Assessment and Collection of Regulatory Fees for Fiscal Year 2014, 54190-54212 [2014-21561]

Download as PDF 54190 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 176 / Thursday, September 11, 2014 / Rules and Regulations qualify for Commercial Base prices, and at least one of the following: a. Have cumulative volumes of Priority Mail Return Service, First-Class Package Return Service, or Ground Return Service exceeding a combined total of 50,000 return pieces in the previous calendar year. b. Have cumulative returns and outbound Commercial Plus cubic volume exceeding a combined total of 50,000 pieces returned in approved packaging in the previous calendar year. c. Have cumulative returns and outbound volume exceeding a combined total of 50,000 pieces in the previous calendar year. d. Have a signed Commercial Plus returns customer commitment agreement with USPS. e. Have a signed Commercial Plus Critical Mail commitment agreement with USPS. * * * * * Following the expiration of the comment period, the Postal Service will publish its responses to any adverse comments in a subsequent Federal Register notice, together with its determination whether to confirm the interim rule as published, or modify the rule in response to the comments received. Stanley F. Mires, Attorney, Federal Requirements. [FR Doc. 2014–21510 Filed 9–10–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7710–12–P FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 47 CFR Part 1 [MD Docket No. 14–92; MD Docket No. 13– 140; MD Docket No. 12–201; FCC 14–129] Assessment and Collection of Regulatory Fees for Fiscal Year 2014 Federal Communications Commission. ACTION: Final rule. AGENCY: In this document the Commission revises its Schedule of Regulatory Fees to recover an amount of $339,844,000 that Congress has required the Commission to collect for fiscal year 2014. Section 9 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, provides for the annual assessment and collection of regulatory fees for annual ‘‘Mandatory Adjustments’’ and ‘‘Permitted Amendments’’ to the Schedule of Regulatory Fees. DATES: Effective September 11, 2014. To avoid penalties and interest, regulatory tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:02 Sep 10, 2014 Jkt 232001 fees should be paid by the due date of September 23, 2014. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roland Helvajian, Office of Managing Director at (202) 418–0444. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission’s Report and Order (R&O), FCC 14–129, MD Docket No. 14–92; MD Docket No. 13– 140; MD Docket No. 12–201, adopted on August 29, 2014 and released on August 29, 2014. I. Procedural Matters A. Final Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 Analysis 1. This Report and Order does not contain any new or modified information collection requirements subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), Public Law 104–13. In addition, therefore, it does not contain any new or modified information collection burden for small business concerns with fewer than 25 employees, pursuant to the Small Business Paperwork Relief Act of 2002, Public Law 107–198, see 44 U.S.C. 3506 (c) (4). B. Congressional Review Act Analysis 2. The Commission will send a copy of this Report and Order to Congress and the Government Accountability Office pursuant to the Congressional Review Act, see 5 U.S.C 801(a)(1)(A).1 C. Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis 3. As required by the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (‘‘RFA’’),2 the Commission has prepared a Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (‘‘FRFA’’) relating to this Report and Order. The FRFA is set forth in the section entitled Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis. II. Introduction and Executive Summary 4. This Report and Order concludes the rulemaking proceeding initiated to collect $339,844,000 in regulatory fees for Fiscal Year (FY) 2014, pursuant to Section 9 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (the Act or Communications Act).3 These 1 See 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A). The Congressional Review Act is contained in Title II, 251, of the CWAAA; see Public Law 104–121, Title II, 251, 110 Stat. 868. 2 See 5 U.S.C. 603. The RFA, see 5 U.S.C. 601– 612, has been amended by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (‘‘SBREFA’’), Public Law 104–121, Title II, 110 Stat. 847 (1996). The SBREFA was enacted as Title II of the Contract With America Advancement Act of 1996 (‘‘CWAAA’’). 3 Section 9 regulatory fees are mandated by Congress and collected to recover the regulatory costs associated with the Commission’s enforcement, policy and rulemaking, user PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 regulatory fees are due in September 2014. This Report and Order also adopts several proposals from our June 13, 2014 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FY 2014 NPRM).4 Specifically the proposals adopted are: (1) Ending the exemption of AM expanded band licenses from regulatory fees; (2) revising the apportionment between International Bureau licensees to reduce the proportion paid by the submarine cable/terrestrial and satellite bearer circuits by approximately five percent; (3) increasing the regulatory fees paid by earth station licensees by approximately 7.5 percent to more accurately reflect the regulation and oversight of this industry; (4) increasing our annual de minimis threshold from under $10 to $500; (5) eliminating several regulatory fee categories (218– 219 MHz, broadcast auxiliaries, and satellite television construction permits) from regulatory fee requirements; and adopting a regulatory fee for each toll free number managed by a Responsible Organization. The increase in the annual de minimis threshold, the elimination of three regulatory fee categories, and the new toll free category will be effective in FY 2015, following the required notification of Congress. The other provisions adopted in this Report and Order will be in effect for FY 2014 upon publication of a summary of this Report and Order in the Federal Register and are reflected in the fee schedule attached as Appendix C. III. Background 5. The Commission is required by Congress to assess regulatory fees each year in an amount that can reasonably be expected to equal the amount of its appropriation.5 The Commission calculates the fees by first determining the full-time equivalent (FTE) 6 number of employees performing the regulatory activities specified in section 9(a), ‘‘adjusted to take into account factors information, and international activities. 47 U.S.C. 159(a). In FY 2013, the Commission was also required to collect $339,844,000 in regulatory fees. The final collection amount was $10.9 million over this total, which the Commission deposited in the U.S. Treasury. The year-to-date accumulated total is $81.9 million. 4 Assessment and Collection of Regulatory Fees for Fiscal Year 2014, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, and Order, MD Docket Nos. 14–92, 13– 140, and 12–201, 79 FR 37982 (July 3, 2014) (2014) (FY 2014 NPRM). 5 47 U.S.C. 159(b)(1)(B). 6 One FTE, a ‘‘Full Time Equivalent’’ or ‘‘Full Time Employee,’’ is a unit of measure equal to the work performed annually by a full time person (working a 40 hour workweek for a full year) assigned to the particular job, and subject to agency personnel staffing limitations established by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget. E:\FR\FM\11SER1.SGM 11SER1 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 176 / Thursday, September 11, 2014 / Rules and Regulations tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES that are reasonably related to the benefits provided to the payer of the fee by the Commission’s activities. . . .’’ 7 Regulatory fees must also cover the costs the Commission incurs in regulating entities that are statutorily exempt from paying regulatory fees,8 entities whose regulatory fees are waived,9 and entities that provide nonregulated services.10 To calculate regulatory fees, the Commission allocates the total amount to be collected among the various regulatory fee categories. This allocation is based on the number of FTEs assigned to work in each regulatory fee category. FTEs are categorized as ‘‘direct’’ if they are performing regulatory activities in one of the ‘‘core’’ bureaus, i.e., the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, Media Bureau, Wireline Competition Bureau, and part of the International Bureau. All other FTEs are considered ‘‘indirect.’’ 11 The total FTEs for each fee category is calculated by counting the number of direct FTEs in the core bureau that regulates that category, plus a proportional allocation of indirect FTEs. Each regulatee within a fee category pays its proportionate share based on an objective measure, e.g., revenues, or number of subscribers or licenses.12 6. Section 9 of the Act requires the Commission to make certain changes to the regulatory fee schedule ‘‘if the Commission determines that the schedule requires amendment to comply with the requirements’’ of 7 47 U.S.C. 159(b)(1)(A). When section 9 was adopted, the total FTEs were to be calculated based on the number of FTEs in the Private Radio Bureau, Mass Media Bureau, and Common Carrier Bureau. (The names of these bureaus were subsequently changed.) Satellites and submarine cable were regulated through the Common Carrier Bureau before the International Bureau was created. 8 Assessment and Collection of Regulatory Fees for Fiscal Year 2004, Report and Order, 69 FR 41030, para 11 (July 7, 2004) (2004) (FY 2004 Report and Order). For example, governmental and nonprofit entities are exempt from regulatory fees under section 9(h) of the Act. 47 U.S.C. 159(h); 47 CFR 1.1162. 9 47 CFR 1.1166. 10 E.g., broadband services, non-U.S.-licensed space stations. 11 The indirect FTEs are the employees from the International Bureau (in part), Enforcement Bureau, Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau, Public Safety & Homeland Security Bureau, Chairman and Commissioners’ offices, Office of the Managing Director, Office of General Counsel, Office of the Inspector General, Office of Communications Business Opportunities, Office of Engineering and Technology, Office of Legislative Affairs, Office of Strategic Planning and Policy Analysis, Office of Workplace Diversity, Office of Media Relations, and Office of Administrative Law Judges, totaling 1,044 FTEs. 12 For a fuller description of this process, see Assessment and Collection of Regulatory Fees for Fiscal Year 2012, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 77 FR 29275 (May 7, 2012) (2012) (FY 2012 NPRM). VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:02 Sep 10, 2014 Jkt 232001 section 9(b)(1)(A).13 The Commission is required, by rule, to revise regulatory fees by proportionate increases or decreases to reflect changes in the amount appropriated for the performance of its regulatory activities.14 The Commission must add, delete, or reclassify services in the fee schedule to reflect additions, deletions, or changes in the nature of its services ‘‘as a consequence of Commission rulemaking proceedings or changes in law.’’ These ‘‘permitted amendments’’ require Congressional notification15 before they may take effect and any resulting changes in fees are not subject to judicial review.16 7. The Commission will continue our efforts to examine areas where it can improve the regulatory fee process to better reflect changes in the industry and at the Commission, and this Report and Order is another step in this process. The Commission began this regulatory fee reform analysis in the FY 2008 Further Notice.17 Regulatory fees cannot be precisely calibrated to the actual costs of the regulatory activities; however, there may be areas in which the regulatory fee process can be improved and revised.18 In that proceeding, the Commission sought comment on several issues, e.g., updating FTE allocations; 19 ITTA’s proposal to add wireless providers to the Interstate Telecommunications Service Providers (ITSP) category, which includes interexchange carriers (IXCs), incumbent local exchange carriers (LECs), toll resellers, and other IXC service providers regulated by the Wireline Competition Bureau; 20 adding a category for Internet Protocol TV (IPTV); 21 and adopting a per-subscriber fee for direct broadcast satellite (DBS).22 In its 2012 report on the Commission’s regulatory fee program the Government Accountability Office (GAO) encouraged 13 47 U.S.C. 159(b)(1)(A). U.S.C. 159(b)(2) (Mandatory Amendments). 15 47 U.S.C. 159(b)(4)(B). 16 47 U.S.C. 159(b)(3). 17 See Assessment and Collection of Regulatory Fees for Fiscal Year 2008, MD Docket No. 08–65, Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 73 FR 50285 (August 26, 2008) (2008) (FY 2008 Further Notice). 18 FY 2008 Further Notice, 73 FR 50285 at 50287, para. 5–6. 19 Id., 73 FR 50285 at 50288–50289, para. 10, 18, 19. 20 Id., 73 FR 50285 at 50289, para. 19 21 Id., 73 FR 50285 at 50288–50289, para. 24. 22 Id., 73 FR 50285 at 50290, para. 26. Although these proposals were not adopted at that time; we later adopted a new methodology for assessing regulatory fees for the submarine cable industry. See Assessment and Collection of Regulatory Fees for Fiscal Year 2008, Second Report and Order, 74 FR 22104 (May 12, 2009) (2009) (Submarine Cable Order). 14 47 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 54191 the Commission to update the FTE allocations to better align regulatory fees with regulatory costs.23 In the FY 2012 NPRM 24 and the FY 2013 NPRM 25 the Commission also sought comment on revising the FTE allocations; and in the FY 2013 Report and Order the Commission adopted an updated FTE allocations that more accurately reflects the number of FTEs working on regulation and oversight of the regulatees in the various fee categories; 26 the Commission also combined the UHF and VHF television stations into one regulatory fee category,27 and created a fee category to include IPTV.28 8. In our FY 2014 NPRM, the Commission sought comment on proposed regulatory fees and on whether AM expanded band radio stations should remain exempt from regulatory fees. In addition, the Commission also sought comment on additional reform measures including: (1) Reallocating some of the FTEs from the Enforcement Bureau, the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau, and the Office of Engineering and Technology, as direct FTEs for regulatory fee purposes; (2) reapportioning the fee allocations between groups of International Bureau regulatees; (3) periodically updating FTE allocations; (4) applying a cap on any regulatory fee increases for FY 2014; (5) improving access to information through our Web site; (6) establishing a higher de minimis threshold; (7) eliminating certain regulatory fee categories; (8) combining ITSP and wireless voice services into one fee category; (9) adding DBS operators to the cable television and IPTV category; (10) creating a new regulatory fee category for non-U.S. licensed space stations, or, alternatively, reallocating some FTEs assigned to work on non-U.S. licensed space station issues as indirect for regulatory fee purposes; and (11) adding a new regulatory fee category for toll free numbers. Some of these issues had been raised in earlier regulatory fee 23 See GAO, Federal Communications Commission, ‘‘Regulatory Fee Process Needs to be Updated,’’ Aug. 2012, GAO–12–686 (GAO Report). 24 FY 2012 NPRM, 77 FR 29275. 25 Assessment and Collection of Regulatory Fees for Fiscal Year 2013, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, MD Docket Nos. 13–140, 12–201, and 08–65, 78 FR 34612 (June 10, 2013) (2013) (FY 2013 NPRM). 26 Assessment and Collection of Regulatory Fees for Fiscal Year 2013, MD Docket No. 08–65, Report and Order, 78 FR 52433 (August 23, 2013) (2013) (FY 2013 Report and Order). 27 FY 2013 Report and Order, 78 FR 52433 at 52443 paras. 32–34. 28 Id., 78 FR 52433 at 52443–52444 paras. 35–36. E:\FR\FM\11SER1.SGM 11SER1 54192 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 176 / Thursday, September 11, 2014 / Rules and Regulations proceedings and other issues were discussed for the first time as part of our reform process. The Commission received 19 comments (some of which are joint comments) and six reply comments. Appendix A is a list of the commenters in this proceeding. IV. Discussion A. AM Expanded Band Radio Stations tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES 9. Licensees operating a standard band AM station (540–1600 kHz) linked to an AM expanded band station (1605– 1705 kHz) are subject to regulatory fees for the standard band station only.29 The Commission decided not to require section 9 regulatory fee payments for AM expanded band stations to encourage the movement to the expanded band and reduce interference in the standard band.30 In doing so, the Commission determined that at some future point it might impose section 9 regulatory fee requirements for AM expanded band stations.31 In the FY 2008 FNPRM, the Commission stated that ‘‘[t]here is no compelling reason to permanently exempt AM expanded band licensees from paying regulatory fees. As a general matter, it would be appropriate to treat the AM expanded band and the AM standard band similarly for regulatory fee purposes.’’ 32 In the FY 2014 NPRM, the Commission proposed adopting a section 9 regulatory fee obligation for all AM expanded band radio stations.33 10. A number of AM expanded band broadcasters have chosen to operate exclusively in the expanded band; at least two opted to retain their standard band licenses. As a result, the Commission finds that there is no longer a reason to provide this regulatory fee exemption to AM broadcasters.34 Broadcasters who have retained both their standard and expanded band licenses should not continue to be exempt from paying regulatory fees because the exemption’s original purpose of encouraging AM 29 See Assessment and Collection of Regulatory Fees for Fiscal Year 2005 and Assessment and Collection of Regulatory Fees for Fiscal Year 2004, MD Docket Nos. 05–59 and 04–73, Report and Order and Order on Reconsideration, 70 FR 41967 at 41971, para. 24 (2005) (FY 2005 Report and Order). 30 FY 2005 Report and Order, 70 FR 41967 at 41971, para. 25. 31 Id. 32 See FY 2008 FNPRM, 73 FR 50201 at 50203, paras. 11–13. 33 FY 2014 NPRM, 79 FR 37982 at 37986 at para. 25. 34 Commenters addressing this issue support assessing regulatory fees on the AM expanded band licensees. See T. Cowan Comments at 1. We did not receive any comments objecting to discontinuation of the exemption. VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:02 Sep 10, 2014 Jkt 232001 broadcasters to move to the expanded band and reduce interference in the standard band has been achieved. Therefore, the Commission adopts the proposal in the FY 2014 NPRM by discontinuing the exemption. Broadcasters who are operating in the AM expanded band will pay regulatory fees on the same basis as AM standard band licensees beginning in FY 2014. B. Reallocations Within Fee Categories 1. Submarine Cable 11. Submarine cable systems 35 transport data, as well as voice services, for international carriers, Internet providers, wholesale operators, corporate customers, and governments. The submarine cable industry is subject to minimal regulation and oversight from the Commission after the initial licensing process.36 After a submarine cable system is licensed, the regulatory activity is primarily limited to preparing Circuit Status Reports 37 and filing of quarterly reports by licensees affiliated with a carrier with market power in destination market of the submarine cable.38 12. Previously, commenters proposed that the regulatory fees among International Bureau licensees should be adjusted to reflect this minimal oversight 39 and the Commission sought comment on this issue in the FY 2014 NPRM.40 The Commission tentatively concluded in the FY 2014 NPRM that it should revise the apportionment between satellite services (space station and earth station regulatory fee categories) and the submarine cable operators/terrestrial and satellite circuits (submarine cable/bearer circuits) to more accurately reflect the amount of oversight and regulation for these industries.41 The satellite services 35 Submarine cable systems are undersea cables between land-based stations carrying data and voice services. 36 FY 2014 NPRM, 79 FR 37982 at 37988 at para. 34. 37 See Reporting Requirements for U.S. Providers of International Telecommunications Services; Amendment of Part 43 of the Commission’s Rules, IB Docket No. 04–112, Second Report and Order, 28 FCC Rcd 575, 601–08, paras. 89–108 (2013), recon. pending. 38 See 47 CFR 1.767(l). 39 See, e.g., NASCA Comments at 8–9 (filed June 19, 2013); Telstra Comments at 2 (filed June 19, 2013); ICC Reply Comments at 2 (filed June 19, 2013). 40 FY 2014 NPRM, 79 FR 37982 at 37988 at para. 34. 41 The revenue allocation between submarine cable operators and common carrier terrestrial and satellite circuits is 87.6 percent/12.4 percent and was adopted in the Submarine Cable Order. See Assessment and Collection of Regulatory Fees for Fiscal Year 2008, Second Report and Order, 74 FR 22104 (2009) (Submarine Cable Order). The PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 pay 59 percent of the total regulatory fees allocated to International Bureau licensees and submarine cable pays 41 percent of this total. Submarine cable is subject to minimal regulation and oversight after being licensed, and therefore, the current allocation of 41 percent of regulatory fees is excessive for this industry. 13. For instance, in response to the FY 2014 NPRM, NASCA, representing several submarine cable operators (with 29 of the 41 active systems landing in the United States) emphasized that the Commission engages in limited enforcement activity, policy and rulemaking actions, user information services, and international activities regarding submarine cable operators.42 NASCA also observes that most of the Commission’s work related to submarine cable is limited to licensing, processing applications, and reviewing proposed transactions.43 14. We agree that the combined revenue requirement for submarine cable is currently too high compared to the revenue requirement for the satellite and earth station operators.44 Specifically, the current regulatory fee assessment for the submarine cable category does not fairly take into account the Commission’s minimal oversight and regulation of the industry, as demonstrated by NASCA. We therefore reduce the regulatory fee apportionment for submarine cable to more accurately reflect the amount of regulation and oversight for this industry. In doing so, we find a five percent decrease in regulatory fee obligations is appropriate at this time. This decrease reflects that although only two FTEs in the International Bureau work on submarine cable issues, a total of 47.5 indirect FTEs devote time to both submarine cable and other regulatees of the International Bureau.45 A five percent decrease, is therefore appropriate because it reflects both the direct work on submarine cable issues and the indirect FTEs that devote their time to International Bureau regulatees as a whole. As discussed below, this approximately five percent decrease in regulatory fees for submarine cable results in a change in the allocation percentage between Submarine Cable and Bearer Circuit issues (41 percent of International regulatory fees), and Satellite and Earth Station issues (59 percent of International regulatory fees) Commission did not propose any change to this allocation in the FY 2014 NPRM. 42 NASCA Comments at 5–7. 43 NASCA Comments at 7. 44 NASCA Comments at 10–12. 45 FY 2013 Report and Order, 78 FR 52433. E:\FR\FM\11SER1.SGM 11SER1 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 176 / Thursday, September 11, 2014 / Rules and Regulations to 35.72 percent and 64.28 percent, respectively. We will revisit the issue of submarine cable systems in future regulatory fee proceedings to determine if additional adjustment is warranted. tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES 2. Earth Stations 15. An earth station transmits or receives messages from a satellite. In the FY 2014 NPRM, the Commission recognized that oversight and regulation of the satellite industry by International Bureau FTEs involves legal, technical, and policy issues pertaining to both space station and earth station operations and is therefore interdependent to some degree.46 We also recognized in the FY 2014 NPRM, that our activities concerning the satellite industry also involve issues related to non-U.S. licensed space stations that access the U.S. market but do not pay regulatory fees.47 In light of this, we sought comment on whether we should increase the earth station regulatory fee allocation in order to reflect more appropriately the number of FTEs devoted to the regulation and oversight of the earth station portion of the satellite industry.48 Commenters suggest that if the Commission needs a specific mechanism to account for International Bureau FTEs working on market access requests from non-U.S.licensed satellites, the Commission should do so by increasing the earth station regulatory fee.49 EchoStar and DISH observe that earth station licensees’ regulatory fees may not reflect the regulatory cost associated with these systems for regulatory fee purposes. These commenters also note that space stations pay an unreasonably high portion of the regulatory fees for this allocation.50 Commenters also suggest the current allocation between space and earth station operators does not reflect the significant streamlining of space station regulation that has occurred.51 We agree with commenters and adjust the regulatory fees for earth stations to reflect the relative oversight and regulation of space stations and earth stations. Accordingly, as discussed 46 FY 2014 NPRM, 79 FR 37982 at 37988 at para. 35. Some of these FTEs work on earth station issues that pertain to non-U.S.-licensed space stations. 47 Id., 79 FR 37982 at 37988 at para. 35. 48 Id., 79 FR 37982 at 37988 at para. 35. 49 Satellite Parties Comments at 8–10 (‘‘assessing these costs as part of earth station regulatory fees may be a better (albeit imperfect) method of capturing these costs’’). 50 See, e.g., Echostar and DISH Comments at 5. 51 See, e.g., SIA Comments at 5. See also Comprehensive Review of Licensing and Operating Rules for Satellite Services, Report and Order, 28 FCC Rcd 12403 at 1205, n.2 (2013) (providing an exhaustive list of streamlined actions with respect to satellite services). VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:02 Sep 10, 2014 Jkt 232001 above, we revise the allocation of the submarine cable/bearer circuit fee categories from 41 percent of all international regulatory fees to approximately 36 percent of all international regulatory fees. This reduction in the allocation of submarine cable/bearer circuit fee categories results in an increase in the satellite/earth station allocation percentage from 59 percent to approximately 64 percent. This five percent change in allocation results in a larger projected revenue collection for satellite and earth stations. To collect this additional revenue for FY 2014 we will increase earth stations regulatory fees by 7.5 percent from their FY 2013 rates and we will collect the remaining revenue from the satellite fee categories. C. Improving the Regulatory Fee Process 16. As noted earlier, this Report and Order is our latest step in reforming our regulatory fee process. In the FY 2013 Report and Order, the Commission committed to additional regulatory fee reform, stating: Various other issues relevant to revising our regulatory fee program were also raised in either the FY 2013 NPRM or in comments submitted in response to it. Because we require further information to best determine what action to take on these complex issues, we will consolidate them for consideration in a Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that we will issue shortly. We recognize that these are complex issues and that resolving them will be difficult. Nevertheless, we intend to conclusively readjust regulatory fees within three years.52 17. We adopted significant reforms in the FY 2013 Report and Order and we continued to seek comment on additional reforms in the FY 2014 NPRM and in the Further Notice included in this order. In the FY 2014 NPRM we sought comment on how often we should engage in an in-depth review of our regulatory fee methodology in a way that balances the need for stability to enable regulatees in various industry sectors to budget for regulatory fees against the need to reflect the changing work of the Commission FTEs.53 Commenters agree that we should update our FTE allocations at regular intervals, such as annually, to avoid assessing regulatory fees based on outdated information.54 18. We conclude that it is appropriate to update the FTE count annually. We agree with commenters and the GAO that regular updates are appropriate in 52 FY 2013 Report and Order, 78 FR 52433. 2014 NPRM, 79 FR 37982. 54 CTIA Comments at 2; ITTA Comments at 12– 13; USTelecom Reply Comments at 2–4 (arguing that we should update the FTE count annually). 53 FY PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 54193 order to calculate regulatory fees more accurately. We also find it appropriate to perform these updates annually because doing so will ensure use of the most current FTE counts in regulatory fee calculations, while imposing little administrative burden on the Commission. We will begin this process beginning in FY 2015. 19. Commenters also suggest that we conclude our regulatory fee proceedings earlier in the year; 55 however, it is not feasible to do so because our fee calculations (unit estimates) are generally updated based on industry submissions with filing deadlines between April and June, and this data is crucial in determining an accurate fee rate prior to release of the regulatory fee notice of proposed rulemaking.56 Given these deadlines, which are set for additional purposes beyond regulatory fees and the time needed to comply with rulemaking requirements, it is not currently feasible to conduct and conclude the regulatory fee process earlier in the year. 20. Concerning revising allocations, the Commission believes it would be appropriate to seek comment on any such revisions every two years, or as needed. Whereas updating the FTEs can be accomplished at minimal cost to the Commission, revising the allocations is a more complex process requiring indepth analysis and public comment. Moreover, revising the allocations annually could create regulatory uncertainty based on changes stemming from small variations in annual workload rather than a longer lasting change. Therefore, given the need for regulatory certainty and the time needed for the Commission to conduct the appropriate rulemaking proceedings, the Commission concludes that a biennial process for revising allocations is preferable to an annual one. D. Revising the De Minimis Threshold 21. Currently, a regulatee is exempt from paying regulatory fees if the sum total of all of its liabilities for all categories of regulatory fees for the fiscal year is less than $10.57 Because 55 ITTA Comments at 14; USTelecom Reply Comments at 2–3. 56 E.g., revenue information is provided in the FCC Form 499–A, due April 1 each year, and Media Bureau licensees file data in June and July. In addition, the Circuit Status Report, which contains bearer circuit and submarine cable information, is filed with the International Bureau by March 31 each year. After the International Bureau staff analyzes this information and requests supporting data, the final data is usually provided to the Managing Director in June. 57 The Commission’s Process Reform Report, 29 FCC Rcd 1338 (2014), also seeks comment on this issue. E:\FR\FM\11SER1.SGM 11SER1 54194 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 176 / Thursday, September 11, 2014 / Rules and Regulations this $10 annual threshold is too low to benefit most small entities, in the FY 2014 NPRM the Commission proposed to increase the de minimis threshold to $100, $500, or $1,000 to provide more relief to smaller entities and improve the cost effectiveness of the Commission’s collection of regulatory fees.58 22. ACA contends, and the Commission agrees, that our previous de minimis threshold of $10 was too low to benefit the smaller licensees and provide cost effectiveness to our fee collection process.59 ACA asserts that extending relief from regulatory fees to very small operators would have a de minimis impact on our regulatory fee collections 60 but may contribute to the difference between staying in business or shuttering the system for the operators and small and rural communities they serve.61 NAB also asserts that a higher de minimis threshold would permit stations in small markets to devote more resources towards improved programming and signal quality.62 23. AT&T suggests that in setting the de minimis threshold the Commission select a ‘‘fee amount just north of the point at which it costs the Commission more to assess and recover the fee than the fee actually brings in.’’ 63 This suggestion is reasonable and, as discussed below, the Commission adopts this suggestion today. In addition, the Commission also takes into account the significant nonfinancial benefits that justify an increased threshold. Smaller entities are at greater risk of missing regulatory fee deadlines because of their limited budgets and resources. Nonpayment for these small entities then often results in the escalation of administrative and financial burdens, as these small entities must devote more resources to navigate through the late payment recovery process. In addition, many of these entities are subject to little Commission oversight and regulation which serves to further exacerbate this inequity. Therefore, the Commission finds the current $10 threshold unnecessarily burdens small entities, and raising it to $500 will provide financial relief to 58 FY 2014 NPRM, 79 FR 37982. Comments at 9–13. 60 For example, figures from our FY 2013 regulatory fee collections show that increasing the de minimis threshold to $500 would have decreased the amount collected from cable licensees by only .125% and making the same change for ITSPs would have decreased collections for that fee category by only .04%. 61 ACA Comments at 12. 62 NAB Comments at 2. 63 AT&T Comments at 3. See also CTIA Comments at 12. tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES 59 ACA VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:02 Sep 10, 2014 Jkt 232001 these entities, in addition to reducing the administrative burden on the Commission. This higher threshold reflects the estimated costs of collecting an unpaid, minimal regulatory fee, at least $350 in direct costs,64 and the benefits to these entities of a higher de minimis threshold. In addition, setting the threshold at $500 is unlikely to reduce fee collections to an amount below the full amount of the Commission’s annual appropriation. Contrary to the assertion of ACA, which argues the de minimis threshold should be cable operators serving 1000 or fewer subscribers, or NAB, which argues for a $750 or $1,000 de minimis threshold, the Commission believes setting the de minimis threshold at $500 is the proper balance to ensure relief for smaller entities against the need for sufficient collection of regulatory fees consistent with the Commission’s responsibilities. In particular, the Commission finds a de minimis threshold higher than $500 may result in insufficient fees collected for the fiscal year. The Commission will continue to monitor the de minimis issue and, in the future, will consider whether to further increase the threshold, adopt a threshold based on the number of cable and IPTV subscribers as suggested by ACA, or revise the threshold on some other basis. 24. The de minimis threshold the Commission adopts today applies only to filers of annual regulatory fees (not multi-year filings). This de minimis exemption from the payment of regulatory fees applies to the sum of all annual regulatory fee obligations that a regulatee has for all applicable fee categories; not to individual payments for each category separately. So that all licensees have the same opportunity to include all of their licenses towards the $500 de minimis exemption, the Commission will raise the de minimis threshold to $500 beginning October 1, 2014, the first day of fiscal year 2015. For example, in FY 2015, a regulatee will be exempt from paying regulatory fees if the sum total of all annual regulatory fee obligations between October 1, 2014 and September 30, 2015 is $500 or less. This includes the sum total of all annual regulatory fees (but not multi-year wireless fees). The de minimis status is not a permanent exemption from regulatory fees. Rather, each regulatee will need to reevaluate 64 The Commission estimates that the cost of researching, creating, and sending a bill to a nonpayer bill, and completing all follow-up discussion and correspondence, totals more than $350. This sum does not include overhead or the more difficult to quantify administrative costs of administering the regulatory fee program generally. PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 annually to determine whether its total liability for annual regulatory fees falls at or below the threshold given any changes that the Commission may make in its regulatory fees from year to year. E. Eliminating Certain Regulatory Fee Categories 25. In the FY 2014 NPRM, the Commission sought comment on whether to exclude certain categories, such as amateur radio vanity call signs 65 ($21.60 for a 10-year license) and general mobile radio service (GMRS) 66 ($25 for a five-year license), from regulatory fees.67 The Commission also sought comment on eliminating other regulatory fee categories, such as Satellite TV, Satellite TV Construction Permits, Broadcast Auxiliaries,68 LPTV/ Class A Television and FM Translators/ Boosters, and CMRS Messaging (Paging) from regulatory fees. The Commission sought comment on the benefits of discontinuing such collections because these fee categories account for a relatively small portion of annual regulatory fees. The fees for single licenses in many of these regulatory fee categories are below the de minimis threshold adopted above. However, the de minimis threshold is an annual threshold and licensees that pay regulatory fees on multiple licenses during the fiscal year may exceed this de minimis threshold by the end of the fiscal year. 65 Amateur stations are normally assigned the next available call sign, based on the licensee’s geographic region and license status, i.e., a sequential call sign. 47 CFR 97.17(d). The licensee can request a specific unassigned but assignable call sign, known as a vanity call sign. 47 CFR 97.19. 66 GMRS is a land-mobile radio service available for short-distance two-way communications to facilitate the activities of a licensee and his or her immediate family members. See 47 CFR 95.1. The Commission initially proposed eliminating regulatory fees for GMRS in the FY 2008 Further Notice. See FY 2008 Further Notice, 73 FR 50285 at 50290–50291 at para. 337. 67 CTIA opposes this proposal because the exclusion of some categories would shift the burden to other categories. See CTIA Comments at 12–13. These fee categories, however, account for a very small portion of annual regulatory fees. R. Knowles suggests that we eliminate the application fee instead of the regulatory fee. R. Knowles Comments at 4–7. In Reply Comments, however, Mr. Knowles recommends that the Commission eliminate the GMRS regulatory fee. See R. Knowles Reply Comments at 1–5. As noted below, the Commission will not eliminate the GMRS regulatory fee because the Commission does not yet have an adequate record to support it. 68 Broadcast Auxiliary stations are used for relaying broadcast aural and television signals. They can be used to relay signals from the studio to the transmitter, or between two points, such as a main studio and an auxiliary studio. The Broadcast Auxiliary services also include mobile TV pickups and remote pickup stations which relay signals from a remote location, back to the studio. E:\FR\FM\11SER1.SGM 11SER1 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 176 / Thursday, September 11, 2014 / Rules and Regulations tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES 26. Most commenters addressing this issue agree with our proposal.69 Commenters contend that the Commission should eliminate CMRS Messaging,70 aviation ground licensees,71 and certain broadcast categories,72 because there is not intensive Commission oversight or regulation of these industry sectors. At this time, the Commission is not eliminating these categories or GMRS, Satellite TV, LPTV/Class A Television and FM Translators/Boosters, and amateur radio Vanity Call Signs because, based on examination, there is not enough support to determine whether the cost of recovery and burden on small entities outweighs the collected revenue; or whether eliminating the fee would adversely affect the licensing process. The Commission will reevaluate this issue in the future to determine if other fee categories should be eliminated. 