80 FR 55775 - Assessment and Collection of Regulatory Fees for Fiscal Year 2015
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 180 (September 17, 2015)
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 180 (September 17, 2015)
| Page Range | 55775-55795 | |
| FR Document | 2015-23312 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 180 (Thursday, September 17, 2015)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 55775-55795] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-23312] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 47 CFR Part 1 [MD Docket No. 15-121; FCC 15-108] Assessment and Collection of Regulatory Fees for Fiscal Year 2015 AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission. ACTION: Final rule. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In this document the Commission revises its Schedule of Regulatory Fees to recover an amount of $339,844,000 that Congress has required the Commission to collect for fiscal year 2015. Section 9 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, provides for the annual assessment and collection of regulatory fees under sections 9(b)(2) and 9(b)(3), respectively, for annual ``Mandatory Adjustments'' and ``Permitted Amendments'' to the Schedule of Regulatory Fees. DATES: Effective September 17, 2015. To avoid penalties and interest, regulatory fees should be paid by the due date of September 24, 2015. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roland Helvajian, Office of Managing Director at (202) 418-0444. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission's Report and Order (R&O), FCC 15-108, MD Docket No. 15-121, adopted on September 1, 2015 and released on September 2, 2015. I. Administrative Matters A. Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis 1. As required by the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (RFA),\1\ the Commission has prepared a Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (FRFA) relating to this Report and Order. The FRFA is contained towards the end of this document. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ See 5 U.S.C. 603. The RFA, see 5 U.S.C. 601-612, has been amended by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (SBREFA), Public Law 104-121, Title II, 110 Stat. 847 (1996). The SBREFA was enacted as Title II of the Contract with America Advancement Act of 1996 (CWAAA). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- B. Final Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 Analysis 2. This document does not contain new or modified information collection requirements subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), Public Law 104-13. In addition, therefore, it does not contain any new or modified information collection burden for small business concerns with fewer than 25 employees, pursuant to the Small Business Paperwork Relief Act of 2002, Public Law 107-198, see 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(4). C. Congressional Review Act 3. The Commission will send a copy of this Report and Order to Congress and the Government Accountability [[Page 55776]] Office pursuant to the Congressional Review Act. 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A). II. Introduction and Executive Summary 4. This Report and Order adopts a schedule of regulatory fees to assess and collect $339,844,000 in regulatory fees for Fiscal Year (FY) 2015, pursuant to Section 9 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (the Act or Communications Act) and the Commission's FY 2015 Appropriation.\2\ The schedule of regulatory fees for FY 2015 adopted here is attached in Table C. These regulatory fees are due in September 2015. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \2\ Section 9 regulatory fees are mandated by Congress and collected to recover the regulatory costs associated with the Commission's enforcement, policy and rulemaking, user information, and international activities. 47 U.S.C. 159(a). Public Law 113-235, Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriation Act of 2015 (FY 2015 Appropriation) (``Provided further, That $339,844,000 of offsetting collections shall be assessed and collected pursuant to section 9 of title I of the Communications Act of 1934, shall be retained and used for necessary expenses and shall remain available until expended.''). