Document
OMB Control Number: 3060-0678
ICR 202611-3060-016 · OMB 3060-0678 · Object 175013600.
Document Viewer [docx]
Document Metadata
| File Type | application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document |
|---|---|
| File Title | OMB Control Number: 3060-0678 |
| Author | Cindy Spiers |
| Last Modified By | Writer |
| File Modified | 2026-11-10 |
| File Created | 2026-11-14 |
| Conversion State | complete |
Extracted Text
SUPPORTING STATEMENT
A. Justification
1. Circumstances that make collection necessary. The Federal Communications Commission requests that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approve a revision of the information collection titled “Part 25 of the Federal Communications Commission’s Rules Governing the Licensing of, and Spectrum Usage By, Commercial Earth Stations and Space Stations” under OMB Control No. 3060-0678, as a result of the rulemakings discussed below.
On August 8, 2025, the Commission released a Second Report and Order, FCC 25-48, IB Docket Nos. 22-411 and 22-271, titled “Expediting Initial Processing of Satellite and Earth Station Applications; and Space Innovation.” In this Streamlining Second Report and Order, the Commission streamlines, simplifies, and modernizes the processing of space and earth station applications. Specifically, the Second Report and Order: (1) adopts a new process by which earth station operators may receive a baseline license without identifying a specific satellite point of communication, and adopts a procedure by which earth station applicants can easily add or remove identified points of communication; (2) expands the list of license modifications that do not require prior authorization; (3) eliminates the requirement to retain paper copies of applications; (4) changes the default ex parte status of all space station and earth station applications from “restricted” to “permit-but-disclose;” (5) adopts expanded timeframes to file license renewal applications for earth stations and replacement applications for non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) space stations; (6) provides non-U.S. licensed market access grantees the ability to receive the equivalent of a grant of special temporary authority; and (7) adopts a 30-day shot clock for earth station renewal applications.
The relevant rules for purposes of this revised information collection are 47 CFR §§ 25.110(e), 25.117(i), 25.118(a)(3), 25.118(b)(1), 25.118(b)(2), 25.118(b)(3), 25.118(e)(4), 25.118(h), and 25.137(h).1
The Commission will use the new information collection requirements to ensure that applicants are meeting the Commission’s rules even under these streamlined processes. The new information collection requirements in this collection remove previously required information collections that are no longer considered necessary.
On May 1, 2026, the Commission released a Report and Order, FCC 26-26, SB Docket No. 25-157, titled “Modernizing Spectrum Sharing for Satellite Broadband.” In this Report and Order, the Commission that revised the spectrum sharing framework for Geostationary Orbit (GSO) and NGSO systems that currently relies on NGSO systems complying with Equivalent Power Flux Density (EPFD) limits developed in the late-1990s. The consequence today of applying such EPFD limits in the United States is that operators must overprotect GSO systems, which in turn means that American households and businesses—most critically in rural and remote areas—do not receive the fastest space-based NGSO satellite broadband American innovation has available. Based on the technical record in this proceeding, the Order replaced the EPFD framework with modern, performance-based GSO protection criteria. The Order extended the Commission's framework for good-faith coordination and allowed NGSO and GSO operators to bargain for appropriate interference protections through voluntary, private agreement. The Order further adopted technical backstops to protect GSO systems when coordination has not been reached. Under the new rules, prior to commencing operations, an NGSO FSS applicant must either certify that it has completed a coordination agreement with any operational co-frequency GSO satellite network, or submit for Commission approval a compatibility showing which demonstrates by use of a degraded throughput methodology that it will not cause unacceptable interference to any such system with which coordination has not been completed. The requirement for NGSO licensees to submit a compatibility showing implicates the Paperwork Reduction Act.
The relevant rule revisions for purposes of this information collection are in 47 CFR §§ 25.146(a)(3) and 25.289(a)(2).
The Commission will use the new information collection requirements to determine the technical qualifications of licensees and market access grantees to operate NGSO FSS space stations and to determine whether operations under an NGSO FSS authorization serve the public interest, convenience and necessity. Without such information, the Commission could not determine whether to permit respondents to provide communications services in the United States because it could not assure that incumbent GSO licensees and market access grantees are adequately protected from radiofrequency interference that could be caused by NGSO FSS satellite systems. Therefore, the Commission would not be able to fulfill its statutory responsibilities in accordance with the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, and the obligations imposed on parties to the World Trade Organization Basic Telecom Agreement.
The forms that are included in this collection are FCC Forms 312, 312 EZ, 312-R, and Schedules A, B, and S.
The statutory authority for this information collection is contained in 47 U.S.C. §§ 154, 301, 302, 303, 307, 309, 310, 319, 332, 605, and 721.
The information collection requirements do not affect individuals or households; therefore, there are no impacts under the Privacy Act.
The Commission is submitting this revised information collection to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to obtain the full three-year clearance.
