Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission, 42811-42812 [2017-19220]

Agencies

• FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 175 (Tuesday, September 12, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42811-42812]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-19220]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[OMB 3060-0819]


Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal 
Communications Commission

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, 
and as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, the 
Federal Communications Commission (FCC or the Commission) invites the 
general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to 
comment on the following information collection. Comments are requested 
concerning: Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary 
for the proper performance of the functions of the Commission, 
including whether the

[[Page 42812]]

information shall have practical utility; the accuracy of the 
Commission's burden estimate; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and 
clarity of the information collected; ways to minimize the burden of 
the collection of information on the respondents, including the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology; and ways to further reduce the information collection 
burden on small business concerns with fewer than 25 employees. The FCC 
may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it 
displays a currently valid control number. No person shall be subject 
to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information 
subject to the PRA that does not display a valid Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) control number.

DATES: Written PRA comments should be submitted on or before November 
13, 2017. If you anticipate that you will be submitting comments, but 
find it difficult to do so within the period of time allowed by this 
notice, you should advise the contact listed below as soon as possible.

ADDRESSES: Direct all PRA comments to Nicole Ongele, FCC, via email 
PRA@fcc.gov and to Nicole.Ongele@fcc.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information about the 
information collection, contact Nicole Ongele at (202) 418-2991.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: As part of its continuing effort to reduce 
paperwork burdens, and as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) 
of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520), the Federal Communications Commission 
(FCC or Commission) invites the general public and other Federal 
agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following 
information collections. Comments are requested concerning: Whether the 
proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper 
performance of the functions of the Commission, including whether the 
information shall have practical utility; the accuracy of the 
Commission's burden estimate; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and 
clarity of the information collected; ways to minimize the burden of 
the collection of information on the respondents, including the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology; and ways to further reduce the information collection 
burden on small business concerns with fewer than 25 employees.
    OMB Control Number: 3060-0819.
    Title: Lifeline and Link Up Reform and Modernization, 
Telecommunications Carriers Eligible for Universal Service Support, 
Connect America Fund.
    Form Numbers: FCC Form 555, FCC Form 481, FCC Form 497, FCC Form 
5629, FCC Form 5630, FCC Form 5631.
    Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Respondents: Individuals or households and business or other for-
profit.
    Number of Respondents and Responses: 20,094,358 respondents; 
23,954,123 responses.
    Estimated Time per Response: .0167 hours-250 hours.
    Frequency of Response: Annual, biennial, monthly, daily and on 
occasion reporting requirements and third party disclosure requirement.
    Obligation to Respond: Required to obtain or retain benefits. 
Statutory authority is contained in Sections 1, 4(i), 5, 201, 205, 214, 
219, 220, 254, 303(r), and 403 of the Communications Act of 1934, as 
amended, and section 706 of the Communications Act of 1996, as amended; 
47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 155, 201, 205, 214, 219, 220, 254, 303(r), 403, 
and 1302.
    Total Annual Burden: 11,028,571 hours.
    Total Annual Cost: $937,500.
    Privacy Act Impact Assessment: Yes.
    The Commission completed a Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) for some 
of the information collection requirements contained in this 
collection. The PIA was published in the Federal Register at 78 FR 
73535 on December 6, 2013. The PIA may be reviewed at: https://www.fcc.gov/omd/privacyact/Privacy_Impact_Assessment.html.
    Nature and Extent of Confidentiality: Some of the requirements 
contained in this information collection affect individuals or 
households, and thus, there are impacts under the Privacy Act. The 
FCC's system of records notice (SORN) associated with this collection 
is FCC/WCB-1, ``Lifeline Program.''
    The Commission will use the information contained in FCC/WCB-1 to 
cover the personally identifiable information (PII) that is required as 
part of the Lifeline Program (``Lifeline''). As required by the Privacy 
Act of 1974, as amended, 5 U.S.C. 552a, the Commission published FCC/
WCB-1 ``Lifeline Program'' in the Federal Register on December 6, 2013 
(78 FR 73535).
    Also, respondents may request materials or information submitted to 
the Commission or to the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC 
or Administrator) be withheld from public inspection under 47 CFR 0.459 
of the FCC's rules. We note that USAC must preserve the confidentiality 
of all data obtained from respondents; must not use the data except for 
purposes of administering the universal service programs; and must not 
disclose data in company-specific form unless directed to do so by the 
Commission.
    Needs and Uses: The Commission will submit this information 
collection after this comment period to obtain approval from the Office 
of Management and Budget (OMB) of revisions to this information 
collection.
    On April 27, 2016, the Commission released an order reforming its 
low-income universal service support mechanisms. Lifeline and Link Up 
Reform and Modernization; Telecommunications Carriers Eligible for 
Universal Service Support; Connect America Fund, WC Docket Nos. 11-42, 
09-197, 10-90, Third Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Order on 
Reconsideration, and Further Report and Order, (Lifeline Third Reform 
Order). This revision implements the new forms for the Lifeline program 
for consumer enrollment and certification, recertification, and one-per 
household verification. These forms are intended for use as standard 
forms for all consumers and ETCs participating in the Lifeline program. 
This revision also implements the transition to payment of the Lifeline 
reimbursement to ETCs based on data from USAC's NLAD database. In the 
Lifeline Third Reform Order, the Commission directed USAC to propose 
improved methods of providing payment to Lifeline providers that will 
reduce costs and burdens to the Fund and to Lifeline providers. In 
addition, the Commission seeks to update the number of respondents for 
certain requirements contained in this information collection, thus 
increasing the total burden hours for some requirements and decreasing 
the total burden hours for other requirements.

Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene H. Dortch,
Secretary, Office of the Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2017-19220 Filed 9-11-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6712-01-P