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5. The FY 2015 regulatory fees are based on the proposals in the FY 2015 NPRM,\3\ considered in light of the comments received and Commission analysis. The FY 2015 regulatory fee schedule includes the following noteworthy changes from prior years: (1) A reduction in regulatory fees for the submarine cable/terrestrial and satellite bearer circuit (IBC) category relative to other fee categories in the International Bureau; (2) the first fee rate for Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) as a subcategory of the cable television and Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) regulatory fee category; (3) the first fee rate for toll free numbers; and (4) the elimination of the regulatory fee component of two fee categories: amateur radio Vanity Call Signs and General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS).\4\ In addition, for FY 2015, in calculating the fee schedule, the Commission also reallocated four International Bureau full time employees (FTEs) \5\ from direct to indirect. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \3\ Assessment and Collection of Regulatory Fees for Fiscal Year 2015, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Report and Order, and Order, 30 FCC Rcd 5354 (2015) (FY 2015 NPRM, FY 2015 Fee Reform Report and Order). \4\ See FY 2015 Fee Reform Report and Order, 30 FCC Rcd at 5361- 62, paras. 19-22. As required by section 9(b)(4)(B) of the Act, ``permitted amendment'' letters were mailed June 4, 2015 and these amendments will take effect 90 days after congressional notification, i.e., September 3, 2015. \5\ One FTE, a ``Full Time Equivalent'' or ``Full Time Employee,'' is a unit of measure equal to the work performed annually by a full time person (working a 40 hour workweek for a full year) assigned to the particular job, and subject to agency personnel staffing limitations established by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- III. Background 6. Congress adopted a regulatory fee schedule in 1993 \6\ and authorized the Commission to assess and collect annual regulatory fees pursuant to the schedule, as amended by the Commission.\7\ As a result, the Commission annually reviews the regulatory fee schedule, proposes changes to the schedule to reflect changes in the amount of its appropriation, and proposes increases or decrease to the schedule of regulatory fees.\8\ The Commission makes changes to the regulatory fee schedule ``if the Commission determines that the schedule requires amendment to comply with the requirements'' \9\ of section 9(b)(1)(A) of the Act.\10\ The Commission may also add, delete, or reclassify services in the fee schedule to reflect additions, deletions, or changes in the nature of its services ``as a consequence of Commission rulemaking proceedings or changes in law.'' Thus, for each fiscal year, the proposed fee schedule in the annual Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) will reflect changes in the amount appropriated for the performance of the FCC's regulatory activities, changes in the industries represented by the regulatory fee payers, changes in Commission FTE levels, and any other issues of relevance to the proposed fee schedule.\11\ After receipt and review of comments, the Commission issues a Report and Order adopting the fee schedule for the fiscal year and sets out the procedures for payment of fees. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \6\ 47 U.S.C. 159 (g) (showing original fee schedule prior to Commission amendment). \7\ 47 U.S.C. 159. \8\ 47 U.S.C. 159(b)(1)(B). \9\ 47 U.S.C. 159(b)(2). \10\ 47 U.S.C. 159(b)(1)(A). \11\ Section 9(b)(2) discusses mandatory amendments to the fee schedule and Section 9(b)(3) discusses permissive amendments to the fee schedule. Both mandatory and permissive amendments are not subject to judicial review. 47 U.S.C. 159(b)(2) and (3). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7. The Commission calculates the fees by first determining the FTE number of employees performing the regulatory activities specified in section 9(a), ``adjusted to take into account factors that are reasonably related to the benefits provided to the payor of the fee by the Commission's activities . . . .'' \12\ FTEs are categorized as ``direct'' if they are performing regulatory activities in one of the ``core'' bureaus, i.e., the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, Media Bureau, Wireline Competition Bureau, and part of the International Bureau. All other FTEs are considered ``indirect.'' \13\ The total FTEs for each fee category is calculated by counting the number of direct FTEs in the core bureau that regulates that category, plus a proportional allocation of indirect FTEs. Next, the Commission allocates the total amount to be collected among the various regulatory fee categories. This allocation is based on the number of FTEs assigned to work in each regulatory fee category. Each regulatee within a fee category pays its proportionate share based on an objective measure, e.g., revenues, number of subscribers, or licenses.