Information Collections Being Submitted for Review and Approval to Office of Management and Budget, 13375-13377 [2021-04774]
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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 43 / Monday, March 8, 2021 / Notices
must establish the test bed described in
the Fourth Report and Order, which will
validate technologies intended for
indoor location. The test bed is
necessary for the compliance
certification framework adopted in the
Fourth Report and Order.
Section 9.10(i)(3)(ii) requires that
beginning 18 months from the effective
date of the rules, CMRS providers
providing service in any of the six Test
Cities identified by ATIS (Atlanta,
Denver/Front Range, San Francisco,
Philadelphia, Chicago, and Manhattan
Borough of New York City) or portions
thereof must collect and report aggregate
data on the location technologies used
for live 911 calls. Nationwide CMRS
providers must submit call data on a
quarterly basis; non-nationwide CMRS
providers need only submit this data
every six months. Non-nationwide
providers that do not provide service in
any of the Test Cities may satisfy this
requirement by collecting and reporting
data based on the largest county within
the carrier’s footprint. This reporting
requirement is necessary to validate and
verify the compliance certifications
made by CMRS providers.
The Commission developed a
reporting template to assist CMRS
providers in collecting, formatting, and
submitting aggregate live 911 call data
in accordance with the requirements in
the rules. The template will also assist
the Commission in evaluating the
progress CMRS providers have made
toward meeting the 911 location
accuracy benchmarks. The template is
an Excel spreadsheet and will be
available for downloading on the
Commission’s website. The Commission
may also develop an online filing
mechanism for these reports in the
future.
Section 9.10(i)(3)(iii) requires CMRS
providers to retain testing and live call
data gathered pursuant to this section
for a period of 2 years.
Section 9.10(i)(4)(i) provides that no
later than 18 months from the effective
date of the adoption of the rule,
nationwide CMRS providers shall report
to the Commission their initial plans for
meeting the indoor location accuracy
requirements of paragraph (i)(2) of
Section 9.10. Non-nationwide CMRS
providers will have an additional 6
months to submit their implementation
plan.
Section 9.10(i)(4)(ii) requires that no
later than 18 months from the effective
date, each CMRS provider shall submit
to the Commission a report on its
progress toward implementing
improved indoor location accuracy.
Non-nationwide CMRS providers will
have an additional 6 months to submit
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their progress reports. All CMRS
providers shall provide an additional
progress report no later than 36 months
from the effective date of the adoption
of this rule. The 36-month reports shall
indicate what progress the provider has
made consistent with its
implementation plan.
Section 9.10(i)(4)(iii) requires that
prior to activation of the NEAD but no
later than 18 months from the effective
date of the adoption of this rule, the
nationwide CMRS providers shall file
with the Commission and request
approval for a security and privacy plan
for the administration and operation of
the NEAD.
Section 9.10(i)(4)(iv) requires CMRS
providers to certify ‘‘that neither they
nor any third party they rely on to
obtain dispatchable location
information will use dispatchable
location information or associated data
for any non-911 purpose, except with
prior express consent or as otherwise
required by law.’’ In addition, ‘‘[t]he
certification must state that CMRS
providers and any third party they rely
on to obtain dispatchable location
information will implement measures
sufficient to safeguard the privacy and
security of dispatchable location
information.’’ As noted above, the
Commission is revising this requirement
to account for the fact that the NEAD
has been discontinued.
Section 9.10(i)(4)(v) requires that
prior to use of z-axis information to
meet the Commission’s location
accuracy requirements, CMRS providers
must certify ‘‘that neither they nor any
third party they rely on to obtain z-axis
information will use z-axis information
or associated data for any non-911
purpose, except with prior express
consent or as otherwise required by
law.’’ Further, ‘‘[t]he certification must
state that CMRS providers and any third
party they rely on to obtain z-axis
information will implement measures
sufficient to safeguard the privacy and
security of z-axis location information.’’
This requirement is necessary to ensure
the privacy and security of any
personally identifiable information that
may be collected by the CMRS provider.