27. The Commission therefore concludes that 218–219 MHz licenses,73 broadcast auxiliaries, and satellite television construction permits be eliminated from the regulatory fee schedule, beginning in FY 2015. Entities holding 218–219 MHz licenses pay an annual fee consisting of a regulatory fee and an annual license renewal fee. The Commission will eliminate the regulatory fee component of this three multi-year wireless fee category beginning in FY 2015. Parties that already have such licenses, however, must continue to pay the annual renewal fee and will not be eligible for a refund of any previously paid licensing fees. In the past several years, 69 See, e.g., K. Harrison Comments at 2; NAB Comments at 2; R. Knowles Reply Comments at 1– 5. 70 CMA Comments at 3–5. 71 ASRI Comments at 6. 72 T. Cowan Comments at 1 (suggesting that the Commission also eliminate regulatory fees for Broadcast Auxiliaries and Translators); NAB Comments at 2 (suggesting the Commission eliminate regulatory fees for Broadcast Auxiliaries, Low Power TV/Class A Television, and TV/FM Translators and Boosters. The Commission is eliminating the broadcast auxiliaries fee category, but not translators and boosters or low power TV/ Class A television, at this time because translators and boosters are still an integral part of radio and television operations, whereas broadcast auxiliaries only carry the signal forward. As a result, compared to broadcast auxiliaries, the fee revenue derived from translators and boosters is approximately six times greater ($1.57 million versus .26 million), which the Commission would still need to recoup. However, in instances in which a regulatee has one translator/booster license, it would be exempt from regulatory fees because it would meet the de minimis threshold. 73 The 218–219 MHz Service (formerly known as the Interactive Video and Data Service (or IVDS)) is in the 218–219 MHz spectrum range. The 218– 219 MHz Service spectrum is suitable for providing fixed or mobile services. VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:02 Sep 10, 2014 Jkt 232001 the Commission has received very few applications, if any, for 218–219 MHz licenses, which has prompted us to eliminate this fee category. The Commission will eliminate annual regulatory fees for satellite television construction permits, beginning in FY 2015 because the Commission has not received any new applications or payments of regulatory fees for this fee category in many years. The Commission has also decided to eliminate the broadcast auxiliary fee category beginning in FY 2015 because the Commission spends more resources in monitoring and collecting these very small fees ($10 in FY 2013) than it collects. After these fees are eliminated, licensees will no longer be burdened administratively and financially to identify each of their call signs and to submit payment. Finally, eliminating this fee category benefits the Commission because it will no longer have to devote resources to associate each of the 27,000 call signs with the primary station of ownership. F. New Regulatory Fee Categories—Toll Free Numbers 28. Toll free numbers allow callers to reach the called party without being charged for the call; instead the charge for the call is paid by the called party (the toll free subscriber).74 Toll free numbers, as defined in section 52.101(f) of our rules,75 are not currently subject to regulatory fees. Historically, the Commission has not assessed regulatory fees on toll free numbers under the rationale that the entities controlling the numbers, wireline and wireless carriers, were paying regulatory fees based on either revenues or subscribers.76 In the FY 2014 NPRM,77 the Commission recognized this may no longer be a realistic assumption as there appear to be many toll free numbers controlled or managed by entities, Responsible Organizations or RespOrgs,78 that in some cases are not carriers. In the FY 74 47 U.S.C. 52.101(e), (f). free numbers are telephone numbers for which the toll charges for completed calls are paid by the toll free subscriber. See 47 CFR 52.101(f). These are 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, or 844 numbers. SMS/800 (or the 800 Service Management System) is a centralized system that performs toll free number management. For a list of RespOrgs on the SMS/800 Web site, see https://www.sms800.com/ Controls/NAC/Serviceprovider.aspx. 76 See generally, Universal Service Contribution Methodology, Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 27 FCC Rcd 5357, 5463–64, para. 306 (2012). 77 FY 2014 NPRM, 79 FR 37982 at 37992, para. 57. 78 A RespOrg is a company that manages toll free telephone numbers for subscribers. They use the SMS/800 data base to verify the availability of specific numbers and to reserve the numbers for subscribers. See 47 CFR 52.101(b). 75 Toll PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 54195 2014 NPRM the Commission sought comment on whether it should assess regulatory fees on RespOrgs, for each toll free number managed by a RespOrg.79 29. The Commission finds that it has the legal authority and responsibility to assess regulatory fees on toll free numbers 80 and therefore adopt a new fee category for toll free numbers in this proceeding.81 The Commission has exclusive jurisdiction over ‘‘those portions of the North American Numbering Plan that pertain to the United States.’’ 82 Commission FTEs, primarily in the Wireline Competition Bureau and the Enforcement Bureau, devote work to toll free numbering issues and activities including enforcement activities,83 rulemakings, and other policy making proceedings.84 Because the Commission is required to devote its FTEs to toll number regulation, it is appropriate under section 9 of the Act to recover the associated costs.85 Exercising our authority under section 9 to assess regulatory fees on toll free numbers also advances a fundamental purpose of section 251(e)(1) of the Act, to ensure the efficient, fair, and orderly allocation of toll free numbers.86 The Commission is empowered to ensure that toll free numbers, a valuable national public resource, are allocated in an equitable and orderly manner that serves the public interest.87 30. Based on our evaluation, the FTEs involved in toll free issues are primarily from the Wireline Competition 79 In the FY 2014 Further Notice we asked commenters whether we should assess regulatory fees on working, assigned, and reserved toll free numbers if we should assess regulatory fees for toll free numbers that are in the ‘‘transit’’ status, or any other status as defined in section 52.103 of the Commission’s rules. FY 2014 NPRM, 79 FR 37982 at 37992, para. 57. 80 Toll Free Access Codes, Second Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 12 FCC Rcd 11162, 11178–79, para. 22 (1997) (Toll Free Second Report and Order) (Sections 201(b) and 251(e) of the Act ‘‘empower the Commission to ensure that toll free numbers * * * are allocated in an equitable and orderly manner that serves the public interest.’’) 81 We will seek comment on the fee rate in our annual regulatory fee notice of proposed rulemaking next year. 82 47 U.S.C. 251(e)(1). 83 See, e.g., Richard Jackowitz, IT Connect, Inc., Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture, 29 FCC Rcd 3318 (2014); Richard Jackowitz, IT Connect, Inc., Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture, 28 FCC Rcd 6692 (2013); Telseven, LLC, et al., Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture, 27 FCC Rcd 15558 (2013). 84 See, e.g., Toll Free Second Report and Order, 12 FCC Rcd 11162 (1997). 85 47 U.S.C. 159(a)(1). 86 See Toll Free Second Report and Order, 12 FCC Rcd at 11176, para. 18. 87 Id., 12 FCC Rcd at 11178–79, para. 22. E:\FR\FM\11SER1.SGM 11SER1 54196 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 176 / Thursday, September 11, 2014 / Rules and Regulations tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES Bureau.88 Accordingly, a regulatory fee assessed on toll free numbers reduces the ITSP regulatory fee total; for example, if the total revenue requirement for toll free numbers had been four million dollars this year,89 expected ITSP revenues would need only be $127,369,000 instead of $131,369,000 and the ITSP rate would need only be 0.00333 instead of 0.00343. The Commission, therefore, will assess regulatory fees on RespOrgs, for each toll free number managed by a RespOrg.90 However, the Commission wishes to clarify that the regulatory fee, assessed on RespOrgs, for toll free numbers is limited to toll free numbers that are accessible within the United States.91 31. Parties requested greater clarity and outreach to promote awareness of why this new fee category may be needed, especially for RespOrgs that the commenters allege are not generally accustomed to being regulated or paying regulatory fees.92 Consistent with past efforts by Commission staff to seek and obtain greater input concerning regulatory fee reform, the Commission will engage and conduct outreach to promote awareness of this new category and to promote discussion with interested parties.93 There will be sufficient time for such activities because this change will not take effect until FY 2015. It is a ‘‘permitted amendment’’ as defined in section 9(b)(3) of the Act, which, pursuant to section 9(b)(4)(B), must be submitted to Congress at least 90 days before it becomes effective.94 Therefore, because 88 See, e.g., Toll Free Service Access Codes, Petition to Change the Composition of SMS/800, Inc., CC Docket No. 95–155, WC Docket No. 12–260, Order, 28 FCC Rcd 15328 (2013); Enforcement Bureau staff also work on toll free issues. 89 See FY 2014 NPRM, 79 FR 37982 at 37992 at para. 57 (estimating based on assessment of one cent per month per managed toll free number by a RespOrg). 90 In the FY 2014 NPRM the Commission asked commenters whether it should assess regulatory fees on working, assigned, and reserved toll free numbers and whether it should assess regulatory fees for toll free numbers that are in the ‘‘transit’’ status, or any other status as defined in section 52.103 of the Commission’s rules. FY 2014 NPRM, 79 FR 37982 at 37992 at para. 57. Toll free numbers in any such status are included in this category. 91 See, e.g., Bell Canada Comments at 2. Other commenters support this new category. See, e.g., ITTA Comments at 13. One commenter, however, contends that it would be confusing to impose regulatory fees on a RespOrg that is not a carrier. See Bandwidth.com Reply Comments at 2. USTelecom argues that the Commission needs to clarify our proposal to impose regulatory fees on toll free numbers. USTelecom Reply Comments at 5. 92 See Bandwidth Reply Comments at 2. 93 See FY 2014 NPRM, 79 FR 37982 at 37992 at para. 57. 94 47 U.S.C. 159(b)(3). VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:02 Sep 10, 2014 Jkt 232001 the Commission will not have sufficient time to provide 90 days’ notice before September 30, 2014, this change will not be implemented until FY 2015. G. Additional Regulatory Fee Reform 32. In the FY 2014 NPRM the Commission sought comment on ways to further improve our regulatory fee process to make it less burdensome for all entities, specifically smaller entities.95 The Commission notes that it is currently seeking comment on Commission-wide ‘‘Process Reform,’’ 96 and it plans to adopt reforms to the regulatory fee process in conjunction with the Process Reform initiative. In particular, the Managing Director has placed regulatory fee waiver decisions on the Commission’s Web site so that they are accessible to the public.97 Although the decisions are specifically applicable only to the parties involved, these letters can be helpful in providing guidance to all waiver applicants regarding the requirements of our rules. The Managing Director has also initiated a complete review of the Commission’s regulatory fee Web page with the objective of improving access to other regulatory fee payment information. The Managing Director is directed to provide details on other improvements in a subsequent public notice. H. Other Issues 33. One of the significant measures adopted in the FY 2013 regulatory fee reform process was updating the FTE allocations and allocating a portion of the International Bureau FTEs as indirect FTEs.98 The Commission reallocated some FTEs from the International Bureau as indirect FTEs because the work those FTEs perform is for the Commission as a whole, rather than for a particular group of regulatees.99 In the FY 2014 NPRM, the Commission sought comment on additional FTE reallocations. The Commission recognizes that reallocating FTEs from a core bureau as indirect, or from a non-core bureau as direct, could better align regulatory fees with the costs of regulation. In this Report and 95 FY 2014 NPRM, 79 FR 37982 at 37989 at para. 41. 96 Process Reform Report, 29 FCC Rcd 1338 (2014). 97 These are in our electronic comment filing system (ECFS), under proceeding ‘‘86–285.’’ 98 FY 2013 Report and Order, 78 FR 52433 at 52437 at para. 15–17. 99 The Commission notes that even with that FTE reallocation, a significant number of International Bureau FTEs work on matters involving non-U.S.licensed space stations serving the United States. The Commission is also considering reallocating those FTEs as indirect but does not adopt such a rule here because it needs to develop the record further before making a decision. PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 Order the Commission does not adopt further FTE reallocations. Rather, as discussed below, additional information and examination is needed to better understand, at a more granular level, the number of FTEs performing work related to the various types of regulatees throughout the communications industry. In particular, the work of the Wireline Competition Bureau, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, and Media Bureau has, in many cases, converged over time and their regulation of various types of regulatees involves similar issues and generates common Commission costs.100 In addition, the Commission has seen an increase in the number of wireless subscribers and a decrease in wireline (switched access lines and interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), together) subscribers.101 From June 2011 to June 2014 wireless subscribers have increased from 298 million to 335 million, while the total wireline access lines (switched access lines and VoIP subscriptions, together) have decreased from 146 million to 135 million.102 Fewer wireline customers over time may result in disproportionately higher regulatory fees for the ITSP industry. Also, a growth in segments of the industry that do not pay regulatory fees can also increase the regulatory fee burden on the remaining industries. For these reasons, Commission staff will continue their analysis of these issues and will seek further comment on reallocation proposals in future regulatory proceedings. 34. In the FY 2014 NPRM, the Commission specifically sought comment on a proposal from SIA to reallocate FTEs from the Enforcement Bureau and the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau to other bureaus.103 SIA contends that the FTEs in these two non-core bureaus are focused on certain regulatees or licensees and therefore should not be allocated proportionally to all the core bureaus as indirect FTEs but should be allocated directly to the Wireline, Media, and Wireless bureaus.104 For 100 FY 2013 NPRM, 78 FR 34612 at 34616–34617 at para. 24. 101 See ‘‘Local Telephone Competition: Status as of June 30, 2013,’’ Industry Analysis and Technology Division, Wireline Competition Bureau, June 2014 (Local Telephone Competition Report) at 2, Figure 1. 102 Local Telephone Competition Report at 2, Figure 1. A decrease in total wireline access lines could eventually result in a higher rate for the ITSP category if the same number of FTEs are assigned to this category. 103 FY 2014 NPRM, 79 FR 37982 at 37987 at para. 28–30. 104 This proposal is supported by several commenters. See, e.g., Echostar and DISH E:\FR\FM\11SER1.SGM 11SER1 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 176 / Thursday, September 11, 2014 / Rules and Regulations tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES example, the FTEs in the regional and field offices of the Enforcement Bureau primarily investigate issues involving wireless and broadcast licensees; however, this division has one FTE responsible for satellite interference issues, and may also be involved in wireline issues in the course of disaster relief efforts. As a whole, the Enforcement Bureau 105 and the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau FTEs devote a small portion of their time to international bureau licensee issues. For that reason, the Commission finds that the record does not support reallocating these indirect Enforcement Bureau and Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau FTEs to the Wireline, Enforcement, and Wireless Bureaus at this time.106 35. The Commission also sought comment on reallocating the FTEs from the Commission’s Office of Engineering and Technology.107 This office is primarily involved in work related to spectrum issues. For example, the office advises the Commission on technical and engineering matters, develops and administers Commission decisions regarding spectrum allocations, develops technical rules for the operation of unlicensed radio devices, authorizes the marketing of radio frequency devices as compliant with Commission technical rules, grants experimental radio licenses, and is the agency’s liaison to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. After reviewing the record, the Commission is not persuaded that reallocation of these indirect FTEs as direct FTEs to certain bureaus is appropriate at this time; however, the Commission will continue to develop the record for possible implementation in the future.108 36. As a result, the various reallocation proposals discussed in the FY 2014 NPRM regarding the Enforcement Bureau, the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau, and the Office of Engineering and Technology require further review. The Commission intends to conduct a more in-depth, Comments at 3–4; NASCA Comments at 12–13; SIA Comments at 2–4. 105 See, e.g., Intelsat License, LLC, Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture, 28 FCC Rcd 17183 (2013). 106 Several commenters argue that the Commission should not take this action at this time. See, e.g., AT&T Comments at 1–2; CTIA Comments at 10–12; NAB Comments at 3; USTelecom Reply Comments at 5. 107 FY 2014 NPRM, 79 FR 37982 at 37987–37988 at para. 32. This proposal is supported by several commenters. See, e.g. Echostar and DISH Comments at 4. 108 NAB agrees that the Commission should adopt a comprehensive holistic method for reallocation. NAB Comments at 3–5. VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:02 Sep 10, 2014 Jkt 232001 fact-based examination of the work of the FTEs in these bureaus and offices and the regulatees benefited by their work. Such analysis will be incorporated into any future notice of proposed rulemaking concerning regulatory fee allocations in order to determine whether reallocation is appropriate. 37. The Commission also notes that other proposals discussed in the FY 2014 NPRM, e.g., a per subscriber charge for DBS,109 adding a fee category for non-U.S.-licensed space stations,110 and combining the ITSP category with wireless,111 are not adopted in this report and order. The Commission declines to adopt these proposals at this time due to the complexities of these proposals raised by commenters in the record. For example, ITTA’s proposal to combine wireless and wireline voice services would require a methodology to synthesize two different regulatory fee structures for two different industries. Adopting a fee category for non-U.S.licensed space stations raises significant issues regarding our authority to assess such a fee as well as the policy implications if other countries decided to follow our example.112 The Commission recognizes that there may be merit to more fundamental reform in the regulatory fee process as outlined in these proposals. Additional time, however, is needed to provide an opportunity to more closely examine and consider these proposals and the record in future fiscal year regulatory fee proceedings.113 38. As a final matter, in the FY 2014 NPRM, the Commission sought comment on capping increases at 7.5 percent, or a higher cap, ‘‘for any category resulting solely from the reallocations of FTEs or our reform measures;’’ however, the Commission did not adopted any such measures that 109 This issue is supported by some commenters, (see, e.g., ACA Comments at 3–9; ITTA Comments at 11–12; NCTA Comments at 3–6; NCTA & ACA Reply Comments at 3–11), and is opposed by the DBS and satellite industry, (see, e.g., DIRECTV and DISH Comments at 1–18; SIA Comments at 6–8). 110 This issue, proposed by Intelsat, (see Intelsat Comments at 3–8 and Intelsat Reply Comments at 1–8) is opposed by the rest of the satellite industry. See, e.g., EchoStar and DISH Comments at 6–9; Satellite Parties Comments at 3–8; Satellite Parties Reply Comments at 1–7. 111 The ITTA proposal, discussed in ITTA Comments at 5–11, is generally opposed by commenters, see, e.g., AT&T Comments at 4–5 (observing that ‘‘although both wireline and wireless services involve voice telecommunications services, they remain strikingly different services.’’); CTIA Comments at 3–9. 112 These issues are discussed in greater detail in the FY 2013 NPRM, 78 FR 34612. 113 In the attached Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking the Commission seeks comment on the issue of a per subscriber regulatory fee for DBS. PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 54197 would result in an increase of over 7.5 percent. The Commission recognizes that the fees in some categories may increase for FY 2014 due to a decrease in the number of units in that particular category. These changes in the number of units in each category can occur each year without any Commission action. As compared with FY 2013, very few fee categories will experience large fee rate increases in FY 2014, and these increases do not result from the reform measures that the Commission has adopted here. Therefore, a formal cap is not adopted in this proceeding. The Commission notes that commenters did not support this proposal, as set forth in the FY 2014 NPRM. For example, AT&T opposes adopting a cap for FY 2014 unless the Commission can show that an uncapped increase in regulatory fees would have a severe impact on the economic wellbeing of licensees and that the increase was not due to the Commission’s efforts to address a longstanding imbalance.114 V. Procedural Matters A. New for Fiscal Year 2014 1. Payments by Check Will No Longer Be Accepted for Payment of Annual Regulatory Fees 39. Pursuant to an Office of Management and Budget (OMB) directive,115 the Commission is moving towards a paperless environment, extending to disbursement and collection of select federal government payments and receipts.116 The initiative to reduce paper and curtail check payments for regulatory fees is expected to produce cost savings, reduce errors, and improve efficiencies across government. Accordingly, the Commission will no longer accept checks (including cashier’s checks and money orders) and the accompanying hardcopy forms (e.g., Forms 159, 159–B, 159–E, 159–W) for the payment of regulatory fees. This new paperless procedure will require that all payments be made by online ACH payment, online credit card, or wire transfer. Any other form of payment (e.g., checks, cashier’s checks, or money orders) will be rejected. For payments by wire, a Form 159–E should still be transmitted via fax so that the Commission can 114 AT&T Comments at 3–4. EchoStar and DISH suggested using the rate of inflation instead of 7.5 percent. EchoStar and DISH Comments at 6. 115 Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Memorandum M–10–06, Open Government Directive, Dec. 8, 2009; see also https:// www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/06/13/ executive-order-13576-delivering-efficient-effectiveand-accountable-gov. 116 See U.S. Department of the Treasury, Open Government Plan 2.1, Sept. 2012. E:\FR\FM\11SER1.SGM 11SER1 54198 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 176 / Thursday, September 11, 2014 / Rules and Regulations associate the wire payment with the correct regulatory fee information. This change will affect all payments of regulatory fees.117 B. Assessment Notifications tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES 1. Commercial Mobile Radio Service (CMRS) Cellular and Mobile Services Assessments 40. For regulatory fee collection in FY 2014, the Commission will continue to follow our current procedures for conveying CMRS subscriber counts to providers, except that in FY 2014 and thereafter, the Commission will no longer mail out the initial CMRS assessment letters to providers. The Commission will compile data from the Numbering Resource Utilization Forecast (NRUF) report that is based on ‘‘assigned’’ telephone number (subscriber) counts that have been adjusted for porting to net Type 0 ports (‘‘in’’ and ‘‘out’’).118 This information of telephone numbers (subscriber count) will be posted on the Commission’s electronic filing and payment system (Fee Filer) along with the carrier’s Operating Company Numbers (OCNs). 41. A carrier wishing to revise its telephone number (subscriber) count can do so by accessing Fee Filer and follow the prompts to revise their telephone number counts. Any revisions to the telephone number counts should be accompanied by an explanation or supporting documentation.119 The Commission will then review the revised count and supporting documentation and either approve or disapprove the submission in Fee Filer. If the submission is disapproved, the Commission will contact the provider to afford the provider an opportunity to discuss its revised subscriber count and/ or provide additional supporting documentation. If a response is not received from the provider, or the Commission does not reverse its initial disapproval of the provider’s revised count submission, the fee payment must be based on the number of subscribers listed initially in Fee Filer. Once the timeframe for revision has passed, the telephone number counts are final and are the basis upon which CMRS regulatory fees are to be paid. Providers 117 Payors should note that this change will mean that to the extent certain entities have to date paid both regulatory fees and application fees at the same time via paper check, they will no longer be able to do so as the regulatory fees payment via paper check will no longer be accepted. 118 See FY 2005 Report and Order, 70 FR 41967. 119 In the supporting documentation, the provider will need to state a reason for the change, such as a purchase or sale of a subsidiary, the date of the transaction, and any other pertinent information that will help to justify a reason for the change. VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:02 Sep 10, 2014 Jkt 232001 can view their final telephone counts online in Fee Filer. A final CMRS assessment letter will not be mailed out. 42. Because some carriers do not file the NRUF report, they may not see their telephone number counts in Fee Filer. In these instances, the carriers should compute their fee payment using the standard methodology that is currently in place for CMRS Wireless services (i.e., compute their telephone number counts as of December 31, 2013), and submit their fee payment accordingly. Whether a carrier reviews their telephone number counts in Fee Filer or not, the Commission reserves the right to audit the number of telephone numbers for which regulatory fees are paid. In the event that the Commission determines that the number of telephone numbers that are paid is inaccurate, the Commission will bill the carrier for the difference between what was paid and what should have been paid. generated Form 159–E to U.S. Bank, St. Louis, Missouri at (314) 418–4232 at least one hour before initiating the wire transfer (but on the same business day) so as not to delay crediting their account. Regulatees should discuss arrangements (including bank closing schedules) with their bankers several days before they plan to make the wire transfer to allow sufficient time for the transfer to be initiated and completed before the deadline. Complete instructions for making wire payments are posted at https://transition.fcc.gov/ fees/wiretran.html. C. Payment of Regulatory Fees 4. Standard Fee Calculations and Payment Dates 46. The Commission will accept fee payments made in advance of the window for the payment of regulatory fees. The responsibility for payment of fees by service category is as follows: • Media Services: Regulatory fees must be paid for initial construction permits that were granted on or before October 1, 2013 for AM/FM radio stations, VHF/UHF full service television stations, and satellite television stations. Regulatory fees must be paid for all broadcast facility licenses granted on or before October 1, 2013. In instances where a permit or license is transferred or assigned after October 1, 2013, responsibility for payment rests with the holder of the permit or license as of the fee due date. • Wireline (Common Carrier) Services: Regulatory fees must be paid for authorizations that were granted on or before October 1, 2013. In instances where a permit or license is transferred or assigned after October 1, 2013, responsibility for payment rests with the holder of the permit or license as of the fee due date. Audio bridging service providers are included in this category.122 • Wireless Services: CMRS cellular, mobile, and messaging services (fees based on number of subscribers or telephone number count): Regulatory fees must be paid for authorizations that were granted on or before October 1, 2013. The number of subscribers, units, or telephone numbers on December 31, 1. Lock Box Bank 43. All lock box payments to the Commission for FY 2014 will be processed by U.S. Bank, St. Louis, Missouri, and payable to the FCC. During the fee season for collecting FY 2014 regulatory fees, regulatees can pay their fees by credit card through Pay.gov,120 ACH, debit card,121 or by wire transfer. Additional payment instructions are posted at https:// transition.fcc.gov/fees/regfees.html. 2. Receiving Bank for Wire Payments 44. The receiving bank for all wire payments is the Federal Reserve Bank, New York, New York (TREAS NYC). When making a wire transfer, regulatees must fax a copy of their Fee Filer 120 In accordance with U.S. Treasury Financial Manual Announcement No. A–2012–02, the U.S. Treasury will reject credit card transactions greater than $49,999.99 from a single credit card in a single day. This includes online transactions conducted via Pay.gov, transactions conducted via other channels, and direct-over-the counter transactions made at a U.S. Government facility. Individual credit card transactions larger than the $49,999.99 limit may not be split into multiple transactions using the same credit card, whether or not the split transactions are assigned to multiple days. Splitting a transaction violates card network and Financial Management Service (FMS) rules. However, credit card transactions exceeding the daily limit may be split between two or more different credit cards. Other alternatives for transactions exceeding the $49,999.99 credit card limit include payment by electronic debit from your bank account, and wire transfer. 121 In accordance with U.S. Treasury Financial Manual Announcement No. A–2012–02, the maximum dollar-value limit for debit card transactions will be eliminated. It should also be noted that only Visa and MasterCard branded debit cards are accepted by Pay.gov. PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 3. De Minimis Regulatory Fees 45. Regulatees whose total FY 2014 regulatory fee liability, including all categories of fees for which payment is due, is less than $10 are exempted from payment of FY 2014 regulatory fees. The new $500 de minimis threshold that is adopted here will be effective for payment of FY 2015 regulatory fees. 122 Audio bridging services are toll teleconferencing services. E:\FR\FM\11SER1.SGM 11SER1 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 176 / Thursday, September 11, 2014 / Rules and Regulations 2013 will be used as the basis from which to calculate the fee payment. In instances where a permit or license is transferred or assigned after October 1, 2013, responsibility for payment rests with the holder of the permit or license as of the fee due date. • The first eleven regulatory fee categories in our Schedule of Regulatory Fees (see Appendix C) pay ‘‘small multiyear wireless regulatory fees.’’ Entities pay these regulatory fees in advance for the entire amount period covered by the five-year or ten-year terms of their initial licenses, and pay regulatory fees again only when the license is renewed or a new license is obtained. These fee categories are included in our rulemaking (see Appendix B) to publicize our estimates of the number of ‘‘small multi-year wireless’’ licenses that will be renewed or newly obtained in FY 2014. • Multichannel Video Programming Distributor Services (cable television operators and CARS licensees): Regulatory fees must be paid for the number of basic cable television subscribers as of December 31, 2013.123 Regulatory fees also must be paid for CARS licenses that were granted on or before October 1, 2013. In instances where a permit or license is transferred or assigned after October 1, 2013, responsibility for payment rests with the holder of the permit or license as of the fee due date. • International Services: Regulatory fees must be paid for (1) earth stations and (2) geostationary orbit space stations and non-geostationary orbit satellite systems that were licensed and operational on or before October 1, 2013. In instances where a permit or license is transferred or assigned after October 1, 2013, responsibility for payment rests with the holder of the permit or license as of the fee due date. • International Services: Submarine Cable Systems: Regulatory fees for submarine cable systems are to be paid on a per cable landing license basis based on circuit capacity as of December 31, 2013. In instances where a license is transferred or assigned after October 1, 2013, responsibility for payment rests with the holder of the license as of the tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES 123 Cable television system operators should compute their number of basic subscribers as follows: Number of single family dwellings + number of individual households in multiple dwelling unit (apartments, condominiums, mobile home parks, etc.) paying at the basic subscriber rate + bulk rate customers + courtesy and free service. Note: Bulk-Rate Customers = Total annual bulk-rate charge divided by basic annual subscription rate for individual households. Operators may base their count on ‘‘a typical day in the last full week’’ of December 2013, rather than on a count as of December 31, 2013. VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:02 Sep 10, 2014 Jkt 232001 fee due date. For regulatory fee purposes, the allocation in FY 2014 will remain at 87.6 percent for submarine cable and 12.4 percent for satellite/ terrestrial facilities. • International Services: Terrestrial and Satellite Services: Regulatory fees for International Bearer Circuits are to be paid by facilities-based common carriers that have active (used or leased) international bearer circuits as of December 31, 2013 in any terrestrial or satellite transmission facility for the provision of service to an end user or resale carrier. When calculating the number of such active circuits, the facilities-based common carriers must include circuits held by themselves or their affiliates. In addition, noncommon carrier satellite operators must pay a fee for each circuit they and their affiliates hold and each circuit sold or leased to any customer, other than an international common carrier authorized by the Commission to provide U.S. international common carrier services. ‘‘Active circuits’’ for these purposes include backup and redundant circuits as of December 31, 2013. Whether circuits are used specifically for voice or data is not relevant for purposes of determining that they are active circuits. In instances where a permit or license is transferred or assigned after October 1, 2013, responsibility for payment rests with the holder of the permit or license as of the fee due date. For regulatory fee purposes, the allocation in FY 2014 will remain at 87.6 percent for submarine cable and 12.4 percent for satellite/ terrestrial facilities. D. Enforcement 47. To be considered timely, regulatory fee payments must be received and stamped at the lockbox bank by the payment due date for regulatory fees. Section 9(c) of the Act requires us to impose a late payment penalty of 25 percent of the unpaid amount to be assessed on the first day following the deadline for filing these fees.124 Failure to pay regulatory fees and/or any late penalty will subject regulatees to sanctions, including those set forth in section 1.1910 of the Commission’s rules,125 which generally requires the Commission to withhold action on ‘‘applications, including on a petition for reconsideration or any application for review of a fee determination, or requests for authorization by any entity found to be delinquent in its debt to the Commission’’ and in the Debt Collection 124 47 U.S.C. 159(c). 47 CFR 1.1910. 125 See PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 54199 Improvement Act of 1996 (DCIA).126 The Commission also assesses administrative processing charges on delinquent debts to recover additional costs incurred in processing and handling the debt pursuant to the DCIA and section 1.1940(d) of the Commission’s rules.127 These administrative processing charges will be assessed on any delinquent regulatory fee, in addition to the 25 percent late charge penalty. In the case of partial payments (underpayments) of regulatory fees, the payor will be given credit for the amount paid, but if it is later determined that the fee paid is incorrect or not timely paid, then the 25 percent late charge penalty (and other charges and/or sanctions, as appropriate) will be assessed on the portion that is not paid in a timely manner. 48. Pursuant to the ‘‘red light rule,’’ we will withhold action on any applications or other requests for benefits filed by anyone who is delinquent in any non-tax debts owed to the Commission (including regulatory fees) and will ultimately dismiss those applications or other requests if payment of the delinquent debt or other satisfactory arrangement for payment is not made.128 Failure to pay regulatory fees can also result in the initiation of a proceeding to revoke any and all authorizations held by the entity responsible for paying the delinquent fee(s).129 E. Effective Date 49. Providing a 30-day period after Federal Register publication before this Report and Order becomes effective as required by 5 U.S.C. 553(d) will not allow sufficient time for the Commission to collect the FY 2014 fees before FY 2014 ends on September 30, 2014. For this reason, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), the Commission finds there is good cause to waive the requirements of section 553(d), and this Report and Order will become effective upon publication in the Federal Register. Because payments of the regulatory fees will not actually be due until the middle of September, persons 126 Delinquent debt owed to the Commission triggers the ‘‘red light rule,’’ which places a hold on the processing of pending applications, fee offsets, and pending disbursement payments. 