The Commission is requesting a
revision of this IC due to updated disclosure requirements that
were adopted in a Second Report and Order, FCC 10-145. As a result,
the Commission is requesting a revision of this information
collection due to the change in language required for disclosures
under Section 20.19(f)(2) of the Commission's rules and the
addition of content to be disclosed for certain headsets. The
updated requirements will create no additional burdens for
manufacturers and service providers, but will ensure that consumers
are provided with consistent and sufficient information about the
functionality and the limitations of their headsets. The Commission
also revised the FCC Form 655. Specifically, manufacturers and
service providers will be asked to provide the brand names under
which they are offering digital commercial mobile radio services
(if a service provider) or handsets (if a manufacturer), in order
to avoid confusion by identifying products offered under more than
one brand name. And, the question concerning handsets capable of
Wi-FI voice operation will be expanded to include handsets capable
of voice communication over any air interface or frequency band for
which hearing aid compatibility technical standards do not exist
without changes to the hardware in the handset. The Federal
Communications Commission (Commission) is submitting this
non-substantive change request to the Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) for approval of minor non-substantive changes to FCC
Form 655. The Commission utilizes FCC Form 655 as the principle
means to ensure that wireless handset manufacturers and wireless
service providers comply with the Commission's hearing aid
compatibility requirements. Under the Commission's hearing aid
compatibility requirements, wireless handset manufacturers and
wireless service providers must file FCC Form 655 with the
Commission on an annual basis – wireless service providers file
their annual reports by January 15 and wireless handset
manufacturers file their annual reports by July 15. The FCC Form
655 is an electronic form that the Commission has revised from time
to time as it revises its hearing aid compatibility rules to ensure
that the rules are up to date and effective. Most recently, on
April 9, 2012, the Commission adopted final rules in a Third Report
and Order, DA 12-550, that, among other changes, adopted the 2011
revision of the hearing aid compatibility technical standard (ANSI
Standard) as an applicable technical standard alongside the 2007
version that was already in the Commission's rules. Following
release of the Third Report and Order, the Commission amended FCC
Form 655 to capture information regarding new disclosure
requirements as well as other information important to monitoring
compliance with the hearing aid compatibility rules. OMB approved
these disclosure requirements and changes to FCC Form 655 on
November 20, 2012, under OMB Control Number 3060-0999. Upon review
of FCC Form 655, the Commission has determined that certain minor
non-substantive changes need to be made in order to make the form
more user-friendly, conform to the prior approved changes, and
easier to follow. These changes do not affect the burden hours or
the cost of compliance, and they do not require a change in the
underlying supporting statement that was part of OMB's most recent
approval of FCC Form 655 on November 20, 2012. See the
non-substantive change justification for the specific minor changes
to FCC Form 655.
US Code:
47 USC 151, 154(i), 157 Name of Law: Communications Act of
1934, as amended
US Code: 47
USC 160 Name of Law: Communications Act of 1934, as amended
US Code:
47 USC 201, 202, 214 Name of Law: Communications Act of 1934,
as amended
US Code:
47 USC 303, 308, 309(j), 310 Name of Law: Communications Act of
1934, as amended
US Code: 47
USC 610 Name of Law: Communications Act of 1934, as amended
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.
Form FCC Form 655 Hearing Aid Compatibility Status Report and Section 20.19, Hearing Aid-Compatible Mobile Handsets (Hearing Aid Compatibility Act)
HAC Non-Substantive Change Request 04-11-14.docx
0999_ss_110812.doc
Hearing Aid Compatibility Status Report and Section 20.19, Hearing Aid-Compatible Mobile Handsets (Hearing Aid Compatibility Act)