As noted above, the Commission is
revising this requirement to account for
the fact that the NEAD has been
discontinued.
Section 9.10(j) requires CMRS
providers to provide standardized
confidence and uncertainty (C/U) data
for all wireless 911 calls, whether from
outdoor or indoor locations, on a percall basis upon the request of a PSAP.
This requirement makes the use of C/U
data easier for PSAPs.
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13375
Section 9.10(j)(4) also requires that
upon meeting the timeframes pursuant
to paragraphs (i)(2)(ii)(C) and (D) of this
section, CMRS providers shall provide
with wireless 911 calls that have
dispatchable location or z-axis (vertical)
information the C/U data required under
paragraph (j)(1) of this section. Where
available to the CMRS provider, floor
level information must be provided with
associated C/U data in addition to z-axis
location information.
Section 9.10(k) requires CMRS
providers to record information on all
live 911 calls, including but not limited
to the positioning source method used
to provide a location fix associated with
the call, as well as confidence and
uncertainty data. This information must
be made available to PSAPs upon
request, as a measure to promote
transparency and accountability for this
set of rules.
Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene Dortch,
Secretary, Office of the Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2021–04771 Filed 3–5–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712–01–P
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS
COMMISSION
[OMB 3060–0647, OMB 3060–0986; FRS
17539]
Information Collections Being
Submitted for Review and Approval to
Office of Management and Budget
Federal Communications
Commission.
ACTION: Notice and request for
comments.
AGENCY:
As part of its continuing effort
to reduce paperwork burdens, 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.
Pursuant to the Small Business
Paperwork Relief Act of 2002, the FCC
seeks specific comment on how it might
‘‘further reduce the information
collection burden for small business
concerns with fewer than 25
employees.’’ The Commission may not
conduct or sponsor a collection of
information unless it displays a
currently valid Office of Management
and Budget (OMB) control number. No
person shall be subject to any penalty
for failing to comply with a collection
of information subject to the PRA that
SUMMARY:
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13376
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 43 / Monday, March 8, 2021 / Notices
does not display a valid OMB control
number.
DATES: Written comments and
recommendations for the proposed
information collection should be
submitted on or before April 7, 2021.
ADDRESSES: Comments should be sent to
www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain.
Find this particular information
collection by selecting ‘‘Currently under
30-day Review—Open for Public
Comments’’ or by using the search
function. Your comment must be
submitted into www.reginfo.gov per the
above instructions for it to be
considered. In addition to submitting in
www.reginfo.gov also send a copy of
your comment on the proposed
information collection to Nicole Ongele,
FCC, via email to PRA@fcc.gov and to
Nicole.Ongele@fcc.gov. Include in the
comments the OMB control number as
shown in the SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION below.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
additional information or copies of the
information collection, contact Nicole
Ongele at (202) 418–2991. To view a
copy of this information collection
request (ICR) submitted to OMB: (1) Go
to the web page https://www.reginfo.gov/
public/do/PRAMain, (2) look for the
section of the web page called
‘‘Currently Under Review,’’ (3) click on
the downward-pointing arrow in the
‘‘Select Agency’’ box below the
‘‘Currently Under Review’’ heading, (4)
select ‘‘Federal Communications
Commission’’ from the list of agencies
presented in the ‘‘Select Agency’’ box,
(5) click the ‘‘Submit’’ button to the
right of the ‘‘Select Agency’’ box, (6)
when the list of FCC ICRs currently
under review appears, look for the Title
of this ICR and then click on the ICR
Reference Number. A copy of the FCC
submission to OMB will be displayed.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: As part of
its continuing effort to reduce
paperwork burdens, as required by the
Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995
(44 U.S.C. 3501–3520), the FCC invited
the general public and other Federal
Agencies to take this opportunity to
comment on the following information
collection. Comments are requested
concerning: (a) Whether the proposed
collection of information is necessary
for the proper performance of the
functions of the Commission, including
whether the information shall have
practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the
Commission’s burden estimates; (c)
ways to enhance the quality, utility, and
clarity of the information collected; and
(d) ways to minimize the burden of the
collection of information on the
respondents, including the use of
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19:05 Mar 05, 2021
Jkt 253001
automated collection techniques or
other forms of information technology.
