[Federal Register: July 30, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 146)]
[Notices]               
[Page 41428]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr30jy99-85]                         

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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

 
Notice of Public Information Collection(s) Submitted to OMB for 
Review and Approval

July 23, 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 August 30, 
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, Washington, 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 Number: 3060-0854.
    Title: Truth-in-Billing Format--CC Docket No. 98-170.
    Form Number: N/A.
    Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 3,099.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 1 to 80 hours.
    Frequency of Response: On occasion reporting requirement, third 
party disclosure requirement.
    Total Annual Burden: 194,388 hours.
    Total Annual Cost: $1,800,000-$9,000,000.
    Needs and Uses: This is a resubmission of the information 
collection requirements contained in CC Docket 98-170, Truth-in-Billing 
and Billing Format Order. On July 2, 1999, the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) disapproved both the collection itself and the 
Commission's request for emergency approval. The Commission has 
addressed the concerns expressed by OMB in a separate cover letter 
accompanying the request for OMB approval.
    Increasingly, consumers are concerned about telephone bills that do 
not provide sufficient information in a user-friendly format to enable 
them to understand the services being provided and the charges 
assessed, and to identify the entities providing those services. Lack 
of clarity in telephone bills has been a significant contributing 
factor in the growth of telecommunications-related fraud such as 
slamming (unauthorized changes in a consumer's telecommunications 
carrier) and cramming (unauthorized charges appearing on a consumer's 
telephone bill).
    In the attached First Report and Order (Order), the Commission is 
effecting the following collections of information to ensure that 
telephone bills contain the information necessary for consumers to 
determine the validity of charges assessed on the bills and to combat 
telecommunications fraud. They are as follows: (a) Clear identification 
of service providers; (b) separation of charges by service provider and 
highlighting new service provider information; (c) full and non-
misleading billed charges; and (d) clear and conspicuous disclosure of 
inquiry contacts.
    The information will be used by consumers to help them understand 
their telephone bills.
    Consumers need this information to protect themselves against fraud 
and to resolve billing disputes on their own.

Federal Communications Commission.
William F. Caton,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 99-19474 Filed 7-29-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P