47 CFR 1.1910, 1.1911, 1.1912. In 2004, the Commission adopted rules implementing the requirements of the DCIA. See Amendment of Parts 0 and 1 of the Commission’s Rules, MD Docket No. 02–339, Report and Order, 19 FCC Rcd 6540 (2004); 47 CFR part 1, Subpart O, Collection of Claims Owed the United States. 127 47 CFR 1.1940(d). 128 See 47 CFR 1.1161(c), 1.1164(f)(5), and 1.1910. 129 47 U.S.C. 159. E:\FR\FM\11SER1.SGM 11SER1 54200 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 176 / Thursday, September 11, 2014 / Rules and Regulations affected by this Report and Order will still have a reasonable period in which to make their payments and thereby comply with the rules established herein. VI. Additional Tables TABLE A Commenter Abbreviation List of Commenters—Initial Comments American Cable Association .............................................................................................................................. AT&T Services, Inc ............................................................................................................................................ Aviation Spectrum Resources, Inc ..................................................................................................................... Bell Canada ........................................................................................................................................................ Terry Cowan ....................................................................................................................................................... Critical Messaging Association .......................................................................................................................... DirecTV, LLC ...................................................................................................................................................... CTIA—The Wireless Association® ..................................................................................................................... DirecTV, LLC and DISH Network L.L.C ............................................................................................................ EchoStar Satellite Operating Company and Hughes Network Systems, LLC and DISH Network L.L.C ......... G. Kris Harrison ................................................................................................................................................. Intelsat License LLC .......................................................................................................................................... ITTA—the Voice of Midsize Communications Companies, the Eastern Rural Telecom Association, and Windstream Corporation. P. Randall Knowles ............................................................................................................................................ National Association of Broadcasters ................................................................................................................ National Cable & Telecommunications Association .......................................................................................... North American Submarine Cable Association ................................................................................................. Satellite Industry Association ............................................................................................................................. SES Americom, Inc., Inmarsat, Inc., and Telesat Canada ................................................................................ ACA. AT&T. ASRI. Bell Canada. T. Cowan. CMA. DirecTV. CTIA. DirecTV and DISH. EchoStar and DISH. K. Harrison. Intelsat. ITTA. R. Knowles. NAB. NCTA. NASCA. SIA. Satellite Parties. List of Commenters—Reply Comments Bandwidth.com, Inc ............................................................................................................................................ Intelsat License LLC .......................................................................................................................................... P. Randall Knowles ............................................................................................................................................ National Cable & Telecommunications Association and American Cable Association .................................... SES Americom, Inc., Inmarsat, Inc., and Telesat Canada ................................................................................ United States Telecom Association ................................................................................................................... Bandwidth.com. Intelsat. R. Knowles. NCTA and ACA. Satellite Parties. USTelecom. TABLE B—CALCULATION OF FY 2014 REVENUE REQUIREMENTS AND PRO-RATA FEES [The first ten regulatory fee categories listed below are collected by the Commission in advance to cover the term of the license and are submitted at the time the application is filed.] tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES Fee category FY 2014 payment units PLMRS (Exclusive Use) .......... PLMRS (Shared use) ............... Microwave ................................ 218–219 MHz (Formerly IVDS) Marine (Ship) ........................... GMRS ...................................... Aviation (Aircraft) ..................... Marine (Coast) ......................... Aviation (Ground) ..................... Amateur Vanity Call Signs ....... AM Class A 4a .......................... AM Class B 4b .......................... AM Class C 4c .......................... AM Class D 4d .......................... FM Classes A, B1 & C3 4e ....... FM Classes B, C, C0, C1 & C2 4f ...................................... AM Construction Permits ......... FM Construction Permits 1 ....... Satellite TV ............................... Satellite TV Construction Permit ......................................... Digital TV Markets 1–10 .......... Digital TV Markets 11–25 ........ Digital TV Markets 26–50 ........ VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:43 Sep 10, 2014 Years FY 2013 revenue estimate Pro-rated FY 2014 revenue requirement Computed uncapped FY 2014 regulatory fee Rounded FY 2014 regulatory fee Expected FY 2014 revenue 1,700 30,000 17,000 5 5,200 8,900 4,200 300 510 11,500 67 1,481 832 1,522 3,107 560,000 2,250,000 2,640,000 3,750 655,000 197,500 290,000 156,750 135,000 230,230 286,000 3,435,250 1,201,500 3,862,500 8,379,375 595,000 3,000,000 2,550,000 4,000 780,000 222,500 420,000 165,000 153,000 246,100 274,700 3,410,900 1,212,750 4,033,300 8,466,575 35 10 15 82 17 7 10 55 30 2.14 4,105 2,308 1,385 2,661 2,731 35 10 15 80 15 5 10 55 30 2.14 4,100 2,300 1,375 2,650 2,725 595,000 3,000,000 2,550,000 4,000 780,000 222,500 420,000 165,000 153,000 246,100 274,700 3,410,900 1,212,750 4,033,300 8,466,575 3,139 30 185 127 1 1 1 1 10,597,500 30,090 142,500 190,625 10,437,175 17,700 138,750 196,850 3,316 590 750 1,545 3,325 590 750 1,550 10,437,175 17,700 138,750 196,850 3 138 138 182 Jkt 232001 10 10 10 10 10 5 10 10 10 10 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2,880 6,235,725 5,636,875 4,965,225 3,900 6,161,700 5,809,800 4,909,450 1,308 44,661 42,102 26,964 1,025 44,650 42,100 26,975 3,900 6,161,700 5,809,800 4,909,450 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\11SER1.SGM 11SER1 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 176 / Thursday, September 11, 2014 / Rules and Regulations 54201 TABLE B—CALCULATION OF FY 2014 REVENUE REQUIREMENTS AND PRO-RATA FEES—Continued [The first ten regulatory fee categories listed below are collected by the Commission in advance to cover the term of the license and are submitted at the time the application is filed.] Fee category Digital TV Markets 51–100 ...... Digital TV Remaining Markets Digital TV Construction Permits 1 ..................................... Broadcast Auxiliaries ............... LPTV/Translators/Boosters/ Class A TV ........................... CARS Stations ......................... Cable TV Systems, including IPTV ...................................... Interstate Telecommunication Service Providers ................. CMRS Mobile Services (Cellular/Public Mobile) ............... CMRS Messag. Services ......... BRS 2 ........................................ LMDS ....................................... Per 64 kbps Int’l Bearer Circuits 6a Terrestrial (Common) & Satellite (Common & NonCommon) .............................. Submarine Cable Providers (see chart in Appendix C) 3,6b .................................... Earth Stations 6c ....................... Space Stations (Geostationary) Space Stations (Non-Geostationary) ............................. ****** Total Estimated Revenue to be Collected ..................... ****** Total Revenue Requirement ...................................... Difference ................................. FY 2014 payment units FY 2013 revenue estimate Years Pro-rated FY 2014 revenue requirement Computed uncapped FY 2014 regulatory fee Rounded FY 2014 regulatory fee Expected FY 2014 revenue 290 380 1 1 4,645,275 1,769,975 4,524,000 1,805,000 15,604 4,751 15,600 4,750 4,524,000 1,805,000 5 25,800 1 1 20,950 254,000 23,750 258,000 4,750 12 4,750 10 23,750 258,000 3,830 325 1 1 1,527,250 165,750 1,570,300 196,625 410 604 410 605 1,570,300 196,625 65,400,000 1 61,200,000 64,746,000 .993 .99 64,746,000 $38,300,000,000 1 135,330,000 131,369,000 0.003425 0.00343 131,369,000 335,000,000 2,900,000 900 190 1 1 1 1 58,680,000 240,000 469,200 86,700 60,300,000 232,000 643,500 135,850 0.179 0.0800 715 715 0.18 0.080 715 715 60,300,000 232,000 643,500 135,850 4,484,000 1 1,032,277 932,351 .2079 .21 941,640 40.19 3,400 94 1 1 1 8,530,139 935,000 12,101,700 6,586,607 1,003,000 11,505,600 163,897 303 122,402 163,900 295 122,400 6,586,731 1,003,000 11,505,600 6 1 899,250 797,100 132,850 132,850 797,100 ................................ ............ 339,965,741 339,837,833 .................... .................... 339,847,246 ................................ ................................ ............ ............ 339,844,000 121,741 339,844,000 (6,167) .................... .................... .................... .................... 339,844,000 3,246 Notes on Appendix B 1 The AM and FM Construction Permit revenues and the Digital (VHF/UHF) Construction Permit revenues were adjusted to set the regulatory fee to an amount no higher than the lowest licensed fee for that class of service. The reductions in the AM and FM Construction Permit revenues are offset by increases in the revenue totals for AM and FM radio stations, respectively. Similarly, reductions in the Digital (VHF/UHF) Construction Permit revenues are offset by increases in the revenue totals for various Digital television stations by market size, respectively. 2 MDS/MMDS category was renamed Broadband Radio Service (BRS). See Amendment of Parts 1, 21, 73, 74 and 101 of the Commission’s Rules to Facilitate the Provision of Fixed and Mobile Broadband Access, Educational and Other Advanced Services in the 2150–2162 and 2500– 2690 MHz Bands, Report & Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 19 FCC Rcd 14165, 14169, para. 6 (2004). 3 The chart at the end of Appendix C lists the submarine cable bearer circuit regulatory fees (common and non-common carrier basis) that resulted from the adoption of the FY 2008 Further Notice, 24 FCC Rcd 6388 and the Submarine Cable Order, 24 FCC Rcd 4208. 4 The fee amounts listed in the column entitled ‘‘Rounded New FY 2014 Regulatory Fee’’ constitute a weighted average media regulatory fee by class of service. The actual FY 2014 regulatory fees for AM/FM radio station are listed on a grid located at the end of Appendix C. 5 As a continuation of our regulatory fee reform for the submarine cable and bearer circuit fee categories, the allocation percentage for these two categories, in relation to the satellite (GSO and NGSO) and earth station fee categories, was reduced by approximately 5 per cent. This allocation reduction of 5 per cent resulted in an increase in the allocation for the satellite and earth station fee categories. However, only the earth station fee rate increased from its FY 2013 fee amount. TABLE C—FY 2014 SCHEDULE OF REGULATORY FEES [The first eleven regulatory fee categories listed below are collected by the Commission in advance to cover the term of the license and are submitted at the time the application is filed.] Annual regulatory fee (U.S. $’s) tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES Fee category PLMRS (per license) (Exclusive Use) (47 CFR part 90) .......................................................................................................... Microwave (per license) (47 CFR part 101) .............................................................................................................................. 218–219 MHz (Formerly Interactive Video Data Service) (per license) (47 CFR part 95) ...................................................... Marine (Ship) (per station) (47 CFR part 80) ............................................................................................................................ Marine (Coast) (per license) (47 CFR part 80) ......................................................................................................................... General Mobile Radio Service (per license) (47 CFR part 95) ................................................................................................. Rural Radio (47 CFR part 22) (previously listed under the Land Mobile category) ................................................................. PLMRS (Shared Use) (per license) (47 CFR part 90) .............................................................................................................. VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:43 Sep 10, 2014 Jkt 232001 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\11SER1.SGM 11SER1 35 15 80 15 55 5 10 10 54202 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 176 / Thursday, September 11, 2014 / Rules and Regulations TABLE C—FY 2014 SCHEDULE OF REGULATORY FEES—Continued [The first eleven regulatory fee categories listed below are collected by the Commission in advance to cover the term of the license and are submitted at the time the application is filed.] Annual regulatory fee (U.S. $’s) Fee category Aviation (Aircraft) (per station) (47 CFR part 87) ...................................................................................................................... Aviation (Ground) (per license) (47 CFR part 87) ..................................................................................................................... Amateur Vanity Call Signs (per call sign) (47 CFR part 97) ..................................................................................................... CMRS Mobile/Cellular Services (per unit) (47 CFR parts 20, 22, 24, 27, 80 and 90) ............................................................. CMRS Messaging Services (per unit) (47 CFR parts 20, 22, 24 and 90) ................................................................................ Broadband Radio Service (formerly MMDS/MDS) (per license) (47 CFR part 27) .................................................................. Local Multipoint Distribution Service (per call sign) (47 CFR, part 101) .................................................................................. AM Radio Construction Permits ................................................................................................................................................ FM Radio Construction Permits ................................................................................................................................................ Digital TV (47 CFR part 73) VHF and UHF Commercial: Markets 1–10 ...................................................................................................................................................................... Markets 11–25 .................................................................................................................................................................... Markets 26–50 .................................................................................................................................................................... Markets 51–100 .................................................................................................................................................................. Remaining Markets ............................................................................................................................................................. Construction Permits .......................................................................................................................................................... Satellite Television Stations (All Markets) ................................................................................................................................. Construction Permits—Satellite Television Stations ................................................................................................................. Low Power TV, Class A TV, TV/FM Translators & Boosters (47 CFR part 74) ....................................................................... Broadcast Auxiliaries (47 CFR part 74) .................................................................................................................................... CARS (47 CFR part 78) ............................................................................................................................................................ Cable Television Systems (per subscriber) (47 CFR part 76), Including IPTV ........................................................................ Interstate Telecommunication Service Providers (per revenue dollar) ..................................................................................... Earth Stations (47 CFR part 25) ............................................................................................................................................... Space Stations (per operational station in geostationary orbit) (47 CFR part 25) also includes DBS Service (per operational station) (47 CFR part 100) ......................................................................................................................................... Space Stations (per operational system in non-geostationary orbit) (47 CFR part 25) ........................................................... International Bearer Circuits—Terrestrial/Satellites (per 64KB circuit) ..................................................................................... International Bearer Circuits—Submarine Cable ...................................................................................................................... 10 30 2.14 .18 .08 715 715 590 750 44,650 42,100 26,975 15,600 4,750 4,750 1,550 1,300 410 10 605 .99 .00343 295 122,400 132,850 .21 See Table Below . TABLE C (CONTINUED)—FY 2014 SCHEDULE OF REGULATORY FEES: MAINTAIN ALLOCATION FY 2014 Radio station regulatory fees Population served AM Class A <=25,000 .................................................. 25,001–75,000 ......................................... 75,001–150,000 ....................................... 150,001–500,000 ..................................... 500,001–1,200,000 .................................. 1,200,001–3,000,00 ................................. >3,000,000 ............................................... AM Class B $775 1,550 2,325 3,475 5,025 7,750 9,300 AM Class C $645 1,300 1,625 2,750 4,225 6,500 7,800 FM Classes A, B1 & C3 AM Class D $590 900 1,200 1,800 3,000 4,500 5,700 FM Classes B, C, C0, C1 & C2 $750 1,500 2,050 3,175 5,050 8,250 10,500 $925 1,625 3,000 3,925 5,775 9,250 12,025 $670 1,000 1,675 2,025 3,375 5,400 6,750 FY 2014 SCHEDULE OF REGULATORY FEES—INTERNATIONAL BEARER CIRCUITS—SUBMARINE CABLE Submarine cable systems (capacity as of December 31, 2013) Fee amount tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES <2.5 Gbps ................................................. 2.5 Gbps or greater, but less than 5 Gbps 5 Gbps or greater, but less than 10 Gbps 10 Gbps or greater, but less than 20 Gbps. 20 Gbps or greater ................................... $10,250 20,500 40,975 81,950 Sources of Payment Unit Estimates for FY 2014 In order to calculate individual service fees for FY 2014, we adjusted FY 16:53 Sep 10, 2014 Jkt 232001 FCC, FCC, FCC, FCC, 163,900 Table D VerDate Mar<15>2010 Address International, International, International, International, P.O. P.O. P.O. P.O. Box Box Box Box 979084, 979084, 979084, 979084, FCC, International, P.O. Box 979084, St. Louis, MO 63197–9000. 2013 payment units for each service to more accurately reflect expected FY 2014 payment liabilities. We obtained our updated estimates through a variety of means. For example, we used Commission licensee data bases, actual PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 St. St. St. St. Louis, Louis, Louis, Louis, MO MO MO MO 63197–9000. 63197–9000. 63197–9000. 63197–9000. prior year payment records and industry and trade association projections when available. The databases we consulted include our Universal Licensing System (ULS), International Bureau Filing System (IBFS), Consolidated Database E:\FR\FM\11SER1.SGM 11SER1 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 176 / Thursday, September 11, 2014 / Rules and Regulations System (CDBS) and Cable Operations and Licensing System (COALS), as well as reports generated within the Commission such as the Wireline Competition Bureau’s Trends in Telephone Service and the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau’s Numbering Resource Utilization Forecast. We sought verification for these estimates from multiple sources and, in all cases; we compared FY 2014 estimates with actual FY 2013 payment units to ensure that our revised estimates were reasonable. Where appropriate, we adjusted and/or rounded our final estimates to take into consideration the fact that certain variables that impact on the number of payment units cannot yet be estimated with sufficient accuracy. These include an unknown number of waivers and/or exemptions that may occur in FY 2014 and the fact that, in many services, the 54203 number of actual licensees or station operators fluctuates from time to time due to economic, technical, or other reasons. When we note, for example, that our estimated FY 2014 payment units are based on FY 2013 actual payment units, it does not necessarily mean that our FY 2014 projection is exactly the same number as in FY 2013. We have either rounded the FY 2014 number or adjusted it slightly to account for these variables. Fee category Sources of payment unit estimates Land Mobile (All), Microwave, 218–219 MHz, Marine (Ship & Coast), Aviation (Aircraft & Ground), GMRS, Amateur Vanity Call Signs, Domestic Public Fixed. CMRS Cellular/Mobile Services .............. CMRS Messaging Services ..................... AM/FM Radio Stations ............................ Digital TV Stations (Combined VHF/UHF units). AM/FM/TV Construction Permits ............. LPTV, Translators and Boosters, Class A Television. Broadcast Auxiliaries ............................... BRS (formerly MDS/MMDS) .................... LMDS ....................................................... Cable Television Relay Service (‘‘CARS’’) Stations. Cable Television System Subscribers, Including IPTV Subscribers. Interstate Telecommunication Service Providers. Based on Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (‘‘WTB’’) projections of new applications and renewals taking into consideration existing Commission licensee data bases. Aviation (Aircraft) and Marine (Ship) estimates have been adjusted to take into consideration the licensing of portions of these services on a voluntary basis. Earth Stations .......................................... Space Stations (GSOs & NGSOs) .......... International Bearer Circuits .................... Submarine Cable Licenses ..................... Based Based Based Based Based Based Based Based tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES AM Stations For stations with nondirectional daytime antennas, the theoretical radiation was used at all azimuths. For stations with directional daytime antennas, specific information on each day tower, including field ratio, phase, spacing, and orientation was retrieved, as well as the theoretical pattern rootmean-square of the radiation in all directions in the horizontal plane (RMS) figure (milliVolt per meter (mV/m) @1 km) for the antenna system. The standard, or augmented standard if pertinent, horizontal plane radiation pattern was calculated using techniques and methods specified in sections 73.150 and 73.152 of the Commission’s rules. Radiation values were calculated for each of 360 radials around the Jkt 232001 on on on on actual FY 2013 payment units. WTB reports and actual FY 2013 payment units. WTB reports and actual FY 2013 payment units. data from Media Bureau’s COALS database and actual FY 2013 payment units. Based on publicly available data sources for estimated subscriber counts and actual FY 2013 payment units. Based on FCC Form 499–Q data for the four quarters of calendar year 2013, the Wireline Competition Bureau projected the amount of calendar year 2013 revenue that will be reported on 2014 FCC Form 499–A worksheets in April, 2014. Based on International Bureau (‘‘IB’’) licensing data and actual FY 2013 payment units. Based on IB data reports and actual FY 2013 payment units. Based on IB reports and submissions by licensees, adjusted as necessary. Based on IB license information. Factors, Measurements, and Calculations That Determines Station Signal Contours and Associated Population Coverages 16:02 Sep 10, 2014 WTB projection reports, and FY 13 payment data. WTB reports, and FY 13 payment data. CDBS data, adjusted for exemptions, and actual FY 2013 payment units. CDBS data, adjusted for exemptions, and actual FY 2013 payment units. Based on CDBS data, adjusted for exemptions, and actual FY 2013 payment units. Based on CDBS data, adjusted for exemptions, and actual FY 2013 payment units. Table E VerDate Mar<15>2010 on on on on transmitter site. Next, estimated soil conductivity data was retrieved from a database representing the information in FCC Figure R3. Using the calculated horizontal radiation values, and the retrieved soil conductivity data, the distance to the principal community (5 mV/m) contour was predicted for each of the 360 radials. The resulting distance to principal community contours were used to form a geographical polygon. Population counting was accomplished by determining which 2010 block centroids were contained in the polygon. (A block centroid is the center point of a small area containing population as computed by the U.S. Census Bureau.) The sum of the population figures for all enclosed blocks represents the total population for the predicted principal community coverage area. FM Stations The greater of the horizontal or vertical effective radiated power (ERP) (kW) and respective height above PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 average terrain (HAAT) (m) combination was used. Where the antenna height above mean sea level (HAMSL) was available, it was used in lieu of the average HAAT figure to calculate specific HAAT figures for each of 360 radials under study. Any available directional pattern information was applied as well, to produce a radialspecific ERP figure. The HAAT and ERP figures were used in conjunction with the Field Strength (50–50) propagation curves specified in 47 CFR 73.313 of the Commission’s rules to predict the distance to the principal community (70 dBu (decibel above 1 microVolt per meter) or 3.17 mV/m) contour for each of the 360 radials. The resulting distance to principal community contours were used to form a geographical polygon. Population counting was accomplished by determining which 2010 block centroids were contained in the polygon. The sum of the population figures for all enclosed blocks represents the total population E:\FR\FM\11SER1.SGM 11SER1 54204 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 176 / Thursday, September 11, 2014 / Rules and Regulations for the predicted principal community coverage area. TABLE F—REVISED FTE (AS OF 9/30/12) ALLOCATIONS FY 2013 SCHEDULE OF REGULATORY FEES (FEE RATES CAPPED AT 7.5%) [The first eleven regulatory fee categories listed below are collected by the Commission in advance to cover the term of the license and are submitted at the time the application is filed.] Annual regulatory fee (U.S. $’s) Fee category PLMRS (per license) (Exclusive Use) (47 CFR part 90) .......................................................................................................... Microwave (per license) (47 CFR part 101) .............................................................................................................................. 218–219 MHz (Formerly Interactive Video Data Service) (per license) (47 CFR part 95) ...................................................... Marine (Ship) (per station) (47 CFR part 80) ............................................................................................................................ Marine (Coast) (per license) (47 CFR part 80) ......................................................................................................................... General Mobile Radio Service (per license) (47 CFR part 95) ................................................................................................. Rural Radio (47 CFR part 22) (previously listed under the Land Mobile category) ................................................................. PLMRS (Shared Use) (per license) (47 CFR part 90) .............................................................................................................. Aviation (Aircraft) (per station) (47 CFR part 87) ...................................................................................................................... Aviation (Ground) (per license) (47 CFR part 87) ..................................................................................................................... Amateur Vanity Call Signs (per call sign) (47 CFR part 97) ..................................................................................................... CMRS Mobile/Cellular Services (per unit) (47 CFR parts 20, 22, 24, 27, 80 and 90) ............................................................. CMRS Messaging Services (per unit) (47 CFR parts 20, 22, 24 and 90) ................................................................................ Broadband Radio Service (formerly MMDS/MDS) (per license) (47 CFR part 27) .................................................................. Local Multipoint Distribution Service (per call sign) (47 CFR, part 101) .................................................................................. AM Radio Construction Permits ................................................................................................................................................ FM Radio Construction Permits ................................................................................................................................................ TV (47 CFR part 73) VHF Commercial: Markets 1–10 ...................................................................................................................................................................... Markets 11–25 .................................................................................................................................................................... Markets 26–50 .................................................................................................................................................................... Markets 51–100 .................................................................................................................................................................. Remaining Markets ............................................................................................................................................................. Construction Permits .......................................................................................................................................................... TV (47 CFR part 73) UHF Commercial: Markets 1–10 ...................................................................................................................................................................... Markets 11–25 .................................................................................................................................................................... Markets 26–50 .................................................................................................................................................................... Markets 51–100 .................................................................................................................................................................. Remaining Markets ............................................................................................................................................................. Construction Permits .......................................................................................................................................................... Satellite Television Stations (All Markets) ................................................................................................................................. Construction Permits—Satellite Television Stations ................................................................................................................. Low Power TV, Class A TV, TV/FM Translators & Boosters (47 CFR part 74) ....................................................................... Broadcast Auxiliaries (47 CFR part 74) .................................................................................................................................... CARS (47 CFR part 78) ............................................................................................................................................................ Cable Television Systems (per subscriber) (47 CFR part 76) .................................................................................................. Interstate Telecommunication Service Providers (per revenue dollar) ..................................................................................... Earth Stations (47 CFR part 25) ............................................................................................................................................... Space Stations (per operational station in geostationary orbit) (47 CFR part 25) also includes DBS Service (per operational station) ........................................................................................................................................................................ Space Stations (per operational system in non-geostationary orbit) (47 CFR part 25) ........................................................... International Bearer Circuits—Terrestrial/Satellites (per 64KB circuit) ..................................................................................... International Bearer Circuits—Submarine Cable ...................................................................................................................... 40 20 75 10 55 5 15 15 10 15 1.61 .18 .08 510 510 590 750 86,075 78,975 42,775 22,475 6,250 6,250 38,000 35,050 23,550 13,700 3,675 3,675 1,525 960 410 10 510 1.02 .00347 275 139,100 149,875 .27 See Table Below . TABLE F (CONTINUED)—FY 2013 SCHEDULE OF REGULATORY FEES FY 2013 radio station regulatory fees tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES Population served AM Class A <=25,000 .................................................. 25,001–75,000 ......................................... 75,001–150,000 ....................................... 150,001–500,000 ..................................... 500,001–1,200,000 .................................. 1,200,001–3,000,00 ................................. >3,000,000 ............................................... VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:52 Sep 10, 2014 Jkt 232001 AM Class B $775 1,550 2,325 3,475 5,025 7,750 9,300 PO 00000 Frm 00020 AM Class C $645 1,300 1,625 2,750 4,225 6,500 7,800 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 AM Class D $590 900 1,200 1,800 3,000 4,500 5,700 E:\FR\FM\11SER1.SGM $670 1,000 1,675 2,025 3,375 5,400 6,750 11SER1 FM Classes A, B1 & C3 FM Classes B, C, C0, C1 & C2 $750 1,500 2,050 3,175 5,050 8,250 10,500 $925 1,625 3,000 3,925 5,775 9,250 12,025 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 176 / Thursday, September 11, 2014 / Rules and Regulations 54205 FY 2013 SCHEDULE OF REGULATORY FEES: FEE RATE INCREASES CAPPED AT 7.5%—INTERNATIONAL BEARER CIRCUITS—SUBMARINE CABLE Submarine cable systems (capacity as of December 31, 2012) Fee amount <2.5 Gbps ................................................. 2.5 Gbps or greater, but less than 5 Gbps 5 Gbps or greater, but less than 10 Gbps 10 Gbps or greater, but less than 20 Gbps. 20 Gbps or greater ................................... $13,600 27,200 54,425 108,850 Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis 1. As required by the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980, as amended (RFA),130 an Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) was included in the FY 2014 NPRM. The Commission sought written public comment on the proposals in the FY 2014 NPRM, including comment on the IRFA. This Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (FRFA) conforms to the IRFA.131 A. Need for, and Objectives of, the Report and Order tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES 2. In this Report and Order, we conclude the Assessment and Collection of Regulatory Fees for Fiscal Year (FY) 2014 proceeding to collect $339,844,000 in regulatory fees for FY 2014, pursuant to Section 9 of the Communications Act.132 These regulatory fees will be due in September 2014. Under section 9 of the Communications Act, regulatory fees are mandated by Congress and collected to recover the regulatory costs associated with the Commission’s enforcement, policy and rulemaking, user information, and international activities in an amount that can reasonably be expected to equal the amount of the Commission’s annual appropriation.133 3. In our FY 2014 NPRM, we sought comment on proposed regulatory fees and on whether AM expanded band radio stations should remain exempt from regulatory fees. In addition, we sought comment on additional reform measures including: (1) Reallocating some of the FTEs from the Enforcement Bureau, the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau, and the Office of Engineering and Technology, as direct FTEs for regulatory fee purposes; (2) reapportioning the fee allocations 130 5 U.S.C. 603. The RFA, 5 U.S.C. 601–612 has been amended by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (SBREFA), Public Law 104–121, Title II, 110 Stat. 847 (1996). 131 5 U.S.C. 604. 132 47 U.S.C. 159(a). 133 47 U.S.C. 159(a). 16:02 Sep 10, 2014 Jkt 232001 FCC, FCC, FCC, FCC, 217,675 VII. Regulatory Flexibility Analysis VerDate Mar<15>2010 Address International, International, International, International, P.O. P.O. P.O. P.O. Box Box Box Box 979084, 979084, 979084, 979084, FCC, International, P.O. Box 979084, St. Louis, MO 63197–9000. between groups of International Bureau regulatees; (3) periodically updating FTE allocations; (4) applying a cap on any regulatory fee increases for FY 2014; (5) improving access to information through our Web site; (6) establishing a higher de minimis amount; (7) eliminating certain regulatory fee categories; (8) combining ITSP and wireless voice services into one fee category; (9) adding DBS operators to the cable television and IPTV category; (10) creating a new regulatory fee category for non-U.S. licensed space stations, or, alternatively, reallocating some FTEs assigned to work on nonU.S. licensed space station issues as indirect for regulatory fee purposes; and (11) adding a new regulatory fee category for toll free numbers. Some of these issues had been raised in earlier regulatory fee proceedings and other issues were discussed for the first time as part of our reform process. 