Supporting Statement OMB 3060-1063 Revision April 2018

OMB Control No. 3060-1063

Global Mobile Personal Communications

By Satellite (GMPCS) Authorization,

Marketing and Importation Rules

April 2018

OMB Control No. 3060-1063

Global Mobile Personal Communications

By Satellite (GMPCS) Authorization,

Marketing and Importation Rules

July 2018

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

1. Justification:

The Federal Communications Commission ("Commission") is requesting that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approve a revision of OMB Control No. 3060-1063 titled, “Global Mobile Personal Communications by Satellite (GMPCS) Authorization, Marketing and Importation Rules. It is being revised to reflect removal of the “Statement Regarding the Importation of Radio Frequency Devices Capable of Harmful Interference,” (Form 740).

Background

Radio-frequency (RF) devices are imported into the United States from foreign countries on a daily basis. RF devices are capable of causing harmful interference to radio and satellite systems in the United States. In addition to Global Mobile Personal Communications by Satellite (GMPCS) devices, RF devices include television receivers, microwave ovens, and virtually any product containing a computer microprocessor, computers, computer peripherals and video games.

The Commission has the regulatory authority under Section 302 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, to prevent radio-emitting devices that do not meet the standards it prescribes for prevention of interference from being placed on the market in the United States. Specifically, subsection 302(a) provides that the Commission may adopt regulations pertaining to the interference potential of radio-frequency devices that apply to manufacture, importation, sale, offer for sale, or shipment of such devices. Subsection 302(b) prohibits the manufacture, importation, sale, offer for sale, or shipment of devices that do not comply with such FCC regulations. The Commission’s principal rule pertaining to importation is stated in 47 C.F.R. Subsection 2.1204(a): devices subject to mandatory equipment authorization under Part 2 may be imported only if they have been so authorized, and devices not subject to such an equipment authorization requirement may be imported if they meet all applicable technical and administrative requirements in the Commission’s rules.

Interested parties must obtain equipment authorization pursuant to the certification procedure in Part 2 of the Commission’s rules. The Part 2 certification procedure requires submission of the “Application for Equipment Authorization” (FCC Form 731) and exhibits to the Commission, including test data showing that a representative sample unit of the devices that would be covered by the certification meets the Commission’s applicable technical requirements. Each device subject to certification must be etched, engraved, or permanently labeled with an identification number, preceded by the term “FCC ID.” Devices subject to this requirement may not be sold or leased, offered for sale or lease, or imported, shipped, or distributed for sale or lease in the United States prior to grant of a pertinent certification application. The requirement applies to GMPCS transceivers (i.e., earth-station transceivers that are “portable,” as defined in 47 C.F.R. Subsection 25.129(b)) that are imported, sold, leased, shipped, or distributed after November 19, 2004. This new certification requirement for portable GMPCS transceivers helps to prevent interference, reduce radio-frequency (“RF”) radiation exposure risk, and make regulatory treatment of portable GMPCS transceivers consistent with treatment of similar terrestrial wireless devices, such as cellular phones.

Applicants for certification are required to file the “Application for Equipment Authorization” (FCC Form 731) with the Commission. (Note: FCC Form 731 is approved by the OMB under OMB Control Number 3060-0057 and managed by staff in the Commission's Office of Engineering and Technology (OET).

Removal of Form 740 Filing Requirement

On July 14, 2017, the Commission released a First Report and Order titled, “In the Matter of Amendment of Parts 0, 1, 2, 15 and 18 of the Commission’s Rules Regarding Authorization of Radiofrequency Equipment,” ET Docket No. 15-170 (FCC 17-93). In the First Report and Order, the Commission discontinued use of the “Statement Regarding the Importation of Radio Frequency Devices Capable of Harmful Interference,” (FCC Form 740) and eliminated 47 CFR 2.1205 and 2.1203(b), thus removing the Form 740 filing requirements. The agency concluded that there was no evidence indicating that the Form 740 filing process provided a substantial deterrent to illegal importation of RF devices, and that the existing filing requirement creates large burdens in light of the growth in the number and type of RF devices being imported, and that there is now a wider availability of product and manufacturer information, including that available to the FCC from the Custom and Border Protection’s (CBP) database. The information collection requirements related to this form were included in OET’s information collection OMB Control No. 3060-0059. (Please note only the information collection requirements associated with FCC Form 740 are being removed from this collection. The information collection associated with FCC Form 731 remain in effect. The Commission is removing the annual cost associated with FCC Form 731 only because the filing fee for the form has been discontinued.)

The Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)-related rule sections applicable to this information collection are Title 47 CFR Sections 2.1033, 2.1204, and 25.129.

The Commission has authority for this information collection pursuant to Sections 4(i), 301, 302(a), 303(e), 303(f), 303(g), 303(n), and 303(r) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. § 4(i), 301, 302(a), 303(e), 303(f), 303(g), 303(n), and 303(r).

This information collection does not affect individuals or households; thus, there are no impacts under the Privacy Act.

2. The procedure for obtaining equipment certification is prescribed in Part 2 of the Commission’s rules. The certification procedure requires submission of an application (FCC Form 731) and exhibits to the Commission, including test data showing that a representative sample unit of the devices that would be covered by the certification, meets the Commission’s applicable technical requirements. The requirement applies to GMPCS devices imported, sold, leased, shipped, or distributed after November 19, 2004. The purpose of this information collection is to establish a certification requirement for portable GMPCS transceivers to prevent interference, reduce radio-frequency (“RF”) radiation exposure risk, and make regulatory treatment of portable GMPCS transceivers consistent with treatment of similar terrestrial wireless devices, such as cellular phones.