\14\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \12\ 47 U.S.C. 159(b)(1)(A). When section 9 was adopted, the total FTEs were to be calculated based on the number of FTEs in the Private Radio Bureau, Mass Media Bureau, and Common Carrier Bureau. (The names of these bureaus were subsequently changed.) Satellites and submarine cable were regulated through the Common Carrier Bureau before the International Bureau was created. \13\ The indirect FTEs are the employees from the International Bureau (in part), Enforcement Bureau, Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau, Public Safety & Homeland Security Bureau, Chairman and Commissioners' offices, Office of the Managing Director, Office of General Counsel, Office of the Inspector General, Office of Communications Business Opportunities, Office of Engineering and Technology, Office of Legislative Affairs, Office of Strategic Planning and Policy Analysis, Office of Workplace Diversity, Office of Media Relations, and Office of Administrative Law Judges, totaling 1,041 indirect FTEs. \14\ See Assessment and Collection of Regulatory Fees, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 27 FCC Rcd 8458, 8461-62, paras. 8-11 (2012) (FY 2012 NPRM). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8. As part of its annual review, the Commission regularly seeks to improve its regulatory fee analysis.\15\ For example, in the FY 2013 Report and Order, the Commission adopted updated FTE allocations to more accurately reflect the number of FTEs working on regulation and oversight of the regulatees in the various fee categories,\16\ combined the UHF and VHF television stations into one regulatory fee category,\17\ and created a fee category to include IPTV.\18\ Subsequently, in the FY 2014 Report and Order and FNPRM, the Commission adopted a new fee category for toll free numbers,\19\ increased the de minimis threshold,\20\ and eliminated several categories from the regulatory fee [[Page 55777]] schedule.\21\ Earlier this year, in our FY 2015 Fee Reform Report and Order, we added a subcategory for DBS providers in the cable television and IPTV regulatory fee category.\22\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \15\ See Assessment and Collection of Regulatory Fees for Fiscal Year 2008, MD Docket No. 08-65, Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 24 FCC Rcd 6388 (2008) (FY 2008 Further Notice). \16\ Assessment and Collection of Regulatory Fees for Fiscal Year 2013, MD Docket No. 08-65, Report and Order, 28 FCC Rcd 12351, 12354-58, paras. 10-20 (2013) (FY 2013 Report and Order). \17\ FY 2013 Report and Order, 28 FCC Rcd at 12361-62, paras. 29-31. \18\ Id., 28 FCC Rcd at 12362-63, paras. 32-33. \19\ Assessment and Collection of Regulatory Fees for Fiscal Year 2014, Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 29 FCC Rcd 10767, 10777-79, paras. 25-28 (2014) (FY 2014 Report and Order and FNPRM). \20\ FY 2014 Report and Order and FNPRM, 29 FCC Rcd at 10774-76, paras. 18-21. \21\ Id., 29 FCC Rcd at 10776-77, paras. 22-24. \22\ FY 2015 Fee Reform Report and Order, 30 FCC Rcd at 5364- 5373, paras. 28-41. We also eliminated two additional fee categories. See id., 30 FCC Rcd at 5361-62, paras. 19-22. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9. In our FY 2015 NPRM, we proposed to collect $339,844,000 in regulatory fees and included a detailed, proposed fee schedule. We also sought comment on (1) a proposal revising the apportionment between the submarine cable/terrestrial and satellite bearer circuits fee category and the space station/earth station fee category; (2) revising an apportionment of regulatory fees among broadcasters; (3) a request for relief from regulatory fee assessments for radio stations in Puerto Rico filed by the Puerto Rico Broadcasters Association (PRBA); \23\ (4) raising earth station regulatory fees relative to space station fees; \24\ (5) a new regulatory fee for toll free numbers; (6) a new regulatory fee for DBS (as a subcategory in the cable television and IPTV regulatory fee category); and (7) whether certain FTEs should be allocated as direct instead of indirect.\25\ We received 13 comments and eight reply comments. The list of commenters is attached in Table A. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \23\ See Letter from Messrs. Francisco Montero, Esq. and Jonathan R. Markman, Esq., Counsel for the Puerto Rico Broadcasters Association, filed in Docket No. 14-92, to Marlene Dortch, Secretary, Federal Communications Commission (Dec. 10, 2014) (PRBA Letter). \24\ Earth station fees were previously increased by 7.5 percent. See FY 2014 Report and Order, 29 FCC Rcd at 10772-73, para. 12. \25\ This issue was raised previously. See, e.g., FY 2014 NPRM, 29 FCC Rcd at 6425-27, paras. 