Information Collections Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission, 67351-67353 [2016-23613]
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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 190 / Friday, September 30, 2016 / Notices
III. Exclusion for Peer Review
Candidates
Important: Anyone wishing to be
considered as an expert peer reviewer
must not submit comments during the
public comment period. Candidates on
the interim list not selected for the
panel peer review (see companion Peer
Review Federal Register notice,
published on September 30, 2016 will
be given a limited opportunity to submit
public comments once the final peer
reviewers are selected by Versar, Inc.,
the EPA contractor managing this peer
review process.
Dated: September 23, 2016.
Joel Beauvais,
Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of
Water.
[FR Doc. 2016–23606 Filed 9–29–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS
COMMISSION
[OMB 3060–0667 and 3060–1104]
Information Collections Being
Reviewed by the Federal
Communications Commission
Federal Communications
Commission.
ACTION: Notice and request for
comments.
AGENCY:
As part of its continuing effort
to reduce paperwork burdens, and as
required by the Paperwork Reduction
Act (PRA) of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501–
3520), the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC or Commission)
invites the general public and other
Federal agencies to take this
opportunity to comment on the
following information collections.
Comments are requested concerning:
whether the proposed collection of
information is necessary for the proper
performance of the functions of the
Commission, including whether the
information shall have practical utility;
the accuracy of the Commission’s
burden estimate; ways to enhance the
quality, utility, and clarity of the
information collected; ways to minimize
the burden of the collection of
information on the respondents,
including the use of automated
collection techniques or other forms of
information technology; and ways to
further reduce the information
collection burden on small business
concerns with fewer than 25 employees.
The FCC may not conduct or sponsor a
collection of information unless it
displays a currently valid OMB control
number. No person shall be subject to
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
20:49 Sep 29, 2016
Jkt 238001
any penalty for failing to comply with
a collection of information subject to the
PRA that does not display a valid OMB
control number.
DATES: Written PRA comments should
be submitted on or before November 29,
2016. If you anticipate that you will be
submitting comments, but find it
difficult to do so within the period of
time allowed by this notice, you should
advise the contact listed below as soon
as possible.
ADDRESSES: Direct all PRA comments to
Cathy Williams, FCC, via email PRA@
fcc.gov and to Cathy.Williams@fcc.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
additional information about the
information collection, contact Cathy
Williams at (202) 418–2918.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
OMB Control Number: 3060–0667.
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: Extension 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
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
67351
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 § 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).
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30SEN1
67352
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 190 / Friday, September 30, 2016 / Notices
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
(b) Such special equipment shall, at a
minimum, have the capability:
(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.
Information Collection Requirements
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.
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20:49 Sep 29, 2016
Jkt 238001
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.
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
different channels; and, use advanced
picture generation and display features
such as ‘‘Picture-in-Picture,’’ channel
review and other functions that
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Frm 00064
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
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.
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.
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
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30SEN1
67353
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 190 / Friday, September 30, 2016 / Notices
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.
Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene H. Dortch,
Secretary, Office of Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016–23613 Filed 9–29–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES
Administration for Children and
Families
Submission for OMB Review;
Comment Request
Title: National Study of Title IV–E
Child Welfare Waiver Demonstrations.
OMB No.: New Collection.
Description: The National Study of
the Title IV–E Child Welfare Waiver
Demonstrations is sponsored by the
Children’s Bureau, Administration for
Children and Families of the U.S.
Department of Health and Human
Services and involves the conduct of a
cross-site study of jurisdictions (referred
to as waiver jurisdictions) approved to
operate demonstrations authorized by
section 1130 of the Social Security Act,
as amended by the Child and Family
Services Improvement and Innovation
Act, Public Law 112–34. The
demonstrations involve waivers of
certain provisions of the foster care
program authorized by title IV–E of the
Social Security Act. Child welfare
agencies in waiver jurisdictions are
operating demonstrations to implement
a variety of programs and interventions
that serve children and families in an
effort to improve their safety,
permanency, and well-being. Each
waiver jurisdiction is required to
conduct a third-party evaluation of its
demonstration. The National Study will
examine the extent to which safety,
permanency, and well-being outcomes
have improved for children and
families; the characteristics of waiver
jurisdictions where improvements in
outcomes have occurred; expenditure
patterns and the types of activities for
which waiver jurisdictions have
increased funding; and the extent to
which waiver jurisdictions have
experienced practice and systems-level
changes.