2. Use of information. This collection is used by the Commission’s staff in carrying out its statutory duties to regulate satellite communications in the public interest, as generally provided under 47 U.S.C. §§ 154, 301, 302, 303, 307, 309, 310, 319, 332, 605, and 721. The information collected is used for the practical and necessary purposes of assessing the legal, technical, and other qualifications of applicants; determining compliance by applicants, licensees, and other grantees with Commission rules and the terms and conditions of their grants; and concluding whether, and under what conditions, grant of an authorization will serve the public interest, convenience, and necessity.
For example, collected information is used by the Commission:
• To determine the qualifications of applicants and petitioners to provide satellite service, including applicants that are affiliated with foreign entities and petitioners that seek to provide service to the U.S. market from non-U.S.-licensed satellites.
• To facilitate technical coordination of systems among applicants and licensees in various frequency bands. Without such information, the Commission could not implement band plans as set forth in the Table of Allocations, 47 CFR § 2.106.
• To facilitate the Commission’s efforts to use spectrum more efficiently and to better accommodate the operational needs of licensees.
• To provide operators with greater flexibility while ensuring that their operations do not cause harmful interference to the operations of other service providers.
• To examine requests for authority to change a controlling interest in the ownership of a space station or earth station licensee.
• To assist the Commission in considering whether its rules require modification to accommodate the changing market.
• To ensure that licensees comply with all Commission rules and the terms and conditions of their licenses.
3. Technological collection techniques. Applicants are required to complete and file the “Application for Satellite Space and Earth Station Authorizations” (FCC Form 312, including associated Schedules A, B, or S where appropriate), FCC Form 312 EZ, or FCC Form 312-R with the Commission electronically via the International Bureau Filing System (IBFS). Applicants seeking to assign an authorization, or to transfer control of an authorization holder, must complete FCC Form 312, Schedule A. Earth station applicants must complete Form 312, Schedule B. Space station applicants must complete Form 312, Schedule S.
In addition, applicants are required to file narrative information that describes how they have met or will meet certain requirements. For example, applicants file narratives to describe what measures they have undertaken and will undertake to mitigate the creation of orbital debris. The majority of this narrative information can be filed electronically in ICFS.
In December 2006, the Commission received approval for mandatory electronic filing of surrenders of authorizations under Part 25. In September 2007, the OMB approved mandatory electronic filing of consummations of assignments and transfers of control of licenses for all satellite services. A total of 100% of that collection involves the use of electronic collection techniques. Consequently, 100% of the information provided under those rules can be submitted electronically.
4. Efforts to identify duplication. The Commission does not impose similar information collection requirements on the respondents.
5. Impact on small entities. In conformance with the PRA, the Commission is making an effort to minimize the burden on all respondents, regardless of size. The Commission has endeavored to limit the information collection requirements to those that are necessary to evaluate and process an application, to deter possible abuses of the licensing process, and otherwise to fulfill the Commission’s statutory obligations. The Commission has assessed the effects of the rules on small entities and has determined that the reduced regulatory burdens to facilitate licensing processes are unlikely to have any cost increase impact on small entities and instead may result in a decrease in cost due to lower burdens and fewer filings.
6. Consequences if information is not collected. If the various data in this collection were collected less frequently or not filed in accordance with our rules, then, among other harms:
• The Commission would not be able to carry out its mandate to determine that grant of an application is in the public interest, as required by statute.
• The Commission would not be able to ensure that licensees are operating in accordance with Commission rules.
• The Commission would not be able to determine whether a satellite system could operate without causing harmful interference to stations in other services.
• The Commission would not be able to advance its goals of managing spectrum efficiently and promoting broadband technologies to benefit American consumers throughout the United States.
• The Commission would not be able to mitigate the potential harmful effects of orbital debris accumulation. Without such information collection requirements, the growth in the orbital debris population may limit the usefulness of space for communications and other uses in the future by raising the costs and lowering the reliability of space-based systems.
• The Commission would not have essential information to determine whether approval of a change in a controlling interest in the ownership of a license serves the public interest, as required by statute.
7. Special circumstances. This information collection will be conducted in a manner that is consistent with the guidelines in 5 CFR § 1320.5.
8. Federal Register notice; efforts to consult with persons outside the Commission. The Commission initiated a 60-day public comment period which was published in the Federal Register on September 10, 2026 (91 FR 57594). No comments were received as a result of the notice. A copy of the Federal Register Notice is referenced in this submission to the OMB.
9. Payments or gifts to respondents. No payment or gift will be given to respondents in connection with these information collection requirements.
10. Assurances of confidentiality. Certain information collected regarding international coordination of satellite systems is not routinely available for public inspection pursuant to 5 U.S.C. § 552(b) and 47 C.F.R. § 0.457(d)(vii). Personally identifiable information (PII) such as names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, or citizenship, ownership, or financial information that is relevant to a filing will be collected and maintained in accordance with the FCC/IB-1, International Bureau Filing System,2 system of records notice (SORN). A Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) has also been performed for both of these systems. The SORN and the PIA are both posted at https://www.fcc.gov/managing-director/privacy-transparency/privacy-act-information.