22-27. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- IV. Report And Order A. Discussion 1. FY 2015 Regulatory Fees 10. In this Report and Order, we adopt a regulatory fee schedule for FY 2015, pursuant to Section 9 of the Communications Act and our FY 2015 appropriation statute in order to collect $339,844,000 in regulatory fees.\26\ Of this amount, we project approximately $18.56 million (5.45 percent of the total FTE allocation) in fees from the International Bureau regulatees; \27\ $69.07 million (20.28 percent of the total FTE allocation) in fees from the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau regulatees; \28\ $132.81 million (38.99 percent of the total FTE allocation) from Wireline Competition Bureau regulatees; \29\ and $120.15 million (35.28 percent of the total FTE allocation) from the Media Bureau regulatees.\30\ These regulatory fees are due in September 2015. The schedule of regulatory fees for FY 2015 adopted here is attached as Table C. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \26\ Section 9 regulatory fees are mandated by Congress and collected to recover the regulatory costs associated with the Commission's enforcement, policy and rulemaking, user information, and international activities. 47 U.S.C. 159(a). \27\ Includes satellites, earth stations, and international bearer circuits (submarine cable systems and satellite and terrestrial bearer circuits). \28\ Includes Commercial Mobile Radio Service (CMRS), CMRS messaging, Broadband Radio Service/Local Multipoint Distribution Service (BRS/LMDS), and multi-year wireless licensees. \29\ Includes Interstate Telecommunications Service Providers (ITSP) and toll free numbers. \30\Includes AM radio, FM radio, television, low power/FM, cable and IPTV, DBS, and Cable Television Relay Service (CARS) licenses. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. Toll Free Numbers 11. In the FY 2014 Report and Order and FNPRM,\31\ we adopted a regulatory fee category for each toll free number managed by a RespOrg.\32\ In the FY 2015 NPRM, we sought comment on a regulatory fee of 12 cents per toll free number.\33\ In this Report and Order, we adopt the proposed fee of 12 cents per toll free number. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \31\ FY 2014 Report and Order and FNPRM, 29 FCC Rcd at 10777-79, paras. 25-28. We adopted this category for working, assigned, and reserved toll free numbers and for toll free numbers that are in the ``transit'' status, or any other status as defined in section 52.103 of the Commission's rules. The regulatory fee, assessed on RespOrgs, for toll free numbers is limited to toll free numbers that are accessible within the United States. \32\ A Responsible Organization or RespOrg is a company that manages toll free telephone numbers for subscribers. They use the SMS/800 data base to verify the availability of specific numbers and to reserve the numbers for subscribers. See 47 CFR 52.101(b). ITTA contends that ``it makes no sense to collect this fee from entities that already pay regulatory fees as ITSPs.'' ITTA Comments at 7-8. In the FY 2014 Report and Order and FNPRM, 29 FCC Rcd 10767, 10777- 79, paras. 25-28, we explained the issue in some detail. In particular, we noted that there may be many toll free numbers controlled or managed by entities, Responsible Organizations or RespOrgs, that in some cases are not carriers. As a result, the Commission adopted a regulatory fee on Resp Orgs, for each toll free number, because there appears to be many toll free numbers controlled or managed by Resp Orgs that are not carriers, and therefore, have not been paying regulatory fees. Commission FTEs in the Wireline Competition Bureau and the Enforcement Bureau work on toll free numbering issues and other related activities. Because Commission FTEs work on toll free number regulation, we adopted a regulatory fee category for toll free numbers to recover the associated costs. It is also important to note that the amount assessed for toll free numbers reduces the total regulatory fee assessment for ITSPs. In the FY 2014 Report and Order and FNPRM, we stated that: ``Based on evaluation, the FTEs involved in toll free issues are primarily from the Wireline Competition Bureau. . . . Accordingly, a regulatory fee assessed on toll free numbers reduces the ITSP regulatory fee total.'' FY 2014 Report and Order and FNPRM, 29 FCC Rcd at 10778, para. 27 (footnote omitted). \33\ FY 2015 NPRM, 30 FCC Rcd at 5358, para. 10. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. Submarine Cable 12. In the FY 2014 Report and Order and FNPRM, we concluded that the regulatory fee assessment for the submarine cable/terrestrial and satellite bearer circuits fee category did not fairly take into account the Commission's minimal oversight and regulation of the international bearer circuit (IBC) industry. Accordingly, we reduced the total regulatory fee apportionment for submarine cable/terrestrial and satellite bearer circuits by five percent and stated that we would revisit the issue to determine if additional adjustment is warranted.\34\ Subsequently, in the FY 2015 NPRM, we sought comment on further reducing the regulatory fee allocation for the submarine cable/ terrestrial and satellite bearer circuit fee category.\35\ In particular, we observed that after the initial licensing process, the regulatory activity concerning submarine cable/terrestrial and satellite bearer circuit systems is primarily limited to reviewing the Circuit Capacity Reports \36\ and quarterly reports filed by licensees.\37\ Based on our tentative conclusion that the fee remained excessive relative to the minimal Commission oversight and regulation of this industry, we proposed another five percent decrease in fees.\38\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \34\ See FY 2014 Report and Order and FNPRM, 29 FCC Rcd at 10772, para. 11. \35\ See FY 2014 Report and Order and FNPRM, 29 FCC Rcd at 10772, para. 11. \36\ See 47 CFR 43.62(a)(2); Reporting Requirements for U.S. Providers of International Telecommunications Services; Amendment of Part 43 of the Commission's Rules, IB Docket No. 04-112, Second Report and Order, 28 FCC Rcd 575, 601-08, paras. 89-108 (2013) (Second Report and Order); id. at 604, para. 98 (noting that submarine cable capacity holders will report circuit capacity, rather than circuit status, going forward), recon. dismissed, Order, DA 15-711 (Int'l Bur. rel. June 17, 2015). \37\ See 47 CFR 1.767(l). \38\ FY 2015 NPRM, 30 FCC Rcd at 5358-59, para. 12. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13. NASCA, representing submarine cable operators,\39\ argues that the proposed fee remains excessive because the industry would be responsible for 27.6 percent of all International Bureau regulatory fees.\40\ Commenters also contend that the apportionment of regulatory fees for submarine cable operators and terrestrial and satellite bearer circuits remains too high due to the small number of FTEs working on [[Page 55778]] those services.\41\ Some commenters observe as well that the high regulatory fees imposed on the submarine cable operators can place the United States at a competitive disadvantage because Canada and Mexico have much lower fees and the submarine cable industry may choose to land new cables in those countries instead.\42\ Commenters suggest that this could pose national security issues if the submarine cable operators choose to build out in Canada and Mexico, because those facilities would not be subject to the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act, commonly known as CALEA.\43\ EchoStar contends that we have not supported our proposal to reduce the IBC fees with sufficient facts.\44\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \39\ NASCA Comments at 2-3. (NASCA represents operators with 30 of the 42 active systems landing in the United States.) \40\ NASCA Comments at 9. \41\ NASCA Comments at 11-13; Coalition Comments at 4-7 & Reply Comments at 3. (The Coalition consists of Cedar Cable Ltd., Columbus Networks USA, Inc., GlobeNet Cabos Submarinos America, Inc., and GU Holdings Inc.). \42\ Coalition Comments at 8. \43\ Coalition Comments at 8. \44\ EchoStar Comments at 5. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14. In 2009, the Commission adopted a new regulatory fee methodology for submarine cable based on a proposal by a large group of submarine cable operators.\45\ Under this methodology, after we apportion the IBC revenue requirement between the terrestrial and satellite facilities and submarine cable, we assess the submarine cable systems on a per cable landing license basis, with higher fees for larger systems and lower fees for smaller systems (the regulatory fees for terrestrial and satellite facilities are still assessed on a per bearer circuit basis).\46\ The regulatory fees that are now paid by the submarine cable operators cover the services provided to common carriers using the submarine cable circuits in addition to the services that the International Bureau provides to submarine cable operators. The International Bureau's regulatory activity concerning submarine cable includes licensing,\47\ reviewing the Circuit Capacity Reports \48\ and filed quarterly reports.