4. The Report and Order adopts some of the proposals from the FY 2014 NPRM. Specifically, in addition to adopting the proposed new regulatory fee rates, the Commission (1) removes the exemption on regulatory fees from AM expanded band licenses; (2) revises the apportionment between the submarine cable/terrestrial and satellite bearer circuits and the satellite/earth stations by approximately five percent to reduce the proportion paid by the submarine cable/terrestrial and satellite bearer circuits; (3) increases the allocation paid by earth stations and satellites by approximately 7.5 percent to more accurately reflect the regulation and oversight of this industry; (4) increases the de minimis threshold from $10 to $500 (to go into effect for FY 2015); (5) eliminates several regulatory fee categories (218–219 MHz, broadcast auxiliaries, and satellite television construction permits) from regulatory fee requirements (to go into effect for FY 2015); and (6) adopts a new toll free number regulatory fee category (to go into effect for FY 2015). PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 St. St. St. St. Louis, Louis, Louis, Louis, MO MO MO MO 63197–9000. 63197–9000. 63197–9000. 63197–9000. B. Summary of the Significant Issues Raised by the Public Comments in Response to the IRFA 5. None. C. Description and Estimate of the Number of Small Entities to Which the Rules Will Apply 6. The RFA directs agencies to provide a description of, and where feasible, an estimate of the number of small entities that may be affected by the proposed rules and policies, if adopted.134 The RFA generally defines the term ‘‘small entity’’ as having the same meaning as the terms ‘‘small business,’’ ‘‘small organization,’’ and ‘‘small governmental jurisdiction.’’ 135 In addition, the term ‘‘small business’’ has the same meaning as the term ‘‘small business concern’’ under the Small Business Act.136 A ‘‘small business concern’’ is one which: (1) Is independently owned and operated; (2) is not dominant in its field of operation; and (3) satisfies any additional criteria established by the SBA.137 Nationwide, there are a total of approximately 27.9 million small businesses, according to the SBA.138 8. Wired Telecommunications Carriers. The SBA has developed a small business size standard for Wired Telecommunications Carriers, which consists of all such companies having 1,500 or fewer employees. Census data for 2007 shows that there were 31,996 establishments that operated that year. Of those 31,996, 1,818 operated with more than 100 employees, and 30,178 134 5 U.S.C. 603(b)(3). U.S.C. 601(6). 136 5 U.S.C. 601(3) (incorporating by reference the definition of ‘‘small-business concern’’ in the Small Business Act, 15 U.S.C. 632). Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 601(3), the statutory definition of a small business applies ‘‘unless an agency, after consultation with the Office of Advocacy of the Small Business Administration and after opportunity for public comment, establishes one or more definitions of such term which are appropriate to the activities of the agency and publishes such definition(s) in the Federal Register.’’ 137 15 U.S.C. 632. 138 See SBA, Office of Advocacy, ‘‘Frequently Asked Questions,’’ https://www.sba.gov/sites/ default/files/FAQ_Sept_2012.pdf. 135 5 E:\FR\FM\11SER1.SGM 11SER1 54206 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 176 / Thursday, September 11, 2014 / Rules and Regulations operated with fewer than 100 employees.139 Thus, under this size standard, the majority of firms can be considered small. 9. Local Exchange Carriers (LECs). Neither the Commission nor the SBA has developed a size standard for small businesses specifically applicable to local exchange services. The closest applicable size standard under SBA rules is for Wired Telecommunications Carriers. Under that size standard, such a business is small if it has 1,500 or fewer employees.140 According to Commission data, census data for 2007 shows that there were 31,996 establishments that operated that year. Of those 31,996, 1,818 operated with more than 100 employees, and 30,178 operated with fewer than 100 employees.141 The Commission estimates that most providers of local exchange service are small entities that may be affected by the rules and policies adopted. 10. Incumbent LECs. Neither the Commission nor the SBA has developed a small business size standard specifically for incumbent local exchange services. The closest applicable size standard under SBA rules is for the category Wired Telecommunications Carriers. Under that size standard, such a business is small if it has 1,500 or fewer employees.142 According to Commission data, 1,307 carriers reported that they were incumbent local exchange service providers.143 Of these 1,307 carriers, an estimated 1,006 have 1,500 or fewer employees and 301 have more than 1,500 employees.144 Consequently, the Commission estimates that most providers of incumbent local exchange service are small businesses that may be affected by the rules and policies adopted. 11. Competitive Local Exchange Carriers (Competitive LECs), Competitive Access Providers (CAPs), Shared-Tenant Service Providers, and Other Local Service Providers. Neither the Commission nor the SBA has developed a small business size standard specifically for these service providers. The appropriate size standard under SBA rules is for the category Wired Telecommunications Carriers. Under that size standard, such a 139 See id. CFR 121.201, NAICS code 517110. 141 See id. 142 13 CFR 121.201, NAICS code 517110. 143 See Trends in Telephone Service, Federal Communications Commission, Wireline Competition Bureau, Industry Analysis and Technology Division at Table 5.3 (Sept. 2010) (Trends in Telephone Service). 144 Id. tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES 140 13 VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:02 Sep 10, 2014 Jkt 232001 business is small if it has 1,500 or fewer employees.145 According to Commission data, 1,442 carriers reported that they were engaged in the provision of either competitive local exchange services or competitive access provider services.146 Of these 1,442 carriers, an estimated 1,256 have 1,500 or fewer employees and 186 have more than 1,500 employees.147 In addition, 17 carriers have reported that they are Shared-Tenant Service Providers, and all 17 are estimated to have 1,500 or fewer employees.148 In addition, 72 carriers have reported that they are Other Local Service Providers.149 Of the 72, seventy have 1,500 or fewer employees and two have more than 1,500 employees.150 Consequently, the Commission estimates that most providers of competitive local exchange service, competitive access providers, Shared-Tenant Service Providers, and Other Local Service Providers are small entities that may be affected by rules adopted. 12. Interexchange Carriers (IXCs). Neither the Commission nor the SBA has developed a small business size standard specifically applicable to interexchange services. The applicable size standard under SBA rules is for the Wired Telecommunications Carriers. Under that size standard, such a business is small if it has 1,500 or fewer employees.151 According to Commission data, 359 companies reported that their primary telecommunications service activity was the provision of interexchange services.152 Of these 359 companies, an estimated 317 have 1,500 or fewer employees and 42 have more than 1,500 employees.153 Consequently, the Commission estimates that the majority of interexchange service providers are small entities that may be affected by rules adopted. 13. Prepaid Calling Card Providers. Neither the Commission nor the SBA has developed a small business size standard specifically for prepaid calling card providers. The appropriate size standard under SBA rules is for the category Telecommunications Resellers. Under that size standard, such a business is small if it has 1,500 or fewer employees.154 Census data for 2007 show that 1,716 establishments 145 13 CFR 121.201, NAICS code 517110. Trends in Telephone Service, at Table 5.3. 146 See 147 Id. 148 Id. 149 Id. 150 Id. 151 13 CFR 121.201, NAICS code 517110. Trends in Telephone Service, at Table 5.3. 152 See 153 Id. 154 13 PO 00000 CFR 121.201, NAICS code 517911. Frm 00022 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 provided resale services during that year. Of that number, 1,674 operated with fewer than 99 employees and 42 operated with more than 100 employees.155 Thus under this category and the associated small business size standard, the majority of these prepaid calling card providers can be considered small entities. According to Commission data, 193 carriers have reported that they are engaged in the provision of prepaid calling cards.156 Of these, all 193 have 1,500 or fewer employees and none have more than 1,500 employees.157 Consequently, the Commission estimates that the majority of prepaid calling card providers are small entities that may be affected by rules adopted. 14. Local Resellers. The SBA has developed a small business size standard for the category of Telecommunications Resellers. Under that size standard, such a business is small if it has 1,500 or fewer employees.158 Census data for 2007 show that 1,716 establishments provided resale services during that year. Of that number, 1,674 operated with fewer than 99 employees and 42 operated with more than 100 employees.159 Under this category and the associated small business size standard, the majority of these local resellers can be considered small entities. According to Commission data, 213 carriers have reported that they are engaged in the provision of local resale services.160 Of these, an estimated 211 have 1,500 or fewer employees and two have more than 1,500 employees.161 Consequently, the Commission estimates that the majority of local resellers are small entities that may be affected by rules adopted. 15. Toll Resellers. The SBA has developed a small business size standard for the category of Telecommunications Resellers. Under that size standard, such a business is small if it has 1,500 or fewer employees.162 Census data for 2007 show that 1,716 establishments provided resale services during that year. Of that number, 1,674 operated with fewer than 99 employees and 42 155 https://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/ tableservices/jsf/pages/ productview.xhtml?pid=ECN_2007_US_ 51SSSZ2&prodType=table. 156 See Trends in Telephone Service, at Table 5.3. 157 Id. 158 13 CFR 121.201, NAICS code 517911. 159 https://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/ tableservices/jsf/pages/ productview.xhtml?pid=ECN_2007_US_ 51SSSZ2&prodType=table. 160 See Trends in Telephone Service, at tbl. 5.3. 161 Id. 162 13 CFR 121.201, NAICS code 517911. E:\FR\FM\11SER1.SGM 11SER1 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 176 / Thursday, September 11, 2014 / Rules and Regulations tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES operated with more than 100 employees.163 Thus, under this category and the associated small business size standard, the majority of these resellers can be considered small entities. According to Commission data, 881 carriers have reported that they are engaged in the provision of toll resale services.164 Of these, an estimated 857 have 1,500 or fewer employees and 24 have more than 1,500 employees.165 Consequently, the Commission estimates that the majority of toll resellers are small entities that may be affected by the rules adopted herein. 16. Other Toll Carriers. Neither the Commission nor the SBA has developed a size standard for small businesses specifically applicable to Other Toll Carriers. This category includes toll carriers that do not fall within the categories of interexchange carriers, operator service providers, prepaid calling card providers, satellite service carriers, or toll resellers. The closest applicable size standard under SBA rules is for Wired Telecommunications Carriers. Under that size standard, such a business is small if it has 1,500 or fewer employees.166 Census data for 2007 shows that there were 31,996 establishments that operated that year. Of those 31,996, 1,818 operated with more than 100 employees, and 30,178 operated with fewer than 100 employees.167 Thus, under this category and the associated small business size standard, the majority of Other Toll Carriers can be considered small. According to Commission data, 284 companies reported that their primary telecommunications service activity was the provision of other toll carriage.168 Of these, an estimated 279 have 1,500 or fewer employees and five have more than 1,500 employees.169 Consequently, the Commission estimates that most Other Toll Carriers are small entities that may be affected by the rules and policies adopted. 17. Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite). Since 2007, the SBA has recognized wireless firms within this new, broad, economic census category.170 Prior to that time, such firms were within the nowsuperseded categories of Paging and Cellular and Other Wireless 163 https://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/ tableservices/jsf/pages/ productview.xhtml?pid=ECN_2007_US_ 51SSSZ2&prodType=table. 164 Trends in Telephone Service, at Table 5.3. 165 Id. 166 13 CFR 121.201, NAICS code 517110. 167 Id. 168 Trends in Telephone Service, at Table 5.3. 169 Id. 170 13 CFR 121.201, NAICS code 517210. VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:02 Sep 10, 2014 Jkt 232001 Telecommunications.171 Under the present and prior categories, the SBA has deemed a wireless business to be small if it has 1,500 or fewer employees.172 For this category, census data for 2007 show that there were 11,163 establishments that operated for the entire year.173 Of this total, 10,791 establishments had employment of 999 or fewer employees and 372 had employment of 1000 employees or more.174 Thus, under this category and the associated small business size standard, the Commission estimates that the majority of wireless telecommunications carriers (except satellite) are small entities that may be affected by our action. 18. Similarly, according to Commission data, 413 carriers reported that they were engaged in the provision of wireless telephony, including cellular service, Personal Communications Service (PCS), and Specialized Mobile Radio (SMR) Telephony services.175 Of these, an estimated 261 have 1,500 or fewer employees and 152 have more than 1,500 employees.176 Consequently, the Commission estimates that approximately half or more of these firms can be considered small. Thus, using available data, we estimate that the majority of wireless firms can be considered small. 19. Cable Television and other Program Distribution. Since 2007, these services have been defined within the broad economic census category of Wired Telecommunications Carriers; that category is defined as follows: ‘‘This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in operating and/or providing access to transmission facilities and infrastructure that they own and/or lease for the transmission of voice, data, text, sound, and video using wired telecommunications networks. 171 U.S. Census Bureau, 2002 NAICS Definitions, ‘‘517211 Paging,’’ available at https:// www.census.gov/cgibin/sssd/naics/naic srch?code=517211&search=2002%20NAICS% 20Search; U.S. Census Bureau, 2002 NAICS Definitions, ‘‘517212 Cellular and Other Wireless Telecommunications,’’ available at https:// www.census.gov/cgi-bin/sssd/naics/naicsrch? code=517212&search=2002%20NAICS%20Search. 172 13 CFR 121.201, NAICS code 517210. The now-superseded, pre-2007 CFR citations were 13 CFR 121.201, NAICS codes 517211 and 517212 (referring to the 2002 NAICS). 173 U.S. Census Bureau, Subject Series: Information, Table 5, ‘‘Establishment and Firm Size: Employment Size of Firms for the United States: 2007 NAICS Code 517210’’ (issued Nov. 2010). 174 Id. Available census data do not provide a more precise estimate of the number of firms that have employment of 1,500 or fewer employees; the largest category provided is for firms with ‘‘100 employees or more.’’ 175 Trends in Telephone Service, at Table 5.3. 176 Id. PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 54207 Transmission facilities may be based on a single technology or a combination of technologies.’’ 177 The SBA has developed a small business size standard for this category, which is: All such firms having 1,500 or fewer employees.178 Census data for 2007 shows that there were 31,996 establishments that operated that year. Of those 31,996, 1,818 had more than 100 employees, and 30,178 operated with fewer than 100 employees. Thus under this size standard, the majority of firms offering cable and other program distribution services can be considered small and may be affected by rules adopted. 20. Cable Companies and Systems. The Commission has developed its own small business size standards, for the purpose of cable rate regulation. Under the Commission’s rules, a ‘‘small cable company’’ is one serving 400,000 or fewer subscribers, nationwide.179 Industry data indicate that, of 1,076 cable operators nationwide, all but eleven are small under this size standard.180 In addition, under the Commission’s rules, a ‘‘small system’’ is a cable system serving 15,000 or fewer subscribers.181 Industry data indicate that, of 6,635 systems nationwide, 5,802 systems have under 10,000 subscribers, and an additional 302 systems have 10,000–19,999 subscribers.182 Thus, under this second size standard, most cable systems are small and may be affected by rules adopted. 21. All Other Telecommunications. The Census Bureau defines this industry as including ‘‘establishments primarily engaged in providing specialized telecommunications services, such as satellite tracking, communications telemetry, and radar station operation. 177 U.S. Census Bureau, 2007 NAICS Definitions, ‘‘517110 Wired Telecommunications Carriers’’ (partial definition), available at https:// www.census.gov/cgi-bin/sssd/naics/naicsrch?code =517110&search=2007%20NAICS%20Search. 178 13 CFR 121.201, NAICS code 517110. 179 See 47 CFR 76.901(e). The Commission determined that this size standard equates approximately to a size standard of $100 million or less in annual revenues. See Implementation of Sections of the 1992 Cable Television Consumer Protection and Competition Act: Rate Regulation, MM Docket Nos. 92–266, 93–215, Sixth Report and Order and Eleventh Order on Reconsideration, 10 FCC Rcd 7393, 7408, para. 28 (1995). 180 These data are derived from R.R. Bowker, Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 2006, ‘‘Top 25 Cable/Satellite Operators,’’ pages A–8 & C–2 (data current as of June 30, 2005); Warren Communications News, Television & Cable Factbook 2006, ‘‘Ownership of Cable Systems in the United States,’’ pages D–1805 to D–1857. 181 See 47 CFR 76.901(c). 182 Warren Communications News, Television & Cable Factbook 2006, ‘‘U.S. Cable Systems by Subscriber Size,’’ page F–2 (data current as of Oct. 2007). The data do not include 851 systems for which classifying data were not available. E:\FR\FM\11SER1.SGM 11SER1 54208 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 176 / Thursday, September 11, 2014 / Rules and Regulations This industry also includes establishments primarily engaged in providing satellite terminal stations and associated facilities connected with one or more terrestrial systems and capable of transmitting telecommunications to, and receiving telecommunications from, satellite systems. Establishments providing Internet services or Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services via client-supplied telecommunications connections are also included in this industry.’’ 183 The SBA has developed a small business size standard for this category; that size standard is $30.0 million or less in average annual receipts.184 According to Census Bureau data for 2007, there were 2,623 firms in this category that operated for the entire year.185 Of these, 2478 establishments had annual receipts of under $10 million and 145 establishments had annual receipts of $10 million or more.186 Consequently, we estimate that the majority of these firms are small entities that may be affected by our action. In addition, some small businesses whose primary line of business does not involve provision of communications services hold FCC licenses or other authorizations for purposes incidental to their primary business. We do not have a reliable estimate of how many of these entities are small businesses. D. Description of Projected Reporting, Recordkeeping and Other Compliance Requirements 22. This Report and Order does not adopt any new reporting, recordkeeping, or other compliance requirements. E. Steps Taken To Minimize Significant Economic Impact on Small Entities, and Significant Alternatives Considered 23. The RFA requires an agency to describe any significant alternatives that it has considered in reaching its Exclusive use services (per license) approach, which may include the following four alternatives, among others: (1) The establishment of differing compliance or reporting requirements or timetables that take into account the resources available to small entities; (2) the clarification, consolidation, or simplification of compliance or reporting requirements under the rule for small entities; (3) the use of performance, rather than design, standards; and (4) an exemption from coverage of the rule, or any part thereof, for small entities.187 24. This Report and Order does not adopt any new reporting requirements. Therefore no adverse economic impact on small entities will be sustained based on reporting requirements. There may be a regulatory fee increase on small entities, in some cases and in some industries, but if so it would be specifically in furtherance of the reform measures. We are mitigating fee increases to small entities, and other entities, by, for example, raising the de minimis threshold from $10 to $500 and eliminating several regulatory fee categories (218–219 MHz, broadcast auxiliaries, and satellite television construction permits) from regulatory fee requirements. In keeping with the requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, we have considered certain alternative means of mitigating the effects of fee increases to a particular industry segment. In addition, the Commission’s rules provide a process by which regulatory fee payors may seek waivers or other relief on the basis of financial hardship. 47 CFR 1.1166. F. Federal Rules That May Duplicate, Overlap, or Conflict 303(r) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. 154(i), 154(j), 159, and 303(r), this Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking is hereby adopted. 51. It is further ordered that, as provided in paragraph 54, this Report and Order shall be effective September 11, 2014. 52. It is further ordered that the Commission’s Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, Reference Information Center, shall send a copy of this Report and Order, including the Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis in Appendix F, to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration. List of Subjects in 47 CFR Part 1 Administrative practice and procedure. Federal Communications Commission. Marlene H. Dortch, Secretary. Rule Changes For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Federal Communications Commission amends 47 CFR part 1 as follows: PART 1—PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE 1. The authority citation for part 1 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: 15 U.S.C. 79 et seq.; 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 154(j), 155, 157, 225, 303(r), 309, and 310. Cable Landing License Act of 1921, 47 U.S.C. 35–39, and the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012, Pub. L. 112–96. 2. Section 1.1152 is revised to read as follows: ■ 26. None. VIII. Ordering Clauses 50. Accordingly, it is ordered that, pursuant to Sections 4(i) and (j), 9, and Fee amount 1 § 1.1152 Schedule of annual regulatory fees and filing locations for wireless radio services. Address 1. Land Mobile (Above 470 MHz and 220 MHz Local, Base Station & SMRS) tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES (47 CFR part 90): (a) New, Renew/Mod (FCC 601 & 159). (b) New, Renew/Mod (Electronic Filing) (FCC 601 & 159). (c) Renewal Only (FCC 601 & 159) .. (d) Renewal Only (Electronic Filing) (FCC 601 & 159). $35.00 35.00 VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:02 Sep 10, 2014 Jkt 232001 FCC, P.O. Box 979097, St. Louis, MO 63197–9000. 35.00 35.00 183 U.S. Census Bureau, ‘‘2007 NAICS Definitions: 517919 All Other Telecommunications,’’ available at https://www.census.gov/cgi-bin/sssd/naics/naic srch?code=517919&search=2007%20NAICS%20 Search. FCC, P.O. Box 979097, St. Louis, MO 63197–9000. FCC, P.O. Box 979097, St. Louis, MO 63197–9000. FCC, P.O. Box 979097, St. Louis, MO 63197–9000. 184 13 CFR 121.201, NAICS code 517919. Census Bureau, 2007 Economic Census, Subject Series: Information, Table 4, ‘‘Establishment and Firm Size: Receipts Size of Firms for the United 185 U.S. PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 States: 2007 NAICS Code 517919’’ (issued Nov. 2010). 186 Id. 187 5 U.S.C. 603(c)(1)–(c)(4). E:\FR\FM\11SER1.SGM 11SER1 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 176 / Thursday, September 11, 2014 / Rules and Regulations Exclusive use services (per license) Fee amount 1 Address 220 MHz Nationwide a) New, Renew/Mod (FCC 601 & 159) .... (b) New, Renew/Mod (Electronic Filing) (FCC 601 & 159). (c) Renewal Only (FCC 601 & 159) ......... (d) Renewal Only (Electronic Filing) (FCC 601 & 159). 35.00 35.00 FCC, P.O. Box 979097, St. Louis, MO 63197–9000. FCC, P.O. Box 979097, St. Louis, MO 63197–9000. 35.00 35.00 FCC, P.O. Box 979097, St. Louis, MO 63197–9000. FCC, P.O. Box 979097, St. Louis, MO 63197–9000. 2. Microwave (47 CFR Pt. 101) (Private) (a) New, Renew/Mod (FCC 601 & 159) ... (b) New, Renew/Mod (Electronic Filing) (FCC 601 & 159). (c) Renewal Only (FCC 601 & 159) ......... (d) Renewal Only (Electronic Filing) (FCC 601 & 159). 15.00 15.00 FCC, P.O. Box 979097, St. Louis, MO 63197–9000. FCC, P.O. Box 979097, St. Louis, MO 63197–9000. 15.00 15.00 FCC, P.O. Box 979097, St. Louis, MO 63197–9000. FCC, P.O. Box 979097, St. Louis, MO 63197–9000. 3. 218–219 MHz Service (a) New, Renew/Mod (FCC 601 & 159) ... (b) New, Renew/Mod (Electronic Filing) (FCC 601 & 159). (c) Renewal Only (FCC 601 & 159) ......... (d) Renewal Only (Electronic Filing) (FCC 601 & 159). 80.00 80.00 FCC, P.O. Box 979097, St. Louis, MO 63197–9000. FCC, P.O. Box 979097, St. Louis, MO 63197–9000. 80.00 80.00 FCC, P.O. Box 979097, St. Louis, MO 63197–9000. FCC, P.O. Box 979097, St. Louis, MO 63197–9000. tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES 4. Shared Use Services Land Mobile (Frequencies Below 470 MHz—except 220 MHz): (a) New, Renew/Mod (FCC 601 & 159). (b) New, Renew/Mod (Electronic Filing) (FCC 601 & 159). (c) Renewal Only (FCC 601 & 159) .. (d) Renewal Only (Electronic Filing) (FCC 601 & 159). General Mobile Radio Service (a) New, Renew/Mod (FCC 605 & 159). (b) New, Renew/Mod (Electronic Filing) (FCC 605 & 159). (c) Renewal Only (FCC 605 & 159) .. (d) Renewal Only (Electronic Filing) (FCC 605 & 159). Rural Radio (Part 22) (a) New, Additional Facility, Major Renew/Mod (Electronic Filing) (FCC 601 & 159). (b) Renewal, Minor Renew/Mod (Electronic Filing) (FCC 601 & 159). Marine Coast: (a) New Renewal/Mod (FCC 601 & 159). (b) New, Renewal/Mod (Electronic Filing) (FCC 601 & 159). (c) Renewal Only (FCC 601 & 159) .. (d) Renewal Only (Electronic Filing) (FCC 601 & 159). Aviation Ground: (a) New, Renewal/Mod (FCC 601 & 159). (b) New, Renewal/Mod (Electronic Filing) (FCC 601 & 159). (c) Renewal Only (FCC 601 & 159) .. (d) Renewal Only (Electronic Only) (FCC 601 & 159). Marine Ship: (a) New, Renewal/Mod (FCC 605 & 159). (b) New, Renewal/Mod (Electronic Filing) (FCC 605 & 159). VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:02 Sep 10, 2014 Jkt 232001 10.00 10.00 FCC, P.O. Box 979097, St. Louis, MO 63197–9000. 10.00 10.00 FCC, P.O. Box 979097, St. Louis, MO 63197–9000. FCC, P.O. Box 979097, St. Louis, MO 63197–9000. 5.00 FCC, P.O. Box 979097, St. Louis, MO 63197–9000. 5.00 FCC, P.O. Box 979097, St. Louis, MO 63197–9000. 5.00 5.00 FCC, P.O. Box 979097. St. Louis, MO 63197–9000. FCC, P.O. Box 979097, St. Louis, MO 63197–9000. 10.00 FCC, P.O. Box 979097, St. Louis, MO 63197–9000. 10.00 FCC, P.O. Box 979097, St. Louis, MO 63197–9000. 55.00 FCC, P.O. Box 979097, St. Louis, MO 63197–9000. 55.00 FCC, P.O. Box 979097, St. Louis, MO 63197–9000. 55.00 55.00 FCC, P.O. Box 979097, St. Louis, MO 63197–9000. FCC, P.O. Box 979097, St. Louis, MO 63197–9000. 30.00 FCC, P.O. Box 979097, St. Louis, MO 63197–9000. 30.00 FCC, P.O. Box 979097, St. Louis, MO 63197–9000. 30.00 30.00 FCC, P.O. Box 979097, St. Louis, MO 63197–9000. FCC, P.O. Box 979097, St. Louis, MO 63197–9000. 15.00 FCC, P.O. Box 979097, St. Louis, MO 63197–9000. 15.00 PO 00000 FCC, P.O. Box 979097, St. Louis, MO 63197–9000. FCC, P.O. Box 979097, St. Louis, MO 63197–9000. Frm 00025 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\11SER1.SGM 11SER1 54209 54210 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 176 / Thursday, September 11, 2014 / Rules and Regulations Fee amount 1 Exclusive use services (per license) (c) Renewal Only (FCC 605 & 159) .. (d) Renewal Only (Electronic Filing) (FCC 605 & 159). Aviation Aircraft: (a) New, Renew/Mod (FCC 605 & 159). (b) New, Renew/Mod (Electronic Filing) (FCC 605 & 159). (c) Renewal Only (FCC 605 & 159) .. (d) Renewal Only (Electronic Filing) (FCC 605 & 159). 5. Amateur Vanity Call Signs: (a) Initial or Renew (FCC 605 & 159) (b) Initial or Renew (Electronic Filing) (FCC 605 & 159). 6. CMRS Cellular/Mobile Services (per unit) (FCC 159) 7. CMRS Messaging Services (per unit) (FCC 159). 8. Broadband Radio Service (formerly MMDS and MDS). 9. Local Multipoint Distribution Service .... Address 15.00 15.00 FCC, P.O. Box 979097, St. Louis, MO 63197–9000. FCC, P.O. Box 979097, St. Louis, MO 63197–9000. 10.00 FCC, P.O. Box 979097, St. Louis, MO 63197–9000. 10.00 FCC, P.O. Box 979097, St. Louis, MO 63197–9000. 10.00 10.00 FCC, P.O. Box 979097, St. Louis, MO 63197–9000. FCC, P.O. Box 979097, St. Louis, MO 63197–9000. 2.14 2.14 FCC, P.O. Box 979097, St. Louis, MO 63197–9000. FCC, P.O. Box 979097, St. Louis, MO 63197–9000. 2 .18 FCC, P.O. Box 979084, St. Louis, MO 63197–9000. 3 .08 FCC, P.O. Box 979084, St. Louis, MO 63197–9000. 715 FCC, P.O. Box 979084, St. Louis, MO 63197–9000. 715 FCC, P.O. Box 979084, St. Louis, MO 63197–9000. 1 Note that ‘‘small fees’’ are collected in advance for the entire license term. Therefore, the annual fee amount shown in this table that is a small fee (categories 1 through 5) must be multiplied by the 5- or 10-year license term, as appropriate, to arrive at the total amount of regulatory fees owed. Also, application fees may apply as detailed in § 1.1102 of this chapter. 2 These are standard fees that are to be paid in accordance with § 1.1157(b) of this chapter. 3 These are standard fees that are to be paid in accordance with § 1.1157(b) of this chapter. 3. Section 1.1153 is revised to read as follows: ■ tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES Radio [AM and FM] (47 CFR part 73) § 1.1153 Schedule of annual regulatory fees and filing locations for mass media services. Fee amount 1. AM Class A: <=25,000 population .......................... 25,001–75,000 population ................. 75,001–150,000 population ............... 150,001–500,000 population ............. 500,001–1,200,000 population .......... 1,200,001–3,000,000 population ....... >3,000,000 population ....................... 2. AM Class B: <=25,000 population .......................... 25,001–75,000 population ................. 75,001–150,000 population ............... 150,001–500,000 population ............. 500,001–1,200,000 population .......... 1,200,001–3,000,000 population ....... >3,000,000 population ....................... 3. AM Class C: <=25,000 population .......................... 25,001–75,000 population ................. 75,001–150,000 population ............... 150,001–500,000 population ............. 500,001–1,200,000 population .......... 1,200,001–3,000,000 population ....... >3,000,000 population ....................... 4. AM Class D: <=25,000 population .......................... 25,001–75,000 population ................. 75,001–150,000 population ............... 150,001–500,000 population ............. 500,001–1,200,000 population .......... 1,200,001–3,000,000 population ....... >3,000,000 population ....................... 5. AM Construction Permit ....................... 6. FM Classes A, B1 and C3: <=25,000 population .......................... 25,001–75,000 population ................. 75,001–150,000 population ............... 150,001–500,000 population ............. 500,001–1,200,000 population .......... VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:02 Sep 10, 2014 Jkt 232001 Address $775 1,550 2,325 3,475 5,025 7,750 9,300 645 1,300 1,625 2,750 4,225 6,500 7,800 FCC, Radio, P.O. Box 979084, St. Louis, MO, 63197–9000. 590 900 1,200 1,800 3,000 4,500 5,700 FCC, Radio, P.O. Box 979084, St. Louis, MO, 63197–9000. 670 1,000 1,675 2,025 3,375 5,400 6,750 590 FCC, Radio, P.O. Box 979084, St. Louis, MO, 63197–9000. 750 1,500 2,050 3,175 5,050 PO 00000 FCC, Radio, P.O. Box 979084, St. Louis, MO 63197–9000. FCC, Radio, P.O. Box 979084, St. Louis, MO, 63197–9000. FCC, Radio, P.O. Box 979084, St. Louis, MO, 63197–9000. Frm 00026 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\11SER1.SGM 11SER1 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 176 / Thursday, September 11, 2014 / Rules and Regulations Radio [AM and FM] (47 CFR part 73) Fee amount 1,200,001–3,000,000 population ....... >3,000,000 population ....................... 7. FM Classes B, C, C0, C1 and C2: <=25,000 population .......................... 25,001–75,000 population ................. 75,001–150,000 population ............... 150,001–500,000 population ............. 500,001–1,200,000 population .......... 1,200,001–3,000,000 population ....... >3,000,000 population ....................... 8. FM Construction Permits ...................... TV (47 CFR, part 73) Digital TV (UHF and VHF Commercial Stations): 1. Markets 1 thru 10 .......................... 2. Markets 11 thru 25 ........................ 3. Markets 26 thru 50 ........................ 4. Markets 51 thru 100 ...................... 5. Remaining Markets ....................... 6. Construction Permits ..................... Satellite UHF/VHF Commercial: 1. All Markets ..................................... 2. Construction Permits ..................... Low Power TV, Class A TV, TV/F FM Translator, & TV/FM Booster (47 CFR part 74). Broadcast Auxiliary ................................... Address 8,250 10,500 925 1,625 3,000 3,925 5,775 9,250 12,025 750 FCC, Radio, P.O. Box 979084, St. Louis, MO, 63197–9000. 44,650 42,100 26,975 15,600 4,750 4,750 FCC, TV Branch, P.O. Box 979084, St. Louis, MO, 63197–9000. 1,550 1,300 410 FCC Satellite TV, P.O. Box 979084, St. Louis, MO 63197–9000. 10 4. Section 1.1154 is revised to read as follows: ■ Radio facilities FCC, Radio, P.O. Box 979084, St. Louis, MO, 63197–9000. FCC, Low Power, P.O. Box 979084, St. Louis, MO 63197–9000. FCC, Auxiliary, P.O. Box 979084, St. Louis, MO 63197–9000. § 1.1154 Schedule of annual regulatory charges and filing locations for common carrier services. Fee amount Address 1. Microwave (Domestic Public Fixed) (Electronic Filing) (FCC Form 601 & 159). Carriers: 1. Interstate Telephone Service Providers (per interstate and international end-user revenues (see FCC Form 499–A). $15.00 5. Section 1.1155 is revised to read as follows: § 1.1155 Schedule of regulatory fees and filing locations for cable television services. .00343 ■ FCC, P.O. Box 979097, St. Louis, MO 63197–9000. FCC, Carriers, P.O. Box 979084, St. Louis, MO 63197–9000. Fee amount 1. Cable Television Relay Service ........... 2. Cable TV System, Including IPTV (per subscriber). $605 0.99 6. Section 1.1156 is revised to read as follows: ■ Address FCC, Cable, P.O. Box 979084, St. Louis, MO 63197–9000. § 1.1156 Schedule of regulatory fees and filing locations for international services. (a) The following schedule applies for the listed services: Fee category Fee amount Space Stations (Geostationary Orbit) ......................................... tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES 54211 $122,400 Space Stations (Non-Geostationary Orbit) ................................. 132,850 Earth Stations: Transmit/Receive & Transmit only (per authorization or registration). 295 VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:02 Sep 10, 2014 Jkt 232001 PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 Address FCC, International, P.O. Box 979084, St. Louis, MO 63197– 9000. FCC, International, P.O. Box 979084, St. Louis, MO 63197– 9000. FCC, International, P.O. Box 979084, St. Louis, MO 63197– 9000. E:\FR\FM\11SER1.SGM 11SER1 54212 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 176 / Thursday, September 11, 2014 / Rules and Regulations (b) International Terrestrial and Satellite. Regulatory fees for International Bearer Circuits are to be paid by facilities-based common carriers that have active (used or leased) international bearer circuits as of December 31 of the prior year in any terrestrial or satellite transmission facility for the provision of service to an end user or resale carrier, which includes active circuits to themselves or to their affiliates. In addition, noncommon carrier satellite operators must pay a fee for each circuit sold or leased to any customer, including themselves or their affiliates, other than an international common carrier authorized by the Commission to provide U.S. international common carrier services. ‘‘Active circuits’’ for International terrestrial and satellite (capacity as of December 31, 2013) Fee amount Terrestrial Common Carrier, Satellite Common Carrier, Satellite Non-Common Carrier. (c) Submarine cable: Regulatory fees for submarine cable systems will be paid annually, per cable landing license, these purposes include backup and redundant circuits. In addition, whether circuits are used specifically for voice or data is not relevant in determining that they are active circuits. The fee amount, per active 64 KB circuit or equivalent will be determined for each fiscal year. $0.21 per 64 KB Circuit Address FCC, International, P.O. Box 979084, St. Louis, MO 63197– 9000. for all submarine cable systems operating as of December 31 of the prior Submarine cable systems (capacity as of Dec. 31, 2013) year. The fee amount will be determined by the Commission for each fiscal year. Fee amount < 2.5 Gbps .................................................................................. $10,250 2.5 Gbps or greater, but less than 5 Gbps ................................ 20,500 5 Gbps or greater, but less than 10 Gbps ................................. 40,975 10 Gbps or greater, but less than 20 Gbps ............................... 81,950 20 Gbps or greater ..................................................................... 163,900 Address FCC, International, 9000. FCC, International, 9000. FCC, International, 9000. FCC, International, 9000. FCC, International, 9000. P.O. Box 979084, St. Louis, MO 63197– P.O. Box 979084, St. Louis, MO 63197– P.O. Box 979084, St. Louis, MO 63197– P.O. Box 979084, St. Louis, MO 63197– P.O. Box 979084, St. Louis, MO 63197– [FR Doc. 2014–21561 Filed 9–10–14; 8:45 am] tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES BILLING CODE 6712–01–P VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:52 Sep 10, 2014 Jkt 232001 PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\11SER1.SGM 11SER1

