Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission, 51252-51253 [2017-23909]

Agencies

• FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 212 (Friday, November 3, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51252-51253]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-23909]


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

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[OMB 3060-0991]


Information Collection 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), the Federal 
Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) invites the general 
public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment 
on the following information collections. Comments are requested 
concerning: Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary 
for the proper performance of the functions of the Commission, 
including whether the information shall have practical utility; the 
accuracy of the Commission's burden estimate; ways to enhance the 
quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; ways to 
minimize the burden of the collection of information on the 
respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology; and ways to further reduce the 
information collection burden on small business concerns with fewer 
than 25 employees.
    The FCC may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information 
unless it displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) control number. No person shall be subject to any penalty for 
failing to comply with a collection of information subject to the PRA 
that does not display a valid OMB control number.

DATES: Written comments should be submitted on or before January 2, 
2018. If you anticipate that you will be submitting comments, but find 
it difficult to do so within the period of time allowed by this notice, 
you should advise the contacts 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: As part of its continuing effort to reduce 
paperwork burdens, and as required by the PRA of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-
3520), the FCC 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.
    OMB Control Number: 3060-0991.
    Title: AM Measurement Data.
    Form Number: N/A.
    Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Respondents: Business or other for-profit entities.
    Number of Respondents and Responses: 1,800 respondents; 3,135 
responses.
    Estimated Hours per Response: 0.50-25 hours.
    Frequency of Response: Recordkeeping requirement, Third party 
disclosure requirement, On occasion reporting requirement.
    Total Annual Burden: 20,200 hours.
    Total Annual Cost: $1,131,500.
    Obligation to Respond: Required to obtain or retain benefits. The 
statutory authority for this collection of information is contained in 
Sections 151, 152, 154(i), 303, and 307 of the Communications Act of 
1934, as amended.
    Nature and Extent of Confidentiality: There is no need for 
confidentiality treatment with this collection of information.
    Privacy Impact Assessment: No impact(s).
    Needs and Uses: The Commission is revising this information 
collection to reflect the September 22, 2017, adoption of the Third 
Report and Order in MB Docket No. 13-249, FCC 17-119, In the Matter of 
Revitalization of AM Radio Service (AMR Third R&O). Specifically, the 
AMR Third R&O removed certain requirements and associated burdens 
contained in 47 CFR 73.151, 73.154, and 73.155. To the extent the 
revisions affect reporting or record-keeping requirements, they reduce 
those burdens for AM broadcasters operating with directional antenna 
arrays. The Commission is seeking approval for the revised information 
collection requirements contained under this collection from the Office 
of Management and Budget (OMB).
    In the 2015 AM revitalization proceeding, the FCC proposed 
streamlining certain technical requirements to assist AM broadcasters 
in providing radio service to consumers. For example, many AM stations 
must

[[Page 51253]]

directionalize their signals during some or all of the broadcast day in 
order to avoid interference with other AM stations. Maintaining a 
directional signal pattern can be technically complex, time-consuming, 
and expensive. Such stations are subject to a variety of rules 
requiring signal strength measurements and other engineering analyses 
to ensure compliance with their authorizations.
    In the AMR Third R&O, the FCC eliminated, clarified, or eased 
several of the rules governing AM stations using directional antenna 
arrays, which comprise almost 40 percent of all AM stations. First, the 
FCC revises 47 CFR 73.154(a) to relax the rule on submission of partial 
proofs of performance of directional AM antenna arrays by eliminating 
the requirement to take measurements on non-monitored radials adjacent 
to monitored radials. Next, the FCC modified several rules pertaining 
to AM stations that use Method of Moments (MoM) models of directional 
array performance. MoM modeling allows broadcasters to verify antenna 
system performance through computer modeling, as opposed to sending 
engineers in the field to take field strength measurements. Thus, a 
proof using a MoM model is less expensive than taking field strength 
measurements of an AM station's directional pattern. Specifically, the 
FCC: (1) Revised 47 CFR 73.151(c)(1)(ix) to eliminate the requirement 
of obtaining a registered surveyor's certification, provided that no 
new towers are being added to an existing AM array; (2) added 47 CFR 
73.151(c)(1)(x) to extend the exemption (of having to file a new proof 
with the FCC) to any AM tower modification that does not affect the 
modeled values used in the previously submitted license proof; (3) 
revised 47 CFR 73.151(c)(3) to retain the current requirement for 
submission of reference field strength measurements in the initial 
license application, but eliminated the requirement to submit 
additional reference field strength measurements in subsequent license 
applications; and (4) revised 47 CFR 73.155 to eliminate the 
requirement for biennial recertification of the performance of a 
directional pattern licensed pursuant to a MoM proof, except when 
system components have been repaired or replaced.

Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene H. Dortch,
Secretary, Office of the Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2017-23909 Filed 11-2-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P