The FCC has permission to delete questions from the FCC 325, reduce its filing periodicity or eliminate it in its entirety, pending the results of its ongoing rulemaking. OMB is concerned about the heightened public and Congressional interest in cable television rates and regulation and cautions the Commission to ensure that any data captured by the FCC 325 and needed to assess the state of the industry continues to be collected or is available within a reasonable period. The FCC shall ensure that this collection does not prematurely end only to be replaced by a new or more burdensome collection. The FCC may examine working closely with private sources such as A.C. Nielson and Warren Publishing to ensure adequate information is available. Should the collection continue to be used, FCC has permission to use the revision vice expiration date. If the FCC decides that the information is no longer needed, OMB strongly advises elimination of the collection and filing requirement.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
07/31/2001
07/31/2001
07/31/1998
14,000
0
14,000
28,000
0
28,000
14,000
0
0
In Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, CS Docket No. 98-61, FCC-98-79, released April 30, 1998, the Commission seeks comment on a proposal to eliminate or modify the process of collecting form 325. Form 325 solicits basic operational information from all U.S. cable systems, including: The operator's name and address; system-wide capacity and frequency information; channel usage; and number of subscribers.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.