Information Collection(s) Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission, Comments Requested

AGENCY:

Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION:

Notice; request for comments.

SUMMARY:

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 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 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 burden for 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 Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) that does not display a valid OMB control number.

DATES:

Written Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) comments should be submitted on or before October 29, 2012. If you anticipate that you will be submitting PRA comments, but find it difficult to do so within the period of time allowed by this notice, you should advise the FCC contact listed below as soon as possible.

ADDRESSES:

Submit your PRA comments to Judith B. Herman, Federal Communications Commission, via the Internet at Judith-b.herman@fcc.gov. To submit your PRA comments by email send them to: PRA@fcc.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Judith B. Herman, Office of Managing Director, (202) 418-0214.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

OMB Control Number: 3060-1031.

Title: Commission's Initiative to Implement Enhanced 911 (E911) Emergency Services.

Form Number: N/A.

Type of Review: Extension 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: 858 respondents; 1,992 responses.

Estimated Time per Response: 3.3012048 hours.

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

Obligation to Respond: Voluntary. Statutory authority for this information collection is contained in 47 U.S.C. Sections 154(i), 160, 201, 251-254, 303 and 332.

Total Annual Burden: 10,168 hours.

Total Annual Cost: N/A.

Privacy Impact Assessment: N/A.

Nature and Extent of Confidentiality: Although the Commission does not believe that any confidential information will need to be disclosed in order to comply with the certification and notification requirements and the corresponding PSAP response provisions, covered carriers or PSAPs are free to request that materials or information submitted to the Commission be withheld from public inspection and from the E911 web site. Entities wishing to submit confidential information may do so according to 47 CFR 0.459 of the Commission's rules.

Needs and Uses: The Commission seeks Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval for an extension (no change in the reporting, recordkeeping and third party disclosure requirements) after this comment period. There is no change in the Commission's 2009 burden estimates.

Under the Commission's E911 rules, a wireless carrier must provide E911 service to a particular Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) within six months only if that PSAP makes a request for the service and is capable of receiving and utilizing the information provided. In the City of Richardson, TX Order, the Commission's actions were intended to facilitate the E911 implementation process by encouraging parties to communicate with each other early in the implementation process, and to maintain a constructive, on-going dialog throughout the implementation process.

The Order contains the following information collection requirements for which the Commission seeks continued OMB approval:

(a) The Commission established a procedure whereby wireless carriers that have completed all necessary steps toward E911 implementation that are not dependent on PSAP readiness may have their compliance obligation temporarily tolled, if the PSAP is not ready to receive the information at the end of the six-month period, and the carrier files a certification to that effect with the Commission.

(b) As part of the certification and notification process (third party disclosure requirements), a carrier must notify the PSAP of its intent to file a certification with the Commission that the PSAP is not ready to receive and use the information. The PSAP is permitted to send a response to the carrier's notification to affirm that it is not ready to receive E911 information or to challenge the carrier's characterization of its state of readiness. Carriers are required to include any response they receive from the PSAP in their certification filing to the Commission.

(c) The Commission clarified that noting in its rules prevented wireless carriers and PSAPs from mutually agreeing to an E911 deployment schedule at variance with the schedule contained in the Commission's rules. Carriers and PSAPs may choose to participate in the certification and private negotiation process. The Commission does not require participation.

The Commission will use the certification filings from wireless carriers to determine each carrier's compliance with its E911 obligations. The Commission will review carrier certifications to ensure that carriers have sufficiently explained the basis for their conclusion that a particular PSAP will not be ready and have identified all of the specific steps for the PSAP to provide the requested service. The Commission retains the discretion to investigate a carrier's certification and take enforcement action if appropriate.