Pursuant to the Small Business
Paperwork Relief Act of 2002, Public
Law 107–198, see 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(4),
the FCC seeks specific comment on how
it might ‘‘further reduce the information
collection burden for small business
concerns with fewer than 25
employees.’’
OMB Control Number: 3060–0647.
Title: Biennial Survey of Cable
Industry Prices, FCC Form 333.
Form Number: FCC Form 333.
Type of Review: Revision of a
currently approved collection.
Respondents: Business or other forprofit entities; State, local or Tribal
Government.
Number of Respondents and
Responses: 70 respondents and 524
responses.
Estimated Time per Response: 7
hours.
Frequency of Response: Biennial
reporting requirement.
Total Annual Burden: 1,834 hours.
Total Annual Cost: None.
Obligation to Respond: Mandatory.
The statutory authority for this
information collection is in Sections 4(i)
and 623(k) of the Communications Act
of 1934, as amended.
Nature and Extent of Confidentiality:
If individual respondents to this survey
wish to request confidential treatment of
any data provided in connection with
this survey, they can do so upon written
request, in accordance with Sections
0.457 and 0.459 of the Commission’s
rules. To request confidential treatment
of their data, respondents must describe
the specific information they wish to
protect and provide an explanation of
why such confidential treatment is
appropriate. If a respondent submits a
request for confidentiality, the
Commission will review it and make a
determination.
Privacy Act Impact Assessment: No
impact(s).
Needs and Uses: The Cable Television
Consumer Protection and Competition
Act of 1992 (‘‘Cable Act’’) requires the
Commission to publish biennially a
report on average rates for basic cable
service, cable programming service, and
equipment. The report must compare
the prices charged by cable operators
subject to effective competition and
those that are not subject to effective
competition. The Biennial Cable
Industry Price Survey is intended to
collect the data needed to prepare that
report. The data from these questions
are needed to complete this report.
OMB Control Number: 3060–0986.
Title: High-Cost Universal Service
Support.
PO 00000
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Form Number: FCC Form 481 and
FCC Form 525.
Type of Review: Revision of a
currently approved collection.
Respondents: Business or other forprofit, not-for-profit institutions and
state, local or tribal government.
Number of Respondents and
Responses: 2,049 respondents; 14,358
responses.
Estimated Time per Response: 0.1–15
hours.
Frequency of Response: On occasion,
quarterly and annual reporting
requirements, recordkeeping
requirement and third-party disclosure
requirement.
Obligation to Respond: Required to
obtain or retain benefits. Statutory
authority for this information collection
is contained in 47 U.S.C. 151–154, 155,
201–206, 214, 218–220, 251, 252, 254,
256, 303(r), 332, 403, 405, 410, and
1302.
Total Annual Burden: 53,955 hours.
Total Annual Cost: No Cost.
Privacy Act Impact Assessment: No
impact(s).
Nature and Extent of Confidentiality:
The Commission notes that the
Universal Service Administrative
Company (USAC) must preserve the
confidentiality of all data obtained from
respondents and contributors to the
universal service support program
mechanism; must not use the data
except for purposes of administering the
universal service program; must not use
the data except for purposes of
administering the universal support
program; and must not disclose data in
company-specific form unless directed
to do so by the Commission. Parties may
submit confidential information in
relation pursuant to a protective order.
Also, respondents may request materials
or information submitted to the
Commission or to the Administrator
believed confidential to be withheld
from public inspection under 47 CFR
0.459 of the FCC’s rules.
Needs and Uses: The Commission is
requesting the Office of Management
and Budget (OMB) approval for this
revised information collection. On
November 18, 2011, the Commission
adopted an order reforming its high-cost
universal service support mechanisms.
