On July 13, 2021, the Commission
released an Order titled, “In the Matter of Mandatory Electronic
Filing of Section 325(c) Applications, International Broadcast
Applications, and Dominant Carrier Section 63.10(c) Quarterly
Reports.” The purpose of this Order is to require that any
remaining applications and reports administered by the
International Bureau and filed on paper or through an alternative
filing process be filed only electronically through the
Commission’s International Bureau Filing System (IBFS).
Specifically, the Commission modified its rules to mandate the
electronic filing of, among other things, applications for
International Broadcast Stations, including applications for
voluntary assignments and transfers of control. These mandatory
electronic filing requirements will reduce costs and administrative
burdens, result in greater efficiencies, facilitate faster and more
efficient communications, and improve transparency to the public.
The changes to section 73.3540 (c) and (d) state that “[f]or
International Broadcast Stations, the application shall be filed
electronically in the International Bureau Filing System (IBFS).”
There are currently fewer than 20 International Broadcast stations
subject to obligations in section 73.3540, and the International
Bureau receives an average of one application involving voluntary
transactions per year pursuant to section 73.3540. With this
submission to the Office of Management and Budget, the Commission
is extending the information collection requirements for this
collection for three years.
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.