Agencies

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 176 (Thursday, September 11, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 54190-54212]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-21561]

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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR Part 1

[MD Docket No. 14-92; MD Docket No. 13-140; MD Docket No. 12-201; FCC
14-129]

Assessment and Collection of Regulatory Fees for Fiscal Year 2014

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: In this document the Commission revises its Schedule of
Regulatory Fees to recover an amount of $339,844,000 that Congress has
required the Commission to collect for fiscal year 2014. Section 9 of
the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, provides for the annual
assessment and collection of regulatory fees for annual ``Mandatory
Adjustments'' and ``Permitted Amendments'' to the Schedule of
Regulatory Fees.

DATES: Effective September 11, 2014. To avoid penalties and interest,
regulatory fees should be paid by the due date of September 23, 2014.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roland Helvajian, Office of Managing
Director at (202) 418-0444.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission's Report
and Order (R&O), FCC 14-129, MD Docket No. 14-92; MD Docket No. 13-140;
MD Docket No. 12-201, adopted on August 29, 2014 and released on August
29, 2014.

I. Procedural Matters

A. Final Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 Analysis

1. This Report and Order does not contain any new or modified
information collection requirements subject to the Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1995 (PRA), Public Law 104-13. In addition, therefore, it does
not contain any new or modified information collection burden for small
business concerns with fewer than 25 employees, pursuant to the Small
Business Paperwork Relief Act of 2002, Public Law 107-198, see 44
U.S.C. 3506 (c) (4).

B. Congressional Review Act Analysis

2. The Commission will send a copy of this Report and Order to
Congress and the Government Accountability Office pursuant to the
Congressional Review Act, see 5 U.S.C 801(a)(1)(A).\1\
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\1\ See 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A). The Congressional Review Act is
contained in Title II, 251, of the CWAAA; see Public Law 104-121,
Title II, 251, 110 Stat. 868.
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C. Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis

3. As required by the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980
(``RFA''),\2\ the Commission has prepared a Final Regulatory
Flexibility Analysis (``FRFA'') relating to this Report and Order. The
FRFA is set forth in the section entitled Final Regulatory Flexibility
Analysis.
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\2\ See 5 U.S.C. 603. The RFA, see 5 U.S.C. 601-612, has been
amended by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of
1996 (``SBREFA''), Public Law 104-121, Title II, 110 Stat. 847
(1996). The SBREFA was enacted as Title II of the Contract With
America Advancement Act of 1996 (``CWAAA'').
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II. Introduction and Executive Summary

4. This Report and Order concludes the rulemaking proceeding
initiated to collect $339,844,000 in regulatory fees for Fiscal Year
(FY) 2014, pursuant to Section 9 of the Communications Act of 1934, as
amended (the Act or Communications Act).\3\ These regulatory fees are
due in September 2014. This Report and Order also adopts several
proposals from our June 13, 2014 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and
Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FY 2014 NPRM).\4\
Specifically the proposals adopted are: (1) Ending the exemption of AM
expanded band licenses from regulatory fees; (2) revising the
apportionment between International Bureau licensees to reduce the
proportion paid by the submarine cable/terrestrial and satellite bearer
circuits by approximately five percent; (3) increasing the regulatory
fees paid by earth station licensees by approximately 7.5 percent to
more accurately reflect the regulation and oversight of this industry;
(4) increasing our annual de minimis threshold from under $10 to $500;
(5) eliminating several regulatory fee categories (218-219 MHz,
broadcast auxiliaries, and satellite television construction permits)
from regulatory fee requirements; and adopting a regulatory fee for
each toll free number managed by a Responsible Organization. The
increase in the annual de minimis threshold, the elimination of three
regulatory fee categories, and the new toll free category will be
effective in FY 2015, following the required notification of Congress.
The other provisions adopted in this Report and Order will be in effect
for FY 2014 upon publication of a summary of this Report and Order in
the Federal Register and are reflected in the fee schedule attached as
Appendix C.
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\3\ Section 9 regulatory fees are mandated by Congress and
collected to recover the regulatory costs associated with the
Commission's enforcement, policy and rulemaking, user information,
and international activities. 47 U.S.C. 159(a). In FY 2013, the
Commission was also required to collect $339,844,000 in regulatory
fees. The final collection amount was $10.9 million over this total,
which the Commission deposited in the U.S. Treasury. The year-to-
date accumulated total is $81.9 million.
\4\ Assessment and Collection of Regulatory Fees for Fiscal Year
2014, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Second Further Notice of
Proposed Rulemaking, and Order, MD Docket Nos. 14-92, 13-140, and
12-201, 79 FR 37982 (July 3, 2014) (2014) (FY 2014 NPRM).
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III. Background

5. The Commission is required by Congress to assess regulatory fees
each year in an amount that can reasonably be expected to equal the
amount of its appropriation.\5\ The Commission calculates the fees by
first determining the full-time equivalent (FTE) \6\ number of
employees performing the regulatory activities specified in section
9(a), ``adjusted to take into account factors

[[Page 54191]]

that are reasonably related to the benefits provided to the payer of
the fee by the Commission's activities. . . .'' \7\ Regulatory fees
must also cover the costs the Commission incurs in regulating entities
that are statutorily exempt from paying regulatory fees,\8\ entities
whose regulatory fees are waived,\9\ and entities that provide
nonregulated services.\10\ To calculate regulatory fees, the Commission
allocates the total amount to be collected among the various regulatory
fee categories. This allocation is based on the number of FTEs assigned
to work in each regulatory fee category. FTEs are categorized as
``direct'' if they are performing regulatory activities in one of the
``core'' bureaus, i.e., the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, Media
Bureau, Wireline Competition Bureau, and part of the International
Bureau. All other FTEs are considered ``indirect.'' \11\ The total FTEs
for each fee category is calculated by counting the number of direct
FTEs in the core bureau that regulates that category, plus a
proportional allocation of indirect FTEs. Each regulatee within a fee
category pays its proportionate share based on an objective measure,
e.g., revenues, or number of subscribers or licenses.\12\
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\5\ 47 U.S.C. 159(b)(1)(B).
\6\ One FTE, a ``Full Time Equivalent'' or ``Full Time
Employee,'' is a unit of measure equal to the work performed
annually by a full time person (working a 40 hour workweek for a
full year) assigned to the particular job, and subject to agency
personnel staffing limitations established by the U.S. Office of
Management and Budget.
\7\ 47 U.S.C. 159(b)(1)(A). When section 9 was adopted, the
total FTEs were to be calculated based on the number of FTEs in the
Private Radio Bureau, Mass Media Bureau, and Common Carrier Bureau.
(The names of these bureaus were subsequently changed.) Satellites
and submarine cable were regulated through the Common Carrier Bureau
before the International Bureau was created.
\8\ Assessment and Collection of Regulatory Fees for Fiscal Year
2004, Report and Order, 69 FR 41030, para 11 (July 7, 2004) (2004)
(FY 2004 Report and Order). For example, governmental and nonprofit
entities are exempt from regulatory fees under section 9(h) of the
Act. 47 U.S.C. 159(h); 47 CFR 1.1162.
\9\ 47 CFR 1.1166.
\10\ E.g., broadband services, non-U.S.-licensed space stations.
\11\ The indirect FTEs are the employees from the International
Bureau (in part), Enforcement Bureau, Consumer & Governmental
Affairs Bureau, Public Safety & Homeland Security Bureau, Chairman
and Commissioners' offices, Office of the Managing Director, Office
of General Counsel, Office of the Inspector General, Office of
Communications Business Opportunities, Office of Engineering and
Technology, Office of Legislative Affairs, Office of Strategic
Planning and Policy Analysis, Office of Workplace Diversity, Office
of Media Relations, and Office of Administrative Law Judges,
totaling 1,044 FTEs.
\12\ For a fuller description of this process, see Assessment
and Collection of Regulatory Fees for Fiscal Year 2012, Notice of
Proposed Rulemaking, 77 FR 29275 (May 7, 2012) (2012) (FY 2012
NPRM).
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6. Section 9 of the Act requires the Commission to make certain
changes to the regulatory fee schedule ``if the Commission determines
that the schedule requires amendment to comply with the requirements''
of section 9(b)(1)(A).\13\ The Commission is required, by rule, to
revise regulatory fees by proportionate increases or decreases to
reflect changes in the amount appropriated for the performance of its
regulatory activities.\14\ The Commission must add, delete, or
reclassify services in the fee schedule to reflect additions,
deletions, or changes in the nature of its services ``as a consequence
of Commission rulemaking proceedings or changes in law.'' These
``permitted amendments'' require Congressional notification\15\ before
they may take effect and any resulting changes in fees are not subject
to judicial review.\16\
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\13\ 47 U.S.C. 159(b)(1)(A).
\14\ 47 U.S.C. 159(b)(2) (Mandatory Amendments).
\15\ 47 U.S.C. 159(b)(4)(B).
\16\ 47 U.S.C. 159(b)(3).
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7. The Commission will continue our efforts to examine areas where
it can improve the regulatory fee process to better reflect changes in
the industry and at the Commission, and this Report and Order is
another step in this process. The Commission began this regulatory fee
reform analysis in the FY 2008 Further Notice.\17\ Regulatory fees
cannot be precisely calibrated to the actual costs of the regulatory
activities; however, there may be areas in which the regulatory fee
process can be improved and revised.\18\ In that proceeding, the
Commission sought comment on several issues, e.g., updating FTE
allocations; \19\ ITTA's proposal to add wireless providers to the
Interstate Telecommunications Service Providers (ITSP) category, which
includes interexchange carriers (IXCs), incumbent local exchange
carriers (LECs), toll resellers, and other IXC service providers
regulated by the Wireline Competition Bureau; \20\ adding a category
for Internet Protocol TV (IPTV); \21\ and adopting a per-subscriber fee
for direct broadcast satellite (DBS).\22\ In its 2012 report on the
Commission's regulatory fee program the Government Accountability
Office (GAO) encouraged the Commission to update the FTE allocations to
better align regulatory fees with regulatory costs.\23\ In the FY 2012
NPRM \24\ and the FY 2013 NPRM \25\ the Commission also sought comment
on revising the FTE allocations; and in the FY 2013 Report and Order
the Commission adopted an updated FTE allocations that more accurately
reflects the number of FTEs working on regulation and oversight of the
regulatees in the various fee categories; \26\ the Commission also
combined the UHF and VHF television stations into one regulatory fee
category,\27\ and created a fee category to include IPTV.\28\
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\17\ See Assessment and Collection of Regulatory Fees for Fiscal
Year 2008, MD Docket No. 08-65, Report and Order and Further Notice
of Proposed Rulemaking, 73 FR 50285 (August 26, 2008) (2008) (FY
2008 Further Notice).
\18\ FY 2008 Further Notice, 73 FR 50285 at 50287, para. 5-6.
\19\ Id., 73 FR 50285 at 50288-50289, para. 10, 18, 19.
\20\ Id., 73 FR 50285 at 50289, para. 19
\21\ Id., 73 FR 50285 at 50288-50289, para. 24.
\22\ Id., 73 FR 50285 at 50290, para. 26. Although these
proposals were not adopted at that time; we later adopted a new
methodology for assessing regulatory fees for the submarine cable
industry. See Assessment and Collection of Regulatory Fees for
Fiscal Year 2008, Second Report and Order, 74 FR 22104 (May 12,
2009) (2009) (Submarine Cable Order).
\23\ See GAO, Federal Communications Commission, ``Regulatory
Fee Process Needs to be Updated,'' Aug. 2012, GAO-12-686 (GAO
Report).
\24\ FY 2012 NPRM, 77 FR 29275.
\25\ Assessment and Collection of Regulatory Fees for Fiscal
Year 2013, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Further Notice of
Proposed Rulemaking, MD Docket Nos. 13-140, 12-201, and 08-65, 78 FR
34612 (June 10, 2013) (2013) (FY 2013 NPRM).
\26\ Assessment and Collection of Regulatory Fees for Fiscal
Year 2013, MD Docket No. 08-65, Report and Order, 78 FR 52433
(August 23, 2013) (2013) (FY 2013 Report and Order).
\27\ FY 2013 Report and Order, 78 FR 52433 at 52443 paras. 32-
34.
\28\ Id., 78 FR 52433 at 52443-52444 paras. 35-36.
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8. In our FY 2014 NPRM, the Commission sought comment on proposed
regulatory fees and on whether AM expanded band radio stations should
remain exempt from regulatory fees. In addition, the Commission also
sought comment on additional reform measures including: (1)
Reallocating some of the FTEs from the Enforcement Bureau, the Consumer
& Governmental Affairs Bureau, and the Office of Engineering and
Technology, as direct FTEs for regulatory fee purposes; (2)
reapportioning the fee allocations between groups of International
Bureau regulatees; (3) periodically updating FTE allocations; (4)
applying a cap on any regulatory fee increases for FY 2014; (5)
improving access to information through our Web site; (6) establishing
a higher de minimis threshold; (7) eliminating certain regulatory fee
categories; (8) combining ITSP and wireless voice services into one fee
category; (9) adding DBS operators to the cable television and IPTV
category; (10) creating a new regulatory fee category for non-U.S.
licensed space stations, or, alternatively, reallocating some FTEs
assigned to work on non-U.S. licensed space station issues as indirect
for regulatory fee purposes; and (11) adding a new regulatory fee
category for toll free numbers. Some of these issues had been raised in
earlier regulatory fee

[[Page 54192]]

proceedings and other issues were discussed for the first time as part
of our reform process. The Commission received 19 comments (some of
which are joint comments) and six reply comments. Appendix A is a list
of the commenters in this proceeding.

IV. Discussion

A. AM Expanded Band Radio Stations

9. Licensees operating a standard band AM station (540-1600 kHz)
linked to an AM expanded band station (1605-1705 kHz) are subject to
regulatory fees for the standard band station only.\29\ The Commission
decided not to require section 9 regulatory fee payments for AM
expanded band stations to encourage the movement to the expanded band
and reduce interference in the standard band.\30\ In doing so, the
Commission determined that at some future point it might impose section
9 regulatory fee requirements for AM expanded band stations.\31\ In the
FY 2008 FNPRM, the Commission stated that ``[t]here is no compelling
reason to permanently exempt AM expanded band licensees from paying
regulatory fees. As a general matter, it would be appropriate to treat
the AM expanded band and the AM standard band similarly for regulatory
fee purposes.'' \32\ In the FY 2014 NPRM, the Commission proposed
adopting a section 9 regulatory fee obligation for all AM expanded band
radio stations.\33\
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\29\ See Assessment and Collection of Regulatory Fees for Fiscal
Year 2005 and Assessment and Collection of Regulatory Fees for
Fiscal Year 2004, MD Docket Nos. 05-59 and 04-73, Report and Order
and Order on Reconsideration, 70 FR 41967 at 41971, para. 24 (2005)
(FY 2005 Report and Order).
\30\ FY 2005 Report and Order, 70 FR 41967 at 41971, para. 25.
\31\ Id.
\32\ See FY 2008 FNPRM, 73 FR 50201 at 50203, paras. 11-13.
\33\ FY 2014 NPRM, 79 FR 37982 at 37986 at para. 25.
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10. A number of AM expanded band broadcasters have chosen to
operate exclusively in the expanded band; at least two opted to retain
their standard band licenses. As a result, the Commission finds that
there is no longer a reason to provide this regulatory fee exemption to
AM broadcasters.\34\ Broadcasters who have retained both their standard
and expanded band licenses should not continue to be exempt from paying
regulatory fees because the exemption's original purpose of encouraging
AM broadcasters to move to the expanded band and reduce interference in
the standard band has been achieved. Therefore, the Commission adopts
the proposal in the FY 2014 NPRM by discontinuing the exemption.
Broadcasters who are operating in the AM expanded band will pay
regulatory fees on the same basis as AM standard band licensees
beginning in FY 2014.
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\34\ Commenters addressing this issue support assessing
regulatory fees on the AM expanded band licensees. See T. Cowan
Comments at 1. We did not receive any comments objecting to
discontinuation of the exemption.
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B. Reallocations Within Fee Categories

1. Submarine Cable
11. Submarine cable systems \35\ transport data, as well as voice
services, for international carriers, Internet providers, wholesale
operators, corporate customers, and governments. The submarine cable
industry is subject to minimal regulation and oversight from the
Commission after the initial licensing process.\36\ After a submarine
cable system is licensed, the regulatory activity is primarily limited
to preparing Circuit Status Reports \37\ and filing of quarterly
reports by licensees affiliated with a carrier with market power in
destination market of the submarine cable.\38\
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\35\ Submarine cable systems are undersea cables between land-
based stations carrying data and voice services.
\36\ FY 2014 NPRM, 79 FR 37982 at 37988 at para. 34.
\37\ See Reporting Requirements for U.S. Providers of
International Telecommunications Services; Amendment of Part 43 of
the Commission's Rules, IB Docket No. 04-112, Second Report and
Order, 28 FCC Rcd 575, 601-08, paras. 89-108 (2013), recon. pending.
\38\ See 47 CFR 1.767(l).
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12. Previously, commenters proposed that the regulatory fees among
International Bureau licensees should be adjusted to reflect this
minimal oversight \39\ and the Commission sought comment on this issue
in the FY 2014 NPRM.\40\ The Commission tentatively concluded in the FY
2014 NPRM that it should revise the apportionment between satellite
services (space station and earth station regulatory fee categories)
and the submarine cable operators/terrestrial and satellite circuits
(submarine cable/bearer circuits) to more accurately reflect the amount
of oversight and regulation for these industries.\41\ The satellite
services pay 59 percent of the total regulatory fees allocated to
International Bureau licensees and submarine cable pays 41 percent of
this total. Submarine cable is subject to minimal regulation and
oversight after being licensed, and therefore, the current allocation
of 41 percent of regulatory fees is excessive for this industry.
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\39\ See, e.g., NASCA Comments at 8-9 (filed June 19, 2013);
Telstra Comments at 2 (filed June 19, 2013); ICC Reply Comments at 2
(filed June 19, 2013).
\40\ FY 2014 NPRM, 79 FR 37982 at 37988 at para. 34.
\41\ The revenue allocation between submarine cable operators
and common carrier terrestrial and satellite circuits is 87.6
percent/12.4 percent and was adopted in the Submarine Cable Order.
See Assessment and Collection of Regulatory Fees for Fiscal Year
2008, Second Report and Order, 74 FR 22104 (2009) (Submarine Cable
Order). The Commission did not propose any change to this allocation
in the FY 2014 NPRM.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

13. For instance, in response to the FY 2014 NPRM, NASCA,
representing several submarine cable operators (with 29 of the 41
active systems landing in the United States) emphasized that the
Commission engages in limited enforcement activity, policy and
rulemaking actions, user information services, and international
activities regarding submarine cable operators.\42\ NASCA also observes
that most of the Commission's work related to submarine cable is
limited to licensing, processing applications, and reviewing proposed
transactions.\43\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\42\ NASCA Comments at 5-7.
\43\ NASCA Comments at 7.
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14. We agree that the combined revenue requirement for submarine
cable is currently too high compared to the revenue requirement for the
satellite and earth station operators.\44\ Specifically, the current
regulatory fee assessment for the submarine cable category does not
fairly take into account the Commission's minimal oversight and
regulation of the industry, as demonstrated by NASCA. We therefore
reduce the regulatory fee apportionment for submarine cable to more
accurately reflect the amount of regulation and oversight for this
industry. In doing so, we find a five percent decrease in regulatory
fee obligations is appropriate at this time. This decrease reflects
that although only two FTEs in the International Bureau work on
submarine cable issues, a total of 47.5 indirect FTEs devote time to
both submarine cable and other regulatees of the International
Bureau.\45\ A five percent decrease, is therefore appropriate because
it reflects both the direct work on submarine cable issues and the
indirect FTEs that devote their time to International Bureau regulatees
as a whole. As discussed below, this approximately five percent
decrease in regulatory fees for submarine cable results in a change in
the allocation percentage between Submarine Cable and Bearer Circuit
issues (41 percent of International regulatory fees), and Satellite and
Earth Station issues (59 percent of International regulatory fees)

[[Page 54193]]

to 35.72 percent and 64.28 percent, respectively. We will revisit the
issue of submarine cable systems in future regulatory fee proceedings
to determine if additional adjustment is warranted.
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\44\ NASCA Comments at 10-12.
\45\ FY 2013 Report and Order, 78 FR 52433.
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2. Earth Stations
15. An earth station transmits or receives messages from a
satellite. In the FY 2014 NPRM, the Commission recognized that
oversight and regulation of the satellite industry by International
Bureau FTEs involves legal, technical, and policy issues pertaining to
both space station and earth station operations and is therefore
interdependent to some degree.\46\ We also recognized in the FY 2014
NPRM, that our activities concerning the satellite industry also
involve issues related to non-U.S. licensed space stations that access
the U.S. market but do not pay regulatory fees.\47\ In light of this,
we sought comment on whether we should increase the earth station
regulatory fee allocation in order to reflect more appropriately the
number of FTEs devoted to the regulation and oversight of the earth
station portion of the satellite industry.\48\ Commenters suggest that
if the Commission needs a specific mechanism to account for
International Bureau FTEs working on market access requests from non-
U.S.-licensed satellites, the Commission should do so by increasing the
earth station regulatory fee.\49\ EchoStar and DISH observe that earth
station licensees' regulatory fees may not reflect the regulatory cost
associated with these systems for regulatory fee purposes. These
commenters also note that space stations pay an unreasonably high
portion of the regulatory fees for this allocation.\50\ Commenters also
suggest the current allocation between space and earth station
operators does not reflect the significant streamlining of space
station regulation that has occurred.\51\ We agree with commenters and
adjust the regulatory fees for earth stations to reflect the relative
oversight and regulation of space stations and earth stations.
Accordingly, as discussed above, we revise the allocation of the
submarine cable/bearer circuit fee categories from 41 percent of all
international regulatory fees to approximately 36 percent of all
international regulatory fees. This reduction in the allocation of
submarine cable/bearer circuit fee categories results in an increase in
the satellite/earth station allocation percentage from 59 percent to
approximately 64 percent. This five percent change in allocation
results in a larger projected revenue collection for satellite and
earth stations. To collect this additional revenue for FY 2014 we will
increase earth stations regulatory fees by 7.5 percent from their FY
2013 rates and we will collect the remaining revenue from the satellite
fee categories.
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\46\ FY 2014 NPRM, 79 FR 37982 at 37988 at para. 35. Some of
these FTEs work on earth station issues that pertain to non-U.S.-
licensed space stations.
\47\ Id., 79 FR 37982 at 37988 at para. 35.
\48\ Id., 79 FR 37982 at 37988 at para. 35.
\49\ Satellite Parties Comments at 8-10 (``assessing these costs
as part of earth station regulatory fees may be a better (albeit
imperfect) method of capturing these costs'').
\50\ See, e.g., Echostar and DISH Comments at 5.
\51\ See, e.g., SIA Comments at 5. See also Comprehensive Review
of Licensing and Operating Rules for Satellite Services, Report and
Order, 28 FCC Rcd 12403 at 1205, n.2 (2013) (providing an exhaustive
list of streamlined actions with respect to satellite services).
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C. Improving the Regulatory Fee Process

16. As noted earlier, this Report and Order is our latest step in
reforming our regulatory fee process. In the FY 2013 Report and Order,
the Commission committed to additional regulatory fee reform, stating:

Various other issues relevant to revising our regulatory fee
program were also raised in either the FY 2013 NPRM or in comments
submitted in response to it. Because we require further information
to best determine what action to take on these complex issues, we
will consolidate them for consideration in a Second Further Notice
of Proposed Rulemaking that we will issue shortly. We recognize that
these are complex issues and that resolving them will be difficult.
Nevertheless, we intend to conclusively readjust regulatory fees
within three years.\52\

\52\ FY 2013 Report and Order, 78 FR 52433.
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17. We adopted significant reforms in the FY 2013 Report and Order
and we continued to seek comment on additional reforms in the FY 2014
NPRM and in the Further Notice included in this order. In the FY 2014
NPRM we sought comment on how often we should engage in an in-depth
review of our regulatory fee methodology in a way that balances the
need for stability to enable regulatees in various industry sectors to
budget for regulatory fees against the need to reflect the changing
work of the Commission FTEs.\53\ Commenters agree that we should update
our FTE allocations at regular intervals, such as annually, to avoid
assessing regulatory fees based on outdated information.\54\
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\53\ FY 2014 NPRM, 79 FR 37982.
\54\ CTIA Comments at 2; ITTA Comments at 12-13; USTelecom Reply
Comments at 2-4 (arguing that we should update the FTE count
annually).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

18. We conclude that it is appropriate to update the FTE count
annually. We agree with commenters and the GAO that regular updates are
appropriate in order to calculate regulatory fees more accurately. We
also find it appropriate to perform these updates annually because
doing so will ensure use of the most current FTE counts in regulatory
fee calculations, while imposing little administrative burden on the
Commission. We will begin this process beginning in FY 2015.
19. Commenters also suggest that we conclude our regulatory fee
proceedings earlier in the year; \55\ however, it is not feasible to do
so because our fee calculations (unit estimates) are generally updated
based on industry submissions with filing deadlines between April and
June, and this data is crucial in determining an accurate fee rate
prior to release of the regulatory fee notice of proposed
rulemaking.\56\ Given these deadlines, which are set for additional
purposes beyond regulatory fees and the time needed to comply with
rulemaking requirements, it is not currently feasible to conduct and
conclude the regulatory fee process earlier in the year.
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\55\ ITTA Comments at 14; USTelecom Reply Comments at 2-3.
\56\ E.g., revenue information is provided in the FCC Form 499-
A, due April 1 each year, and Media Bureau licensees file data in
June and July. In addition, the Circuit Status Report, which
contains bearer circuit and submarine cable information, is filed
with the International Bureau by March 31 each year. After the
International Bureau staff analyzes this information and requests
supporting data, the final data is usually provided to the Managing
Director in June.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

20. Concerning revising allocations, the Commission believes it
would be appropriate to seek comment on any such revisions every two
years, or as needed. Whereas updating the FTEs can be accomplished at
minimal cost to the Commission, revising the allocations is a more
complex process requiring in-depth analysis and public comment.
Moreover, revising the allocations annually could create regulatory
uncertainty based on changes stemming from small variations in annual
workload rather than a longer lasting change. Therefore, given the need
for regulatory certainty and the time needed for the Commission to
conduct the appropriate rulemaking proceedings, the Commission
concludes that a biennial process for revising allocations is
preferable to an annual one.

D. Revising the De Minimis Threshold

21. Currently, a regulatee is exempt from paying regulatory fees if
the sum total of all of its liabilities for all categories of
regulatory fees for the fiscal year is less than $10.\57\ Because

[[Page 54194]]

this $10 annual threshold is too low to benefit most small entities, in
the FY 2014 NPRM the Commission proposed to increase the de minimis
threshold to $100, $500, or $1,000 to provide more relief to smaller
entities and improve the cost effectiveness of the Commission's
collection of regulatory fees.\58\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\57\ The Commission's Process Reform Report, 29 FCC Rcd 1338
(2014), also seeks comment on this issue.
\58\ FY 2014 NPRM, 79 FR 37982.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

22. ACA contends, and the Commission agrees, that our previous de
minimis threshold of $10 was too low to benefit the smaller licensees
and provide cost effectiveness to our fee collection process.\59\ ACA
asserts that extending relief from regulatory fees to very small
operators would have a de minimis impact on our regulatory fee
collections \60\ but may contribute to the difference between staying
in business or shuttering the system for the operators and small and
rural communities they serve.\61\ NAB also asserts that a higher de
minimis threshold would permit stations in small markets to devote more
resources towards improved programming and signal quality.\62\
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\59\ ACA Comments at 9-13.
\60\ For example, figures from our FY 2013 regulatory fee
collections show that increasing the de minimis threshold to $500
would have decreased the amount collected from cable licensees by
only .125% and making the same change for ITSPs would have decreased
collections for that fee category by only .04%.
\61\ ACA Comments at 12.
\62\ NAB Comments at 2.
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23. AT&T suggests that in setting the de minimis threshold the
Commission select a ``fee amount just north of the point at which it
costs the Commission more to assess and recover the fee than the fee
actually brings in.'' \63\ This suggestion is reasonable and, as
discussed below, the Commission adopts this suggestion today. In
addition, the Commission also takes into account the significant non-
financial benefits that justify an increased threshold. Smaller
entities are at greater risk of missing regulatory fee deadlines
because of their limited budgets and resources. Nonpayment for these
small entities then often results in the escalation of administrative
and financial burdens, as these small entities must devote more
resources to navigate through the late payment recovery process. In
addition, many of these entities are subject to little Commission
oversight and regulation which serves to further exacerbate this
inequity. Therefore, the Commission finds the current $10 threshold
unnecessarily burdens small entities, and raising it to $500 will
provide financial relief to these entities, in addition to reducing the
administrative burden on the Commission. This higher threshold reflects
the estimated costs of collecting an unpaid, minimal regulatory fee, at
least $350 in direct costs,\64\ and the benefits to these entities of a
higher de minimis threshold. In addition, setting the threshold at $500
is unlikely to reduce fee collections to an amount below the full
amount of the Commission's annual appropriation. Contrary to the
assertion of ACA, which argues the de minimis threshold should be cable
operators serving 1000 or fewer subscribers, or NAB, which argues for a
$750 or $1,000 de minimis threshold, the Commission believes setting
the de minimis threshold at $500 is the proper balance to ensure relief
for smaller entities against the need for sufficient collection of
regulatory fees consistent with the Commission's responsibilities. In
particular, the Commission finds a de minimis threshold higher than
$500 may result in insufficient fees collected for the fiscal year. The
Commission will continue to monitor the de minimis issue and, in the
future, will consider whether to further increase the threshold, adopt
a threshold based on the number of cable and IPTV subscribers as
suggested by ACA, or revise the threshold on some other basis.
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\63\ AT&T Comments at 3. See also CTIA Comments at 12.
\64\ The Commission estimates that the cost of researching,
creating, and sending a bill to a non-payer bill, and completing all
follow-up discussion and correspondence, totals more than $350. This
sum does not include overhead or the more difficult to quantify
administrative costs of administering the regulatory fee program
generally.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

24. The de minimis threshold the Commission adopts today applies
only to filers of annual regulatory fees (not multi-year filings). This
de minimis exemption from the payment of regulatory fees applies to the
sum of all annual regulatory fee obligations that a regulatee has for
all applicable fee categories; not to individual payments for each
category separately. So that all licensees have the same opportunity to
include all of their licenses towards the $500 de minimis exemption,
the Commission will raise the de minimis threshold to $500 beginning
October 1, 2014, the first day of fiscal year 2015. For example, in FY
2015, a regulatee will be exempt from paying regulatory fees if the sum
total of all annual regulatory fee obligations between October 1, 2014
and September 30, 2015 is $500 or less. This includes the sum total of
all annual regulatory fees (but not multi-year wireless fees). The de
minimis status is not a permanent exemption from regulatory fees.
Rather, each regulatee will need to reevaluate annually to determine
whether its total liability for annual regulatory fees falls at or
below the threshold given any changes that the Commission may make in
its regulatory fees from year to year.

