Supporting Statement 3060-1035 August 2019

Part 73, Subpart F, International Broadcast Stations OMB Control No.: 3060-1035 November 2019

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

A. Justification:

1. The Federal Communications Commission (“Commission”) is requesting that the Office of

Management and Budget (OMB) approve an extension of the information collection titled “Part 73, Subpart F International Broadcast Stations” under OMB Control No. 3060-1035.

FCC Forms 309, 310 and 311, which are approved under OMB control number 3060-1035, are currently shared between the Media Bureau and the International Bureau. The forms are used by the Media Bureau for experimental broadcast licenses and by the International Bureau for international broadcast stations.

The full title and purpose of each application are summarized below:

1. Application for Authority to Construct or Make Changes in an International, Experimental Television, Experimental Facsimile, or a Developmental Broadcast Station (FCC Form 309) - The FCC Form 309 is filed on occasion when the applicant is requesting authority to construct or make modifications to the international broadcast station.

2. Application for an International, Experimental Television, Experimental Facsimile, or a Developmental Broadcast Station License (FCC Form 310) - The FCC Form 310 is filed on occasion when the applicant is submitting an application for a new international broadcast station.

3. Application for Renewal of an International or Experimental Broadcast Station License

(FCC Form 311) – The FCC Form 311 is filed by applicants who are requesting renewal of their international broadcast station licenses.

In addition to the FCC Forms 309, 310 and 311, this information collection includes the following collections of information:

1. 47 CFR 73.702(a) states that six months prior to the start of each season, licensees and permittees shall by informal written request, submitted to the Commission in triplicate, indicate for the season the frequency or frequencies desired for transmission to each zone or area of reception specified in the license or permit, the specific hours during which it desires to transmit to such zones or areas on each frequency, and the power, antenna gain, and antenna bearing it desires to use. Requests will be honored to the extent that interference and propagation conditions permit and that they are otherwise in accordance with the provisions of section 47 CFR 73.702(a).

2. 47 CFR 73.702(b) states that two months before the start of each season, the licensee or permittee must inform the Commission in writing as to whether it plans to operate in accordance with the Commission’s authorization or operate in another manner.

3. 47 CFR 73.702(c) permits entities to file requests for changes to their original request for assignment and use of frequencies if they are able to show good cause. Because international broadcasters are assigned frequencies on a seasonal basis, as opposed to the full term of their eight-year license authorization, requests for changes need to be filed by entities on occasion.

4. 47 CFR 73.702 (note) states that permittees who during the process of construction wish to engage in equipment tests shall by informal written request, submitted to the Commission in triplicate not less than 30 days before they desire to begin such testing, indicate the frequencies they desire to use for testing and the hours they desire to use those frequencies.

5. 47 CFR 73.702(e) states within 14 days after the end of each season, each licensee or permittee must file a report with the Commission stating whether the licensee or permittee has operated the number of frequency hours authorized by the seasonal schedule to each of the zones or areas of reception specified in the schedule.

6. 47 CFR 73.782 requires that licensees retain logs of international broadcast stations for two years. If it involves communications incident to a disaster, logs should be retained as long as required by the Commission.

7. 47 CFR 73.759(d) states that the licensee or permittee must keep records of the time and results of each auxiliary transmitter test performed at least weekly.

8. 47 CFR 73.762(b) requires that licensees notify the Commission in writing of any limitation or discontinuance of operation of not more than 10 days.

9. 47 CFR 73.762(c) states that the licensee or permittee must request and receive specific authority from the Commission to discontinue operations for more than 10 days under extenuating circumstances.

10. 47 CFR 1.1301-1.1319 cover certifications of compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act and how the public will be protected from radio frequency radiation hazards.

History:

On March 3, 2003, the Commission released the Report and Order (R&O), "In the Matter of Amendments of Parts 2, 73, 80, 90, and 87 of the Commission’s Rules to Implement Decisions from World Radiocommunication Conferences Concerning Frequency Bands Below 28000

kHz,” ET Docket No. 02-16 (FCC 03-39). This Supporting Statement continues to reflect the decision made in this rulemaking to reduce the number of seasonal schedule changes for international broadcast stations from four per year to two per year.

On June 26, 2003, the Commission’s International Bureau published a notice in the Federal Register (68 FR 38041) to propose creation of three new forms: (1) Application for Authority to Construct or Make Changes in an International Broadcast Station (FCC Form 420-IB) approved by OMB under 3060-1057, (2) Application for an International Broadcast Station License

(FCC Form 421-IB) approved by OMB under 3060-1056 and (3) Application for Renewal of an International Broadcast Station License (FCC Form 422-IB) approved by OMB under 3060-1054.