Connect America Fund; A National
Broadband Plan for Our Future;
Establish Just and Reasonable Rates for
Local Exchange Carriers; High-Cost
Universal Service Support; Developing a
Unified Intercarrier Compensation
Regime; Federal-State Joint Board on
Universal Service; Lifeline and Link-Up;
Universal Service Reform—Mobility
Fund, WC Docket Nos. 10–90, 07–135,
05–337, 03–109; GN Docket No. 09–51;
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CC Docket Nos. 01–92, 96–45; WT
Docket No. 10–208, Order and Further
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 26 FCC
Rcd 17663 (2011) (USF/ICC
Transformation Order), and the
Commission and Wireline Competition
Bureau have since adopted a number of
orders that implement the USF/ICC
Transformation Order; see also Connect
America Fund et al., WC Docket No. 10–
90 et al., Third Order on
Reconsideration, 27 FCC Rcd 5622
(2012); Connect America Fund et al.,
WC Docket No. 10–90 et al., Order, 27
FCC Rcd 605 (Wireline Comp. Bur.
2012); Connect America Fund et al., WC
Docket No. 10–90 et al., Fifth Order on
Reconsideration, 27 FCC Rcd 14549
(2012); Connect America Fund et al.,
WC Docket No. 10–90 et al., Order, 28
FCC Rcd 2051 (Wireline Comp. Bur.
2013); Connect America Fund et al., WC
Docket No. 10–90 et al., Order, 28 FCC
Rcd 7227 (Wireline Comp. Bur. 2013);
Connect America Fund, WC Docket No.
10–90, Report and Order, 28 FCC Rcd
7766 (Wireline Comp. Bur. 2013);
Connect America Fund, WC Docket No.
10–90, Report and Order, 28 FCC Rcd
7211 (Wireline Comp. Bur. 2013);
Connect America Fund, WC Docket No.
10–90, Report and Order, 28 FCC Rcd
10488 (Wireline Comp. Bur. 2013);
Connect America Fund et al., WC
Docket No. 10–90 et al., Report and
Order, Order and Order on
Reconsideration and Further Notice of
Proposed Rulemaking, 31 FCC Rcd 3087
(2016); Connect America Fund et al.,
WC Docket Nos. 10–90, 16–271; WT
Docket No. 10–208, Report and Order
and Further Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking, 31 FCC Rcd 10139 (2016);
Connect America Fund; ETC Annual
Reports and Certifications, WC Docket
Nos. 10–90, 14–58, Order, 32 FCC Rcd
968 (2017); Connect America Fund et
al., WC Docket No. 10–90 et al., Report
and Order, Further Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking, and Order on
Reconsideration, 33 FCC Rcd 11893
(2018); Connect America Fund; ETC
Annual Reports and Certifications, WC
Docket Nos. 10–90, 14–58, Report and
Order, 32 FCC Rcd 5944 (2017). The
Commission has received OMB
approval for most of the information
collections required by these orders.
Through several orders, the
Commission has recently changed or
modified reporting obligations for highcost support.
In September 2019, the Commission
adopted the Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin
Islands Stage 2 Order, which allocated
nearly a billion additional dollars to
United States territories that had
suffered extensive infrastructure damage
due to Hurricanes Irma and Maria. The
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19:05 Mar 05, 2021
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Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and the
Connect USVI Fund, et al., WC Docket
No. 18–143, et al., Report and Order and
Order on Reconsideration, 34 FCC Rcd
9109 (2019) (Puerto Rico and USVI
Stage 2 Order). The Commission
adopted similar accountability measures
for recipients of this support as required
of other high-cost support recipients to
ensure that providers receive support
‘‘only for the provision, maintenance,
and upgrading of facilities and services
for which the support is intended.’’
Puerto Rico and USVI Stage 2 Order, 34
FCC Rcd at 9149, para. 72.
In the 2019 Supply Chain Order, the
Commission adopted a rule prohibiting
the use of USF support to purchase or
obtain any equipment or services
produced or provided by a covered
company posing a national security
threat to the integrity of
communications networks or the
communications supply chain.
