PUBLIC NOTICE Federal Communications Commission 445 12th St., S.W. Washington, D.C. 20554 News Media Information 202 / 418-0500 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov TTY: 1-888-835-5322 DA 07-2426 Released: June 8, 2007 CONSUMER ADVISORY COMMITTEE: ANNOUNCEMENT OF RECHARTERING, APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS, AND FIRST MEETING Committee to Focus on Matters Pertaining to the Digital Television Transition The Federal Communications Commission (“Commission”) announces the re-chartering, appointment of members, and 1st calendar year 2007 meeting of its Consumer Advisory Committee (“Committee”), a federal advisory committee that addresses consumer issues within the jurisdiction of the Commission. The Chairperson of the Committee is also designated. FUNCTIONS Digital Transition. A principal focus of the Committee will be the digital television transition as the Commission continues its efforts to assist consumers in understanding and preparing for the transition which, by law, must be completed by February 17, 2009. Through its work, the Committee will provide valuable insights that should further the Commission’s goal of ensuring that all consumers, especially the elderly, low-income, non-English speaking consumers and people with disabilities, are aware of the transition and understand what specific steps, if any, they must take to continue watching television after the transition is complete on February 17, 2009. We expect that the Committee will provide the Commission with specific recommendations on how the Commission can best ensure a smooth transition. Other Topics. In addition to digital television, other topics to be addressed by the Committee will include, but are not limited to, the following areas: · Consumer protection and education (e.g., cramming, slamming, consumer friendly billing, detariffing, bundling of services, Lifeline/Linkup programs, customer service, privacy, telemarketing abuses, and outreach to underserved populations, such as Native Americans and persons living in rural areas). · Access by people with disabilities (e.g., telecommunications relay services, video description, closed captioning, accessible billing and access to telecommunications products and services). · Impact upon consumers of new and emerging technologies (e.g., availability of broadband, digital television, cable, satellite, low power FM, and the convergence of these and emerging technologies). 2 The Committee is organized under, and will operate in accordance with, the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App. 2 (1988). Each meeting of the Committee will be open to the public. A notice of each meeting will be published in the Federal Register at least fifteen (15) days in advance of the meeting. Records will be maintained of each meeting and made available for public inspection. During calendar year 2007, it is anticipated that the Committee will meet in Washington, D.C. for two (2) one-day meetings. As described below, the first meeting will be held on August 10, 2007. In addition, as needed, working groups or subcommittees will be established to facilitate the Committee’s work between meetings of the full Committee. Meetings will be fully accessible to individuals with disabilities. Members must be willing to commit to a two-year term of service, should be willing and able to attend up to three (3) one-day plenary committee meetings per year, and are also expected to participate in deliberations of at least one working group or subcommittee. MISSION The Commission established the Committee in November 2000 for the purpose of making recommendations regarding consumer issues within the jurisdiction of the Commission and to facilitate the participation of consumers (including people with disabilities and underserved populations, such as American Indians and persons living in rural areas) in proceedings before the Commission. (See Public Notice released November 30, 2000 as published in the Federal Register, 65 FR 76265, on December 6, 2000). The Committee was renewed for a 3rd two-year term on November 17, 2006. APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS By this Public Notice, the Commission appoints 26 members to its Consumer Advisory Committee. Of this number, 10 represent interests of consumers, minorities, and low income communities; 5 represent disabilities communities; 6 represent the interest of state, local, and Native American interests, and, 5 represent industry interests. The Committee’s slate is designed to be representative of the Commission’s many constituencies, and the diversity selected will provide a balanced point of view as required by the Federal Advisory Committee Act. All appointments are effective immediately and shall terminate November 17, 2008 or when the Committee is terminated, whichever is earlier. The roster as appointed by Chairman Kevin J. Martin is as follows: Ms. Debra Berlyn, representing the Digital Television Transition Coalition is hereby appointed as chairperson of the Committee. Other members by organization and primary representative name include: 3 AARP - Jo Reed Alaska State Department of Law - Lew Craig Alliance for Community Media – Gloria Tristani Appalachian Regional Commission - Harry L. Roesch Cablevision - Dodie Tschirch Call For Action - Shirley Rooker Communication Service for the Deaf - Karen Peltz Strauss Communications Workers of America - Jeffrey Rechenbach Consumer Action - Ken McEldowney Consumer Electronics Association - Julie Kearney Consumer Federation of America – Representative to be Designated Consumers Union - Gene Kimmelman Deaf and Hard of Hearing Consumer Advocacy Network - Claude Stout Digital Television Transition Coalition -Debra Berlyn, Chairperson Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians – Brandon Stephens EchoStar Communications Corporation - Lori Kalani Hawaii State Public Utilities Commission - John Cole Hearing Loss Association of America – Janis Schacter League of United Latin American Citizens - Eduardo Pena, Jr. National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners - Nixyvette Santini National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates - Brenda Pennington Northern VA Resource Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons -Cheryl Heppner Parents Television Council - Dan Isett Southern Growth Policies Board - Jim Clinton The Seeing Eye, Inc. - Jay Stiteley Verizon Communications, Inc. - Richard T. Ellis MEETING DATES The first meeting of the renewed Committee will take place on Friday, August 10, 2007, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Commission’s Headquarters Building, Room TW-C305, 445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20554. Future meetings of the Committee during calendar year 2007 will be announced in a Public Notice published in the Federal Register at least fifteen (15) days in advance of the meetings. At its August 10, 2007 meeting, the Committee will address matters of internal business and organization, including the establishment of working groups, and will consider various consumer issues within the jurisdiction of the Commission. Meetings are open to the public and are broadcast on the Internet in Real Audio/Real Video format with captioning at www.fcc.gov/cgb/cac. Members of the public may address the Committee or may send written comments to: Scott Marshall, Designated Federal Officer of the Committee, at the address noted below. The meeting site is accessible to people with disabilities. Meetings are sign language interpreted 4 with real-time transcription and assistive listening devices available. Meeting agendas and handout materials are provided in accessible formats ACCESIBLE FORMATS To request materials in accessible formats for people with disabilities (Braille, large print, electronic files, audio format), send an e-mail to fcc504@fcc.gov or call the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202-418-0530 (voice), 202-418-0432 (TTY). For further information contact: Scott Marshall, Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, Room 3A633, 445 12th Street, S.W. Washington, DC 20554. Phone: 202-418-2809 (voice) or 202-418-0179 (TTY). Email: scott.marshall@fcc.gov. - FCC -