11. Questions of a sensitive nature. This information collection does not address any matters of a private or sensitive nature. Nonetheless, in instances where applicants or licensees provide personally identifiable information (PII), the Commission has the FCC/IB-1, International Bureau Filing System, SORN.
12. Estimates of the hour burden of the collection to respondents. The following represents the frequency of response,3 time per response, total annual burden hours, and an explanation for the estimated respondents and responses to this information collection. To provide these estimates, we reviewed filings with the Commission over the past several years and also estimated how many applications we are likely to receive under different categories, and made some updates to the prior estimates.
I. Applications for Initial Licenses or Registrations and Requests for U.S. Market Access
A. Space Stations (Form 312, Schedule S)
1. General requirements (47 CFR §§ 25.110, 25.111(b) or (c), (d), 25.114(a)-(c), (d)(1)-(6), (d)(14); see also 47 CFR § 0.457(d)(1)(vii)(C))
Number of respondents: 129 applications per year for U.S. space station licenses including both NGSO and GSO.
Number of responses: 129.
Frequency of response: One time.
Annual hour burden: The total annual burden is 7,869 hours (129 responses x 61 hours/response4 = 7,869 hours).
2. Additional Service-Specific Requirements
a. Geostationary-Satellite Orbit (GSO) Fixed-Satellite Service (FSS) Applications (47 CFR § 25.140(a))
Number of respondents: 57.
Number of responses: 57.
Frequency of response: One time.
Annual hour burden: The total annual hour burden is 114 hours (57 responses x 2 hours/response = 114 hours).
b. NGSO FSS Applications (47 CFR §§ 25.114(d)(12), 25.146)
Number of respondents: 67.
Number of responses: 67.
Frequency of response: One time and on occasion.
Annual hour burden: The total annual hour burden is 268 hours (67 responses x 4 hours/persons = 268 hours).
c. Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) Applications (47 CFR §§ 25.114(d)(11), (13), (18), 25.148)
Number of respondents: 1.
Number of responses: 1.
Frequency of response: One time.
Annual hour burden: The total annual hour burden is 9 hours (1 responses x 9 hours/response = 9 hours).
d. 17/24 GHz Broadcasting-Satellite Service (BSS) Applications (47 CFR §§ 25.114(d)(7), (15)-(18), 25.140(a), (b), (c), 25.203(3), 25.264)
Number of respondents: 2.
Number of responses: 2.
Frequency of response: One time.
Annual hour burden: The total annual hour burden is 156 hours (2 responses x 78 hours/response = 156 hours).
e. 17 GHz GSO FSS Applications (47 CFR §§ 25.114(d)(7), (15), (18), 25.140(a)(2), (3)(iii), (4), (5), (7), (d), 25.203(3), 25.264)
Number of respondents: 2.
Number of responses: 2.
Frequency of response: One time.
Annual hour burden: The total annual hour burden is 156 hours (2 responses x 78 hours/response = 156 hours).
f. SDARS Applications (47 CFR § 25.144(a))
Number of respondents: 2.
Number of responses: 2.
Frequency of response: One time.
Annual hour burden: The total annual hour burden is 2 hour (2 response x 1 hour/response = 2 hour).
g. GSO MSS Applications (47 CFR § 25.143(b))
Number of respondents: 1.
Number of responses: 1.
Frequency of response: One time.
Annual hour burden: The total annual hour burden is 4 hours (1 response x 4 hours/response = 4 hours).
h. NGSO MSS Applications (47 CFR §§ 25.142(a), (b)(2)(ii), 25.143(b), 25.250(b), 25.279)
Number of respondents: 4.
Number of responses: 4.
Frequency of response: One time.
Annual hour burden: The total annual hour burden is 24 hours (4 responses x 6 hours/response = 24 hours).
i. Ancillary Terrestrial Component (ATC) Applications (47 CFR §§ 25.149, 25.253, 25.254)
Number of respondents: 1.
Number of responses: 1.
Frequency of response: One time.
Annual hour burden: The total annual hour burden is 50 hours (1 response x 50 hours/response = 50 hours).
3. Request for Filing of Advance Publication Information (Letter, 47 CFR § 25.111(e); see also 47 CFR § 0.457(d)(1)(vii)(C))
Number of respondents: 1.
Number of responses: 1.
Frequency of response: One time.
Annual hour burden: The total annual hour burden is 2 hour (1 response x 2 hours/response = 2 hours).
B. Small Satellites or Small Spacecraft (Form 312, Schedule S, 47 CFR § 25.122 or 47 CFR § 25.123)
Number of respondents: 5.
Number of responses: 5.
Frequency of response: One time.
Annual hour burden: The total annual hour burden is 190 hours (5 responses x 38 hours/response = 190 hours).
