[Page 2833]]
undertake to transition to the new band plan receive reimbursement for
eligible costs.
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.
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: 3060-0667.
Title: Section 76.630, Compatibility with Consumer Electronics
Equipment; Section 76.1621, Equipment Compatibility Offer; Section
76.1622, Consumer Education of Equipment Compatibility.
Form Number: Not applicable.
Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.
Respondents: Business or other for-profit entities.
Number of Respondents and Responses: 8,250 respondents; 66,501
responses.
Estimated Time per Response: .017 hours-3 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 Section 4(i)
and Section 632 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended.
Total Annual Burden: 17,353 hours.
Total Annual Cost: $1,355.
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: 47 CFR 76.630(a) states a cable system operator
shall not scramble or otherwise encrypt signals carried on the basic
service tier. This requirement is subject to certain exemptions
explained below. Requests for waivers of this prohibition, which are
allowed under 47 CFR 76.630(a)(2), must demonstrate either a
substantial problem with theft of basic tier service or a strong need
to scramble basic signals for other reasons. As part of this showing,
cable operators are required to notify subscribers by mail of waiver
requests. The notice to subscribers must be mailed no later than thirty
calendar days from the date the request waiver was filed with the
Commission, and cable operators must inform the Commission in writing,
as soon as possible, of that notification date. The notification to
subscribers must state:
On (date of waiver request was filed with the Commission), (cable
operator's name) filed with the Federal Communications Commission a
request for waiver of the rule prohibiting scrambling of channels on
the basic tier of service. The request for waiver states (a brief
summary of the waiver request). A copy of the request for waiver is on
file for public inspection at (the address of the cable operator's
local place of business).
Individuals who wish to comment on this request for waiver should
mail comments to the Federal Communications Commission by no later than
30 days from (the date the notification was mailed to subscribers).
Those comments should be addressed to the: Federal Communications
Commission, Media Bureau, Washington, DC 20554, and should include the
name of the cable operator to whom the comments are applicable.
Individuals should also send a copy of their comments to (the cable
operator at its local place of business). Cable operators may file
comments in reply no later than 7 days from the date subscriber
comments must be filed.
47 CFR 76.1621 states a cable system operators that use scrambling,
encryption or similar technologies in conjunction with cable system
terminal devices, as defined in Sec. 15.3(e) of this chapter, that may
affect subscribers' reception of signals shall offer to supply each
subscriber with special equipment that will enable the simultaneous
reception of multiple signals. The equipment offered shall include a
single terminal device with dual descramblers/decoders and/or timers
and bypass switches. Other equipment, such as two independent set-top
terminal devices may be offered at the same time that the single
terminal device with dual tuners/descramblers is offered. For purposes
of this rule, two set-top devices linked by a control system that
provides functionality equivalent to that of a single device with dual
descramblers is considered to be the same as a terminal device with
dual descramblers/decoders.
(a) The offer of special equipment shall be made to new subscribers
at the time they subscribe and to all subscribers at least once each
year (i.e., in subscriber billings or pre-printed information on the
bill).
(b) Such special equipment shall, at a minimum, have the
capability:
[[Page 2834]]
(1) To allow simultaneous reception of any two scrambled or
encrypted signals and to provide for tuning to alternative channels on
a pre-programmed schedule; and
(2) To allow direct reception of all other signals that do not need
to be processed through descrambling or decryption circuitry (this
capability can generally be provided through a separate by-pass switch
or through internal by-pass circuitry in a cable system terminal
device).
(c) Cable system operators shall determine the specific equipment
needed by individual subscribers on a case-by-case basis, in
consultation with the subscriber. Cable system operators are required
to make a good faith effort to provide subscribers with the amount and
types of special equipment needed to resolve their individual
compatibility problems.
