Notice of Public Information Collection(s) Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission

SUMMARY:

The Federal Communications Commission, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burden invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following information collection(s), as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid control number. No person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) that does not display a valid control number. Comments are requested concerning (a) 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; (b) the accuracy of the Commission's burden estimate; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; and (d) 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.

DATES:

Written Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) comments should be submitted on or before May 27, 2004. 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 comments regarding this Paperwork Reduction Act submission to Judith B. Herman, Federal Communications Commission, Room 1-C804, 445 12th Street, SW., DC 20554 or via the Internet to Judith-B.Herman@fcc.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For additional information or copies of the information collection(s), contact Judith B. Herman at 202-418-0214 or via the Internet at Judith-B.Herman@fcc.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

OMB Control No.: 3060-XXXX.

Title: Schools and Libraries Universal Service Support Mechanism—Notification of Equipment Transfers.

Form No: N/A.

Type of Review: New collection.

Respondents: Business or other for-profit.

Number of Respondents: 600.

Estimated Time Per Response: 1 hour.

Frequency of Response: On occasion reporting requirement, recordkeeping requirement and third party disclosure requirement.

Total Annual Burden: 600 hours.

Total Annual Cost: N/A.

Privacy Act Impact Assessment: N/A.

Needs and Uses: The Commission addressed several matters related to the administration of the schools and libraries universal service mechanism (also known as the e-rate program). What makes this collection relevant is in the event that a recipient is permanently or temporarily closed and equipment is transferred, the transferring entity must notify the Administrator of the transfer, and both the transferring and receiving entities must maintain detailed records documenting the transfer and the reason for the transfer for a period of five years.

OMB Control No.: 3060-XXXX.

Title: Global Mobile Personal Communications by Satellite (GMPCS) Authorization, Marketing and Importation Rules.

Form No: N/A.

Type of Review: New collection.

Respondents: Business or other for-profit.

Number of Respondents: 19.

Estimated Time Per Response: 24 hours.

Frequency of Response: On occasion and one-time reporting requirements, recordkeeping requirement and third party disclosure requirement.

Total Annual Burden: 483 hours.

Total Annual Cost: N/A.

Privacy Act Impact Assessment: N/A.

Needs and Uses: The Commission adopted and released a Second Report and Order, in IB Docket No. 99-67, FCC 03-283. The Commission adopted a rule that will require interested parties to obtain equipment authorization pursuant to the certification procedure in Part 2 of the Commission's rules. In the Order, the Commission adopted rules and policies pertaining to portable GMPCS transceivers, which include satellite telephones and other portable transceivers operated by end users for communication via direct links with satellites. GMPCS devices are used for both voice and data communication and may be used for internet access and other modes of broadband communication. The Commission also adopted rules pertaining to test-based equipment authorization, importation either for commercial purposes or personal use, responsibility for unauthorized operation, and out-of-band emissions.