Protecting Against National Security
Threats to the Communications Supply
Chain Through FCC Programs, WC
Docket No. 18–89, Report and Order,
Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking,
and Order, 34 FCC Rcd 11423, 11433,
para. 26. See also 47 CFR 54.9. In June
2020, the Public Safety and Homeland
Security Bureau issued final
designations of Huawei Technologies
Company (Huawei) and ZTE Corp.
(ZTE) as covered companies for the
purposes of this rule. Protecting Against
National Security Threats to the
Communications Supply Chain Through
FCC Programs—Huawei Designation,
WC Docket No. 19–351, Order, 35 FCC
Rcd 6604 (PSHSB June 30, 2020)
(Huawei Designation Order); Protecting
Against National Security Threats to the
Communications Supply Chain Through
FCC Programs—ZTE Designation, WC
Docket No. 19–352, Order, 35 FCC Rcd
6633 (PSHSB June 30, 2020) (ZTE
Designation Order). Accordingly, USF
recipients may not use USF funds to
purchase, obtain, maintain, improve,
modify, manage, or otherwise support
Huawei or ZTE equipment or services in
any way, including upgrades to existing
Huawei or ZTE equipment and services.
Huawei Designation Order, 35 FCC Rcd
at 6608, para. 10; ZTE Designation
Order, 35 FCC Rcd at 6637, para. 10.
Moreover, USF recipients must certify
that they are in compliance with this
rule. 2019 Supply Chain Order, 34 FCC
Rcd at 11454, para. 79; see also 47 CFR
54.9.
In the CAF Phase II Auction Order, in
addition to rules requiring Connect
America Phase II auction support
recipients to report regarding support
used for capital expenditures, certify
regarding available funds, and certify
PO 00000
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Fmt 4703
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13377
that the Phase II-funded network meets
performance requirements, the
Commission also adopted rules
requiring that Phase II auction support
recipients must report information on
served community anchor institutions
and certify regarding bidding on FCC
Form 470 postings for eligible schools
and libraries in census blocks where the
carrier receives auction support.
Connect America Fund, et al., WC
Docket No. 10–90, et al., Report and
Order and Further Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking, 31 FCC Rcd 5949 (2016)
(CAF Phase II Auction Order).
Recipients of Uniendo a Puerto Rico
Fund and Connect USVI Fund Stage 2
support must also observe these
requirements in addition to the general
requirements for high-cost support
recipients and requirements specific to
the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and
Connect USVI Fund programs. See
Puerto Rico and USVI Stage 2 Order, 34
FCC Rcd at 9150, para. 74.
We therefore propose to revise this
information collection, as well as Form
481 and its accompanying instructions,
to reflect these new and revised
requirements. We also eliminate one
requirement that is associated with
obligations no longer in effect for certain
carriers. Finally, we propose to increase
the burdens associated with existing
reporting requirements to account for
additional carriers that will be subject to
those requirements.
Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene Dortch,
Secretary, Office of the Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2021–04774 Filed 3–5–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712–01–P
FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM
Formations of, Acquisitions by, and
Mergers of Bank Holding Companies
The companies listed in this notice
have applied to the Board for approval,
pursuant to the Bank Holding Company
Act of 1956 (12 U.S.C. 1841 et seq.)
(BHC Act), Regulation Y (12 CFR part
225), and all other applicable statutes
and regulations to become a bank
holding company and/or to acquire the
assets or the ownership of, control of, or
the power to vote shares of a bank or
bank holding company and all of the
banks and nonbanking companies
owned by the bank holding company,
including the companies listed below.
The public portions of the
applications listed below, as well as
other related filings required by the
Board, if any, are available for
immediate inspection at the Federal
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 43 (Monday, March 8, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13375-13377]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-04774]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
[OMB 3060-0647, OMB 3060-0986; FRS 17539]
Information Collections Being Submitted for Review and Approval
to Office of Management and Budget
AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.
ACTION: Notice and request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens,
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. Pursuant to the Small Business
Paperwork Relief Act of 2002, the FCC seeks specific comment on how it
might ``further reduce the information collection burden for small
business concerns with fewer than 25 employees.'' The Commission may
not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a
currently valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number.