C. Earth Stations (Form 312, Schedule B)
1. General Requirements (47 CFR §§ 25.110, 25.115(a)(1)(ii), (a)(5)-(10), (b)(1)-(9), 25.209, 25.211, 25.212, 25.218, 25.220, 25.203, 25.204(e)(1))
Number of respondents: 435.
Number of responses: 435.
Frequency of response: One time and Third Party Disclosure in accordance with 47 CFR § 25.203.5
Annual hour burden: The total annual hour burden is 3480 (435 responses x 8 hours/response = 3480 hours).
2. Applications Eligible for Autogrant Licensing (47 CFR § 25.115(a)(2))
Number of respondents: 0.
Number of responses: 0.
Frequency of response: One time.
Annual hour burden: The total annual hour burden is 0 hours
3. Applications Not Eligible for Autogrant Licensing (47 CFR § 25.115(a)(1), (f); see also General Requirements above)
Number of respondents: 435
Number of responses: 435.
Frequency of response: One time.
Annual hour burden: The total annual hour burden is 3480 hours (435 responses x 8 hours/response = 3480 hours).
4. Applications Requesting Market Access for Non-U.S. Licensed Space Stations (Form 312, Schedule S, 47 CFR §§ 25.114, 25.137)
Number of respondents: 10.
Number of responses: 10.
Frequency of response: One time.
Annual hour burden: The total annual hour burden is 80 hours (10 responses x 8 hours/response = 80 hours).
5. Applications to Register Receive-Only Earth Stations (47 CFR § 25.115(b))
Number of respondents: 2.
Number of responses: 2.
Frequency of response: One time.
Annual hour burden: The total annual hour burden is 8 hours (2 responses x 4 hours/response = 8 hours).
6. Additional Application Requirements for Other Types of Earth Stations
a. Blanket Licensed Earth Station Networks in the 3700-4200 MHz and 5925-6425 MHz Bands (47 CFR § 25.115(c)(2)(i))
Number of respondents: 10.
Number of responses: 10.
Frequency of response: One time.
Annual hour burden: The total annual hour burden is 400 hours (10 responses x 40 hours/response = 400 hours).
b. Blanket Licensed Earth Station Networks within the 10.7-20.2 GHz Bands (47 CFR § 25.115(c)(1), (e), (f))
Number of respondents: 50.
Number of responses: 50.
Frequency of response: One time.
Annual hour burden: The total annual burden hours is 1,000 hours (50 responses x 20 hours/response = 1,000 hours).
c. Blanket Licensed Earth Station Networks within the 27.5-30 GHz Bands (47 CFR § 25.115(c)(1), (e), (f))
Number of respondents: 12.
Number of responses: 12.
Frequency of response: One time.
Annual hour burden: The total annual burden hours is 240 hours (12 responses x 20 hours/response = 240 hours).
d. Earth Stations In Motion (ESIM) (47 CFR § 25.228)
1) Earth Stations on Vessels (ESV) (47 CFR § 25.228)
Number of respondents: 6.
Number of responses: 6.
Frequency of response: One time.
Annual hour burden: The total annual hour burden is 300 hours (6 responses x 60 hours/response = 360 hours).
2) Vehicle-Mounted Earth Stations (VMES) (47 CFR § 25.228)
Number of respondents: 6.
Number of responses: 6.
Frequency of response: One time.
Annual hour burden: The total annual hour burden is 360 hours (6 responses x 60 hours/response = 360 hours).
3) Earth Stations aboard Aircraft (ESAA) (47 CFR § 25.228)
Number of respondents: 6.
Number of responses: 6.
Frequency of response: One time.
Annual hour burden: The total annual hour burden is 360 hours (6 responses x 60 hours/response = 360 hours).
e. Temporary-Fixed (47 CFR §§ 25.110, 25.277)
Number of respondents: 115.
Number of responses: 115.
Frequency of response: One time.
Annual hour burden: The total annual hour burden is 920 hours (115 responses x 8 hours/response = 920 hours).
f. MSS (47 CFR §§ 25.115(d), 25.129(c), 25.135, 25.257, 25.258(c))
Number of respondents: 4.
Number of responses: 4.
Frequency of response: One time.
Annual hour burden: The total annual hour burden is 32 hours (4 responses x 8 hours/response = 32 hours).
g. 17/24 GHz BSS (47 CFR § 25.115(g))
Number of respondents: 3.
Number of responses: 3.
Frequency of response: One time.
Annual hour burden: The total annual hour burden is 24 hours (3 responses x 8 hours/response = 24 hours).
h. 12/17 GHz DBS (47 CFR §25.203(m))
Number of respondents: 3.
Number of responses: 3.
Frequency of response: One time.
Annual hour burden: The total annual hour burden is 27 hours (3 responses x 9 hours/response = 27 hours).
i. 17 GHz FSS (47 CFR §25.115)
Number of respondents: 3.
Number of responses: 3.
Frequency of response: One time.
