On May 9, 2019, the Commission adopted
a Report and Order, Amendment of Part 74 of the Commission’s Rules
Regarding FM Translator Interference, FCC 19-40, MB Docket No.
18-119, adopting proposals to streamline the rules relating to
interference caused by FM translators and to expedite the
translator interference complaint resolution process. These
measures are designed to limit or avoid protracted and contentious
interference disputes, provide translator licensees additional
investment certainty and flexibility to remediate interference, and
provide affected stations earlier and expedited resolution of
interference complaints. Under this new information collection, the
following information collection requirements require OMB approval.
Specifically, the FM Translator Interference Report and Order
pertains to this new Information Collection as it codifies the
translator interference listener complaint requirements under
section 74.1201(k) and sections 74.1203(a)(3) (actual interference)
and 74.1204(f) (predicted interference) of the rules. The
Commission defines the requirements for a listener complaint
submitted with a translator interference claim in section
74.1201(k) as a complaint that is signed and dated by the listener
and contains the following information: (1) the complainant’s full
name, address, and phone number; (2) a clear, concise, and accurate
description of the location where the interference is alleged or
predicted to occur; (3) a statement that the complainant listens to
the desired station using an over-the-air signal at least twice a
month, to demonstrate the complainant is a regular listener; and
(4) a statement that the complainant has no legal, employment,
financial, or familial affiliation or relationship with the desired
station, to demonstrate the complainant is disinterested.
Electronic signatures are acceptable for this purpose. The FM
Translator Interference Report and Order establishes a minimum
number of listener complaints, ranging from 6 to 25, depending on
the population served within the protected contour of the
complaining station. The Commission explains that a proportionate
approach, which was supported by multiple commenters, would be
fairer and more effective than a single minimum number for all
complaining stations. In addition to the required minimum number of
valid listener complaints, a station submitting a translator
interference claim package pursuant to either section 74.1203(a)(3)
or 74.1204(f) must include: (1) a map plotting the specific
locations of the alleged interference in relation to the 45 dBu
contour of the complaining station; (2) a statement that the
complaining station is operating within its licensed parameters;
(3) a statement that the complaining station licensee has used
commercially reasonable efforts to inform the relevant translator
licensee of the claimed interference and attempted private
resolution; and (4) U/D data demonstrating that at each listener
location the ratio of undesired to desired signal strength exceeds
-20 dB for co-channel situations, -6 dB for first-adjacent channel
situations or 40 dB for second- or third-adjacent channel
situations, calculated using the Commission’s standard contour
prediction methodology set out in section 73.313. In the FM
Translator Interference Report and Order, the Commission outlines
two paths for resolving interference if the translator decides to
continue operation on its original channel. First, a translator
operator may resolve each listener complaint by working with a
willing listener to resolve reception issues. The translator
operator must then document and certify that the desired station
can now be heard on the listener’s receiver, i.e., that the
adjustment to or replacement of the listener’s receiving equipment
actually resolved the interference.
This is a new information
collection. The following figures will be added to OMB’s inventory
once this information collection is approved by OMB: +270
respondents, +270 annual responses, +1,080 annual burden hours and
+$924,100 in annual costs.
$138,158
No
No
No
No
No
No
Uncollected
Lisa Scalan 202
418-2700
No
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.