(d) Cable operators shall provide such equipment at the request of
individual subscribers and may charge for purchase or lease of the
equipment and its installation in accordance with the provisions of the
rate regulation rules for customer premises equipment used to receive
the basic service tier, as set forth in Sec. 76.923. Notwithstanding
the required annual offering, cable operators shall respond to
subscriber requests for special equipment for reception of multiple
signals that are made at any time.
Information Collection Requirements Which Require OMB Approval
In October 2012, the Commission loosened its prohibition on
encryption of the basic service tier. This rule change allows all-
digital cable operators to encrypt, subject to certain consumer
protection measures. 77 FR 67290 (Nov. 9, 2012); 47 CFR 76.630(a)(1).
Encryption of all-digital cable service will allow cable operators to
activate and/or deactivate cable service remotely, thus relieving many
consumers of the need to wait at home to receive a cable technician
when they sign up for or cancel cable service, or expand service to an
existing cable connection in their home.
In addition, encryption will reduce service theft by ensuring that
only paying subscribers have decryption equipment. Encryption could
reduce cable rates and reduce the theft that often degrades the quality
of cable service received by paying subscribers. Encryption also will
reduce the number of service calls necessary for manual installations
and disconnections, which may have beneficial effects on vehicle
traffic and the environment.
Because this rule change allows cable operators to encrypt the
basic service tier without filing a request for waiver, we expect that
the number of requests for waiver will decrease significantly.
These Requirements Remain Unchanged Since Last Approved by OMB
47 CFR 76.1622 states that Cable system operators shall provide a
consumer education program on compatibility matters to their
subscribers in writing, as follows:
(a) The consumer information program shall be provided to
subscribers at the time they first subscribe and at least once a year
thereafter. Cable operators may choose the time and means by which they
comply with the annual consumer information requirement. This
requirement may be satisfied by a once-a-year mailing to all
subscribers. The information may be included in one of the cable
system's regular subscriber billings.
(b) The consumer information program shall include the following
information:
(1) Cable system operators shall inform their subscribers that some
models of TV receivers and videocassette recorders may not be able to
receive all of the channels offered by the cable system when connected
directly to the cable system. In conjunction with this information,
cable system operators shall briefly explain, the types of channel
compatibility problems that could occur if subscribers connected their
equipment directly to the cable system and offer suggestions for
resolving those problems. Such suggestions could include, for example,
the use of a cable system terminal device such as a set-top channel
converter. Cable system operators shall also indicate that channel
compatibility problems associated with reception of programming that is
not scrambled or encrypted programming could be resolved through use of
simple converter devices without descrambling or decryption
capabilities that can be obtained from either the cable system or a
third party retail vendor.
(2) In cases where service is received through a cable system
terminal device, cable system operators shall indicate that subscribers
may not be able to use special features and functions of their TV
receivers and videocassette recorders, including features that allow
the subscriber to: View a program on one channel while simultaneously
recording a program on another channel; record two or more consecutive
programs that appear on different channels; and, use advanced picture
generation and display features such as ``Picture-in-Picture,'' channel
review and other functions that necessitate channel selection by the
consumer device.
(3) In cases where cable system operators offer remote control
capability with cable system terminal devices and other customer
premises equipment that is provided to subscribers, they shall advise
their subscribers that remote control units that are compatible with
that equipment may be obtained from other sources, such as retail
outlets. Cable system operators shall also provide a representative
list of the models of remote control units currently available from
retailers that are compatible with the customer premises equipment they
employ. Cable system operators are required to make a good faith effort
in compiling this list and will not be liable for inadvertent
omissions. This list shall be current as of no more than six months
before the date the consumer education program is distributed to
subscribers. Cable operators are also required to encourage subscribers
to contact the cable operator to inquire about whether a particular
remote control unit the subscriber might be considering for purchase
would be compatible with the subscriber's customer premises equipment.
Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene H. Dortch,
Secretary, Office of the Secretary, Office of Managing Director.
[FR Doc. 2014-00669 Filed 1-15-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P