Annual hour burden: The total annual hour burden is 24 hours (3 responses x 8 hours/response = 24 hours).
j. SDARS Terrestrial Repeaters (47 CFR §§ 25.144(e), 25.263(b), (c), 25.403, 25.404; see also FCC 10-82, para. 278)
Number of respondents: 1.
Number of responses: 1.
Frequency of response: One time.
Annual hour burden: The total annual hour burden is 4 hours (1 response x 4 hours/response = 4 hours).
D. Space Stations and Earth Stations (Form 312, Schedules B and S, Schedule B, 47 CFR § 25.124(b))
Number of respondents: 1.
Number of responses: 1.
Frequency of response: One time.
Annual hour burden: The total annual hour burden is 59 hours (1 responses x 59 hours/response = 59 hours).
II. Modifications of Existing Licenses and Market Access Grants (Form 312)
A. Space Station (47 CFR § 25.117)
Number of respondents: 22.
Number of responses: 22.
Frequency of response: On occasion.
Annual hour burden: The total annual hour burden is 352 hours (22 responses x 16 hours/response = 352 hours).
B. Earth Station (47 CFR § 25.117)
Number of respondents: 125.
Number of responses: 125.
Frequency of response: On occasion.
Annual hour burden: The total annual hour burden is 2,500 hours (125 responses x 20 hours/response = 2,500 hours).
III. Amendments of Pending Applications and Petitions (Form 312)
A. Space Station (47 CFR §§ 25.116, 25.137(e))
Number of respondents: 10.
Number of responses. 10.
Frequency of response: On occasion.
Annual hour burden: The total annual hour burden is 55 hours (10 responses x 5.5 hours/response = 55 hours).
B. Earth Station (47 CFR §§ 25.116, 25.137(e))
Number of respondents: 34.
Number of responses: 34.
Frequency of response: On occasion.
Annual hour burden: The total annual hour burden is 136 hours (34 responses x 4 hours/response = 136 hours).
IV. Transfers of Control or Assignments (Form 312 and Schedule A)
A. Transfers of Control (47 CFR §§ 25.119, 25.137(g))
1. Space Station
Number of respondents: 4.
Number of responses: 4.
Frequency of response: On occasion.
Annual hour burden: The total annual hour burden is 36 hours (4 responses x 9 hours/response = 36 hours).
2. Earth Station
Number of respondents: 155.
Number of responses: 155.
Frequency of response: On occasion.
Annual hour burden: The total annual hour burden is 1,395 hours (155 responses x 9 hours/response = 1,395 hours).
B. Assignments (47 CFR §§ 25.119, 25.137(g))
1. Space Station
Number of respondents: 3.
Number of responses: 3.
Frequency of response: One time.
Annual hour burden: The total annual hour burden is 27 hours (3 operators x 9 hours/response = 27 hours).
2. Earth Station
Number of respondents: 81.
Number of responses: 81.
Frequency of response: One time.
Annual hour burden: The total annual hour burden is 729 hours (81 responses x 9 hours/response = 729 hours).
V. Applications for Special Temporary Authority or Special Temporary Access (Form 312) (47 CFR §§ 25.120, 25.137(h))
A. Space Station
Number of respondents: 78.
Number of responses: 78.
Frequency of response: On occasion.
Annual hour burden: The total annual hour burden is 624 hours (78 responses x 8 hours/response = 624 hours).
B. Earth Station
Number of respondents: 753.
Number of responses: 753.
Frequency of response: On occasion.
Annual hour burden: The total annual hour burden is 6,024 hours (753 responses x 8 hours/response = 6,024 hours).
VI. Earth Station License Renewals (FCC Form 312-R) (47 CFR §§ 25.115(b)(7), 25.121(e))
Number of respondents: 268.
Number of responses: 268.
Frequency of response: On occasion.
Annual hour burden: The total annual hour burden is 536 hours (268 operators x 2 hours/response = 536 hours).
VII. Surrenders of Authorizations
A. Space Station
Number of respondents: 1.
Number of responses: 1.
Frequency of response: One time.
Annual hour burden: The total annual hour burden is 1 hour (1 response x 1 hour/response = 1 hour).
B. Earth Station
Number of respondents: 208.
Number of responses: 208.
Frequency of response: One time.
Annual hour burden: The total annual hour burden is 208 hours (208 responses x 1 hour/response = 208 hours).
VIII. Annual Reporting Requirements for Space Station Operators (47 CFR § 25.171)
Number of respondents: 38.
Number of responses: 38.
Frequency of response: Annual.
Annual hour burden: The total annual hour burden is 38 hours (38 responses x 1 hour = 38 hours).
IX. General Notification Requirements
A. Commence Construction at Own Risk (47 CFR §§ 25.113(b) and (f))
Number of respondents: 1.
Number of responses: 1.
Frequency of response: One time.
Annual hour burden: The total annual hour burden is 1 hour (1 response x 1 hour/response = 1 hours).
B. Bringing In-Orbit Spare into Use (47 CFR § 25.113(h))
Number of respondents: 1.
