FCC Form 2100, Schedule 349 is used to apply for authority to construct a new FM translator or FM booster broadcast station, or to make changes in existing facilities. FCC staff use the data to ensure that applicant meets basic statutory requirements and will not cause interference to other licensed broadcast services.
On May 9, 2019, the Commission adopted a Report and Order, Amendment of Part 74 of the Commission’s Rules Regarding FM Translator Interference, FCC 19-40, MB Docket No. 18-119, adopting proposals to streamline the rules relating to interference caused by FM translators and to expedite the translator interference complaint resolution process. These measures are designed to limit or avoid protracted and contentious interference disputes, provide translator licensees additional investment certainty and flexibility to remediate interference, and provide affected stations earlier and expedited resolution of interference complaints.
In the Report and Order, the Commission adopted its proposal to offer additional flexibility to FM translator licensees, by allowing them to resolve interference issues using the effective and low-cost method of submitting a minor modification application to change frequency to any available same-band FM channel. This method will reduce the number of opposition pleadings filed and the obligation to defend an interference claim.
Specifically, the FM Translator Interference Report and Order pertains to this Information Collection as it modifies Section 74.1233(a)(1) of the rules to define an FM translator station’s change to any available same-band frequency using a minor modification application, filed using FCC Form 2100, Schedule 349, upon a showing of interference to or from any other broadcast station. Prior to the FM Translator Interference Report and Order, if an existing FM translator caused actual interference, as prohibited by Section 74.1203(a), it was limited to remedial channel changes, filing FCC Form 2100, Schedule 349 as a minor change application, to only first, second, or third adjacent, or IF channels. A change to any other channel was considered a major change on FCC Form 2100, Schedule 349, which could only be submitted during a filing window. The FM Translator Interference Report and Order enables more translator stations to cure interference by simply changing channels within the same band by filing Form 2100, Schedule 349 as a minor change application, rather than other costlier and less efficient remedies.
With this submission, the Commission is currently seeking to obtain OMB approval for the revision to Section 74.1233(a)(1) of the rules. This revision will modify the number of respondents, number of responses, annual burden hours, and annual costs for this collection.
There are information collection requirements changes to this collection contained in FCC 19-40. The following figures are program changes to this collection: +150 to the number of respondents, +375 to the number of responses, -725 to the annual burden hours and -$723,875 to the annual cost.
There are no adjustments to this collection.
$416,028
No
No
No
No
No
No
Uncollected
Lisa Scalan 202 418-2700
No
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.