The Federal Communications Commission ("Commission") requests that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approve a revision of the information collection titled, "Satellite Digital Audio Radio Service (SDARS)" previously approved under OMB Control No 3060-1153 as a result of a recent Order on Reconsideration.
On May 20, 2010, the Commission adopted and released a Second Report and Order titled,
"In the Matter of Establishment of Rules and Policies for the Digital Audio Radio Satellite Service in the 2310-2360 MHz Frequency Band," IB Docket No. 95-91, GEN Docket No. 90-357, RM-8610, 25 FCC Red 11710 (2010) (2010 WCS R&O and SDARS 2nd R&O). In the SDARS 2nd R&O, the Commission adopted a framework for the regulation of SDARS terrestrial repeaters. First, the Commission adopted technical rules governing the operation of SDARS repeaters that will not unduly constrain the deployment of SDARS repeaters, but that will, at the same time, limit the potential for harmful interference to adjacent spectrum users in the Wireless Communications Service (WCS). Second, the Commission adopted a blanket-licensing regime to facilitate the flexible deployment of SDARS repeaters, which are necessary to ensure a high quality service to the public, while ensuring that such repeater operations comply with the Commission's rules regarding RF safety, antenna marking and lighting, and equipment authorization, as well as with international agreements. The Commission adopted a site-by-site licensing regime for repeater operations that did not qualify for blanket licensing. Finally, the Commission addressed other issues regarding SDARS repeater operations that are not associated with the interference concerns raised by WCS licensees. Specifically, the Commission adopted rules to ensure that SDARS repeaters remain truly complementary to a satellite-based service, and that SDARS terrestrial repeaters are not used to transmit local programming or advertising.
On October 17, 2012, the Commission adopted and released an Order on Reconsideration in IB Docket No. 95-91, FCC 12-130. The Order on Reconsideration addressed five petitions for reconsideration of the 2010 WCS R&O and SDARS 2nd R&O. The petitions sought reconsideration or clarification of the Commission's decisions in the 2010 WCS R&O and SDARS 2nd R&O regarding the technical and policy rules governing the operation of WCS stations in the 2305-2320 MHz and 2345 2360 MHz bands and the operation of SDARS terrestrial repeaters in the 2320-2345 MHz band.
This information collection reflects program changes/reductions of 20 fewer responses (reduced from 74 to 54), 92 hours to the annual burden hours (reduced from 400 to 308 hours) and $73,610 to the annual costs (reduced from $175,020 to $97,710) as a result of the information collections contained in the Order on Reconsideration.
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.
Supporting Statement OMB 3060-1153 (SDARS)(2013).doc
SDARS