E. Eliminating Certain Regulatory Fee Categories

25. In the FY 2014 NPRM, the Commission sought comment on whether
to exclude certain categories, such as amateur radio vanity call signs
\65\ ($21.60 for a 10-year license) and general mobile radio service
(GMRS) \66\ ($25 for a five-year license), from regulatory fees.\67\
The Commission also sought comment on eliminating other regulatory fee
categories, such as Satellite TV, Satellite TV Construction Permits,
Broadcast Auxiliaries,\68\ LPTV/Class A Television and FM Translators/
Boosters, and CMRS Messaging (Paging) from regulatory fees. The
Commission sought comment on the benefits of discontinuing such
collections because these fee categories account for a relatively small
portion of annual regulatory fees. The fees for single licenses in many
of these regulatory fee categories are below the de minimis threshold
adopted above. However, the de minimis threshold is an annual threshold
and licensees that pay regulatory fees on multiple licenses during the
fiscal year may exceed this de minimis threshold by the end of the
fiscal year.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\65\ Amateur stations are normally assigned the next available
call sign, based on the licensee's geographic region and license
status, i.e., a sequential call sign. 47 CFR 97.17(d). The licensee
can request a specific unassigned but assignable call sign, known as
a vanity call sign. 47 CFR 97.19.
\66\ GMRS is a land-mobile radio service available for short-
distance two-way communications to facilitate the activities of a
licensee and his or her immediate family members. See 47 CFR 95.1.
The Commission initially proposed eliminating regulatory fees for
GMRS in the FY 2008 Further Notice. See FY 2008 Further Notice, 73
FR 50285 at 50290-50291 at para. 337.
\67\ CTIA opposes this proposal because the exclusion of some
categories would shift the burden to other categories. See CTIA
Comments at 12-13. These fee categories, however, account for a very
small portion of annual regulatory fees. R. Knowles suggests that we
eliminate the application fee instead of the regulatory fee. R.
Knowles Comments at 4-7. In Reply Comments, however, Mr. Knowles
recommends that the Commission eliminate the GMRS regulatory fee.
See R. Knowles Reply Comments at 1-5. As noted below, the Commission
will not eliminate the GMRS regulatory fee because the Commission
does not yet have an adequate record to support it.
\68\ Broadcast Auxiliary stations are used for relaying
broadcast aural and television signals. They can be used to relay
signals from the studio to the transmitter, or between two points,
such as a main studio and an auxiliary studio. The Broadcast
Auxiliary services also include mobile TV pickups and remote pickup
stations which relay signals from a remote location, back to the
studio.

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[[Page 54195]]

26. Most commenters addressing this issue agree with our
proposal.\69\ Commenters contend that the Commission should eliminate
CMRS Messaging,\70\ aviation ground licensees,\71\ and certain
broadcast categories,\72\ because there is not intensive Commission
oversight or regulation of these industry sectors. At this time, the
Commission is not eliminating these categories or GMRS, Satellite TV,
LPTV/Class A Television and FM Translators/Boosters, and amateur radio
Vanity Call Signs because, based on examination, there is not enough
support to determine whether the cost of recovery and burden on small
entities outweighs the collected revenue; or whether eliminating the
fee would adversely affect the licensing process. The Commission will
reevaluate this issue in the future to determine if other fee
categories should be eliminated.
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\69\ See, e.g., K. Harrison Comments at 2; NAB Comments at 2; R.
Knowles Reply Comments at 1-5.
\70\ CMA Comments at 3-5.
\71\ ASRI Comments at 6.
\72\ T. Cowan Comments at 1 (suggesting that the Commission also
eliminate regulatory fees for Broadcast Auxiliaries and
Translators); NAB Comments at 2 (suggesting the Commission eliminate
regulatory fees for Broadcast Auxiliaries, Low Power TV/Class A
Television, and TV/FM Translators and Boosters. The Commission is
eliminating the broadcast auxiliaries fee category, but not
translators and boosters or low power TV/Class A television, at this
time because translators and boosters are still an integral part of
radio and television operations, whereas broadcast auxiliaries only
carry the signal forward. As a result, compared to broadcast
auxiliaries, the fee revenue derived from translators and boosters
is approximately six times greater ($1.57 million versus .26
million), which the Commission would still need to recoup. However,
in instances in which a regulatee has one translator/booster
license, it would be exempt from regulatory fees because it would
meet the de minimis threshold.
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27. The Commission therefore concludes that 218-219 MHz
licenses,\73\ broadcast auxiliaries, and satellite television
construction permits be eliminated from the regulatory fee schedule,
beginning in FY 2015. Entities holding 218-219 MHz licenses pay an
annual fee consisting of a regulatory fee and an annual license renewal
fee. The Commission will eliminate the regulatory fee component of this
three multi-year wireless fee category beginning in FY 2015. Parties
that already have such licenses, however, must continue to pay the
annual renewal fee and will not be eligible for a refund of any
previously paid licensing fees. In the past several years, the
Commission has received very few applications, if any, for 218-219 MHz
licenses, which has prompted us to eliminate this fee category. The
Commission will eliminate annual regulatory fees for satellite
television construction permits, beginning in FY 2015 because the
Commission has not received any new applications or payments of
regulatory fees for this fee category in many years. The Commission has
also decided to eliminate the broadcast auxiliary fee category
beginning in FY 2015 because the Commission spends more resources in
monitoring and collecting these very small fees ($10 in FY 2013) than
it collects. After these fees are eliminated, licensees will no longer
be burdened administratively and financially to identify each of their
call signs and to submit payment. Finally, eliminating this fee
category benefits the Commission because it will no longer have to
devote resources to associate each of the 27,000 call signs with the
primary station of ownership.
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\73\ The 218-219 MHz Service (formerly known as the Interactive
Video and Data Service (or IVDS)) is in the 218-219 MHz spectrum
range. The 218-219 MHz Service spectrum is suitable for providing
fixed or mobile services.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

F. New Regulatory Fee Categories--Toll Free Numbers

28. Toll free numbers allow callers to reach the called party
without being charged for the call; instead the charge for the call is
paid by the called party (the toll free subscriber).\74\ Toll free
numbers, as defined in section 52.101(f) of our rules,\75\ are not
currently subject to regulatory fees. Historically, the Commission has
not assessed regulatory fees on toll free numbers under the rationale
that the entities controlling the numbers, wireline and wireless
carriers, were paying regulatory fees based on either revenues or
subscribers.\76\ In the FY 2014 NPRM,\77\ the Commission recognized
this may no longer be a realistic assumption as there appear to be many
toll free numbers controlled or managed by entities, Responsible
Organizations or RespOrgs,\78\ that in some cases are not carriers. In
the FY 2014 NPRM the Commission sought comment on whether it should
assess regulatory fees on RespOrgs, for each toll free number managed
by a RespOrg.\79\
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\74\ 47 U.S.C. 52.101(e), (f).
\75\ Toll free numbers are telephone numbers for which the toll
charges for completed calls are paid by the toll free subscriber.
See 47 CFR 52.101(f). These are 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, or 844
numbers. SMS/800 (or the 800 Service Management System) is a
centralized system that performs toll free number management. For a
list of RespOrgs on the SMS/800 Web site, see https://www.sms800.com/Controls/NAC/Serviceprovider.aspx.
\76\ See generally, Universal Service Contribution Methodology,
Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 27 FCC Rcd 5357, 5463-64,
para. 306 (2012).
\77\ FY 2014 NPRM, 79 FR 37982 at 37992, para. 57.
\78\ A RespOrg is a company that manages toll free telephone
numbers for subscribers. They use the SMS/800 data base to verify
the availability of specific numbers and to reserve the numbers for
subscribers. See 47 CFR 52.101(b).
\79\ In the FY 2014 Further Notice we asked commenters whether
we should assess regulatory fees on working, assigned, and reserved
toll free numbers if we should assess regulatory fees for toll free
numbers that are in the ``transit'' status, or any other status as
defined in section 52.103 of the Commission's rules. FY 2014 NPRM,
79 FR 37982 at 37992, para. 57.
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29. The Commission finds that it has the legal authority and
responsibility to assess regulatory fees on toll free numbers \80\ and
therefore adopt a new fee category for toll free numbers in this
proceeding.\81\ The Commission has exclusive jurisdiction over ``those
portions of the North American Numbering Plan that pertain to the
United States.'' \82\ Commission FTEs, primarily in the Wireline
Competition Bureau and the Enforcement Bureau, devote work to toll free
numbering issues and activities including enforcement activities,\83\
rulemakings, and other policy making proceedings.\84\ Because the
Commission is required to devote its FTEs to toll number regulation, it
is appropriate under section 9 of the Act to recover the associated
costs.\85\ Exercising our authority under section 9 to assess
regulatory fees on toll free numbers also advances a fundamental
purpose of section 251(e)(1) of the Act, to ensure the efficient, fair,
and orderly allocation of toll free numbers.\86\ The Commission is
empowered to ensure that toll free numbers, a valuable national public
resource, are allocated in an equitable and orderly manner that serves
the public interest.\87\
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\80\ Toll Free Access Codes, Second Report and Order and Further
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 12 FCC Rcd 11162, 11178-79, para. 22
(1997) (Toll Free Second Report and Order) (Sections 201(b) and
251(e) of the Act ``empower the Commission to ensure that toll free
numbers * * * are allocated in an equitable and orderly manner that
serves the public interest.'')
\81\ We will seek comment on the fee rate in our annual
regulatory fee notice of proposed rulemaking next year.
\82\ 47 U.S.C. 251(e)(1).
\83\ See, e.g., Richard Jackowitz, IT Connect, Inc., Notice of
Apparent Liability for Forfeiture, 29 FCC Rcd 3318 (2014); Richard
Jackowitz, IT Connect, Inc., Notice of Apparent Liability for
Forfeiture, 28 FCC Rcd 6692 (2013); Telseven, LLC, et al., Notice of
Apparent Liability for Forfeiture, 27 FCC Rcd 15558 (2013).
\84\ See, e.g., Toll Free Second Report and Order, 12 FCC Rcd
11162 (1997).
\85\ 47 U.S.C. 159(a)(1).
\86\ See Toll Free Second Report and Order, 12 FCC Rcd at 11176,
para. 18.
\87\ Id., 12 FCC Rcd at 11178-79, para. 22.
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30. Based on our evaluation, the FTEs involved in toll free issues
are primarily from the Wireline Competition

[[Page 54196]]

Bureau.\88\ Accordingly, a regulatory fee assessed on toll free numbers
reduces the ITSP regulatory fee total; for example, if the total
revenue requirement for toll free numbers had been four million dollars
this year,\89\ expected ITSP revenues would need only be $127,369,000
instead of $131,369,000 and the ITSP rate would need only be 0.00333
instead of 0.00343. The Commission, therefore, will assess regulatory
fees on RespOrgs, for each toll free number managed by a RespOrg.\90\
However, the Commission wishes to clarify that the regulatory fee,
assessed on RespOrgs, for toll free numbers is limited to toll free
numbers that are accessible within the United States.\91\
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\88\ See, e.g., Toll Free Service Access Codes, Petition to
Change the Composition of SMS/800, Inc., CC Docket No. 95-155, WC
Docket No. 12-260, Order, 28 FCC Rcd 15328 (2013); Enforcement
Bureau staff also work on toll free issues.
\89\ See FY 2014 NPRM, 79 FR 37982 at 37992 at para. 57
(estimating based on assessment of one cent per month per managed
toll free number by a RespOrg).
\90\ In the FY 2014 NPRM the Commission asked commenters whether
it should assess regulatory fees on working, assigned, and reserved
toll free numbers and whether it should assess regulatory fees for
toll free numbers that are in the ``transit'' status, or any other
status as defined in section 52.103 of the Commission's rules. FY
2014 NPRM, 79 FR 37982 at 37992 at para. 57. Toll free numbers in
any such status are included in this category.
\91\ See, e.g., Bell Canada Comments at 2. Other commenters
support this new category. See, e.g., ITTA Comments at 13. One
commenter, however, contends that it would be confusing to impose
regulatory fees on a RespOrg that is not a carrier. See
Bandwidth.com Reply Comments at 2. USTelecom argues that the
Commission needs to clarify our proposal to impose regulatory fees
on toll free numbers. USTelecom Reply Comments at 5.
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31. Parties requested greater clarity and outreach to promote
awareness of why this new fee category may be needed, especially for
RespOrgs that the commenters allege are not generally accustomed to
being regulated or paying regulatory fees.\92\ Consistent with past
efforts by Commission staff to seek and obtain greater input concerning
regulatory fee reform, the Commission will engage and conduct outreach
to promote awareness of this new category and to promote discussion
with interested parties.\93\ There will be sufficient time for such
activities because this change will not take effect until FY 2015. It
is a ``permitted amendment'' as defined in section 9(b)(3) of the Act,
which, pursuant to section 9(b)(4)(B), must be submitted to Congress at
least 90 days before it becomes effective.\94\ Therefore, because the
Commission will not have sufficient time to provide 90 days' notice
before September 30, 2014, this change will not be implemented until FY
2015.
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\92\ See Bandwidth Reply Comments at 2.
\93\ See FY 2014 NPRM, 79 FR 37982 at 37992 at para. 57.
\94\ 47 U.S.C. 159(b)(3).
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G. Additional Regulatory Fee Reform

32. In the FY 2014 NPRM the Commission sought comment on ways to
further improve our regulatory fee process to make it less burdensome
for all entities, specifically smaller entities.\95\ The Commission
notes that it is currently seeking comment on Commission-wide ``Process
Reform,'' \96\ and it plans to adopt reforms to the regulatory fee
process in conjunction with the Process Reform initiative. In
particular, the Managing Director has placed regulatory fee waiver
decisions on the Commission's Web site so that they are accessible to
the public.\97\ Although the decisions are specifically applicable only
to the parties involved, these letters can be helpful in providing
guidance to all waiver applicants regarding the requirements of our
rules. The Managing Director has also initiated a complete review of
the Commission's regulatory fee Web page with the objective of
improving access to other regulatory fee payment information. The
Managing Director is directed to provide details on other improvements
in a subsequent public notice.
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\95\ FY 2014 NPRM, 79 FR 37982 at 37989 at para. 41.
\96\ Process Reform Report, 29 FCC Rcd 1338 (2014).
\97\ These are in our electronic comment filing system (ECFS),
under proceeding ``86-285.''
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H. Other Issues

33. One of the significant measures adopted in the FY 2013
regulatory fee reform process was updating the FTE allocations and
allocating a portion of the International Bureau FTEs as indirect
FTEs.\98\ The Commission reallocated some FTEs from the International
Bureau as indirect FTEs because the work those FTEs perform is for the
Commission as a whole, rather than for a particular group of
regulatees.\99\ In the FY 2014 NPRM, the Commission sought comment on
additional FTE reallocations. The Commission recognizes that
reallocating FTEs from a core bureau as indirect, or from a non-core
bureau as direct, could better align regulatory fees with the costs of
regulation. In this Report and Order the Commission does not adopt
further FTE reallocations. Rather, as discussed below, additional
information and examination is needed to better understand, at a more
granular level, the number of FTEs performing work related to the
various types of regulatees throughout the communications industry. In
particular, the work of the Wireline Competition Bureau, Wireless
Telecommunications Bureau, and Media Bureau has, in many cases,
converged over time and their regulation of various types of regulatees
involves similar issues and generates common Commission costs.\100\ In
addition, the Commission has seen an increase in the number of wireless
subscribers and a decrease in wireline (switched access lines and
interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), together)
subscribers.\101\ From June 2011 to June 2014 wireless subscribers have
increased from 298 million to 335 million, while the total wireline
access lines (switched access lines and VoIP subscriptions, together)
have decreased from 146 million to 135 million.\102\ Fewer wireline
customers over time may result in disproportionately higher regulatory
fees for the ITSP industry. Also, a growth in segments of the industry
that do not pay regulatory fees can also increase the regulatory fee
burden on the remaining industries. For these reasons, Commission staff
will continue their analysis of these issues and will seek further
comment on reallocation proposals in future regulatory proceedings.
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\98\ FY 2013 Report and Order, 78 FR 52433 at 52437 at para. 15-
17.
\99\ The Commission notes that even with that FTE reallocation,
a significant number of International Bureau FTEs work on matters
involving non-U.S.-licensed space stations serving the United
States. The Commission is also considering reallocating those FTEs
as indirect but does not adopt such a rule here because it needs to
develop the record further before making a decision.
\100\ FY 2013 NPRM, 78 FR 34612 at 34616-34617 at para. 24.
\101\ See ``Local Telephone Competition: Status as of June 30,
2013,'' Industry Analysis and Technology Division, Wireline
Competition Bureau, June 2014 (Local Telephone Competition Report)
at 2, Figure 1.
\102\ Local Telephone Competition Report at 2, Figure 1. A
decrease in total wireline access lines could eventually result in a
higher rate for the ITSP category if the same number of FTEs are
assigned to this category.
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34. In the FY 2014 NPRM, the Commission specifically sought comment
on a proposal from SIA to reallocate FTEs from the Enforcement Bureau
and the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau to other bureaus.\103\
SIA contends that the FTEs in these two non-core bureaus are focused on
certain regulatees or licensees and therefore should not be allocated
proportionally to all the core bureaus as indirect FTEs but should be
allocated directly to the Wireline, Media, and Wireless bureaus.\104\
For

[[Page 54197]]

example, the FTEs in the regional and field offices of the Enforcement
Bureau primarily investigate issues involving wireless and broadcast
licensees; however, this division has one FTE responsible for satellite
interference issues, and may also be involved in wireline issues in the
course of disaster relief efforts. As a whole, the Enforcement Bureau
\105\ and the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau FTEs devote a
small portion of their time to international bureau licensee issues.
For that reason, the Commission finds that the record does not support
reallocating these indirect Enforcement Bureau and Consumer &
Governmental Affairs Bureau FTEs to the Wireline, Enforcement, and
Wireless Bureaus at this time.\106\
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\103\ FY 2014 NPRM, 79 FR 37982 at 37987 at para. 28-30.
\104\ This proposal is supported by several commenters. See,
e.g., Echostar and DISH Comments at 3-4; NASCA Comments at 12-13;
SIA Comments at 2-4.
\105\ See, e.g., Intelsat License, LLC, Notice of Apparent
Liability for Forfeiture, 28 FCC Rcd 17183 (2013).
\106\ Several commenters argue that the Commission should not
take this action at this time. See, e.g., AT&T Comments at 1-2; CTIA
Comments at 10-12; NAB Comments at 3; USTelecom Reply Comments at 5.
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35. The Commission also sought comment on reallocating the FTEs
from the Commission's Office of Engineering and Technology.\107\ This
office is primarily involved in work related to spectrum issues. For
example, the office advises the Commission on technical and engineering
matters, develops and administers Commission decisions regarding
spectrum allocations, develops technical rules for the operation of
unlicensed radio devices, authorizes the marketing of radio frequency
devices as compliant with Commission technical rules, grants
experimental radio licenses, and is the agency's liaison to the
National Telecommunications and Information Administration. After
reviewing the record, the Commission is not persuaded that reallocation
of these indirect FTEs as direct FTEs to certain bureaus is appropriate
at this time; however, the Commission will continue to develop the
record for possible implementation in the future.\108\
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\107\ FY 2014 NPRM, 79 FR 37982 at 37987-37988 at para. 32. This
proposal is supported by several commenters. See, e.g. Echostar and
DISH Comments at 4.
\108\ NAB agrees that the Commission should adopt a
comprehensive holistic method for reallocation. NAB Comments at 3-5.
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36. As a result, the various reallocation proposals discussed in
the FY 2014 NPRM regarding the Enforcement Bureau, the Consumer &
Governmental Affairs Bureau, and the Office of Engineering and
Technology require further review. The Commission intends to conduct a
more in-depth, fact-based examination of the work of the FTEs in these
bureaus and offices and the regulatees benefited by their work. Such
analysis will be incorporated into any future notice of proposed
rulemaking concerning regulatory fee allocations in order to determine
whether reallocation is appropriate.
37. The Commission also notes that other proposals discussed in the
FY 2014 NPRM, e.g., a per subscriber charge for DBS,\109\ adding a fee
category for non-U.S.-licensed space stations,\110\ and combining the
ITSP category with wireless,\111\ are not adopted in this report and
order. The Commission declines to adopt these proposals at this time
due to the complexities of these proposals raised by commenters in the
record. For example, ITTA's proposal to combine wireless and wireline
voice services would require a methodology to synthesize two different
regulatory fee structures for two different industries. Adopting a fee
category for non-U.S.-licensed space stations raises significant issues
regarding our authority to assess such a fee as well as the policy
implications if other countries decided to follow our example.\112\ The
Commission recognizes that there may be merit to more fundamental
reform in the regulatory fee process as outlined in these proposals.
Additional time, however, is needed to provide an opportunity to more
closely examine and consider these proposals and the record in future
fiscal year regulatory fee proceedings.\113\
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\109\ This issue is supported by some commenters, (see, e.g.,
ACA Comments at 3-9; ITTA Comments at 11-12; NCTA Comments at 3-6;
NCTA & ACA Reply Comments at 3-11), and is opposed by the DBS and
satellite industry, (see, e.g., DIRECTV and DISH Comments at 1-18;
SIA Comments at 6-8).
\110\ This issue, proposed by Intelsat, (see Intelsat Comments
at 3-8 and Intelsat Reply Comments at 1-8) is opposed by the rest of
the satellite industry. See, e.g., EchoStar and DISH Comments at 6-
9; Satellite Parties Comments at 3-8; Satellite Parties Reply
Comments at 1-7.
\111\ The ITTA proposal, discussed in ITTA Comments at 5-11, is
generally opposed by commenters, see, e.g., AT&T Comments at 4-5
(observing that ``although both wireline and wireless services
involve voice telecommunications services, they remain strikingly
different services.''); CTIA Comments at 3-9.
\112\ These issues are discussed in greater detail in the FY
2013 NPRM, 78 FR 34612.
\113\ In the attached Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking the
Commission seeks comment on the issue of a per subscriber regulatory
fee for DBS.
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38. As a final matter, in the FY 2014 NPRM, the Commission sought
comment on capping increases at 7.5 percent, or a higher cap, ``for any
category resulting solely from the reallocations of FTEs or our reform
measures;'' however, the Commission did not adopted any such measures
that would result in an increase of over 7.5 percent. The Commission
recognizes that the fees in some categories may increase for FY 2014
due to a decrease in the number of units in that particular category.
These changes in the number of units in each category can occur each
year without any Commission action. As compared with FY 2013, very few
fee categories will experience large fee rate increases in FY 2014, and
these increases do not result from the reform measures that the
Commission has adopted here. Therefore, a formal cap is not adopted in
this proceeding. The Commission notes that commenters did not support
this proposal, as set forth in the FY 2014 NPRM. For example, AT&T
opposes adopting a cap for FY 2014 unless the Commission can show that
an uncapped increase in regulatory fees would have a severe impact on
the economic wellbeing of licensees and that the increase was not due
to the Commission's efforts to address a long-standing imbalance.\114\
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\114\ AT&T Comments at 3-4. EchoStar and DISH suggested using
the rate of inflation instead of 7.5 percent. EchoStar and DISH
Comments at 6.
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V. Procedural Matters

A. New for Fiscal Year 2014

1. Payments by Check Will No Longer Be Accepted for Payment of Annual
Regulatory Fees
39. Pursuant to an Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
directive,\115\ the Commission is moving towards a paperless
environment, extending to disbursement and collection of select federal
government payments and receipts.\116\ The initiative to reduce paper
and curtail check payments for regulatory fees is expected to produce
cost savings, reduce errors, and improve efficiencies across
government. Accordingly, the Commission will no longer accept checks
(including cashier's checks and money orders) and the accompanying
hardcopy forms (e.g., Forms 159, 159-B, 159-E, 159-W) for the payment
of regulatory fees. This new paperless procedure will require that all
payments be made by online ACH payment, online credit card, or wire
transfer. Any other form of payment (e.g., checks, cashier's checks, or
money orders) will be rejected. For payments by wire, a Form 159-E
should still be transmitted via fax so that the Commission can

[[Page 54198]]

associate the wire payment with the correct regulatory fee information.
This change will affect all payments of regulatory fees.\117\
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\115\ Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Memorandum M-10-06,
Open Government Directive, Dec. 8, 2009; see also https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/06/13/executive-order-13576-delivering-efficient-effective-and-accountable-gov.
\116\ See U.S. Department of the Treasury, Open Government Plan
2.1, Sept. 2012.
\117\ Payors should note that this change will mean that to the
extent certain entities have to date paid both regulatory fees and
application fees at the same time via paper check, they will no
longer be able to do so as the regulatory fees payment via paper
check will no longer be accepted.
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B. Assessment Notifications

1. Commercial Mobile Radio Service (CMRS) Cellular and Mobile Services
Assessments
40. For regulatory fee collection in FY 2014, the Commission will
continue to follow our current procedures for conveying CMRS subscriber
counts to providers, except that in FY 2014 and thereafter, the
Commission will no longer mail out the initial CMRS assessment letters
to providers. The Commission will compile data from the Numbering
Resource Utilization Forecast (NRUF) report that is based on
``assigned'' telephone number (subscriber) counts that have been
adjusted for porting to net Type 0 ports (``in'' and ``out'').\118\
This information of telephone numbers (subscriber count) will be posted
on the Commission's electronic filing and payment system (Fee Filer)
along with the carrier's Operating Company Numbers (OCNs).
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\118\ See FY 2005 Report and Order, 70 FR 41967.
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41. A carrier wishing to revise its telephone number (subscriber)
count can do so by accessing Fee Filer and follow the prompts to revise
their telephone number counts. Any revisions to the telephone number
counts should be accompanied by an explanation or supporting
documentation.\119\ The Commission will then review the revised count
and supporting documentation and either approve or disapprove the
submission in Fee Filer. If the submission is disapproved, the
Commission will contact the provider to afford the provider an
opportunity to discuss its revised subscriber count and/or provide
additional supporting documentation. If a response is not received from
the provider, or the Commission does not reverse its initial
disapproval of the provider's revised count submission, the fee payment
must be based on the number of subscribers listed initially in Fee
Filer. Once the timeframe for revision has passed, the telephone number
counts are final and are the basis upon which CMRS regulatory fees are
to be paid. Providers can view their final telephone counts online in
Fee Filer. A final CMRS assessment letter will not be mailed out.
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\119\ In the supporting documentation, the provider will need to
state a reason for the change, such as a purchase or sale of a
subsidiary, the date of the transaction, and any other pertinent
information that will help to justify a reason for the change.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

42. Because some carriers do not file the NRUF report, they may not
see their telephone number counts in Fee Filer. In these instances, the
carriers should compute their fee payment using the standard
methodology that is currently in place for CMRS Wireless services
(i.e., compute their telephone number counts as of December 31, 2013),
and submit their fee payment accordingly. Whether a carrier reviews
their telephone number counts in Fee Filer or not, the Commission
reserves the right to audit the number of telephone numbers for which
regulatory fees are paid. In the event that the Commission determines
that the number of telephone numbers that are paid is inaccurate, the
Commission will bill the carrier for the difference between what was
paid and what should have been paid.

C. Payment of Regulatory Fees

1. Lock Box Bank
43. All lock box payments to the Commission for FY 2014 will be
processed by U.S. Bank, St. Louis, Missouri, and payable to the FCC.
During the fee season for collecting FY 2014 regulatory fees,
regulatees can pay their fees by credit card through Pay.gov,\120\ ACH,
debit card,\121\ or by wire transfer. Additional payment instructions
are posted at https://transition.fcc.gov/fees/regfees.html.
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\120\ In accordance with U.S. Treasury Financial Manual
Announcement No. A-2012-02, the U.S. Treasury will reject credit
card transactions greater than $49,999.99 from a single credit card
in a single day. This includes online transactions conducted via
Pay.gov, transactions conducted via other channels, and direct-over-
the counter transactions made at a U.S. Government facility.
Individual credit card transactions larger than the $49,999.99 limit
may not be split into multiple transactions using the same credit
card, whether or not the split transactions are assigned to multiple
days. Splitting a transaction violates card network and Financial
Management Service (FMS) rules. However, credit card transactions
exceeding the daily limit may be split between two or more different
credit cards. Other alternatives for transactions exceeding the
$49,999.99 credit card limit include payment by electronic debit
from your bank account, and wire transfer.
\121\ In accordance with U.S. Treasury Financial Manual
Announcement No. A-2012-02, the maximum dollar-value limit for debit
card transactions will be eliminated. It should also be noted that
only Visa and MasterCard branded debit cards are accepted by
Pay.gov.
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2. Receiving Bank for Wire Payments
44. The receiving bank for all wire payments is the Federal Reserve
Bank, New York, New York (TREAS NYC). When making a wire transfer,
regulatees must fax a copy of their Fee Filer generated Form 159-E to
U.S. Bank, St. Louis, Missouri at (314) 418-4232 at least one hour
before initiating the wire transfer (but on the same business day) so
as not to delay crediting their account. Regulatees should discuss
arrangements (including bank closing schedules) with their bankers
several days before they plan to make the wire transfer to allow
sufficient time for the transfer to be initiated and completed before
the deadline. Complete instructions for making wire payments are posted
at https://transition.fcc.gov/fees/wiretran.html.
3. De Minimis Regulatory Fees
45. Regulatees whose total FY 2014 regulatory fee liability,
including all categories of fees for which payment is due, is less than
$10 are exempted from payment of FY 2014 regulatory fees. The new $500
de minimis threshold that is adopted here will be effective for payment
of FY 2015 regulatory fees.
4. Standard Fee Calculations and Payment Dates
46. The Commission will accept fee payments made in advance of the
window for the payment of regulatory fees. The responsibility for
payment of fees by service category is as follows:
Media Services: Regulatory fees must be paid for initial
construction permits that were granted on or before October 1, 2013 for
AM/FM radio stations, VHF/UHF full service television stations, and
satellite television stations. Regulatory fees must be paid for all
broadcast facility licenses granted on or before October 1, 2013. In
instances where a permit or license is transferred or assigned after
October 1, 2013, responsibility for payment rests with the holder of
the permit or license as of the fee due date.
Wireline (Common Carrier) Services: Regulatory fees must
be paid for authorizations that were granted on or before October 1,
2013. In instances where a permit or license is transferred or assigned
after October 1, 2013, responsibility for payment rests with the holder
of the permit or license as of the fee due date. Audio bridging service
providers are included in this category.\122\
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\122\ Audio bridging services are toll teleconferencing
services.
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Wireless Services: CMRS cellular, mobile, and messaging
services (fees based on number of subscribers or telephone number
count): Regulatory fees must be paid for authorizations that were
granted on or before October 1, 2013. The number of subscribers, units,
or telephone numbers on December 31,

[[Page 54199]]

2013 will be used as the basis from which to calculate the fee payment.
In instances where a permit or license is transferred or assigned after
October 1, 2013, responsibility for payment rests with the holder of
the permit or license as of the fee due date.
The first eleven regulatory fee categories in our Schedule
of Regulatory Fees (see Appendix C) pay ``small multi-year wireless
regulatory fees.'' Entities pay these regulatory fees in advance for
the entire amount period covered by the five-year or ten-year terms of
their initial licenses, and pay regulatory fees again only when the
license is renewed or a new license is obtained. These fee categories
are included in our rulemaking (see Appendix B) to publicize our
estimates of the number of ``small multi-year wireless'' licenses that
will be renewed or newly obtained in FY 2014.
Multichannel Video Programming Distributor Services (cable
television operators and CARS licensees): Regulatory fees must be paid
for the number of basic cable television subscribers as of December 31,
2013.\123\ Regulatory fees also must be paid for CARS licenses that
were granted on or before October 1, 2013. In instances where a permit
or license is transferred or assigned after October 1, 2013,
responsibility for payment rests with the holder of the permit or
license as of the fee due date.
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\123\ Cable television system operators should compute their
number of basic subscribers as follows: Number of single family
dwellings + number of individual households in multiple dwelling
unit (apartments, condominiums, mobile home parks, etc.) paying at
the basic subscriber rate + bulk rate customers + courtesy and free
service. Note: Bulk-Rate Customers = Total annual bulk-rate charge
divided by basic annual subscription rate for individual households.
Operators may base their count on ``a typical day in the last full
week'' of December 2013, rather than on a count as of December 31,
2013.
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International Services: Regulatory fees must be paid for
(1) earth stations and (2) geostationary orbit space stations and non-
geostationary orbit satellite systems that were licensed and
operational on or before October 1, 2013. In instances where a permit
or license is transferred or assigned after October 1, 2013,
responsibility for payment rests with the holder of the permit or
license as of the fee due date.
International Services: Submarine Cable Systems:
Regulatory fees for submarine cable systems are to be paid on a per
cable landing license basis based on circuit capacity as of December
31, 2013. In instances where a license is transferred or assigned after
October 1, 2013, responsibility for payment rests with the holder of
the license as of the fee due date. For regulatory fee purposes, the
allocation in FY 2014 will remain at 87.6 percent for submarine cable
and 12.4 percent for satellite/terrestrial facilities.
International Services: Terrestrial and Satellite
Services: Regulatory fees for International Bearer Circuits are to be
paid by facilities-based common carriers that have active (used or
leased) international bearer circuits as of December 31, 2013 in any
terrestrial or satellite transmission facility for the provision of
service to an end user or resale carrier. When calculating the number
of such active circuits, the facilities-based common carriers must
include circuits held by themselves or their affiliates. In addition,
non-common carrier satellite operators must pay a fee for each circuit
they and their affiliates hold and each circuit sold or leased to any
customer, other than an international common carrier authorized by the
Commission to provide U.S. international common carrier services.
``Active circuits'' for these purposes include backup and redundant
circuits as of December 31, 2013. Whether circuits are used
specifically for voice or data is not relevant for purposes of
determining that they are active circuits. In instances where a permit
or license is transferred or assigned after October 1, 2013,
responsibility for payment rests with the holder of the permit or
license as of the fee due date. For regulatory fee purposes, the
allocation in FY 2014 will remain at 87.6 percent for submarine cable
and 12.4 percent for satellite/terrestrial facilities.