No person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a
collection of information subject to the PRA that
[[Page 13376]]
does not display a valid OMB control number.
DATES: Written comments and recommendations for the proposed
information collection should be submitted on or before April 7, 2021.
ADDRESSES: Comments should be sent to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find this particular information collection by selecting
``Currently under 30-day Review--Open for Public Comments'' or by using
the search function. Your comment must be submitted into
www.reginfo.gov per the above instructions for it to be considered. In
addition to submitting in www.reginfo.gov also send a copy of your
comment on the proposed information collection to Nicole Ongele, FCC,
via email to [email protected] and to [email protected]. Include in the
comments the OMB control number as shown in the SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION below.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information or copies
of the information collection, contact Nicole Ongele at (202) 418-2991.
To view a copy of this information collection request (ICR) submitted
to OMB: (1) Go to the web page https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain, (2) look for the section of the web page called ``Currently
Under Review,'' (3) click on the downward-pointing arrow in the
``Select Agency'' box below the ``Currently Under Review'' heading, (4)
select ``Federal Communications Commission'' from the list of agencies
presented in the ``Select Agency'' box, (5) click the ``Submit'' button
to the right of the ``Select Agency'' box, (6) when the list of FCC
ICRs currently under review appears, look for the Title of this ICR and
then click on the ICR Reference Number. A copy of the FCC submission to
OMB will be displayed.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: As part of its continuing effort to reduce
paperwork burdens, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of
1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520), the FCC invited the general public and
other Federal Agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the
following information collection. Comments are requested concerning:
(a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the
proper performance of the functions of the Commission, including
whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy
of the Commission's burden estimates; (c) ways to enhance the quality,
utility, and clarity of the information collected; and (d) ways to
minimize the burden of the collection of information on the
respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or
other forms of information technology. Pursuant to the Small Business
Paperwork Relief Act of 2002, Public Law 107-198, see 44 U.S.C.
3506(c)(4), the FCC seeks specific comment on how it might ``further
reduce the information collection burden for small business concerns
with fewer than 25 employees.''
OMB Control Number: 3060-0647.
Title: Biennial Survey of Cable Industry Prices, FCC Form 333.
Form Number: FCC Form 333.
Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.
Respondents: Business or other for-profit entities; State, local or
Tribal Government.
Number of Respondents and Responses: 70 respondents and 524
responses.
Estimated Time per Response: 7 hours.
Frequency of Response: Biennial reporting requirement.
Total Annual Burden: 1,834 hours.
Total Annual Cost: None.
Obligation to Respond: Mandatory. The statutory authority for this
information collection is in Sections 4(i) and 623(k) of the
Communications Act of 1934, as amended.
Nature and Extent of Confidentiality: If individual respondents to
this survey wish to request confidential treatment of any data provided
in connection with this survey, they can do so upon written request, in
accordance with Sections 0.457 and 0.459 of the Commission's rules. To
request confidential treatment of their data, respondents must describe
the specific information they wish to protect and provide an
explanation of why such confidential treatment is appropriate. If a
respondent submits a request for confidentiality, the Commission will
review it and make a determination.
Privacy Act Impact Assessment: No impact(s).
Needs and Uses: The Cable Television Consumer Protection and
Competition Act of 1992 (``Cable Act'') requires the Commission to
publish biennially a report on average rates for basic cable service,
cable programming service, and equipment. The report must compare the
prices charged by cable operators subject to effective competition and
those that are not subject to effective competition. The Biennial Cable
Industry Price Survey is intended to collect the data needed to prepare
that report. The data from these questions are needed to complete this
report.
OMB Control Number: 3060-0986.
Title: High-Cost Universal Service Support.
Form Number: FCC Form 481 and FCC Form 525.
Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.
Respondents: Business or other for-profit, not-for-profit
institutions and state, local or tribal government.
Number of Respondents and Responses: 2,049 respondents; 14,358
responses.
