Supporting Statement OMB 3060-0288 (2022)

OMB Control Number: 3060-0288 August 2022

Section 78.33, Special Temporary Authority (Cable Television Relay Stations)

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

A. Justification:

1. 47 CFR Section 78.33 permits cable television relay station (CARS) operators to file informal requests for special temporary authority (STA) to install and operate equipment in a manner different from the way authorized in their station license. Special temporary authority may also be requested to conduct a field survey to determine necessary data in connection with the preparation of a formal application for installation of a radio system. Such authority may be granted to equipment suppliers and others who are not operators of cable television systems or other eligible systems, as well as to cable operators or other eligible system operators, to conduct equipment, program, service, and path tests.

The Commission is requesting an extension of this information collection in order to receive the full three-year approval/clearance from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

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

Statutory authority for this collection of information is contained in Section 154(i) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended.

2. Commission staff use the data to ensure that granting such requests for special temporary authority will not cause interference to established stations and that the requests meet the Commission's technical standards.

3. We do not believe the use of information technology is feasible in this situation.

4. No other agency imposes a similar information collection on the respondents. There is no similar data available.

5. This collection of information does not impact a significant number of small businesses/entities.

6. If the Commission did not collect this information, it would not be aware of possible situations where CARS operators are using their CARS stations in manners inconsistent with their license agreements. Not collecting the information could then result in interference with other signals in the area.

7. In emergency situations involving danger to life or property or damage to equipment, such requests for special temporary authority may be made by telephone or facsimile with the

understanding that a written request shall be submitted to the Commission within 10 days thereafter. This written request constitutes an official request for special temporary authority and is necessary to provide detailed information not provided with the telephone or facsimile request. Requiring a 10-day response period is necessary to ensure that special temporary authority was

granted under appropriate circumstances and to discover situations as soon as possible where the possibility of interference could result.

8. The Commission published a Notice (87 FR 34874) in the Federal Register on June 8, 2022, seeking comment from the public on the information collection requirements contained in this supporting statement. No comments were received from the public.

9. Respondents will not receive any payments.

10. There is no need for confidentiality with this collection of information.

11. This information collection does not address any private matters of a sensitive nature.

12. We estimate that 3 requests for special temporary authority are filed annually. The average burden on respondents is 4 hours per request. This estimate is based on Commission staff's knowledge and familiarity with the availability of the data required.

Total Number of Annual Respondents: 3 Cable Television Relay Stations (CARS)¹

Total Number of Annual Responses: 3 Special Temporary Authority Requests (responses)

Total Annual Burden Hours:

3 requests for special temporary authority x 4 hours/request = 12 hours

Total Annual In-House Cost: We estimate an average hourly wage of $20.00 per hour for staff to file the annual special temporary authority.

3 requests for special temporary authority x 4 hours/request x $20.00 per hour = $240

Estimates are based on Commission staff’s knowledge and familiarity with the availability of the data required.

13. Annual Cost Burden: There is a $200 filing fee for each request for special temporary authority.

3 requests for special temporary authority x $200 per filing fee = $600

14. Cost to the Federal Government: 3 requests for special temporary authority are estimated to be filed annually, each with an average processing time of 6 hours for the Commission. The Commission will use staff at the GS-11, step 5 grade level ($40.70/hour) and clerical staff at the GS-5, step 5 grade level ($22.20/hour).

Staff at the GS-11 grade 4 hrs. @ $40.70 per hour x 3 STAs = $488.40

Clerical staff (GS-5) 2 hrs. @ $22.20 per hour x 3 STAs = $133.20

Total Cost to the Federal Government: $621.60

15. There are no program changes or adjustments to this collection.

16. We do not plan to publish the results of this information collection requirement.

17. The expiration date of this information collection will be displayed at 47 CFR Section 0.408.

18. There are no exceptions to the Certification Statement.

B. Collections of Information Employing Statistical Methods

No statistical methods are employed.

1 These respondents make up their universe of respondents and therefore OMB approval is needed for this collection.

4