The International Bureau proposed that after the new applications were developed, international broadcasters would file the FCC Form 420-IB in lieu of the FCC Form 309. Furthermore, international broadcasters would file the FCC Form 421-IB in lieu of the FCC Form 310. Additionally, international broadcasters would file the FCC Form 422-IB in lieu of the FCC Form 311. Experimental broadcasters would continue to file the FCC Forms 309, 310 and 311 with the Commission. However, the development of the proposed new applications 420-IB, 421-IB and 422-IB has been postponed indefinitely due to lack of agency funding. International broadcasters will continue to file the FCC Forms 309, 310 and 311 with the Commission until further notice. After the new applications have been developed by the International Bureau, the Commission will seek OMB approval of the applications. After the Commission receives OMB approval of the applications, the agency will issue a Public Notice announcing the availability of the new applications to the public.

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

The statutory authority for this information collection is contained in 47 U.S.C. 154, 303, 307, 334, 336 and 554.

2. The information collected pursuant to the rules set forth in 47 CFR Part 73 Subpart F is used by the Commission to assign frequencies for use by international broadcast stations, to grant authority to operate such stations, and to determine if interference or adverse propagation conditions exists that may impact the operation of such stations.

3. Presently, all information collection requirements contained in Part 73 Subpart F of the Commission’s rules, including the three standardized FCC Forms 309, 310 and 311, are filed on paper. Additionally, the "Frequency Assignment and Coordination" consists of informal written requests made by international broadcast stations to the Commission to assign and coordinate frequencies during two seasons in a year. Due to budgetary constraints, it is not financially feasible to automate the forms at this time. However, the Commission has long-term plans to revise and automate the forms for electronic filing in the Consolidated Licensing System (CLS).

In February 2015, the Commission submitted a non-substantive change request to the OMB to allow IHF and 325(c) applicants the option to upload a completed .PDF copy of their applications in the International Bureau Filing System (IBFS) and make their payment of the application filing fees electronically.  Please note that this method is optional rather than mandatory. Applicants re: IHF and Section 325(c) may submit applications to the Commission in paper form.  Additionally, applicants can either mail (by express or regular mail) or file in person a Form 159 with a designated bank in order to pay application filing fees.  It takes approximately two to three weeks for the bank to process and credit the paid fees and forward the information to the Commission. This option saves time for the applicant, the bank and Commission staff. Therefore, this information collection reflects that 75 percent of responses are collected electronically.

4. These information collection requirements are not duplicated elsewhere in the Commission’s rules.

5. These information collection requirements do not have a significant impact on a substantial number of small entities or businesses.

6. If the Commission did not collect this information, it would not be in a position to effectively coordinate spectrum for international broadcasters or to act for entities in times of frequency interference or adverse propagation conditions. The orderly nature of the provision of international broadcast service would be in jeopardy without the Commission’s involvement.

7. This collection of information is consistent with the guidelines in 5 C.F.R. Section 1320.5.

8. On August 28, 2019, a 60-day notice was published in the Federal Register (84 FR 45149) in order to solicit comments from the public on this information collection. The 60-day comment period began on August 28, 2019 and ended on October 28, 2019. No comments were received from the public in response to the notice.

9. The Commission does not provide any payment or gift to respondents.

10. There is no need for confidentiality pertaining to the information collection requirements in this collection.

11. This collection does not contain questions of a sensitive nature.

12. The estimate of annual burden hours of the 225 respondents for international broadcasters and experimental broadcast licenses are as follows:

Information Collection Requirements	Responses/ Applications	Hours	Seasons (If applicable)	Total Hours
47 CFR 73.761 FCC Form 309	17	6		102
47 CFR 73.3536 FCC Form 310	7	6		42
47 CFR 73.731 FCC Form 311	5	2		10
47 CFR 73.702(a) states that six months prior to the start of each season, licensees and permittees shall by informal written request, submitted to the Commission in triplicate, indicate for the season the frequency or frequencies desired for transmission to each zone or area of reception specified in the license or permit, the specific hours during which it desires to transmit to such zones or areas on each frequency, and the power, antenna gain, and antenna bearing it desires to use. Requests will be honored to the extent that interference and propagation conditions permit and that they are otherwise in accordance with the provisions of section 47 CFR 73.702(a).	25	4	2	200

Information Collection Requirements	Responses/ Applications	Hours	Seasons (If applicable)	Total Hours
47 CFR 73.702(b) Two months before the start of each season, the licensee or permittee must inform the Commission in writing as to whether it plans to operate in accordance with the Commission’s authorization or operate in another manner.	25	2	2	100
47 CFR 73.702(c) permits entities to file requests for changes to their original request for assignment and use of frequencies if they are able to show good cause.	25	2	2	100
47 CFR 73.702 (note) states that permittees who during the process of construction wish to engage in equipment tests shall by informal written request, submitted to the Commission in triplicate not less than 30 days before they desire to begin such testing, indicate the frequencies they desire to use for testing and the hours they desire to use those frequencies.	25	2	2	100
47 CFR 73.702(e) Within 14 days after the end of each season, each licensee or permittee must file a report with the Commission stating whether the licensee or permittee has operated the number of frequency hours authorized by the seasonal schedule to each of the zones or areas of reception specified in the schedule.	25	4	2	200

