Organization, functions, and authority delegations: Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Chief,

[Federal Register: January 5, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 3)]

[Rules and Regulations]

[Page 374-375]

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

[DOCID:fr05ja00-10]

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR Part 0

[FCC 99-373]

Delegate Authority to the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Concerning Procedures for Assigning Domestic Maritime Mobile Service Identities (MMSIs)

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: This document delegates authority to the Chief, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau to enter into written agreements on a nondiscriminatory basis with qualified entities who desire to issue domestic MMSIs. The Commission takes this action to reduce unnecessary administrative burdens and processing delays for both the maritime community and the Commission.

DATES: Effective February 4, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Shaffer of the Commission's Wireless Telecommunications Bureau at (202) 418-0680.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

1. This is a summary of the Commission's Order FCC 99-373, adopted on November 24, 1999, and released on December 15, 1999. The full text of this Order is available for inspection and copying during normal business hours in the FCC Reference Center, Room CY A257, 445 12th Street, SW, Washington, DC. The complete text may be purchased from the Commission's copy contractor, International Transcription Service, Inc., 1231 20th Street, NW Washington, DC 20037.

2. On March 6, 1997, we released a Public Notice stating that we were considering revising the procedures governing the assignment of maritime mobile service identities (MMSIs). We stated that we were considering privatizing the issuance of MMSIs by providing blocks of numbers to qualified entities for distribution to ship vessel operators. By this Public Notice, we invited qualified parties to express their interest in participating in distributing MMSIs to ship vessel operators.

3. Our objective was to establish a procedure whereby certain private sector entities would (1) issue an MMSI to any U.S. vessel operator; (2) collect and store information in an electronic database about each vessel issued an MMSI; and, (3) provide database access

   [[Page 375]]

   to the U.S. Coast Guard. We stated that technical details for this procedure (e.g., where the MMSI database will reside, and how to ensure database access for all parties) would be developed upon mutual agreement between the participants, the Commission, and the U.S. Coast Guard. We have received letters from seven parties expressing interest in issuing domestic MMSIs and supporting our effort to privatize the procedures for issuing domestic MMSIs. We believe that multiple entities will allow increased options for vessel operators to choose an MMSI and that competition between the entities will help insure reasonable fees.

4. In order to expedite the issuing of domestic MMSIs by private entities, we are amending Sec. 0.331 to delegate authority to the Chief, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau to enter into written agreements on a nondiscriminatory basis with qualified entities who desire to issue domestic MMSIs. The form and general terms of these agreements will be announced at a later date by Public Notice, as well as the names and addresses of entities with whom we have entered into written agreements. This list of entities will be updated and announced by Public Notice as necessary. This delegation of authority will reduce unnecessary administrative burdens and processing delays for both the maritime community and the Commission and allow us to expedite the issuing of domestic MMSIs.

5. Our decision to delegate authority to the Chief, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau is procedural in nature and therefore is not subject to the notice and comment and effective date requirements of the Administrative Procedures Act. See 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(A), (d); Kessler v. FCC, 326 F.2d 673 (D.C. Cir. 1963).

   Ordering Clauses

6. The authority contained in sections 4(i) and 303(r) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. 154(i) and 303(r), part 0 of the Commission's rules IS AMENDED as set forth in the rule changes below, effective upon the adoption date of this Order.

   List of Subjects in 47 CFR Part 0

   Administrative practice and procedure.

   Federal Communications Commisson. Magalie Roman Salas, Secretary.

   Accordingly, Title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 0, is amended as follows:

   PART 0--COMMISSION ORGANIZATION

1. The authority citation for part 0 continues to read as follows:

   Authority: Secs. 5, 48 Stat. 1068, as amended; 47 U.S.C. 155.

2. Section 0.131 paragraph (n) is revised to read as follows:

   Sec. 0.131 Functions of the Bureau.

   * * * * *

   (n) Administers the Commission's commercial radio operator (part 13 of this chapter) and amateur radio programs (part 97 of this chapter) and the program for construction, marking and lighting of antenna structures (part 17 of this chapter) and the issuing maritime mobile service identities (MMSIs). * * * * *

   [FR Doc. 00-176Filed1-4-00; 8:45 am]

   BILLING CODE 6712-01-P