3. This information collection involves the Application for Equipment Authorization (FCC Form 731) that is filed with the Commission. It is estimated that 100 percent of applicants file the FCC Form 731 on the Commission’s Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) Laboratory Division Electronic Filing Site.

Application for Equipment Authorization (FCC Form 731)

The Form 731 and exhibits are submitted electronically to the Commission or on paper if the applicant requests a special waiver. In addition, applicants may, at their discretion, submit requests for equipment authorization to Telecommunications Certification Bodies (TCB’s), which act on behalf of the Commission in issuing grants of authorization to market certain types of equipment. Equipment authorization applicants are generally individuals or companies that are on the cutting edge of technology and are, therefore, well equipped to make maximum use of electronic media and the Internet to file an application with the Commission. The FCC has determined that electronic submission of applications is the most efficient means of facilitating data base development, corresponding with an applicant, providing information on application status, and providing information on authorized equipment to the general public. Approximately 100 percent of all FCC Form 731’s are filed electronically with the Commission on the OET Laboratory Division Electronic Filing Site. (Note: Please reference OMB Control Number 3060-0057).

4. The information in this collection is not duplicated elsewhere and similar information is not available. Please note that the FCC Form 731 is approved under OMB Control Number 3060-0057. However, the information collections include all filings of the FCC Forms 731 rather than only filings of applications specifically related to GMPCS devices. Furthermore, the rule sections referenced in this information collection are not included under OMB Control Number 3060-0057.

5. To obtain authorization required under the rules for importation, distribution, or sale of portable, land-based earth-station transceivers, test data must be submitted to prove that the devices meet pertinent technical requirements in the Commission’s rules. Because such testing would be necessary in any event to ensure that the devices can be lawfully operated in compliance with existing rule requirements, the Commission does not believe that the requirement to submit test data will have a significant adverse economic impact on anyone. The Commission postponed the effective date of the authorization requirement for one year, moreover, to afford adequate time in advance for obtaining such authorization and for disposing of uncertificated devices in current inventories. Therefore, the Commission certifies that the equipment authorization requirement will not have significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.

6. The Commission is requiring that applicants obtain authorization for the equipment by submitting an application and exhibits, including test data. If the Commission did not obtain such information, it would not be able to ascertain whether the equipment meets the FCC’s technical standards for operation in the United States. Furthermore, the data is required to ensure that the equipment will not cause catastrophic interference to other telecommunications services that may impact the health and safety of American citizens.

7. The collection of information will not be conducted in any manner known to be inconsistent with the guidelines stipulated in 5 C.F.R. 1320.

8. On April 23, 2018, the Commission published a 60-day notice (83 FR 17660) in the Federal Register to solicit comments from the public on this information collection. The comment period ended on June 22, 2018. No comments were received from the public.

9. The Commission will not provide any payment or gift to respondents for fulfilling their information collection requirements.

10. The Commission does not provide assurances of confidentiality to entities submitting their filings to the Commission. However, entities may request confidential treatment of their applications and filings under 47 C.F.R. 0.459 of the Commission's rules. With regard to certifications filed pursuant to Part 2 of the Commission's rules, parties receive minimal exemption from the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

11. The collection does not ask questions of a sensitive nature.

12. The respondents include a total of 17 entities: 4 satellite service providers and 13 equipment manufacturers that manufacture GMPCS equipment outside of the United States for this information collection.

Explanation of Burden Estimate	Number of Responses1	Frequency of Response	Time Per Response	Total Annual Burden Hours
47 CFR 2.1033(a) Application for certification shall be filed on FCC Form 731	17	1 On occasion	24 Hours	408
47 CFR 2.1033(c) GMPCS operators must file a technical report with the Commission	17	1 On occasion	4 Hours	68
47 CFR 2.1204 Written approval must be obtained from the Chief, Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) if an individual or entity plans to import over 200 radio frequency devices into the United States	17	1 On occasion	1 Hour	17
47 CFR 25.129 Prior authorization must be obtained pursuant to the equipment certification procedure in Part 2, Subpart J	17	1 On occasion	2 Hours	34
47 CFR 25.129 Applicants for certification must submit any additional equipment test data necessary to demonstrate compliance with pertinent technical standards.	17	1 On occasion	2 Hours	34
47 CFR 25.129 Applicants for certification must submit evidence that the devices in question are designed for use with a satellite system that may lawfully provide service to users in the U.S. pursuant to an FCC license or order reserving spectrum.	17	1 On occasion	2 Hours	34
Totals:	17		1-24 Hours	595 Hours

13. The filing fee associated with the FCC Form 731 has been discontinued. Therefore, there are no start-up costs and operations and maintenance costs.

14. The FCC Form 731 is reviewed by staff in the Office of Engineering and Technology (OET). Please reference the current Supporting Statement for OMB Number 3060-0057 regarding Federal government costs.

15. The Commission has the following program changes/decreases to this collection as a result of the burdens associated with the removal of FCC Form 740 and the discontinuation of the filing fees for FCC Form 731 for this collection: 19 to the annual burden hours and $13,110 to the annual cost.

The Commission also has adjustments/decreases to the collection as a result of less respondents to this collection: 2 to the number of respondents, 2 to the annual number of responses and 70 to the annual burden hours.

16. The data will not be published for statistical use.

17. We do not seek approval to not display the expiration date of OMB approval of the collection.

18. There are no exceptions to the Certification Statement.

B. Collections of Information Employing Statistical Methods:

No statistical methods are employed.

1 The respondents will file 17 applications total. The items listed below will accompany the applications filed.

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