Number of responses: 1.
Frequency of response: On occasion.
Annual hour burden: The total annual hour burden is .5 hours (1 response x .5 hours/response = .5 hours).
C. NGSO Replacement Satellites (47 CFR § 25.113(i))
Number of respondents: 5.
Number of responses: 5.
Frequency of response: On occasion.
Annual hour burden: The total annual hour burden is 10 hours (5 responses x 2 hours/response = 10 hours).
D. Modification of Space Station Operation Not Requiring Prior Authorization (47 CFR § 25.118, (e), (f), (h))
Number of respondents: 26.
Number of responses: 26.
Frequency of response: On occasion.
Annual hour burden: The total annual hour burden is 52 hours (26 responses x 2 hours/response = 52 hours).
E. Modifications of Earth Station Operation Not Requiring Prior Authorization (47 CFR § 25.118(a), (b))
Number of respondents: 45.
Number of responses: 45.
Frequency of response: On occasion.
Annual hour burden: The total annual hour burden is 360 hours (45 responses x 8 hours/response = 360 hours).
F. Temporary-Fixed Operation Local Coordination Reports (47 CFR § 25.277(c))
Number of respondents: 100.
Number of responses: 100.
Frequency of response: On occasion.
Annual hour burden: The total annual hour burden is 800 hours (100 responses x 8 hours/response = 800 hours).
G. Completion of Earth Station Construction (47 CFR §§ 25.133(b) and (d))
Number of respondents: 250.
Number of responses: 250.
Frequency of response: One time.
Annual hour burden: The total annual hour burden is 250 hours (250 responses x 1 hour/response = 250 hours).
H. ATC Service Initiation Notice (47 CFR § 25.149(f))
Number of respondents: 1.
Number of responses: 1.
Frequency of response: One time.
Annual hour burden: The total annual hour burden is 1 hour (1 response x 1 hour/response = 1 hour).
I. Ka-Band Space Station Operators’ Notification (47 CFR § 25.258; see also FCC 96-311)
Number of respondents: 6.
Number of responses: 6.
Frequency of response: Third party disclosure.
Annual hour burden: The total annual hour burden is 6 hours (6 responses x 1 hour/response = 6 hours).
J. Consummation of Transfer and Control or Assignment (47 CFR § 25.119(f))
Number of respondents: 365.
Number of responses: 365.
Frequency of response: One time.
Annual hour burden: The total annual hour burden is 365 hours (365 responses x 1 hour/response = 365 hours).
K. Results of In-Orbit Testing (47 CFR § 25.173)
Number of respondents: 5.
Number of responses: 5.
Frequency of response: One time.
Annual hour burden: The total annual hour burden is 5 hours (5 responses x 1 hour/response = 5 hours).
L. Contact Information Update (47 CFR §§ 25.171, 25.172, 25.259(b), 25.260(b), 25.271(f))
Number of respondents: 25.
Number of responses: 25.
Frequency of response: On occasion.
Annual hour burden: The total annual hour burden is 12.5 hours (25 responses x .5 hour/response = 12.5 hours).
M. Notification of Non-Routine Space Station Operation (47 CFR § 25.140(d))
Number of respondents: 6.
Number of responses: 6.
Frequency of response: On occasion.
Annual hour burden: The total annual hour burden is 12 hours (6 responses x 2 hours/response = 12 hours).
N. Third Party Disclosures Requirements
1. SDARS (47 CFR § 25.263(b))
Number of respondents: 1.
Number of responses: 25.
Frequency of response: Third party disclosure.
Annual hour burden: The total annual hour burden is 25 hours (1 respondent x 25 responses x 1 hour/response = 25 hours).
2. ATC (47 CFR § 25.149)
Number of respondents: 1.
Number of responses: 25.
Frequency of response: Third party disclosure.
Annual hour burden: The total annual hour burden is 25 hours (1 respondent x 25 responses x 1 hour/response = 25 hours).
3. ESIM (47 CFR § 25.228)
a. ESV (47 CFR § 25.228(e))
Number of respondents: 5.
Number of responses: 5.
Frequency of response: Third party disclosure.
Annual hour burden: The total annual hour burden is 5 hours (5 responses x 1 hour/response = 5 hours).
b. VMES (47 CFR § 25.228(f))
Number of respondents: 4.
Number of responses: 4.
Frequency of response: Third party disclosure.
Annual hour burden: The total annual hour burden is 4 hours (4 responses x 1 hour/response = 4 hours).
c. ESAA (47 CFR § 25.228(g))
Number of respondents: 10.
Number of responses: 10.
Frequency of response: Third party disclosure.
Annual hour burden: The total annual hour burden is 10 hours (10 responses x 1 hour/response = 10 hours).
4. 17/24 GHz DBS (47 CFR § 25.203(m))
Number of respondents: 3.
Number of responses: 3.
Frequency of responses: Once.