Estimated Time per Response: 0.1-15 hours.
Frequency of Response: On occasion, quarterly and annual reporting
requirements, recordkeeping requirement and third-party disclosure
requirement.
Obligation to Respond: Required to obtain or retain benefits.
Statutory authority for this information collection is contained in 47
U.S.C. 151-154, 155, 201-206, 214, 218-220, 251, 252, 254, 256, 303(r),
332, 403, 405, 410, and 1302.
Total Annual Burden: 53,955 hours.
Total Annual Cost: No Cost.
Privacy Act Impact Assessment: No impact(s).
Nature and Extent of Confidentiality: The Commission notes that the
Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) must preserve the
confidentiality of all data obtained from respondents and contributors
to the universal service support program mechanism; must not use the
data except for purposes of administering the universal service
program; must not use the data except for purposes of administering the
universal support program; and must not disclose data in company-
specific form unless directed to do so by the Commission. Parties may
submit confidential information in relation pursuant to a protective
order. Also, respondents may request materials or information submitted
to the Commission or to the Administrator believed confidential to be
withheld from public inspection under 47 CFR 0.459 of the FCC's rules.
Needs and Uses: The Commission is requesting the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) approval for this revised information
collection. On November 18, 2011, the Commission adopted an order
reforming its high-cost universal service support mechanisms. Connect
America Fund; A National Broadband Plan for Our Future; Establish Just
and Reasonable Rates for Local Exchange Carriers; High-Cost Universal
Service Support; Developing a Unified Intercarrier Compensation Regime;
Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service; Lifeline and Link-Up;
Universal Service Reform--Mobility Fund, WC Docket Nos. 10-90, 07-135,
05-337, 03-109; GN Docket No. 09-51;
[[Page 13377]]
CC Docket Nos. 01-92, 96-45; WT Docket No. 10-208, Order and Further
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 26 FCC Rcd 17663 (2011) (USF/ICC
Transformation Order), and the Commission and Wireline Competition
Bureau have since adopted a number of orders that implement the USF/ICC
Transformation Order; see also Connect America Fund et al., WC Docket
No. 10-90 et al., Third Order on Reconsideration, 27 FCC Rcd 5622
(2012); Connect America Fund et al., WC Docket No. 10-90 et al., Order,
27 FCC Rcd 605 (Wireline Comp. Bur. 2012); Connect America Fund et al.,
WC Docket No. 10-90 et al., Fifth Order on Reconsideration, 27 FCC Rcd
14549 (2012); Connect America Fund et al., WC Docket No. 10-90 et al.,
Order, 28 FCC Rcd 2051 (Wireline Comp. Bur. 2013); Connect America Fund
et al., WC Docket No. 10-90 et al., Order, 28 FCC Rcd 7227 (Wireline
Comp. Bur. 2013); Connect America Fund, WC Docket No. 10-90, Report and
Order, 28 FCC Rcd 7766 (Wireline Comp. Bur. 2013); Connect America
Fund, WC Docket No. 10-90, Report and Order, 28 FCC Rcd 7211 (Wireline
Comp. Bur. 2013); Connect America Fund, WC Docket No. 10-90, Report and
Order, 28 FCC Rcd 10488 (Wireline Comp. Bur. 2013); Connect America
Fund et al., WC Docket No. 10-90 et al., Report and Order, Order and
Order on Reconsideration and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 31
FCC Rcd 3087 (2016); Connect America Fund et al., WC Docket Nos. 10-90,
16-271; WT Docket No. 10-208, Report and Order and Further Notice of
Proposed Rulemaking, 31 FCC Rcd 10139 (2016); Connect America Fund; ETC
Annual Reports and Certifications, WC Docket Nos. 10-90, 14-58, Order,
32 FCC Rcd 968 (2017); Connect America Fund et al., WC Docket No. 10-90
et al., Report and Order, Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, and
Order on Reconsideration, 33 FCC Rcd 11893 (2018); Connect America
Fund; ETC Annual Reports and Certifications, WC Docket Nos. 10-90, 14-
58, Report and Order, 32 FCC Rcd 5944 (2017). The Commission has
received OMB approval for most of the information collections required
by these orders.