D. Enforcement

47. To be considered timely, regulatory fee payments must be
received and stamped at the lockbox bank by the payment due date for
regulatory fees. Section 9(c) of the Act requires us to impose a late
payment penalty of 25 percent of the unpaid amount to be assessed on
the first day following the deadline for filing these fees.\124\
Failure to pay regulatory fees and/or any late penalty will subject
regulatees to sanctions, including those set forth in section 1.1910 of
the Commission's rules,\125\ which generally requires the Commission to
withhold action on ``applications, including on a petition for
reconsideration or any application for review of a fee determination,
or requests for authorization by any entity found to be delinquent in
its debt to the Commission'' and in the Debt Collection Improvement Act
of 1996 (DCIA).\126\ The Commission also assesses administrative
processing charges on delinquent debts to recover additional costs
incurred in processing and handling the debt pursuant to the DCIA and
section 1.1940(d) of the Commission's rules.\127\ These administrative
processing charges will be assessed on any delinquent regulatory fee,
in addition to the 25 percent late charge penalty. In the case of
partial payments (underpayments) of regulatory fees, the payor will be
given credit for the amount paid, but if it is later determined that
the fee paid is incorrect or not timely paid, then the 25 percent late
charge penalty (and other charges and/or sanctions, as appropriate)
will be assessed on the portion that is not paid in a timely manner.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\124\ 47 U.S.C. 159(c).
\125\ See 47 CFR 1.1910.
\126\ Delinquent debt owed to the Commission triggers the ``red
light rule,'' which places a hold on the processing of pending
applications, fee offsets, and pending disbursement payments. 47 CFR
1.1910, 1.1911, 1.1912. In 2004, the Commission adopted rules
implementing the requirements of the DCIA. See Amendment of Parts 0
and 1 of the Commission's Rules, MD Docket No. 02-339, Report and
Order, 19 FCC Rcd 6540 (2004); 47 CFR part 1, Subpart O, Collection
of Claims Owed the United States.
\127\ 47 CFR 1.1940(d).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

48. Pursuant to the ``red light rule,'' we will withhold action on
any applications or other requests for benefits filed by anyone who is
delinquent in any non-tax debts owed to the Commission (including
regulatory fees) and will ultimately dismiss those applications or
other requests if payment of the delinquent debt or other satisfactory
arrangement for payment is not made.\128\ Failure to pay regulatory
fees can also result in the initiation of a proceeding to revoke any
and all authorizations held by the entity responsible for paying the
delinquent fee(s).\129\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\128\ See 47 CFR 1.1161(c), 1.1164(f)(5), and 1.1910.
\129\ 47 U.S.C. 159.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

E. Effective Date

49. Providing a 30-day period after Federal Register publication
before this Report and Order becomes effective as required by 5 U.S.C.
553(d) will not allow sufficient time for the Commission to collect the
FY 2014 fees before FY 2014 ends on September 30, 2014. For this
reason, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), the Commission finds there is
good cause to waive the requirements of section 553(d), and this Report
and Order will become effective upon publication in the Federal
Register. Because payments of the regulatory fees will not actually be
due until the middle of September, persons

[[Page 54200]]

affected by this Report and Order will still have a reasonable period
in which to make their payments and thereby comply with the rules
established herein.

VI. Additional Tables

Table A
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commenter Abbreviation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
List of Commenters--Initial Comments
------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Cable Association................. ACA.
AT&T Services, Inc......................... AT&T.
Aviation Spectrum Resources, Inc........... ASRI.
Bell Canada................................ Bell Canada.
Terry Cowan................................ T. Cowan.
Critical Messaging Association............. CMA.
DirecTV, LLC............................... DirecTV.
CTIA--The Wireless Association[supreg]..... CTIA.
DirecTV, LLC and DISH Network L.L.C........ DirecTV and DISH.
EchoStar Satellite Operating Company and EchoStar and DISH.
Hughes Network Systems, LLC and DISH
Network L.L.C.
G. Kris Harrison........................... K. Harrison.
Intelsat License LLC....................... Intelsat.
ITTA--the Voice of Midsize Communications ITTA.
Companies, the Eastern Rural Telecom
Association, and Windstream Corporation.
P. Randall Knowles......................... R. Knowles.
National Association of Broadcasters....... NAB.
National Cable & Telecommunications NCTA.
Association.
North American Submarine Cable Association. NASCA.
Satellite Industry Association............. SIA.
SES Americom, Inc., Inmarsat, Inc., and Satellite Parties.
Telesat Canada.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
List of Commenters--Reply Comments
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bandwidth.com, Inc......................... Bandwidth.com.
Intelsat License LLC....................... Intelsat.
P. Randall Knowles......................... R. Knowles.
National Cable & Telecommunications NCTA and ACA.
Association and American Cable Association.
SES Americom, Inc., Inmarsat, Inc., and Satellite Parties.
Telesat Canada.
United States Telecom Association.......... USTelecom.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Table B--Calculation of FY 2014 Revenue Requirements and Pro-Rata Fees
[The first ten regulatory fee categories listed below are collected by the Commission in advance to cover the term of the license and are submitted at
the time the application is filed.]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Computed
FY 2013 Pro-rated FY uncapped FY Rounded FY
Fee category FY 2014 payment Years revenue 2014 revenue 2014 2014 Expected FY
units estimate requirement regulatory regulatory 2014 revenue
fee fee
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PLMRS (Exclusive Use)............................ 1,700 10 560,000 595,000 35 35 595,000
PLMRS (Shared use)............................... 30,000 10 2,250,000 3,000,000 10 10 3,000,000
Microwave........................................ 17,000 10 2,640,000 2,550,000 15 15 2,550,000
218-219 MHz (Formerly IVDS)...................... 5 10 3,750 4,000 82 80 4,000
Marine (Ship).................................... 5,200 10 655,000 780,000 17 15 780,000
GMRS............................................. 8,900 5 197,500 222,500 7 5 222,500
Aviation (Aircraft).............................. 4,200 10 290,000 420,000 10 10 420,000
Marine (Coast)................................... 300 10 156,750 165,000 55 55 165,000
Aviation (Ground)................................ 510 10 135,000 153,000 30 30 153,000
Amateur Vanity Call Signs........................ 11,500 10 230,230 246,100 2.14 2.14 246,100
AM Class A \4a\.................................. 67 1 286,000 274,700 4,105 4,100 274,700
AM Class B \4b\.................................. 1,481 1 3,435,250 3,410,900 2,308 2,300 3,410,900
AM Class C \4c\.................................. 832 1 1,201,500 1,212,750 1,385 1,375 1,212,750
AM Class D \4d\.................................. 1,522 1 3,862,500 4,033,300 2,661 2,650 4,033,300
FM Classes A, B1 & C3 \4e\....................... 3,107 1 8,379,375 8,466,575 2,731 2,725 8,466,575
FM Classes B, C, C0, C1 & C2 \4f\................ 3,139 1 10,597,500 10,437,175 3,316 3,325 10,437,175
AM Construction Permits.......................... 30 1 30,090 17,700 590 590 17,700
FM Construction Permits \1\...................... 185 1 142,500 138,750 750 750 138,750
Satellite TV..................................... 127 1 190,625 196,850 1,545 1,550 196,850
Satellite TV Construction Permit................. 3 1 2,880 3,900 1,308 1,025 3,900
Digital TV Markets 1-10.......................... 138 1 6,235,725 6,161,700 44,661 44,650 6,161,700
Digital TV Markets 11-25......................... 138 1 5,636,875 5,809,800 42,102 42,100 5,809,800
Digital TV Markets 26-50......................... 182 1 4,965,225 4,909,450 26,964 26,975 4,909,450

[[Page 54201]]

Digital TV Markets 51-100........................ 290 1 4,645,275 4,524,000 15,604 15,600 4,524,000
Digital TV Remaining Markets..................... 380 1 1,769,975 1,805,000 4,751 4,750 1,805,000
Digital TV Construction Permits \1\.............. 5 1 20,950 23,750 4,750 4,750 23,750
Broadcast Auxiliaries............................ 25,800 1 254,000 258,000 12 10 258,000
LPTV/Translators/Boosters/Class A TV............. 3,830 1 1,527,250 1,570,300 410 410 1,570,300
CARS Stations.................................... 325 1 165,750 196,625 604 605 196,625
Cable TV Systems, including IPTV................. 65,400,000 1 61,200,000 64,746,000 .993 .99 64,746,000
Interstate Telecommunication Service Providers... $38,300,000,000 1 135,330,000 131,369,000 0.003425 0.00343 131,369,000
CMRS Mobile Services (Cellular/Public Mobile).... 335,000,000 1 58,680,000 60,300,000 0.179 0.18 60,300,000
CMRS Messag. Services............................ 2,900,000 1 240,000 232,000 0.0800 0.080 232,000
BRS \2\.......................................... 900 1 469,200 643,500 715 715 643,500
LMDS............................................. 190 1 86,700 135,850 715 715 135,850
Per 64 kbps Int'l Bearer Circuits \6a\ 4,484,000 1 1,032,277 932,351 .2079 .21 941,640
Terrestrial (Common) & Satellite (Common & Non-
Common).........................................
Submarine Cable Providers (see chart in Appendix 40.19 1 8,530,139 6,586,607 163,897 163,900 6,586,731
C) \3,6b\.......................................
Earth Stations \6c\.............................. 3,400 1 935,000 1,003,000 303 295 1,003,000
Space Stations (Geostationary)................... 94 1 12,101,700 11,505,600 122,402 122,400 11,505,600
Space Stations (Non-Geostationary)............... 6 1 899,250 797,100 132,850 132,850 797,100
****** Total Estimated Revenue to be Collected... .................. ....... 339,965,741 339,837,833 ........... ........... 339,847,246
****** Total Revenue Requirement................. .................. ....... 339,844,000 339,844,000 ........... ........... 339,844,000
Difference....................................... .................. ....... 121,741 (6,167) ........... ........... 3,246
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes on Appendix B
\1\ The AM and FM Construction Permit revenues and the Digital (VHF/UHF) Construction Permit revenues were adjusted to set the regulatory fee to an
amount no higher than the lowest licensed fee for that class of service. The reductions in the AM and FM Construction Permit revenues are offset by
increases in the revenue totals for AM and FM radio stations, respectively. Similarly, reductions in the Digital (VHF/UHF) Construction Permit
revenues are offset by increases in the revenue totals for various Digital television stations by market size, respectively.
\2\ MDS/MMDS category was renamed Broadband Radio Service (BRS). See Amendment of Parts 1, 21, 73, 74 and 101 of the Commission's Rules to Facilitate
the Provision of Fixed and Mobile Broadband Access, Educational and Other Advanced Services in the 2150-2162 and 2500-2690 MHz Bands, Report & Order
and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 19 FCC Rcd 14165, 14169, para. 6 (2004).
\3\ The chart at the end of Appendix C lists the submarine cable bearer circuit regulatory fees (common and non-common carrier basis) that resulted from
the adoption of the FY 2008 Further Notice, 24 FCC Rcd 6388 and the Submarine Cable Order, 24 FCC Rcd 4208.
\4\ The fee amounts listed in the column entitled ``Rounded New FY 2014 Regulatory Fee'' constitute a weighted average media regulatory fee by class of
service. The actual FY 2014 regulatory fees for AM/FM radio station are listed on a grid located at the end of Appendix C.
\5\ As a continuation of our regulatory fee reform for the submarine cable and bearer circuit fee categories, the allocation percentage for these two
categories, in relation to the satellite (GSO and NGSO) and earth station fee categories, was reduced by approximately 5 per cent. This allocation
reduction of 5 per cent resulted in an increase in the allocation for the satellite and earth station fee categories. However, only the earth station
fee rate increased from its FY 2013 fee amount.

Table C--FY 2014 Schedule of Regulatory Fees
[The first eleven regulatory fee categories listed below are collected
by the Commission in advance to cover the term of the license and are
submitted at the time the application is filed.]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual regulatory
Fee category fee (U.S. $'s)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
PLMRS (per license) (Exclusive Use) (47 CFR part 35
90)...............................................
Microwave (per license) (47 CFR part 101).......... 15
218-219 MHz (Formerly Interactive Video Data 80
Service) (per license) (47 CFR part 95)...........
Marine (Ship) (per station) (47 CFR part 80)....... 15
Marine (Coast) (per license) (47 CFR part 80)...... 55
General Mobile Radio Service (per license) (47 CFR 5
part 95)..........................................
Rural Radio (47 CFR part 22) (previously listed 10
under the Land Mobile category)...................
PLMRS (Shared Use) (per license) (47 CFR part 90).. 10

[[Page 54202]]

Aviation (Aircraft) (per station) (47 CFR part 87). 10
Aviation (Ground) (per license) (47 CFR part 87)... 30
Amateur Vanity Call Signs (per call sign) (47 CFR 2.14
part 97)..........................................
CMRS Mobile/Cellular Services (per unit) (47 CFR .18
parts 20, 22, 24, 27, 80 and 90)..................
CMRS Messaging Services (per unit) (47 CFR parts .08
20, 22, 24 and 90)................................
Broadband Radio Service (formerly MMDS/MDS) (per 715
license) (47 CFR part 27).........................
Local Multipoint Distribution Service (per call 715
sign) (47 CFR, part 101)..........................
AM Radio Construction Permits...................... 590
FM Radio Construction Permits...................... 750
Digital TV (47 CFR part 73) VHF and UHF Commercial:
Markets 1-10................................... 44,650
Markets 11-25.................................. 42,100
Markets 26-50.................................. 26,975
Markets 51-100................................. 15,600
Remaining Markets.............................. 4,750
Construction Permits........................... 4,750
Satellite Television Stations (All Markets)........ 1,550
Construction Permits--Satellite Television Stations 1,300
Low Power TV, Class A TV, TV/FM Translators & 410
Boosters (47 CFR part 74).........................
Broadcast Auxiliaries (47 CFR part 74)............. 10
CARS (47 CFR part 78).............................. 605
Cable Television Systems (per subscriber) (47 CFR .99
part 76), Including IPTV..........................
Interstate Telecommunication Service Providers (per .00343
revenue dollar)...................................
Earth Stations (47 CFR part 25).................... 295
Space Stations (per operational station in 122,400
geostationary orbit) (47 CFR part 25) also
includes DBS Service (per operational station) (47
CFR part 100).....................................
Space Stations (per operational system in non- 132,850
geostationary orbit) (47 CFR part 25).............
International Bearer Circuits--Terrestrial/ .21
Satellites (per 64KB circuit).....................
International Bearer Circuits--Submarine Cable..... See Table Below.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Table C (Continued)--FY 2014 Schedule of Regulatory Fees: Maintain Allocation
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FY 2014 Radio station regulatory fees
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FM Classes A, FM Classes B,
Population served AM Class A AM Class B AM Class C AM Class D B1 & C3 C, C0, C1 & C2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<=25,000................................................ $775 $645 $590 $670 $750 $925
25,001-75,000........................................... 1,550 1,300 900 1,000 1,500 1,625
75,001-150,000.......................................... 2,325 1,625 1,200 1,675 2,050 3,000
150,001-500,000......................................... 3,475 2,750 1,800 2,025 3,175 3,925
500,001-1,200,000....................................... 5,025 4,225 3,000 3,375 5,050 5,775
1,200,001-3,000,00...................................... 7,750 6,500 4,500 5,400 8,250 9,250
>3,000,000.............................................. 9,300 7,800 5,700 6,750 10,500 12,025
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FY 2014 Schedule of Regulatory Fees--International Bearer Circuits--
Submarine Cable
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine cable systems
(capacity as of December 31, Fee amount Address
2013)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
<2.5 Gbps...................... $10,250 FCC, International,
P.O. Box 979084, St.
Louis, MO 63197-9000.
2.5 Gbps or greater, but less 20,500 FCC, International,
than 5 Gbps. P.O. Box 979084, St.
Louis, MO 63197-9000.
5 Gbps or greater, but less 40,975 FCC, International,
than 10 Gbps. P.O. Box 979084, St.
Louis, MO 63197-9000.
10 Gbps or greater, but less 81,950 FCC, International,
than 20 Gbps. P.O. Box 979084, St.
Louis, MO 63197-9000.
20 Gbps or greater............. 163,900 FCC, International,
P.O. Box 979084, St.
Louis, MO 63197-9000.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Table D

Sources of Payment Unit Estimates for FY 2014

In order to calculate individual service fees for FY 2014, we
adjusted FY 2013 payment units for each service to more accurately
reflect expected FY 2014 payment liabilities. We obtained our updated
estimates through a variety of means. For example, we used Commission
licensee data bases, actual prior year payment records and industry and
trade association projections when available. The databases we
consulted include our Universal Licensing System (ULS), International
Bureau Filing System (IBFS), Consolidated Database

[[Page 54203]]

System (CDBS) and Cable Operations and Licensing System (COALS), as
well as reports generated within the Commission such as the Wireline
Competition Bureau's Trends in Telephone Service and the Wireless
Telecommunications Bureau's Numbering Resource Utilization Forecast.
We sought verification for these estimates from multiple sources
and, in all cases; we compared FY 2014 estimates with actual FY 2013
payment units to ensure that our revised estimates were reasonable.
Where appropriate, we adjusted and/or rounded our final estimates to
take into consideration the fact that certain variables that impact on
the number of payment units cannot yet be estimated with sufficient
accuracy. These include an unknown number of waivers and/or exemptions
that may occur in FY 2014 and the fact that, in many services, the
number of actual licensees or station operators fluctuates from time to
time due to economic, technical, or other reasons. When we note, for
example, that our estimated FY 2014 payment units are based on FY 2013
actual payment units, it does not necessarily mean that our FY 2014
projection is exactly the same number as in FY 2013. We have either
rounded the FY 2014 number or adjusted it slightly to account for these
variables.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fee category Sources of payment unit estimates
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Land Mobile (All), Microwave, 218-219 Based on Wireless
MHz, Marine (Ship & Coast), Aviation Telecommunications Bureau
(Aircraft & Ground), GMRS, Amateur (``WTB'') projections of new
Vanity Call Signs, Domestic Public applications and renewals taking
Fixed. into consideration existing
Commission licensee data bases.
Aviation (Aircraft) and Marine
(Ship) estimates have been
adjusted to take into
consideration the licensing of
portions of these services on a
voluntary basis.
CMRS Cellular/Mobile Services........ Based on WTB projection reports,
and FY 13 payment data.
CMRS Messaging Services.............. Based on WTB reports, and FY 13
payment data.
AM/FM Radio Stations................. Based on CDBS data, adjusted for
exemptions, and actual FY 2013
payment units.
Digital TV Stations (Combined VHF/UHF Based on CDBS data, adjusted for
units). exemptions, and actual FY 2013
payment units.
AM/FM/TV Construction Permits........ Based on CDBS data, adjusted for
exemptions, and actual FY 2013
payment units.
LPTV, Translators and Boosters, Class Based on CDBS data, adjusted for
A Television. exemptions, and actual FY 2013
payment units.
Broadcast Auxiliaries................ Based on actual FY 2013 payment
units.
BRS (formerly MDS/MMDS).............. Based on WTB reports and actual
FY 2013 payment units.
LMDS................................. Based on WTB reports and actual
FY 2013 payment units.
Cable Television Relay Service Based on data from Media Bureau's
(``CARS'') Stations. COALS database and actual FY
2013 payment units.
Cable Television System Subscribers, Based on publicly available data
Including IPTV Subscribers. sources for estimated subscriber
counts and actual FY 2013
payment units.
Interstate Telecommunication Service Based on FCC Form 499-Q data for
Providers. the four quarters of calendar
year 2013, the Wireline
Competition Bureau projected the
amount of calendar year 2013
revenue that will be reported on
2014 FCC Form 499-A worksheets
in April, 2014.
Earth Stations....................... Based on International Bureau
(``IB'') licensing data and
actual FY 2013 payment units.
Space Stations (GSOs & NGSOs)........ Based on IB data reports and
actual FY 2013 payment units.
International Bearer Circuits........ Based on IB reports and
submissions by licensees,
adjusted as necessary.
Submarine Cable Licenses............. Based on IB license information.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Table E

Factors, Measurements, and Calculations That Determines Station Signal
Contours and Associated Population Coverages

AM Stations

For stations with nondirectional daytime antennas, the theoretical
radiation was used at all azimuths. For stations with directional
daytime antennas, specific information on each day tower, including
field ratio, phase, spacing, and orientation was retrieved, as well as
the theoretical pattern root-mean-square of the radiation in all
directions in the horizontal plane (RMS) figure (milliVolt per meter
(mV/m) @1 km) for the antenna system. The standard, or augmented
standard if pertinent, horizontal plane radiation pattern was
calculated using techniques and methods specified in sections 73.150
and 73.152 of the Commission's rules. Radiation values were calculated
for each of 360 radials around the transmitter site. Next, estimated
soil conductivity data was retrieved from a database representing the
information in FCC Figure R3. Using the calculated horizontal radiation
values, and the retrieved soil conductivity data, the distance to the
principal community (5 mV/m) contour was predicted for each of the 360
radials. The resulting distance to principal community contours were
used to form a geographical polygon. Population counting was
accomplished by determining which 2010 block centroids were contained
in the polygon. (A block centroid is the center point of a small area
containing population as computed by the U.S. Census Bureau.) The sum
of the population figures for all enclosed blocks represents the total
population for the predicted principal community coverage area.

FM Stations

The greater of the horizontal or vertical effective radiated power
(ERP) (kW) and respective height above average terrain (HAAT) (m)
combination was used. Where the antenna height above mean sea level
(HAMSL) was available, it was used in lieu of the average HAAT figure
to calculate specific HAAT figures for each of 360 radials under study.
Any available directional pattern information was applied as well, to
produce a radial-specific ERP figure. The HAAT and ERP figures were
used in conjunction with the Field Strength (50-50) propagation curves
specified in 47 CFR 73.313 of the Commission's rules to predict the
distance to the principal community (70 dBu (decibel above 1 microVolt
per meter) or 3.17 mV/m) contour for each of the 360 radials. The
resulting distance to principal community contours were used to form a
geographical polygon. Population counting was accomplished by
determining which 2010 block centroids were contained in the polygon.
The sum of the population figures for all enclosed blocks represents
the total population

[[Page 54204]]

for the predicted principal community coverage area.

Table F--Revised FTE (as of 9/30/12) Allocations FY 2013 Schedule of
Regulatory Fees (Fee Rates Capped at 7.5%)
[The first eleven regulatory fee categories listed below are collected
by the Commission in advance to cover the term of the license and are
submitted at the time the application is filed.]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual regulatory
Fee category fee (U.S. $'s)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
PLMRS (per license) (Exclusive Use) (47 CFR part 40
90)...............................................
Microwave (per license) (47 CFR part 101).......... 20
218-219 MHz (Formerly Interactive Video Data 75
Service) (per license) (47 CFR part 95)...........
Marine (Ship) (per station) (47 CFR part 80)....... 10
Marine (Coast) (per license) (47 CFR part 80)...... 55
General Mobile Radio Service (per license) (47 CFR 5
part 95)..........................................
Rural Radio (47 CFR part 22) (previously listed 15
under the Land Mobile category)...................
PLMRS (Shared Use) (per license) (47 CFR part 90).. 15
Aviation (Aircraft) (per station) (47 CFR part 87). 10
Aviation (Ground) (per license) (47 CFR part 87)... 15
Amateur Vanity Call Signs (per call sign) (47 CFR 1.61
part 97)..........................................
CMRS Mobile/Cellular Services (per unit) (47 CFR .18
parts 20, 22, 24, 27, 80 and 90)..................
CMRS Messaging Services (per unit) (47 CFR parts .08
20, 22, 24 and 90)................................
Broadband Radio Service (formerly MMDS/MDS) (per 510
license) (47 CFR part 27).........................
Local Multipoint Distribution Service (per call 510
sign) (47 CFR, part 101)..........................
AM Radio Construction Permits...................... 590
FM Radio Construction Permits...................... 750
TV (47 CFR part 73) VHF Commercial:
Markets 1-10................................... 86,075
Markets 11-25.................................. 78,975
Markets 26-50.................................. 42,775
Markets 51-100................................. 22,475
Remaining Markets.............................. 6,250
Construction Permits........................... 6,250
TV (47 CFR part 73) UHF Commercial:
Markets 1-10................................... 38,000
Markets 11-25.................................. 35,050
Markets 26-50.................................. 23,550
Markets 51-100................................. 13,700
Remaining Markets.............................. 3,675
Construction Permits........................... 3,675
Satellite Television Stations (All Markets)........ 1,525
Construction Permits--Satellite Television Stations 960
Low Power TV, Class A TV, TV/FM Translators & 410
Boosters (47 CFR part 74).........................
Broadcast Auxiliaries (47 CFR part 74)............. 10
CARS (47 CFR part 78).............................. 510
Cable Television Systems (per subscriber) (47 CFR 1.02
part 76)..........................................
Interstate Telecommunication Service Providers (per .00347
revenue dollar)...................................
Earth Stations (47 CFR part 25).................... 275
Space Stations (per operational station in 139,100
geostationary orbit) (47 CFR part 25) also
includes DBS Service (per operational station)....
Space Stations (per operational system in non- 149,875
geostationary orbit) (47 CFR part 25).............
International Bearer Circuits--Terrestrial/ .27
Satellites (per 64KB circuit).....................
International Bearer Circuits--Submarine Cable..... See Table Below.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Table F (Continued)--FY 2013 Schedule of Regulatory Fees
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FY 2013 radio station regulatory fees
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FM Classes A, FM Classes B,
Population served AM Class A AM Class B AM Class C AM Class D B1 & C3 C, C0, C1 & C2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<=25,000................................................ $775 $645 $590 $670 $750 $925
25,001-75,000........................................... 1,550 1,300 900 1,000 1,500 1,625
75,001-150,000.......................................... 2,325 1,625 1,200 1,675 2,050 3,000
150,001-500,000......................................... 3,475 2,750 1,800 2,025 3,175 3,925
500,001-1,200,000....................................... 5,025 4,225 3,000 3,375 5,050 5,775
1,200,001-3,000,00...................................... 7,750 6,500 4,500 5,400 8,250 9,250
>3,000,000.............................................. 9,300 7,800 5,700 6,750 10,500 12,025
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 54205]]

FY 2013 Schedule of Regulatory Fees: Fee Rate Increases Capped at 7.5%--
International Bearer Circuits--Submarine Cable
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine cable systems
(capacity as of December 31, Fee amount Address
2012)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
<2.5 Gbps...................... $13,600 FCC, International,
P.O. Box 979084, St.
Louis, MO 63197-9000.
2.5 Gbps or greater, but less 27,200 FCC, International,
than 5 Gbps. P.O. Box 979084, St.
Louis, MO 63197-9000.
5 Gbps or greater, but less 54,425 FCC, International,
than 10 Gbps. P.O. Box 979084, St.
Louis, MO 63197-9000.
10 Gbps or greater, but less 108,850 FCC, International,
than 20 Gbps. P.O. Box 979084, St.
Louis, MO 63197-9000.
20 Gbps or greater............. 217,675 FCC, International,
P.O. Box 979084, St.
Louis, MO 63197-9000.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

VII. Regulatory Flexibility Analysis

Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis

1. As required by the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980, as
amended (RFA),\130\ an Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA)
was included in the FY 2014 NPRM. The Commission sought written public
comment on the proposals in the FY 2014 NPRM, including comment on the
IRFA. This Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (FRFA) conforms to the
IRFA.\131\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\130\ 5 U.S.C. 603. The RFA, 5 U.S.C. 601-612 has been amended
by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996
(SBREFA), Public Law 104-121, Title II, 110 Stat. 847 (1996).
\131\ 5 U.S.C. 604.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

A. Need for, and Objectives of, the Report and Order

2. In this Report and Order, we conclude the Assessment and
Collection of Regulatory Fees for Fiscal Year (FY) 2014 proceeding to
collect $339,844,000 in regulatory fees for FY 2014, pursuant to
Section 9 of the Communications Act.\132\ These regulatory fees will be
due in September 2014. Under section 9 of the Communications Act,
regulatory fees are mandated by Congress and collected to recover the
regulatory costs associated with the Commission's enforcement, policy
and rulemaking, user information, and international activities in an
amount that can reasonably be expected to equal the amount of the
Commission's annual appropriation.\133\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\132\ 47 U.S.C. 159(a).
\133\ 47 U.S.C. 159(a).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

3. In our FY 2014 NPRM, we sought comment on proposed regulatory
fees and on whether AM expanded band radio stations should remain
exempt from regulatory fees. In addition, we sought comment on
additional reform measures including: (1) Reallocating some of the FTEs
from the Enforcement Bureau, the Consumer & Governmental Affairs
Bureau, and the Office of Engineering and Technology, as direct FTEs
for regulatory fee purposes; (2) reapportioning the fee allocations
between groups of International Bureau regulatees; (3) periodically
updating FTE allocations; (4) applying a cap on any regulatory fee
increases for FY 2014; (5) improving access to information through our
Web site; (6) establishing a higher de minimis amount; (7) eliminating
certain regulatory fee categories; (8) combining ITSP and wireless
voice services into one fee category; (9) adding DBS operators to the
cable television and IPTV category; (10) creating a new regulatory fee
category for non-U.S. licensed space stations, or, alternatively,
reallocating some FTEs assigned to work on non-U.S. licensed space
station issues as indirect for regulatory fee purposes; and (11) adding
a new regulatory fee category for toll free numbers. Some of these
issues had been raised in earlier regulatory fee proceedings and other
issues were discussed for the first time as part of our reform process.
4. The Report and Order adopts some of the proposals from the FY
2014 NPRM. Specifically, in addition to adopting the proposed new
regulatory fee rates, the Commission (1) removes the exemption on
regulatory fees from AM expanded band licenses; (2) revises the
apportionment between the submarine cable/terrestrial and satellite
bearer circuits and the satellite/earth stations by approximately five
percent to reduce the proportion paid by the submarine cable/
terrestrial and satellite bearer circuits; (3) increases the allocation
paid by earth stations and satellites by approximately 7.5 percent to
more accurately reflect the regulation and oversight of this industry;
(4) increases the de minimis threshold from $10 to $500 (to go into
effect for FY 2015); (5) eliminates several regulatory fee categories
(218-219 MHz, broadcast auxiliaries, and satellite television
construction permits) from regulatory fee requirements (to go into
effect for FY 2015); and (6) adopts a new toll free number regulatory
fee category (to go into effect for FY 2015).