Annual hour burden: The total annual hour burden is 36 hours (3 responses x 12 hours = 36 hours).
X. Milestones and Bonds
A. GSO Launch and Operate Milestone (47 CFR § 25.164(f))
Number of respondents: 4.
Number of responses: 4.
Frequency of response: One time.
Annual hour burden: The total annual hour burden is 4 hours (4 responses x 1 hour/response = 4 hours).
B. NGSO Launch and Operate Milestone (47 CFR § 25.164(f))
Number of respondents: 4.
Number of responses: 8.
Frequency of response: Two times.
Annual hour burden: The total annual hour burden is 8 hours (8 response x 1 hour/response = 8 hours).
C. Application-Stage Bond (47 CFR § 25.165(f))
Number of respondents: 1.
Number of responses: 1.
Frequency of response: One time.
Annual hour burden: The total annual hour burden is 2 hours (1 response x 2 hours/response = 2 hours).
D. Post-Licensing Bond (47 CFR § 25.165(a))
Number of respondents: 4.
Number of responses: 4.
Frequency of response: On occasion.
Annual hour burden: The total annual hour burden is 8 hours (4 responses x 2 hours/response = 8 hours).
XI. Global Mobile Personal Communications by Satellite/E911 Call Centers (47 CFR § 9.18)6
Number of respondents: 4.
Number of responses: 4.
Frequency of response: Annual.
Annual hour burden: The total annual hour burden is 4 hours (4 responses x 1 hour/response = 4 hours).
XII. Recordkeeping Requirement (47 CFR §§ 25.115 (f), (g)(1), 25.263(c),)
Number of respondents: 1.
Number of responses: 1.
Frequency of response: Recordkeeping requirement.
Annual hour burden: The total annual hour burden is .5 hours (1 response x .5 hours = .5 hours).
XIII. 3.7-4.2 GHz Information Collection Order (FCC 18-91)
A. Additional Information on Temporary Fixed Earth Stations in 3.7-4.2 GHz (FCC 18-91)
Number of respondents: 70.
Number of responses: 70.
Frequency of response: One time.
Annual hour burden: The total annual hour burden is 420 hours (70 responses x 6 hours/response = 420 hours).
B. Additional Information on Space Stations in 3.7-4.2 GHz (FCC 18-91)
Number of respondents: 49.7
Number of responses: 49.
Frequency of response: One time.
Annual hour burden: The total annual hour burden is 1,960 hours (49 responses x 40 hours/response = 1,960 hours).
XIV. Supplemental Coverage from Space (FCC 24-28) Additional Requirements (47 CFR
§ 25.125(b)(1)-(2), 25.125(c))
Number of respondents: 10
Number of responses: 10.
Frequency of response: One time.
Annual hour burden: The total annual hour burden is 100 hours (10 responses x 10 hours/response = 100 hours).
XV. NGSO-NGSO Compatibility Showings and Certifications (47 CFR § 25.261(d))
Number of respondents: 6.
Number of responses: 6.
Frequency of response: One time and on occasion.
Annual hour burden: The total annual hour burden is 192 hours (6 responses x 32 hours/response = 192 hours).
XVI. NGSO-GSO Compatibility Showings and Certifications (47 CFR § 25.146(a)(3), 25.289(a)(2))
Number of respondents: 6.
Number of responses: 6.
Frequency of response: One time and on occasion.
Annual hour burden: The total annual hour burden is 192 hours (6 responses x 32 hours/response = 192 hours).
XVII. TOTALS (COMPLETE)
Total number of respondents: 4,171
Total number of responses: 4,223
Range of hours per response: 0.5-78
Total number of burden hours: 37,129
In-house Cost: In-house staff who will be working on the information collection requirements contained in the chart above are estimated to have an hourly salary of $60/hour. The total overall in-house cost to respondents is $2,227,740 (37,129 total burden hours x $60/hour = $2,227,740).
13. Estimates of the cost burden of the collection to respondents.
Outside Cost: Respondents are assumed to use outside legal or engineering assistance to complete their filing with the Commission. This is because, in addition to their in-house legal and engineering staffs, space station and earth station operators often rely on outside attorneys and engineers to assist with some of the information collection requirements in part 25. We estimate that the hourly rates for outside legal and engineering assistance are $300/hour and $250/hour, respectively. These figures are based on a small survey of local firms in the Washington, D.C. area and are conservative estimates. Because outside attorneys and engineers are used in approximately equal proportions, we use an average rate of $275/hour to arrive at the cost burden for outside assistance. The amount of hourly work performed by outside parties varies with the type and complexity of the application. Based on our experience, we estimate that operators will engage outside attorneys and engineers in preparing 1,266 of the total number of responses filed annually, with an average of 9.3 hours spent per response. Consequently, the total cost burden for outside assistance is $3,237,850. (1,266 responses x 9.3 hours per response = 11,774 burden hours. 11,774 burden hours x $275/hour = $3,237,850.)
