Agency information collection activities: Proposed collection; comment request,

[Federal Register: February 16, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 30)]

[Notices]

[Page 7642-7643]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr16fe99-65]

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

Notice of Public Information Collection(s) being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission

February 5, 1999.

SUMMARY: The Federal Communications Commission, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burden invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following information collection(s), as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid control number. No person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) that does not display a valid control number. Comments are requested concerning (a) whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Commission, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Commission's burden estimate; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

DATES: Written comments should be submitted on or before April 19, 1999. If you anticipate that you will be submitting comments, but find it difficult to do so within the period of time allowed by this notice, you should advise the contact listed below as soon as possible.

ADDRESSES: Direct all comments to Judy Boley, Federal Communications Commission, Room 1-C804, 445 12th Street, SW, DC 20554 or via the Internet to jboley@fcc.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information or copies of the information collection(s), contact Judy Boley at 202-418-0214 or via the Internet at jboley@fcc.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

OMB Control No.: 3060-0866.

Title: Year 2000 Assessments.

Form No.: N/A.

Type of Review: Extension of currently approved collection.

Respondents: Business or other for-profit, not-for-profit institutions.

Number of Respondents: 2,000 total respondents.

Estimated Time Per Response: 20-40 hours.

Frequency of Response: One time and occasional reporting requirements.

Total Annual Burden: 99,000 total hours for all respondents.

Total Annual Cost: N/A.

Needs and Uses: Many computer software programs used throughout the world were not designed to take into account the date change that will occur when we enter the year 2000. Computer and technology experts are uncertain as to the likely total effect of the disruptions this may cause. Because all sectors of the global economy rely on telecommunications networks, it is critical that the telecommunications industry take comprehensive and effective action to address Year 2000

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issues. Government and industry must work together to ensure that whatever disruptions occur do not lead to outages and failures throughout the nation's networks.

The information will be used to better inform the FCC as to the progress that telecommunications providers, broadcasters, cable operators, and major telecommunications equipment manufacturers are making to correct problems posed by the Year 2000 issues, and to determine if the remedial measures taken by industry are sufficient to avert significant network outages. The public must be assured that the telecommunications industry is taking sufficient steps to meet the challenges presented by the Year 2000. In addition, the Commission may choose to share some or all of the information with the Network Reliability and Ineroperability Council for the purpose of developing an assessment of industry preparedness, in a format that will not identify individual respondents.

Federal Communications Commission. Magalie Roman Salas, Secretary.

[FR Doc. 99-3572Filed2-12-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6712-01-P