Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission Under Delegated Authority, 16733-16734 [2022-06253]

Download as PDF khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 57 / Thursday, March 24, 2022 / Notices providing up to $20.4 billion to connect millions more rural homes and small businesses to high-speed broadband networks. In the RDOF Order, ‘‘[t]o ensure that support recipients are meeting their deployment obligations,’’ the Commission ‘‘adopt[ed] essentially the same reporting requirements for the RDOF that the Commission adopted for the CAF Phase II auction.’’ Id. at 712, para. 56. In the 2020 Supply Chain Order, the Commission adopted two additional supply chain rules associated with newly required certifications. Protecting Against National Security Threats to the Communications Supply Chain Through FCC Programs, WC Docket No. 18–89, Second Report and Order, 35 FCC Rcd 14284 (2020) (2020 Supply Chain Order). First, the Commission adopted a rule, 47 CFR 54.10, to prohibit the use of a Federal subsidy made available through a program administered by the Commission that provides funds to be used for the capital expenditures necessary for the provision of advanced communications services has been or will be used to purchase, rent, lease, or otherwise obtain, any covered communications equipment or service, or maintain any covered communications equipment or service previously purchased, rented, leased, or otherwise obtained. Second, the Commission adopted a rule, 47 CFR 54.11, which requires each eligible telecommunications carrier receiving universal service fund support to remove and replace all covered communications equipment and services from their networks, and subsequently certify prior to receiving a funding commitment or support that it does not use covered communications equipment or services. The Commission also adopted procedures, consistent with the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019 (Pub. L. 116–124), to identify such covered equipment and services and publish a Covered List. That list was published March 12, 2021 and will be updated as needed. In the Rate Floor Repeal Order, the Commission decided to ‘‘eliminate the rate floor and, following a one-year period of monitoring residential retail rates, eliminate the accompanying reporting obligations after July 1, 2020.’’ Connect America Fund, WC Docket No. 10–90, Order, 34 FCC Rcd 2621, 2621 para. 2 (2019) (Rate Floor Repeal Order); see also 47 CFR 54.313(h). As explained in the Order, the rate floor was ‘‘[i]ntended to guard against artificial subsidization of rural end user rates significantly below the national urban average’’ but, practically speaking, VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:39 Mar 23, 2022 Jkt 256001 ‘‘increase[d] the telephone rates of rural subscribers . . . and individuals living on Tribal lands.’’ Rate Floor Repeal Order, 34 FCC Rcd at 2621 para. 1. The Commission therefore proposes to revise this information collection, as well as the Form 481 and its accompanying instructions, to reflect these modified and eliminated requirements. Finally, the Commission proposes to increase the respondents 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. 2022–06221 Filed 3–23–22; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6712–01–P FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION [OMB 3060–1219; FR ID 78050] Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission Under Delegated Authority Federal Communications Commission. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. AGENCY: 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 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 SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 16733 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 May 23, 2022. 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, (202) 418–2991. OMB Control Number: 3060–1219. Title: Connect America FundAlternative Connect America Cost Model Support. Form Number: N/A. Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection. Respondents: Business or other forprofit. Number of Respondents and Responses: 1,100 unique respondents; 1,100 responses. Estimated Time per Response: 0.5 hours–2 hours. Frequency of Response: On occasion and one-time reporting 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: 700 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 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 is requesting approval for the extension of this collection. In March 2016, the Commission adopted significant reforms to place the universal service support program on solid footing for the next decade to preserve and advance voice and broadband service in areas served by rate-of-return carriers. Connect America Fund; ETC Annual Reports and Certifications; Establishing Just and E:\FR\FM\24MRN1.SGM 24MRN1 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES 16734 Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 57 / Thursday, March 24, 2022 / Notices Reasonable Rates for Local Exchange Carriers; Developing a Unified Intercarrier Compensation Regime, WC Docket Nos. 10–90, 14–58, 07–135, 05– 337, 03–109; CC Docket Nos. 01–92, Report and Order, Order and Order on Reconsideration, and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, FCC 16–33 (2016 Rate-of-Return Reform Order). As part of the Rate-of-Return Reform Order, the Commission adopted a voluntary path for rate-of-return carriers to receive model-based support in exchange for making a commitment to deploy broadband-capable networks meeting certain service obligations to a pre-determined number of eligible locations in a state. By creating a voluntary pathway to model-based support, the Commission will spur new broadband deployment in rural areas. In several subsequent orders and public notices, the Commission has further refined this voluntary pathway, and in the December 2018 Rate-of-Return Reform Order, the Commission adopted a second pathway for carriers that did not elect the first pathway. Connect America Fund; ETC Annual Reports and Certifications; Establishing Just and Reasonable Rates for Local Exchange Carriers; Developing a Unified Intercarrier Compensation Regime, WC Docket Nos. 10–90, 14–58, 07–135, 05– 337, 03–109; CC Docket Nos. 01–92, Report and Order, Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, and Order on Reconsideration, FCC 18–176 (December 2018 Rate-of-Return Reform Order). This information collection addresses the requirement that carriers electing model-based support must notify the Commission of that election and their commitment to satisfy the specific service obligations associated with the amount of model support. In the 2016 Rate-of-Return Reform Order, the Commission also adopted reforms to the universal service mechanisms used to determine support for rate-of-return carriers not electing model-based support. Among other such reforms, the Commission adopted an operating expense limitation to improve carriers’ incentives to be prudent and efficient in their expenditures, a capital investment allowance to better target support to those areas with less broadband deployment, and broadband deployment obligations to promote ‘‘accountability from companies receiving support to ensure that public investment are used wisely to deliver intended results.’’ In the December 2018 Rate-of-Return Order, the Commission further modified or, in the case of the capital investment allowance, eliminated these requirements. Other VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:39 Mar 23, 2022 Jkt 256001 requirements adopted in the Rate-ofReturn Reform Order have been addressed under other Office of Management and Budget control numbers. Federal Communications Commission. Marlene Dortch, Secretary, Office of the Secretary. [FR Doc. 2022–06253 Filed 3–23–22; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6712–01–P FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION [OMB 3060–0500; FR ID 78705] Information Collection 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 can further reduce the information collection burden for small business concerns with fewer than 25 employees. DATES: Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be submitted on or before April 25, 2022. 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 Cathy Williams, FCC, via email to PRA@ fcc.gov and to Cathy.Williams@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 Cathy Williams at (202) 418–2918. To view a copy of this information collection request (ICR) submitted to OMB: (1) Go SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 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: 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 does not display a valid OMB control number. 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: 3060–0500. Title: Section 76.1713, Resolution of Complaints. Form Number: N/A. Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection. Respondents: Business or other forprofit entities. Number of Respondents and Responses: 10,750 respondents and 21,500 responses. E:\FR\FM\24MRN1.SGM 24MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 57 (Thursday, March 24, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16733-16734]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-06253]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[OMB 3060-1219; FR ID 78050]


Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal 
Communications Commission Under Delegated Authority

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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

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 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 May 23, 
2022. 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 
[email protected] and to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information about the 
information collection, contact Nicole Ongele, (202) 418-2991.
    OMB Control Number: 3060-1219.
    Title: Connect America Fund-Alternative Connect America Cost Model 
Support.
    Form Number: N/A.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents and Responses: 1,100 unique respondents; 
1,100 responses.
    Estimated Time per Response: 0.5 hours-2 hours.
    Frequency of Response: On occasion and one-time reporting 
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: 700 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 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 is requesting approval for the 
extension of this collection. In March 2016, the Commission adopted 
significant reforms to place the universal service support program on 
solid footing for the next decade to preserve and advance voice and 
broadband service in areas served by rate-of-return carriers. Connect 
America Fund; ETC Annual Reports and Certifications; Establishing Just 
and

[[Page 16734]]

Reasonable Rates for Local Exchange Carriers; Developing a Unified 
Intercarrier Compensation Regime, WC Docket Nos. 10-90, 14-58, 07-135, 
05-337, 03-109; CC Docket Nos. 01-92, Report and Order, Order and Order 
on Reconsideration, and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, FCC 16-
33 (2016 Rate-of-Return Reform Order).
    As part of the Rate-of-Return Reform Order, the Commission adopted 
a voluntary path for rate-of-return carriers to receive model-based 
support in exchange for making a commitment to deploy broadband-capable 
networks meeting certain service obligations to a pre-determined number 
of eligible locations in a state. By creating a voluntary pathway to 
model-based support, the Commission will spur new broadband deployment 
in rural areas. In several subsequent orders and public notices, the 
Commission has further refined this voluntary pathway, and in the 
December 2018 Rate-of-Return Reform Order, the Commission adopted a 
second pathway for carriers that did not elect the first pathway. 
Connect America Fund; ETC Annual Reports and Certifications; 
Establishing Just and Reasonable Rates for Local Exchange Carriers; 
Developing a Unified Intercarrier Compensation Regime, WC Docket Nos. 
10-90, 14-58, 07-135, 05-337, 03-109; CC Docket Nos. 01-92, Report and 
Order, Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, and Order on 
Reconsideration, FCC 18-176 (December 2018 Rate-of-Return Reform 
Order).
    This information collection addresses the requirement that carriers 
electing model-based support must notify the Commission of that 
election and their commitment to satisfy the specific service 
obligations associated with the amount of model support.
    In the 2016 Rate-of-Return Reform Order, the Commission also 
adopted reforms to the universal service mechanisms used to determine 
support for rate-of-return carriers not electing model-based support. 
Among other such reforms, the Commission adopted an operating expense 
limitation to improve carriers' incentives to be prudent and efficient 
in their expenditures, a capital investment allowance to better target 
support to those areas with less broadband deployment, and broadband 
deployment obligations to promote ``accountability from companies 
receiving support to ensure that public investment are used wisely to 
deliver intended results.'' In the December 2018 Rate-of-Return Order, 
the Commission further modified or, in the case of the capital 
investment allowance, eliminated these requirements. Other requirements 
adopted in the Rate-of-Return Reform Order have been addressed under 
other Office of Management and Budget control numbers.

Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene Dortch,
Secretary, Office of the Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2022-06253 Filed 3-23-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P
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