Information Collection Requirements	Responses/ Applications	Hours	Seasons (If applicable)	Total Hours
47 CFR 73.782 Recordkeeping Requirement – Licensees must retain logs of international broadcast stations for two years. If it involves communications incident to a disaster, logs should be retained as long as required by the Commission.	25	2 hours per day x 360 days per year		18,000
47 CFR 73.759(d) Licensee or permittee must keep records of the time and results of each auxiliary transmitter test performed at least weekly	25	48 (4 times per month x 12 months)		1,200
47 CFR 73.762(b) Licensees are required to notify the Commission in writing of any limitation or discontinuance of operation of not more than 10 days	7	2		14
47 CFR 73.762(c) The licensee or permittee must request and receive specific authority from the Commission to discontinue operations for more than 10 days under extenuating circumstances	7	2		14
47 CFR 1.1301-1.13191 Certifications of compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and how the public will be protected from radio frequency (RF) radiation hazards	7	2		14
	225 Responses/ Applications			20,096 Burden Hours

Annual “In-House Cost”: The hourly rate for in-house staff is estimated at $45 per hour.

20,096 x $45/hour for in-house staff = $904,320.

13. Annual Cost Burden:

(a). The capital or start-up costs associated with this collection: None.

(b). The operation and maintenance costs associated with this collection:

The applicants use outside legal or engineering assistance for 30% (68) of the responses.²

The hourly rate for outside legal and engineering assistance is $275 per hour.

68 responses X $275 per hour x 2 hours per submission = $37,400.

Estimate of Filing Fees

Information Collection Requirement	Responses/ Applications	Seasons (If applicable)	Filing Fees	Cost of Filing Fees
FCC Form 309	17		$3,340	$56,780
FCC Form 310	7		$755	$5,285
FCC Form 311	5		$190	$950
				$63,015

(c). Total Annual Cost Burden:

The total of for outside engineering/legal assistance $37,400 + $63,015 in annual application fees = $100,415.

14. Federal Government Costs: One GS-14/Step 5 Electronics Engineer (International Bureau) reviews the international-related applications and requests. A GS-15/Step 5 Engineer (Media Bureau) reviews experimental applications. Please see Chart A for a list of information collection requirements reviewed by Federal government staff.

Chart B provides Federal Government Costs that are calculated as follows:

The total number of annual burden hours for the FCC Forms 309, 310 and 311 were divided in half – 8,740 annual burden hours divided by 2 = 4,370 annual burden hours. The GS-15 Engineer reviews 50% of the applications or 4,370 annual burden hours. The GS-14 Engineer reviews 50% of the applications or 4,370 annual burden hours. Additionally, the GS-14 Engineer reviews additional international-related requests that total 756 hours. The 4,370 hours + 756 hours = 5,126 annual burden hours. The annual burden hours are multiplied by the staff’s hourly salary rates (see Chart B for details).

Chart A – Information Collection Requirements Reviewed by Federal Government Staff

Information Collection Requirements3	Responses/ Applications	Hours	Seasons (If applicable)	Total Hours
FCC Form 309	17	360		6,120
FCC Form 310	7	360		2,520
FCC Form 311	5	20		100
47 CFR 73.702(a) Review assignment of frequency requests	25	4	2	200
47 CFR 73.702(c) Review requests for changes to licensees’ original requests	7	4	2	56
47 CFR 73.702 (note) Review requests to engage in equipment tests	7	2	2	28
47 CFR 73.702(e) Review operational reports	25	4	2	200
47 CFR 73.782 Review logs as necessary	8	2	2	32
47 CFR 73.762(c) Review requests for authority to discontinue operations for more than 10 days under extenuating circumstances	5	4	2	40
47 CFR 1.1301-1.1319 Review certifications of compliance with NEPA and how the public will be protected from RF hazards	25	4	2	200
	131	764		9,496

Federal Government Employee	Hourly Rate	Annual Hours	Federal Government Costs
GS-14/Step 5 Electronics Engineer (International-related applications/requests)	$63.64	5,126	$326,218.64
GS-15/Step 5 Electronics Engineer (Experimental-related applications/requests)	$74.86	4,370	$327,138.20
		9,496	$653,356.84 Total Federal Government Costs

15. There are no program changes to this collection. There are adjustments/increases of $3,390 to the annual cost. These adjustments/increases are due to increases in the filing fees for the various applications.

16. The results of this information collection requirement will not be published for statistical use.

17. We are seeking approval to not display the expiration date for OMB approval of this information collection. The Commission will use an edition date in lieu of the OMB expiration date. Additionally, the OMB expiration date and OMB control number are “displayed” in

47 CFR 0.408.

18. There are no exceptions to the Certification Statement.

Part B. Collections of Information Employing Statistical Methods:

Not applicable. This information collection does not employ statistical methods.

1 There is true burden that is attached to the certification of compliance documents.

2 The respondent will require outside legal assistance for 30% of the responses after the respondent has completed his/her part with the responses as accounted for under question number 12. The respondent will also complete 70% of the responses without outside assistance as stated under question 12.

3 There is no burden attached to 47 CFR Sections 73.702(b), 73.759(d) or 73.762(b) for the Federal Government.

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