Application Filing Fees: $3,921,187.60. This estimate is based on actual Commission filings over the past several years, as well as the estimates supplied in this statement.
Total Annualized Cost:
Total Costs to the Industry
Totals
Estimated Application Filing Fees
$3,921,190
Estimated Cost of Outside Legal/Engineering Assistance
$3,237,850
Total Cost to Respondents
$7,159,040
14. Estimate of Annualized Cost to the Federal Government.
The estimate of annualized cost to the Federal government is summarized in the chart below.
As shown in the chart, the annualized costs to the Federal government are $2,617,157.60.
The chart contains total staff salaries, burden hours, and annualized costs.
Federal Government Staff
Number of Staff
Salary Per Hour + Benefits
Annual Burden Hours
Annualized Costs
GS-12/Step 5 Analyst
2
$55.62
2,080
$231,601.68
GS-14/Step 5 Engineer
6
$78.15
2,080
$975,312.00
GS-15/Step 5 Engineer
4
$91.93
686
$252,255.92
GS-11/Step 5 Attorney
1
$46.40
1,560
$72,384.00
GS-13/Step 5 Attorney
1
$66.14
1,560
$103,178.40
GS-14/Step 5 Attorney
1
$78.15
1,560
$121,960.80
GS-15/Step 5 Attorney
6
$91.93
1,560
$860,464.80
Total
21
$2,617,157.60
15. Program changes or adjustments. The Commission is reporting program changes to this information collection. Specifically, information collections requiring applicants to maintain a physical hard copy of their electronically filed application, earth station operators to file a modification application for certain changes, NGSO space station operators to file a modification application for certain changes, and GSO satellites to file for special temporary authority for relocation during drift, are no longer being collected due to changes adopted in the Streamlining Second Report and Order. Therefore, the program changes/increases are as follows: 379 to the number of respondents, 379 to the annual number of responses, 8,369 to the annual burden hours and $938,575 to the annual cost.
The Commission is reporting also adjustments to this information collection which are due to trends that Commission staff have been seeing in the past year since the industry is changing/growing so rapidly. These adjustments/increases are as follows: 253 to the number of respondents, 253 to the annual number of responses, 1,012 to the annual burden hours and $2,066,196 to the annual cost.
16. Collections of information whose results will be published. The data will not be published for statistical use.
17. Display of expiration date for OMB approval of information collection. The Commission continues to seek a waiver of the requirement to display the expiration date of OMB approval on the FCC Form 312 (including associated Schedules A, B, and S) and FCC Form 312-R and wish to instead display an edition date. If these forms remain unchanged when it is time to renew OMB approval for this collection, the Commission would be required to destroy all stock on hand displaying the old expiration dates and then reprint and redistribute the forms with the new expiration date. Additionally, it would require the Commission to modify the electronic versions as well. This would be an undue burden on Commission resources and may lead to confusion among licensees.
18. Exceptions to the certification statement for Paperwork Reduction Act submissions. There are no exceptions to the certification statement.
B. Collections of Information Employing Statistical Methods
No statistical methods are employed.
APPENDIX A
Application Costs (in Dollars)8
Type of Filing
No. of Applications
Filing Fee9
Subtotals
Totals
I. Applications for Initial Licenses
a. Space Stations
GSO
57
4,175
237,975
NGSO
67
17,670
1,183,890
Small Satellite
5
2,555
12,775
1,434,640
b. Earth Stations:
Fixed or Temporary Fixed Transmit or Transmit/Receive Earth Stations
Initial application, Single site
425
Initial Application, Multiple sites
7,650
(average earth station application fee)
435
4,038
1,756,313
Receive Only Earth Stations
Single
205
Multiple
520
Blanket
425
(average earth station application fee)
2
383.3
767
Mobile Earth Station Blanket Authorization (ESIMs total)
58
955
55,390
II. Modifications of Existing Licenses
a. Space Station
22
2,930
64,460
b. Earth Station
125
610
76,250
III. Amendments of Pending Applications
a. Space Station
10
1,900
19,000
b. Earth Station
Single Site
505
Multiple Site
705
(average earth station application fee)
34
605
20,570
IV. Transfers of Control and Assignments
A. Transfers of Control (T/C)
a. Space Station
First call sign
830
Additional call signs (each)
445
(average space station T/C fee)
4
636.50
2,546
b. Earth Station
First call sign
830
Additional call signs (each)
445
(average earth station T/C fee)
155
637.50
98,813
B. Assignments
a. Space Station
First call sign
875
Additional call signs (each)
470
(average space station assignment fee)
3
672.50
2,018
b. Earth Station
First call sign
875
Additional call signs (each)
470
(average earth station assignment fee)
81
672.5
54,473
V. Applications for Special Temporary Authority
a. Space Station
78
1,685
131,430
b. Earth Station
753
220
165,660
VI. Earth Station License Renewals
Single Site
130
Multiple Sites
160
Average Earth Station Fee
268
145
38,860
TOTALS
3,921,190