The Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and the Connect USVI Fund, Connect America Fund, ETC Annual Reports and Certifications, 30391-30393 [2021-11903]

Download as PDF jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with RULES Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 108 / Tuesday, June 8, 2021 / Rules and Regulations page. OEA and WTB believe that these materials are sufficient to ensure that Auction 110 applicants can certify truthfully that they have read the auction procedures and familiarized themselves with the relevant rules and requirements. 17. RWA does not provide evidence that outside consultants are needed to enable an entity to certify truthfully that it has read the public notice adopting the procedures for the auction and that it has familiarized itself both with the auction procedures and with the requirements for obtaining a license and operating facilities in the 3.45–3.55 GHz band. Instead, RWA claims that small entity bidders cannot make complex decisions on the future impacts of auction bidding, participation, and winning bidder compliance requirements without outside counsel. In doing so, RWA appears to conflate compliance with auction procedures (in this case, certifying that they have read the public notice adopting procedures for Auction 110 and familiarized themselves with those procedures and the service rules for the 3.45–3.55 GHz band) with the development of bidding strategies and compliance with the relevant service rules. The Commission does not believe that outside consultants of this sort are necessary for an applicant to comply with this certification requirement. 18. Steps Taken to Minimize the Significant Economic Impact on Small Entities, and Significant Alternatives Considered. The RFA requires an agency to describe any significant, specifically small business, 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 and reporting requirements under the rule for such 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 such small entities. 19. The Commission has taken steps to minimize any economic impact of its auction procedures on small entities through, among other things, the many free resources the Commission provides to potential auction participants. Consistent with the past practices in prior auctions, small entities that are potential participants will have access to the public notice adopting the procedures for Auction 110 prior to the opening of the application window, and VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:25 Jun 07, 2021 Jkt 253001 already have access to the 3.45 GHz Second Report and Order on both the Commission’s main website and the Auction 110 web page. The Commission makes this information publicly available and easily accessible and without charge to benefit all potential Auction 110 applicants, including small entities, thereby lowering their administrative costs to comply with the Commission’s competitive bidding rules. 20. Small entities and other auction participants may seek clarification of, or guidance regarding, the Auction 110 procedures and the service rules for the 3.45–3.55 GHz band rules prior to the Auction 110 application window. Additionally, an FCC Auctions Hotline will provide small entities one-on-one access to Commission staff for information about the auction process and procedures. The FCC Auctions Technical Support Hotline is another resource that provides technical assistance to applicants, including small entities, on issues such as access to or navigation within the electronic FCC Form 175 and use of the bidding system. 21. The Commission also makes various databases and other sources of information, including the auctions program web pages and copies of Commission decisions, available to the public without charge, providing a lowcost mechanism for small entities to conduct research prior to and throughout the auction. 22. These procedures for the conduct of Auction 110 constitute the more specific implementation of the competitive bidding rules contemplated by parts 1 and 27 of the Commission’s rules and the underlying rulemaking decisions regarding the 3.45–3.55 GHz band, including the 3.45 GHz Second Report and Order and relevant competitive bidding decisions, and are fully consistent therewith. 23. Report to Congress. The Commission will send a copy of the Auction 110 Certification Requirement Public Notice, including the Supplemental FRFA, in a report to Congress pursuant to the Congressional Review Act. In addition, the Commission will send a copy of the Auction 110 Certification Requirement Public Notice, including the Supplemental FRFA, to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the SBA. Federal Communications Commission. Erik Salovaara, Assistant Chief, Auctions Division, Office of Economics and Analytics. [FR Doc. 2021–11694 Filed 6–7–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6712–01–P PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 30391 FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 47 CFR Part 54 [WC Docket Nos. 18–143, 10–90, 14–58; FCC 19–95; FRS 30653] The Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and the Connect USVI Fund, Connect America Fund, ETC Annual Reports and Certifications Federal Communications Commission. ACTION: Final rule; announcement of effective date. AGENCY: In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) announces that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved, for a period of three years, an information collection associated with the rules for the Connect America Fund contained in the Commission’s Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and Connect USVI Fund Order, FCC 19–95. This document is consistent with the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and Connect USVI Fund Order, which stated that the Commission would publish a document in the Federal Register announcing the effective date of the new information collection requirements. DATES: The amendments to § 54.313(e) introductory text, (e)(2) introductory text and paragraphs (n) and (o) published at 84 FR 59937, November 7, 2019 are effective June 8, 2021. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Suzanne Yelen, Wireline Competition Bureau at (202) 418–7400 or TTY (202) 418–0484. For additional information concerning the Paperwork Reduction Act information collection requirements contact Nicole Ongele at (202) 418–2991 or via email: Nicole.Ongele@fcc.