B. Summary of the Significant Issues Raised by the Public Comments in
Response to the IRFA

5. None.

C. Description and Estimate of the Number of Small Entities to Which
the Rules Will Apply

6. The RFA directs agencies to provide a description of, and where
feasible, an estimate of the number of small entities that may be
affected by the proposed rules and policies, if adopted.\134\ The RFA
generally defines the term ``small entity'' as having the same meaning
as the terms ``small business,'' ``small organization,'' and ``small
governmental jurisdiction.'' \135\ In addition, the term ``small
business'' has the same meaning as the term ``small business concern''
under the Small Business Act.\136\ A ``small business concern'' is one
which: (1) Is independently owned and operated; (2) is not dominant in
its field of operation; and (3) satisfies any additional criteria
established by the SBA.\137\ Nationwide, there are a total of
approximately 27.9 million small businesses, according to the SBA.\138\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\134\ 5 U.S.C. 603(b)(3).
\135\ 5 U.S.C. 601(6).
\136\ 5 U.S.C. 601(3) (incorporating by reference the definition
of ``small-business concern'' in the Small Business Act, 15 U.S.C.
632). Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 601(3), the statutory definition of a
small business applies ``unless an agency, after consultation with
the Office of Advocacy of the Small Business Administration and
after opportunity for public comment, establishes one or more
definitions of such term which are appropriate to the activities of
the agency and publishes such definition(s) in the Federal
Register.''
\137\ 15 U.S.C. 632.
\138\ See SBA, Office of Advocacy, ``Frequently Asked
Questions,'' https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/
FAQSept2012.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

8. Wired Telecommunications Carriers. The SBA has developed a small
business size standard for Wired Telecommunications Carriers, which
consists of all such companies having 1,500 or fewer employees. Census
data for 2007 shows that there were 31,996 establishments that operated
that year. Of those 31,996, 1,818 operated with more than 100
employees, and 30,178

[[Page 54206]]

operated with fewer than 100 employees.\139\ Thus, under this size
standard, the majority of firms can be considered small.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\139\ See id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

9. Local Exchange Carriers (LECs). Neither the Commission nor the
SBA has developed a size standard for small businesses specifically
applicable to local exchange services. The closest applicable size
standard under SBA rules is for Wired Telecommunications Carriers.
Under that size standard, such a business is small if it has 1,500 or
fewer employees.\140\ According to Commission data, census data for
2007 shows that there were 31,996 establishments that operated that
year. Of those 31,996, 1,818 operated with more than 100 employees, and
30,178 operated with fewer than 100 employees.\141\ The Commission
estimates that most providers of local exchange service are small
entities that may be affected by the rules and policies adopted.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\140\ 13 CFR 121.201, NAICS code 517110.
\141\ See id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

10. Incumbent LECs. Neither the Commission nor the SBA has
developed a small business size standard specifically for incumbent
local exchange services. The closest applicable size standard under SBA
rules is for the category Wired Telecommunications Carriers. Under that
size standard, such a business is small if it has 1,500 or fewer
employees.\142\ According to Commission data, 1,307 carriers reported
that they were incumbent local exchange service providers.\143\ Of
these 1,307 carriers, an estimated 1,006 have 1,500 or fewer employees
and 301 have more than 1,500 employees.\144\ Consequently, the
Commission estimates that most providers of incumbent local exchange
service are small businesses that may be affected by the rules and
policies adopted.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\142\ 13 CFR 121.201, NAICS code 517110.
\143\ See Trends in Telephone Service, Federal Communications
Commission, Wireline Competition Bureau, Industry Analysis and
Technology Division at Table 5.3 (Sept. 2010) (Trends in Telephone
Service).
\144\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

11. Competitive Local Exchange Carriers (Competitive LECs),
Competitive Access Providers (CAPs), Shared-Tenant Service Providers,
and Other Local Service Providers. Neither the Commission nor the SBA
has developed a small business size standard specifically for these
service providers. The appropriate size standard under SBA rules is for
the category Wired Telecommunications Carriers. Under that size
standard, such a business is small if it has 1,500 or fewer
employees.\145\ According to Commission data, 1,442 carriers reported
that they were engaged in the provision of either competitive local
exchange services or competitive access provider services.\146\ Of
these 1,442 carriers, an estimated 1,256 have 1,500 or fewer employees
and 186 have more than 1,500 employees.\147\ In addition, 17 carriers
have reported that they are Shared-Tenant Service Providers, and all 17
are estimated to have 1,500 or fewer employees.\148\ In addition, 72
carriers have reported that they are Other Local Service
Providers.\149\ Of the 72, seventy have 1,500 or fewer employees and
two have more than 1,500 employees.\150\ Consequently, the Commission
estimates that most providers of competitive local exchange service,
competitive access providers, Shared-Tenant Service Providers, and
Other Local Service Providers are small entities that may be affected
by rules adopted.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\145\ 13 CFR 121.201, NAICS code 517110.
\146\ See Trends in Telephone Service, at Table 5.3.
\147\ Id.
\148\ Id.
\149\ Id.
\150\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

12. Interexchange Carriers (IXCs). Neither the Commission nor the
SBA has developed a small business size standard specifically
applicable to interexchange services. The applicable size standard
under SBA rules is for the Wired Telecommunications Carriers. Under
that size standard, such a business is small if it has 1,500 or fewer
employees.\151\ According to Commission data, 359 companies reported
that their primary telecommunications service activity was the
provision of interexchange services.\152\ Of these 359 companies, an
estimated 317 have 1,500 or fewer employees and 42 have more than 1,500
employees.\153\ Consequently, the Commission estimates that the
majority of interexchange service providers are small entities that may
be affected by rules adopted.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\151\ 13 CFR 121.201, NAICS code 517110.
\152\ See Trends in Telephone Service, at Table 5.3.
\153\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

13. Prepaid Calling Card Providers. Neither the Commission nor the
SBA has developed a small business size standard specifically for
prepaid calling card providers. The appropriate size standard under SBA
rules is for the category Telecommunications Resellers. Under that size
standard, such a business is small if it has 1,500 or fewer
employees.\154\ Census data for 2007 show that 1,716 establishments
provided resale services during that year. Of that number, 1,674
operated with fewer than 99 employees and 42 operated with more than
100 employees.\155\ Thus under this category and the associated small
business size standard, the majority of these prepaid calling card
providers can be considered small entities. According to Commission
data, 193 carriers have reported that they are engaged in the provision
of prepaid calling cards.\156\ Of these, all 193 have 1,500 or fewer
employees and none have more than 1,500 employees.\157\ Consequently,
the Commission estimates that the majority of prepaid calling card
providers are small entities that may be affected by rules adopted.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\154\ 13 CFR 121.201, NAICS code 517911.
\155\ https://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/
pages/
productview.xhtml?pid=ECN2007US51SSSZ2&pro
dType=table.
\156\ See Trends in Telephone Service, at Table 5.3.
\157\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

14. Local Resellers. The SBA has developed a small business size
standard for the category of Telecommunications Resellers. Under that
size standard, such a business is small if it has 1,500 or fewer
employees.\158\ Census data for 2007 show that 1,716 establishments
provided resale services during that year. Of that number, 1,674
operated with fewer than 99 employees and 42 operated with more than
100 employees.\159\ Under this category and the associated small
business size standard, the majority of these local resellers can be
considered small entities. According to Commission data, 213 carriers
have reported that they are engaged in the provision of local resale
services.\160\ Of these, an estimated 211 have 1,500 or fewer employees
and two have more than 1,500 employees.\161\ Consequently, the
Commission estimates that the majority of local resellers are small
entities that may be affected by rules adopted.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\158\ 13 CFR 121.201, NAICS code 517911.
\159\ https://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/
pages/
productview.xhtml?pid=ECN2007US51SSSZ2&pro
dType=table.
\160\ See Trends in Telephone Service, at tbl. 5.3.
\161\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

15. Toll Resellers. The SBA has developed a small business size
standard for the category of Telecommunications Resellers. Under that
size standard, such a business is small if it has 1,500 or fewer
employees.\162\ Census data for 2007 show that 1,716 establishments
provided resale services during that year. Of that number, 1,674
operated with fewer than 99 employees and 42

[[Page 54207]]

operated with more than 100 employees.\163\ Thus, under this category
and the associated small business size standard, the majority of these
resellers can be considered small entities. According to Commission
data, 881 carriers have reported that they are engaged in the provision
of toll resale services.\164\ Of these, an estimated 857 have 1,500 or
fewer employees and 24 have more than 1,500 employees.\165\
Consequently, the Commission estimates that the majority of toll
resellers are small entities that may be affected by the rules adopted
herein.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\162\ 13 CFR 121.201, NAICS code 517911.
\163\ https://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/
pages/
productview.xhtml?pid=ECN2007US51SSSZ2&pro
dType=table.
\164\ Trends in Telephone Service, at Table 5.3.
\165\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

16. Other Toll Carriers. Neither the Commission nor the SBA has
developed a size standard for small businesses specifically applicable
to Other Toll Carriers. This category includes toll carriers that do
not fall within the categories of interexchange carriers, operator
service providers, prepaid calling card providers, satellite service
carriers, or toll resellers. The closest applicable size standard under
SBA rules is for Wired Telecommunications Carriers. Under that size
standard, such a business is small if it has 1,500 or fewer
employees.\166\ Census data for 2007 shows that there were 31,996
establishments that operated that year. Of those 31,996, 1,818 operated
with more than 100 employees, and 30,178 operated with fewer than 100
employees.\167\ Thus, under this category and the associated small
business size standard, the majority of Other Toll Carriers can be
considered small. According to Commission data, 284 companies reported
that their primary telecommunications service activity was the
provision of other toll carriage.\168\ Of these, an estimated 279 have
1,500 or fewer employees and five have more than 1,500 employees.\169\
Consequently, the Commission estimates that most Other Toll Carriers
are small entities that may be affected by the rules and policies
adopted.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\166\ 13 CFR 121.201, NAICS code 517110.
\167\ Id.
\168\ Trends in Telephone Service, at Table 5.3.
\169\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

17. Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite). Since
2007, the SBA has recognized wireless firms within this new, broad,
economic census category.\170\ Prior to that time, such firms were
within the now-superseded categories of Paging and Cellular and Other
Wireless Telecommunications.\171\ Under the present and prior
categories, the SBA has deemed a wireless business to be small if it
has 1,500 or fewer employees.\172\ For this category, census data for
2007 show that there were 11,163 establishments that operated for the
entire year.\173\ Of this total, 10,791 establishments had employment
of 999 or fewer employees and 372 had employment of 1000 employees or
more.\174\ Thus, under this category and the associated small business
size standard, the Commission estimates that the majority of wireless
telecommunications carriers (except satellite) are small entities that
may be affected by our action.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\170\ 13 CFR 121.201, NAICS code 517210.
\171\ U.S. Census Bureau, 2002 NAICS Definitions, ``517211
Paging,'' available at https://www.census.gov/cgibin/sssd/naics/naicsrch?code=517211&search=2002%20NAICS%20Search; U.S. Census
Bureau, 2002 NAICS Definitions, ``517212 Cellular and Other Wireless
Telecommunications,'' available at https://www.census.gov/cgi-bin/sssd/naics/naicsrch?code=517212&search=2002%20NAICS%20Search.
\172\ 13 CFR 121.201, NAICS code 517210. The now-superseded,
pre-2007 CFR citations were 13 CFR 121.201, NAICS codes 517211 and
517212 (referring to the 2002 NAICS).
\173\ U.S. Census Bureau, Subject Series: Information, Table 5,
``Establishment and Firm Size: Employment Size of Firms for the
United States: 2007 NAICS Code 517210'' (issued Nov. 2010).
\174\ Id. Available census data do not provide a more precise
estimate of the number of firms that have employment of 1,500 or
fewer employees; the largest category provided is for firms with
``100 employees or more.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

18. Similarly, according to Commission data, 413 carriers reported
that they were engaged in the provision of wireless telephony,
including cellular service, Personal Communications Service (PCS), and
Specialized Mobile Radio (SMR) Telephony services.\175\ Of these, an
estimated 261 have 1,500 or fewer employees and 152 have more than
1,500 employees.\176\ Consequently, the Commission estimates that
approximately half or more of these firms can be considered small.
Thus, using available data, we estimate that the majority of wireless
firms can be considered small.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\175\ Trends in Telephone Service, at Table 5.3.
\176\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

19. Cable Television and other Program Distribution. Since 2007,
these services have been defined within the broad economic census
category of Wired Telecommunications Carriers; that category is defined
as follows: ``This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged
in operating and/or providing access to transmission facilities and
infrastructure that they own and/or lease for the transmission of
voice, data, text, sound, and video using wired telecommunications
networks. Transmission facilities may be based on a single technology
or a combination of technologies.'' \177\ The SBA has developed a small
business size standard for this category, which is: All such firms
having 1,500 or fewer employees.\178\ Census data for 2007 shows that
there were 31,996 establishments that operated that year. Of those
31,996, 1,818 had more than 100 employees, and 30,178 operated with
fewer than 100 employees. Thus under this size standard, the majority
of firms offering cable and other program distribution services can be
considered small and may be affected by rules adopted.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\177\ U.S. Census Bureau, 2007 NAICS Definitions, ``517110 Wired
Telecommunications Carriers'' (partial definition), available at
https://www.census.gov/cgi-bin/sssd/naics/naicsrch?code=517110&search=2007%20NAICS%20Search.
\178\ 13 CFR 121.201, NAICS code 517110.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

20. Cable Companies and Systems. The Commission has developed its
own small business size standards, for the purpose of cable rate
regulation. Under the Commission's rules, a ``small cable company'' is
one serving 400,000 or fewer subscribers, nationwide.\179\ Industry
data indicate that, of 1,076 cable operators nationwide, all but eleven
are small under this size standard.\180\ In addition, under the
Commission's rules, a ``small system'' is a cable system serving 15,000
or fewer subscribers.\181\ Industry data indicate that, of 6,635
systems nationwide, 5,802 systems have under 10,000 subscribers, and an
additional 302 systems have 10,000-19,999 subscribers.\182\ Thus, under
this second size standard, most cable systems are small and may be
affected by rules adopted.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\179\ See 47 CFR 76.901(e). The Commission determined that this
size standard equates approximately to a size standard of $100
million or less in annual revenues. See Implementation of Sections
of the 1992 Cable Television Consumer Protection and Competition
Act: Rate Regulation, MM Docket Nos. 92-266, 93-215, Sixth Report
and Order and Eleventh Order on Reconsideration, 10 FCC Rcd 7393,
7408, para. 28 (1995).
\180\ These data are derived from R.R. Bowker, Broadcasting &
Cable Yearbook 2006, ``Top 25 Cable/Satellite Operators,'' pages A-8
& C-2 (data current as of June 30, 2005); Warren Communications
News, Television & Cable Factbook 2006, ``Ownership of Cable Systems
in the United States,'' pages D-1805 to D-1857.
\181\ See 47 CFR 76.901(c).
\182\ Warren Communications News, Television & Cable Factbook
2006, ``U.S. Cable Systems by Subscriber Size,'' page F-2 (data
current as of Oct. 2007). The data do not include 851 systems for
which classifying data were not available.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

21. All Other Telecommunications. The Census Bureau defines this
industry as including ``establishments primarily engaged in providing
specialized telecommunications services, such as satellite tracking,
communications telemetry, and radar station operation.

[[Page 54208]]

This industry also includes establishments primarily engaged in
providing satellite terminal stations and associated facilities
connected with one or more terrestrial systems and capable of
transmitting telecommunications to, and receiving telecommunications
from, satellite systems. Establishments providing Internet services or
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services via client-supplied
telecommunications connections are also included in this industry.''
\183\ The SBA has developed a small business size standard for this
category; that size standard is $30.0 million or less in average annual
receipts.\184\ According to Census Bureau data for 2007, there were
2,623 firms in this category that operated for the entire year.\185\ Of
these, 2478 establishments had annual receipts of under $10 million and
145 establishments had annual receipts of $10 million or more.\186\
Consequently, we estimate that the majority of these firms are small
entities that may be affected by our action. In addition, some small
businesses whose primary line of business does not involve provision of
communications services hold FCC licenses or other authorizations for
purposes incidental to their primary business. We do not have a
reliable estimate of how many of these entities are small businesses.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\183\ U.S. Census Bureau, ``2007 NAICS Definitions: 517919 All
Other Telecommunications,'' available at https://www.census.gov/cgi-bin/sssd/naics/naicsrch?code=517919&search=2007%20NAICS%20Search.
\184\ 13 CFR 121.201, NAICS code 517919.
\185\ U.S. Census Bureau, 2007 Economic Census, Subject Series:
Information, Table 4, ``Establishment and Firm Size: Receipts Size
of Firms for the United States: 2007 NAICS Code 517919'' (issued
Nov. 2010).
\186\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

D. Description of Projected Reporting, Recordkeeping and Other
Compliance Requirements

22. This Report and Order does not adopt any new reporting,
recordkeeping, or other compliance requirements.

E. Steps Taken To Minimize Significant Economic Impact on Small
Entities, and Significant Alternatives Considered

23. The RFA requires an agency to describe any significant
alternatives that it has considered in reaching its approach, which may
include the following four alternatives, among others: (1) The
establishment of differing compliance or reporting requirements or
timetables that take into account the resources available to small
entities; (2) the clarification, consolidation, or simplification of
compliance or reporting requirements under the rule for small entities;
(3) the use of performance, rather than design, standards; and (4) an
exemption from coverage of the rule, or any part thereof, for small
entities.\187\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\187\ 5 U.S.C. 603(c)(1)-(c)(4).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

24. This Report and Order does not adopt any new reporting
requirements. Therefore no adverse economic impact on small entities
will be sustained based on reporting requirements. There may be a
regulatory fee increase on small entities, in some cases and in some
industries, but if so it would be specifically in furtherance of the
reform measures. We are mitigating fee increases to small entities, and
other entities, by, for example, raising the de minimis threshold from
$10 to $500 and eliminating several regulatory fee categories (218-219
MHz, broadcast auxiliaries, and satellite television construction
permits) from regulatory fee requirements. In keeping with the
requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, we have considered
certain alternative means of mitigating the effects of fee increases to
a particular industry segment. In addition, the Commission's rules
provide a process by which regulatory fee payors may seek waivers or
other relief on the basis of financial hardship. 47 CFR 1.1166.

F. Federal Rules That May Duplicate, Overlap, or Conflict

26. None.

VIII. Ordering Clauses

50. Accordingly, it is ordered that, pursuant to Sections 4(i) and
(j), 9, and 303(r) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47
U.S.C. 154(i), 154(j), 159, and 303(r), this Report and Order and
Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking is hereby adopted.
51. It is further ordered that, as provided in paragraph 54, this
Report and Order shall be effective September 11, 2014.
52. It is further ordered that the Commission's Consumer and
Governmental Affairs Bureau, Reference Information Center, shall send a
copy of this Report and Order, including the Final Regulatory
Flexibility Analysis in Appendix F, to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy
of the U.S. Small Business Administration.

List of Subjects in 47 CFR Part 1

Administrative practice and procedure.

Federal Communications Commission.

Marlene H. Dortch,
Secretary.

Rule Changes

For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Federal
Communications Commission amends 47 CFR part 1 as follows:

PART 1--PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE

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

Authority: 15 U.S.C. 79 et seq.; 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 154(j),
155, 157, 225, 303(r), 309, and 310. Cable Landing License Act of
1921, 47 U.S.C. 35-39, and the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job
Creation Act of 2012, Pub. L. 112-96.

0
2. Section 1.1152 is revised to read as follows:

Sec. 1.1152 Schedule of annual regulatory fees and filing locations
for wireless radio services.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Exclusive use services (per
license) Fee amount \1\ Address
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Land Mobile (Above 470 MHz and 220 MHz Local, Base Station & SMRS)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(47 CFR part 90):
(a) New, Renew/Mod (FCC 601 $35.00 FCC, P.O. Box 979097,
& 159). St. Louis, MO 63197-
9000.
(b) New, Renew/Mod 35.00 FCC, P.O. Box 979097,
(Electronic Filing) (FCC St. Louis, MO 63197-
601 & 159). 9000.
(c) Renewal Only (FCC 601 & 35.00 FCC, P.O. Box 979097,
159). St. Louis, MO 63197-
9000.
(d) Renewal Only 35.00 FCC, P.O. Box 979097,
(Electronic Filing) (FCC St. Louis, MO 63197-
601 & 159). 9000.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 54209]]

220 MHz Nationwide
------------------------------------------------------------------------
a) New, Renew/Mod (FCC 601 & 35.00 FCC, P.O. Box 979097,
159). St. Louis, MO 63197-
9000.
(b) New, Renew/Mod (Electronic 35.00 FCC, P.O. Box 979097,
Filing) (FCC 601 & 159). St. Louis, MO 63197-
9000.
(c) Renewal Only (FCC 601 & 35.00 FCC, P.O. Box 979097,
159). St. Louis, MO 63197-
9000.
(d) Renewal Only (Electronic 35.00 FCC, P.O. Box 979097,
Filing) (FCC 601 & 159). St. Louis, MO 63197-
9000.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Microwave (47 CFR Pt. 101) (Private)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(a) New, Renew/Mod (FCC 601 & 15.00 FCC, P.O. Box 979097,
159). St. Louis, MO 63197-
9000.
(b) New, Renew/Mod (Electronic 15.00 FCC, P.O. Box 979097,
Filing) (FCC 601 & 159). St. Louis, MO 63197-
9000.
(c) Renewal Only (FCC 601 & 15.00 FCC, P.O. Box 979097,
159). St. Louis, MO 63197-
9000.
(d) Renewal Only (Electronic 15.00 FCC, P.O. Box 979097,
Filing) (FCC 601 & 159). St. Louis, MO 63197-
9000.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. 218-219 MHz Service
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(a) New, Renew/Mod (FCC 601 & 80.00 FCC, P.O. Box 979097,
159). St. Louis, MO 63197-
9000.
(b) New, Renew/Mod (Electronic 80.00 FCC, P.O. Box 979097,
Filing) (FCC 601 & 159). St. Louis, MO 63197-
9000.
(c) Renewal Only (FCC 601 & 80.00 FCC, P.O. Box 979097,
159). St. Louis, MO 63197-
9000.
(d) Renewal Only (Electronic 80.00 FCC, P.O. Box 979097,
Filing) (FCC 601 & 159). St. Louis, MO 63197-
9000.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Shared Use Services
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Land Mobile (Frequencies Below
470 MHz--except 220 MHz):
(a) New, Renew/Mod (FCC 601 10.00 FCC, P.O. Box 979097,
& 159). St. Louis, MO 63197-
9000.
(b) New, Renew/Mod 10.00 FCC, P.O. Box 979097,
(Electronic Filing) (FCC St. Louis, MO 63197-
601 & 159). 9000.
(c) Renewal Only (FCC 601 & 10.00 FCC, P.O. Box 979097,
159). St. Louis, MO 63197-
9000.
(d) Renewal Only 10.00 FCC, P.O. Box 979097,
(Electronic Filing) (FCC St. Louis, MO 63197-
601 & 159). 9000.
General Mobile Radio Service
(a) New, Renew/Mod (FCC 605 5.00 FCC, P.O. Box 979097,
& 159). St. Louis, MO 63197-
9000.
(b) New, Renew/Mod 5.00 FCC, P.O. Box 979097,
(Electronic Filing) (FCC St. Louis, MO 63197-
605 & 159). 9000.
(c) Renewal Only (FCC 605 & 5.00 FCC, P.O. Box 979097.
159). St. Louis, MO 63197-
9000.
(d) Renewal Only 5.00 FCC, P.O. Box 979097,
(Electronic Filing) (FCC St. Louis, MO 63197-
605 & 159). 9000.
Rural Radio (Part 22)
(a) New, Additional 10.00 FCC, P.O. Box 979097,
Facility, Major Renew/Mod St. Louis, MO 63197-
(Electronic Filing) (FCC 9000.
601 & 159).
(b) Renewal, Minor Renew/ 10.00 FCC, P.O. Box 979097,
Mod (Electronic Filing) St. Louis, MO 63197-
(FCC 601 & 159). 9000.
Marine Coast:
(a) New Renewal/Mod (FCC 55.00 FCC, P.O. Box 979097,
601 & 159). St. Louis, MO 63197-
9000.
(b) New, Renewal/Mod 55.00 FCC, P.O. Box 979097,
(Electronic Filing) (FCC St. Louis, MO 63197-
601 & 159). 9000.
(c) Renewal Only (FCC 601 & 55.00 FCC, P.O. Box 979097,
159). St. Louis, MO 63197-
9000.
(d) Renewal Only 55.00 FCC, P.O. Box 979097,
(Electronic Filing) (FCC St. Louis, MO 63197-
601 & 159). 9000.
Aviation Ground:
(a) New, Renewal/Mod (FCC 30.00 FCC, P.O. Box 979097,
601 & 159). St. Louis, MO 63197-
9000.
(b) New, Renewal/Mod 30.00 FCC, P.O. Box 979097,
(Electronic Filing) (FCC St. Louis, MO 63197-
601 & 159). 9000.
(c) Renewal Only (FCC 601 & 30.00 FCC, P.O. Box 979097,
159). St. Louis, MO 63197-
9000.
(d) Renewal Only 30.00 FCC, P.O. Box 979097,
(Electronic Only) (FCC 601 St. Louis, MO 63197-
& 159). 9000.
Marine Ship:
(a) New, Renewal/Mod (FCC 15.00 FCC, P.O. Box 979097,
605 & 159). St. Louis, MO 63197-
9000.
(b) New, Renewal/Mod 15.00 FCC, P.O. Box 979097,
(Electronic Filing) (FCC St. Louis, MO 63197-
605 & 159). 9000.

[[Page 54210]]

(c) Renewal Only (FCC 605 & 15.00 FCC, P.O. Box 979097,
159). St. Louis, MO 63197-
9000.
(d) Renewal Only 15.00 FCC, P.O. Box 979097,
(Electronic Filing) (FCC St. Louis, MO 63197-
605 & 159). 9000.
Aviation Aircraft:
(a) New, Renew/Mod (FCC 605 10.00 FCC, P.O. Box 979097,
& 159). St. Louis, MO 63197-
9000.
(b) New, Renew/Mod 10.00 FCC, P.O. Box 979097,
(Electronic Filing) (FCC St. Louis, MO 63197-
605 & 159). 9000.
(c) Renewal Only (FCC 605 & 10.00 FCC, P.O. Box 979097,
159). St. Louis, MO 63197-
9000.
(d) Renewal Only 10.00 FCC, P.O. Box 979097,
(Electronic Filing) (FCC St. Louis, MO 63197-
605 & 159). 9000.
5. Amateur Vanity Call Signs:
(a) Initial or Renew (FCC 2.14 FCC, P.O. Box 979097,
605 & 159). St. Louis, MO 63197-
9000.
(b) Initial or Renew 2.14 FCC, P.O. Box 979097,
(Electronic Filing) (FCC St. Louis, MO 63197-
605 & 159). 9000.
6. CMRS Cellular/Mobile \2\ .18 FCC, P.O. Box 979084,
Services (per unit) (FCC 159) St. Louis, MO 63197-
9000.
7. CMRS Messaging Services (per \3\ .08 FCC, P.O. Box 979084,
unit) (FCC 159). St. Louis, MO 63197-
9000.
8. Broadband Radio Service 715 FCC, P.O. Box 979084,
(formerly MMDS and MDS). St. Louis, MO 63197-
9000.
9. Local Multipoint 715 FCC, P.O. Box 979084,
Distribution Service. St. Louis, MO 63197-
9000.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Note that ``small fees'' are collected in advance for the entire
license term. Therefore, the annual fee amount shown in this table
that is a small fee (categories 1 through 5) must be multiplied by the
5- or 10-year license term, as appropriate, to arrive at the total
amount of regulatory fees owed. Also, application fees may apply as
detailed in Sec. 1.1102 of this chapter.
\2\ These are standard fees that are to be paid in accordance with Sec.
1.1157(b) of this chapter.
\3\ These are standard fees that are to be paid in accordance with Sec.
1.1157(b) of this chapter.

0
3. Section 1.1153 is revised to read as follows:

Sec. 1.1153 Schedule of annual regulatory fees and filing locations
for mass media services.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Radio [AM and FM] (47 CFR part
73) Fee amount Address
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. AM Class A:
<=25,000 population........ $775 FCC, Radio, P.O. Box
979084, St. Louis, MO
63197-9000.
25,001-75,000 population... 1,550
75,001-150,000 population.. 2,325
150,001-500,000 population. 3,475
500,001-1,200,000 5,025
population.
1,200,001-3,000,000 7,750
population.
>3,000,000 population...... 9,300
2. AM Class B:
<=25,000 population........ 645 FCC, Radio, P.O. Box
979084, St. Louis, MO,
63197-9000.
25,001-75,000 population... 1,300
75,001-150,000 population.. 1,625
150,001-500,000 population. 2,750
500,001-1,200,000 4,225
population.
1,200,001-3,000,000 6,500
population.
>3,000,000 population...... 7,800
3. AM Class C:
<=25,000 population........ 590 FCC, Radio, P.O. Box
979084, St. Louis, MO,
63197-9000.
25,001-75,000 population... 900
75,001-150,000 population.. 1,200
150,001-500,000 population. 1,800
500,001-1,200,000 3,000
population.
1,200,001-3,000,000 4,500
population.
>3,000,000 population...... 5,700
4. AM Class D:
<=25,000 population........ 670 FCC, Radio, P.O. Box
979084, St. Louis, MO,
63197-9000.
25,001-75,000 population... 1,000
75,001-150,000 population.. 1,675
150,001-500,000 population. 2,025
500,001-1,200,000 3,375
population.
1,200,001-3,000,000 5,400
population.
>3,000,000 population...... 6,750
5. AM Construction Permit...... 590 FCC, Radio, P.O. Box
979084, St. Louis, MO,
63197-9000.
6. FM Classes A, B1 and C3:
<=25,000 population........ 750 FCC, Radio, P.O. Box
979084, St. Louis, MO,
63197-9000.
25,001-75,000 population... 1,500
75,001-150,000 population.. 2,050
150,001-500,000 population. 3,175
500,001-1,200,000 5,050
population.

[[Page 54211]]

1,200,001-3,000,000 8,250
population.
>3,000,000 population...... 10,500
7. FM Classes B, C, C0, C1 and
C2:
<=25,000 population........ 925 FCC, Radio, P.O. Box
979084, St. Louis, MO,
63197-9000.
25,001-75,000 population... 1,625
75,001-150,000 population.. 3,000
150,001-500,000 population. 3,925
500,001-1,200,000 5,775
population.
1,200,001-3,000,000 9,250
population.
>3,000,000 population...... 12,025
8. FM Construction Permits..... 750 FCC, Radio, P.O. Box
979084, St. Louis, MO,
63197-9000.
TV (47 CFR, part 73)
Digital TV (UHF and VHF
Commercial Stations):
1. Markets 1 thru 10....... 44,650 FCC, TV Branch, P.O.
Box 979084, St. Louis,
MO, 63197-9000.
2. Markets 11 thru 25...... 42,100
3. Markets 26 thru 50...... 26,975
4. Markets 51 thru 100..... 15,600
5. Remaining Markets....... 4,750
6. Construction Permits.... 4,750
Satellite UHF/VHF Commercial:
1. All Markets............. 1,550 FCC Satellite TV, P.O.
Box 979084, St. Louis,
MO 63197-9000.
2. Construction Permits.... 1,300
Low Power TV, Class A TV, TV/ 410 FCC, Low Power, P.O.
FM Translator, & TV/FM Booster Box 979084, St. Louis,
(47 CFR part 74). MO 63197-9000.
Broadcast Auxiliary............ 10 FCC, Auxiliary, P.O.
Box 979084, St. Louis,
MO 63197-9000.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

0
4. Section 1.1154 is revised to read as follows:

Sec. 1.1154 Schedule of annual regulatory charges and filing
locations for common carrier services.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Radio facilities Fee amount Address
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Microwave (Domestic Public $15.00 FCC, P.O. Box 979097,
Fixed) (Electronic Filing) St. Louis, MO 63197-
(FCC Form 601 & 159). 9000.
Carriers:
1. Interstate Telephone .00343 FCC, Carriers, P.O. Box
Service Providers (per 979084, St. Louis, MO
interstate and 63197-9000.
international end-user
revenues (see FCC Form 499-
A).
------------------------------------------------------------------------

0
5. Section 1.1155 is revised to read as follows:

Sec. 1.1155 Schedule of regulatory fees and filing locations for
cable television services.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fee amount Address
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Cable Television Relay $605 FCC, Cable, P.O. Box
Service. 979084, St. Louis, MO
63197-9000.
2. Cable TV System, Including 0.99 .......................
IPTV (per subscriber).
------------------------------------------------------------------------

0
6. Section 1.1156 is revised to read as follows:

Sec. 1.1156 Schedule of regulatory fees and filing locations for
international services.

(a) The following schedule applies for the listed services:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fee category Fee amount Address
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Space Stations (Geostationary $122,400 FCC, International,
Orbit). P.O. Box 979084, St.
Louis, MO 63197-9000.
Space Stations (Non- 132,850 FCC, International,
Geostationary Orbit). P.O. Box 979084, St.
Louis, MO 63197-9000.
Earth Stations: Transmit/ 295 FCC, International,
Receive & Transmit only (per P.O. Box 979084, St.
authorization or registration). Louis, MO 63197-9000.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 54212]]

(b) International Terrestrial and Satellite. Regulatory fees for
International Bearer Circuits are to be paid by facilities-based common
carriers that have active (used or leased) international bearer
circuits as of December 31 of the prior year in any terrestrial or
satellite transmission facility for the provision of service to an end
user or resale carrier, which includes active circuits to themselves or
to their affiliates. In addition, non-common carrier satellite
operators must pay a fee for each circuit sold or leased to any
customer, including themselves or their affiliates, other than an
international common carrier authorized by the Commission to provide
U.S. international common carrier services. ``Active circuits'' for
these purposes include backup and redundant circuits. In addition,
whether circuits are used specifically for voice or data is not
relevant in determining that they are active circuits.
The fee amount, per active 64 KB circuit or equivalent will be
determined for each fiscal year.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
International terrestrial and
satellite (capacity as of Fee amount Address
December 31, 2013)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Terrestrial Common Carrier, $0.21 per 64 FCC, International,
Satellite Common Carrier, KB Circuit P.O. Box 979084, St.
Satellite Non-Common Carrier. Louis, MO 63197-9000.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

(c) Submarine cable: Regulatory fees for submarine cable systems
will be paid annually, per cable landing license, for all submarine
cable systems operating as of December 31 of the prior year. The fee
amount will be determined by the Commission for each fiscal year.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine cable systems
(capacity as of Dec. 31, 2013) Fee amount Address
------------------------------------------------------------------------
< 2.5 Gbps..................... $10,250 FCC, International,
P.O. Box 979084, St.
Louis, MO 63197-9000.
2.5 Gbps or greater, but less 20,500 FCC, International,
than 5 Gbps. P.O. Box 979084, St.
Louis, MO 63197-9000.
5 Gbps or greater, but less 40,975 FCC, International,
than 10 Gbps. P.O. Box 979084, St.
Louis, MO 63197-9000.
10 Gbps or greater, but less 81,950 FCC, International,
than 20 Gbps. P.O. Box 979084, St.
Louis, MO 63197-9000.
20 Gbps or greater............. 163,900 FCC, International,
P.O. Box 979084, St.
Louis, MO 63197-9000.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

[FR Doc. 2014-21561 Filed 9-10-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P

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