The National Study uses a mixedmethod approach to examine 25 waiver
jurisdictions (including 23 states, the
District of Columbia and one tribal
government) with Terms and Conditions
approved in Federal Fiscal years 2012,
2013, and 2014. Proposed data
collection methods are two topicallyfocused telephone surveys: (a) A
telephone survey of waiver jurisdiction
representatives and evaluators who are
focused on measuring well-being, and
(b) a second telephone survey of waiver
jurisdiction representatives and
evaluators that is focused on
understanding practice and systemslevel changes within child welfare
service systems. Also proposed is a
Web-based survey of waiver jurisdiction
representatives and evaluators that will
look more broadly at the
implementation of waiver
demonstrations and corresponding
changes in child welfare policy,
practice, and financing. Two sampling
survey forms are being proposed to
collect the necessary contact
information for respondents to the Web-
based survey and the telephone survey
focused on understanding practice and
systems-level changes within child
welfare service systems. Data collected
through these instruments will be used
by the Children’s Bureau to gain an
understanding of the jurisdictions’
collective experience with
implementing their demonstrations.
Respondents: The respondents to the
Web-Based Survey will be a purposive
sample of an estimated 250 waiver
jurisdiction representatives and
evaluators drawn from the 25 waiver
jurisdictions with waiver demonstration
projects (Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado,
Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine,
Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan,
Nebraska, Nevada, New York,
Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Port
Gamble S’Klallam Tribe, Rhode Island,
Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington,
Washington DC, West Virginia,
Wisconsin). The respondents will be
identified by the 25 jurisdiction
demonstration project leaders using the
Web-Based Survey Sampling Form. The
Web-Based Survey Sampling Form and
the Web-Based Survey will be
administered once during the National
Study. The respondents to the
Measuring Well-Being telephone survey
will be a census sample of the 23
evaluators identified from the 23 waiver
jurisdictions who are involved with the
assessment of child and family wellbeing in their waiver jurisdictions. The
Measuring Well-Being telephone survey
will be administered once during the
National Study. The respondents to the
Practice and Systems-Level Change
telephone survey will be a purposive
sample of 60 respondents identified
from 14 waiver jurisdictions who are
knowledgeable about practice, policy,
and organizational changes in their
respective waiver jurisdictions. The
respondents will be identified by the 14
jurisdiction demonstration project
leaders using the Practice- and SystemsLevel Change Survey Sampling Form.
The Practice- and Systems-Level Change
Survey Sampling Form and the Practice
and Systems-Level Change telephone
survey will be administered once during
the National Study.
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
ANNUAL BURDEN ESTIMATES
Number of
respondents
Instrument
Web-Based Survey Sampling Form ................................................................
Web-Based Survey ..........................................................................................
Measuring Well-Being Telephone Survey .......................................................
Practice- and Systems-Level Change Survey Sampling Form .......................
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20:49 Sep 29, 2016
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Frm 00065
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Number of
responses per
respondent
25
250
23
14
E:\FR\FM\30SEN1.SGM
1
1
1
1
30SEN1
Average
burden hours
per response
0.33
0.33
1
0.25
Total burden
hours
8.25
82.5
23
3.5
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 190 (Friday, September 30, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67351-67353]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-23613]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
[OMB 3060-0667 and 3060-1104]
Information Collections Being Reviewed by the Federal
Communications Commission
AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.
ACTION: Notice and request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens,
and as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 (44 U.S.C.
3501-3520), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission)
invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this
opportunity to comment on the following information collections.
Comments are requested concerning: whether the proposed collection of
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of
the Commission, including whether the information shall have practical
utility; the accuracy of the Commission's burden estimate; ways to
enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected;
ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on the
respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or
other forms of information technology; and ways to further reduce the
information collection burden on small business concerns with fewer
than 25 employees. The FCC may not conduct or sponsor a collection of
information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. No
person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a
collection of information subject to the PRA that does not display a
valid OMB control number.
DATES: Written PRA comments should be submitted on or before November
29, 2016. If you anticipate that you will be submitting comments, but
find it difficult to do so within the period of time allowed by this
notice, you should advise the contact listed below as soon as possible.
ADDRESSES: Direct all PRA comments to Cathy Williams, FCC, via email
PRA@fcc.gov and to Cathy.Williams@fcc.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information about the
information collection, contact Cathy Williams at (202) 418-2918.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
OMB Control Number: 3060-0667.
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: Extension 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).
[[Page 67352]]
(b) Such special equipment shall, at a minimum, have the
capability:
(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
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.
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.
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.
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
[[Page 67353]]
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.
Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene H. Dortch,
Secretary, Office of Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016-23613 Filed 9-29-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P