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Commission submitted revised information collection requirements for review and approval by OMB, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, on March 8, 2021, which were approved by OMB on May 10, 2021. The information collection requirements are contained in the Commission’s Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and Connect USVI Fund Order, FCC 19–95 published at 84 FR 59937, November 7, 2019. The OMB Control Number is 3060–0986. If you have any comments on the burden estimates listed in the following, or how the Commission can improve the collections and reduce any burdens caused thereby, please contact Nicole Ongele, Federal Communications Commission, 45 L Street NE, SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\08JNR1.SGM 08JNR1 30392 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 108 / Tuesday, June 8, 2021 / Rules and Regulations jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with RULES Washington, DC 20554. Please include the OMB Control Number, 3060–0986, in your correspondence. The Commission will also accept your comments via email at PRA@fcc.gov. To request materials in accessible formats for people with disabilities (braille, large print, electronic files, audio format), send an email to fcc504@ fcc.gov or call the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau at (202) 418–0530 (voice), (202) 418–0432 (TTY). Synopsis As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3507), the Commission is notifying the public that it received OMB approval on May 10, 2021, for the information collection requirements contained in 47 CFR 54.313(e) introductory text, (e)(2) introductory text and paragraphs (n) and (o) published at 84 FR 59937, November 7, 2019. Under 5 CFR part 1320, an agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a current, valid OMB Control Number. No person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act that does not display a current, valid OMB Control Number. The OMB Control Number is 3060–0986. The foregoing notification is required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104–13, October 1, 1995, and 44 U.S.C. 3507. The total annual reporting burdens and costs for the respondents are as follows: OMB Control Number: 3060–0986. OMB Approval Date: May 10, 2021. OMB Expiration Date: May 31, 2024. 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 forprofit, Not-for-profit institutions and State, Local or Tribal Government. Number of Respondents and Responses: 2,049 unique 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, VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:53 Jun 07, 2021 Jkt 253001 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 to the Privately Held Rate-ofReturn Carrier Financial Information requirement 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: 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; 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 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 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. At a later date, the Commission plans to submit additional revisions for OMB review to address other reforms adopted in the orders. More recently, the Commission adopted the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and Connect USVI Fund 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 also 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 E:\FR\FM\08JNR1.SGM 08JNR1 jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with RULES Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 108 / Tuesday, June 8, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 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. Lastly, 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 VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:53 Jun 07, 2021 Jkt 253001 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. The Commission therefore revises this information collection, as well as Form 481 and its accompanying instructions, to reflect these new and revised requirements. We also eliminated one requirement that is associated with obligations no longer in effect for certain carriers. Any increased burdens for reporting requirements account for the additional carriers that will be subject to those requirements as a condition for receiving high-cost support. Federal Communications Commission. Marlene Dortch, Secretary, Office of the Secretary. [FR Doc. 2021–11903 Filed 6–7–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6712–01–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 622 [Docket No. 1710319998630–02] RTID 0648–XB091 Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; SnapperGrouper Resources of the South Atlantic; 2021 Red Snapper Commercial and Recreational Fishing Seasons National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; 2021 fishing seasons notice. AGENCY: NMFS announces the limited opening of commercial and recreational red snapper in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the South Atlantic for the 2021 fishing year. This notice announces the 2021 red snapper commercial season opening date and the opening and closing dates for the red snapper recreational season, according to the accountability measures (AMs). This season announcement for South Atlantic red snapper allows fishers to maximize their opportunity to harvest the commercial and recreational annual catch limits (ACLs) while also managing harvest to protect the red snapper resource. SUMMARY: The 2021 commercial red snapper season opens at 12:01 a.m., local time, July 12, 2021. The 2021 recreational red snapper season opens at DATES: PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 30393 12:01 a.m., local time, on July 9, 2021, and closes at 12:01 a.m., local time, on July 12, 2021, unless changed by subsequent notification in the Federal Register. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Vara, NMFS Southeast Regional Office, telephone: 727–824–5305, email: mary.vara@noaa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The South Atlantic snapper-grouper fishery includes red snapper and is managed under the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region (FMP). The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) prepared the FMP, and the FMP is implemented by NMFS under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) by regulations at 50 CFR part 622. For South Atlantic red snapper, the commercial AM requires the sector to close when commercial landings reach or are projected to reach the commercial ACL. The recreational AM is the length of the recreational season, with NMFS projecting the season length based on catch rate estimates from previous years. The commercial ACL is 124,815 lb (56,615 kg), round weight, and in 2020, NMFS closed the commercial sector on September 5 as a result of the commercial ACL being projected to be met (85 FR 54943; September 3, 2020). Subsequent to the commercial closure it was determined that the commercial ACL was exceeded in 2020 by 9,650 lb (4,377 kg), round weight. The recreational ACL is 29,656 fish, and preliminary landings information show this ACL was exceeded in the 4-day fishing season in 2020 by 13,116 fish. For 2021, NMFS has determined that the landings from the recreational sector are expected to reach the recreational ACL in 3 days. The commercial season for South Atlantic red snapper begins each year on the second Monday in July and closes when the commercial ACL is reached or is projected to be reached. Accordingly, the 2021 commercial season opens on July 12, 2021, and will remain open until 12:01 a.m., local time, on January 1, 2022, unless the commercial ACL is reached or projected to be reached prior to this date. During the commercial fishing season, the commercial trip limit is 75 lb (34 kg), gutted weight. NMFS will monitor commercial landings during the open season, and if commercial landings reach or are projected to reach the commercial ACL, then NMFS will file a notification with the Office of the Federal Register to close the commercial E:\FR\FM\08JNR1.SGM 08JNR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 108 (Tuesday, June 8, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 30391-30393]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-11903]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR Part 54