Through several orders, the Commission has recently changed or
modified reporting obligations for high-cost support.
In September 2019, the Commission adopted the Puerto Rico/U.S.
Virgin Islands Stage 2 Order, which allocated nearly a billion
additional dollars to United States territories that had suffered
extensive infrastructure damage due to Hurricanes Irma and Maria. The
Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and the Connect USVI Fund, et al., WC Docket
No. 18-143, et al., Report and Order and Order on Reconsideration, 34
FCC Rcd 9109 (2019) (Puerto Rico and USVI Stage 2 Order). The
Commission adopted similar accountability measures for recipients of
this support as required of other high-cost support recipients to
ensure that providers receive support ``only for the provision,
maintenance, and upgrading of facilities and services for which the
support is intended.'' Puerto Rico and USVI Stage 2 Order, 34 FCC Rcd
at 9149, para. 72.
In the 2019 Supply Chain Order, the Commission adopted a rule
prohibiting the use of USF support to purchase or obtain any equipment
or services produced or provided by a covered company posing a national
security threat to the integrity of communications networks or the
communications supply chain. Protecting Against National Security
Threats to the Communications Supply Chain Through FCC Programs, WC
Docket No. 18-89, Report and Order, Further Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking, and Order, 34 FCC Rcd 11423, 11433, para. 26. See also 47
CFR 54.9. In June 2020, the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau
issued final designations of Huawei Technologies Company (Huawei) and
ZTE Corp. (ZTE) as covered companies for the purposes of this rule.
Protecting Against National Security Threats to the Communications
Supply Chain Through FCC Programs--Huawei Designation, WC Docket No.
19-351, Order, 35 FCC Rcd 6604 (PSHSB June 30, 2020) (Huawei
Designation Order); Protecting Against National Security Threats to the
Communications Supply Chain Through FCC Programs--ZTE Designation, WC
Docket No. 19-352, Order, 35 FCC Rcd 6633 (PSHSB June 30, 2020) (ZTE
Designation Order). Accordingly, USF recipients may not use USF funds
to purchase, obtain, maintain, improve, modify, manage, or otherwise
support Huawei or ZTE equipment or services in any way, including
upgrades to existing Huawei or ZTE equipment and services. Huawei
Designation Order, 35 FCC Rcd at 6608, para. 10; ZTE Designation Order,
35 FCC Rcd at 6637, para. 10. Moreover, USF recipients must certify
that they are in compliance with this rule. 2019 Supply Chain Order, 34
FCC Rcd at 11454, para. 79; see also 47 CFR 54.9.
In the CAF Phase II Auction Order, in addition to rules requiring
Connect America Phase II auction support recipients to report regarding
support used for capital expenditures, certify regarding available
funds, and certify that the Phase II-funded network meets performance
requirements, the Commission also adopted rules requiring that Phase II
auction support recipients must report information on served community
anchor institutions and certify regarding bidding on FCC Form 470
postings for eligible schools and libraries in census blocks where the
carrier receives auction support. Connect America Fund, et al., WC
Docket No. 10-90, et al., Report and Order and Further Notice of
Proposed Rulemaking, 31 FCC Rcd 5949 (2016) (CAF Phase II Auction
Order). Recipients of Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and Connect USVI Fund
Stage 2 support must also observe these requirements in addition to the
general requirements for high-cost support recipients and requirements
specific to the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and Connect USVI Fund
programs. See Puerto Rico and USVI Stage 2 Order, 34 FCC Rcd at 9150,
para. 74.
We therefore propose to revise this information collection, as well
as Form 481 and its accompanying instructions, to reflect these new and
revised requirements. We also eliminate one requirement that is
associated with obligations no longer in effect for certain carriers.
Finally, we propose to increase the burdens associated with existing
reporting requirements to account for additional carriers that will be
subject to those requirements.
Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene Dortch,
Secretary, Office of the Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2021-04774 Filed 3-5-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P