[WC Docket Nos. 18-143, 10-90, 14-58; FCC 19-95; FRS 30653]


The Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and the Connect USVI Fund, Connect 
America Fund, ETC Annual Reports and Certifications

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Final rule; announcement of effective date.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In this document, the Federal Communications Commission 
(Commission) announces that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
has approved, for a period of three years, an information collection 
associated with the rules for the Connect America Fund contained in the 
Commission's Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and Connect USVI Fund Order, 
FCC 19-95. This document is consistent with the Uniendo a Puerto Rico 
Fund and Connect USVI Fund Order, which stated that the Commission 
would publish a document in the Federal Register announcing the 
effective date of the new information collection requirements.

DATES: The amendments to Sec.  54.313(e) introductory text, (e)(2) 
introductory text and paragraphs (n) and (o) published at 84 FR 59937, 
November 7, 2019 are effective June 8, 2021.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Suzanne Yelen, Wireline Competition 
Bureau at (202) 418-7400 or TTY (202) 418-0484. For additional 
information concerning the Paperwork Reduction Act information 
collection requirements contact Nicole Ongele at (202) 418-2991 or via 
email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Commission submitted revised information 
collection requirements for review and approval by OMB, as required by 
the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, on March 8, 2021, which were 
approved by OMB on May 10, 2021. The information collection 
requirements are contained in the Commission's Uniendo a Puerto Rico 
Fund and Connect USVI Fund Order, FCC 19-95 published at 84 FR 59937, 
November 7, 2019. The OMB Control Number is 3060-0986. If you have any 
comments on the burden estimates listed in the following, or how the 
Commission can improve the collections and reduce any burdens caused 
thereby, please contact Nicole Ongele, Federal Communications 
Commission, 45 L Street NE,

[[Page 30392]]

Washington, DC 20554. Please include the OMB Control Number, 3060-0986, 
in your correspondence. The Commission will also accept your comments 
via email at [email protected].
    To request materials in accessible formats for people with 
disabilities (braille, large print, electronic files, audio format), 
send an email to [email protected] or call the Consumer and Governmental 
Affairs Bureau at (202) 418-0530 (voice), (202) 418-0432 (TTY).

Synopsis

    As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 
3507), the Commission is notifying the public that it received OMB 
approval on May 10, 2021, for the information collection requirements 
contained in 47 CFR 54.313(e) introductory text, (e)(2) introductory 
text and paragraphs (n) and (o) published at 84 FR 59937, November 7, 
2019. Under 5 CFR part 1320, an agency may not conduct or sponsor a 
collection of information unless it displays a current, valid OMB 
Control Number.
    No person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply 
with a collection of information subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act 
that does not display a current, valid OMB Control Number. The OMB 
Control Number is 3060-0986.
    The foregoing notification is required by the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13, October 1, 1995, and 44 U.S.C. 3507.
    The total annual reporting burdens and costs for the respondents 
are as follows:
    OMB Control Number: 3060-0986.
    OMB Approval Date: May 10, 2021.
    OMB Expiration Date: May 31, 2024.
    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 unique 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 to the Privately Held Rate-
of-Return Carrier Financial Information requirement 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: 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; 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. At a later date, the Commission plans to submit 
additional revisions for OMB review to address other reforms adopted in 
the orders.
    More recently, the Commission adopted the Uniendo a Puerto Rico 
Fund and Connect USVI Fund 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 also 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

[[Page 30393]]

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.
    Lastly, 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.
    The Commission therefore revises this information collection, as 
well as Form 481 and its accompanying instructions, to reflect these 
new and revised requirements. We also eliminated one requirement that 
is associated with obligations no longer in effect for certain 
carriers. Any increased burdens for reporting requirements account for 
the additional carriers that will be subject to those requirements as a 
condition for receiving high-cost support.

Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene Dortch,
Secretary, Office of the Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2021-11903 Filed 6-7-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P
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