\49\ In addition, all International Bureau services provided to common carriers using the submarine cable circuits, such as benchmarks enforcement,\50\ protection from anticompetitive actions by foreign carriers, foreign ownership rulings (Petitions for Declaratory Rulings, or PDRs), section 214 authorizations, and bilateral and multilateral negotiations and representation of U.S. interests at international organizations, are all provided by the International Bureau on behalf of the common carriers using submarine cable circuits. Upon this further analysis, we conclude that our previous estimate of two FTEs working on IBC issues discussed in FY 2014 Report and Order, did not take these issues into account.\51\ Nevertheless, as we have discussed previously in the FY 2013 NPRM, FY 2014 NPRM, and the FY 2015 NPRM,\52\ the oversight and regulation of the IBC industry may warrant additional adjustment to the fee allocation. For the reasons discussed above, we reduce the regulatory fee apportionment for submarine cable/terrestrial and satellite bearer circuits by 7.5 percent to more accurately reflect the regulation and oversight for the industry.\53\ This analysis reflects both the direct work on submarine cable/terrestrial and satellite bearer circuit issues and other common carrier issues by International Bureau FTEs and the indirect FTEs that devote their time to International Bureau regulatees as a whole. We find that this decrease in the regulatory fees paid by IBCs more accurately reflects the level of regulation and oversight for this industry. Also, we reject the speculation that failure to reduce regulatory fees as much as the submarine cable operators might prefer could lead to a change in the cable landing locations. We also reject EchoStar's statement that our proposal lacked factual support. As noted above, the regulatory oversight of this fee category has been explained in detail in this, and prior proceedings,\54\ and has been the subject of comments by submarine cable operators for a number of years. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \45\ Assessment and Collection of Regulatory Fees for Fiscal Year 2008, Second Report and Order, 24 FCC Rcd 4208 (2009) (Submarine Cable Order). \46\ Submarine Cable Order, 24 FCC Rcd at 4214-17, paras. 13-22. \47\ The International Bureau reviews, processes, analyzes, and grants applications for submarine cable landing license applications, transfers, assignments, and modifications. The bureau also coordinates processing of submarine cable landing license applications with the relevant Executive Branch agencies. \48\ See Second Report and Order, 28 FCC Rcd at 601-08, paras. 89-108. \49\ See 47 CFR 1.767(l). The International Bureau reviews Part 43 submarine cable circuit capacity and traffic and revenue filings, and compiles and publishes annual industry analysis reports based on that data. \50\ See, e.g., International Settlement Rates, IB Docket No. 96-261, Report and Order, FCC 97-280, 12 FCC Rcd 19806 (1997) (Benchmarks Order); Report and Order on Reconsideration and Order Lifting Stay, 14 FCC Rcd 9256 (1999) (Benchmarks Reconsideration Order); aff'd sub nom. Cable & Wireless, 166 F.3d 1224. \51\ FY 2014 Report and Order, 29 FCC Rcd at 10772, para. 11. \52\ FY 2013 NPRM, 28 FCC Rcd at 7800-7803, paras. 24-29; FY 2014 NPRM, 29 FCC Rcd at 6427-28, para. 28; FY 2015 NPRM, 30 FCC Rcd at 5358-59, para. 12. \53\ The actual decrease is higher than 7.5 percent due to the reallocation of four direct FTEs, discussed in paragraph 25, because the submarine cable percentage of International Bureau regulatory fees was 31.36 percent in FY 2014 and will be 24.85 percent in 2015, a reduction of more than 20 percent. \54\ See FY 2013 NPRM, 28 FCC Rcd at 7800-7803, paras. 24-29; FY 2014 NPRM, 29 FCC Rcd at 6427-28, para. 28; FY 2015 NPRM, 30 FCC Rcd at 5358-59, para. 12. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4. Earth Stations 15. In the FY 2014 NPRM, the Commission recognized that the International Bureau's oversight and regulation of the satellite industry involves FTEs working on legal, technical, and policy issues pertaining to both space station and earth station operations and is therefore interdependent to some degree.\55\ For that reason, we sought comment on whether we should increase the earth station regulatory fee allocation in order to reflect more appropriately the number of FTEs devoted to the regulation and oversight of the earth station portion of the satellite industry.\56\ In the FY 2014 regulatory fee proceeding, we increased the regulatory fees paid by earth station licensees by approximately 7.5 percent based on our analysis and review of the record.\57\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \55\ FY 2014 NPRM, 29 FCC Rcd at 6428, para. 29. \56\ Id., 29 FCC Rcd at 6428, para. 29. \57\ See FY 2014 Report and Order, 29 FCC Rcd at 10772-73, para. 12. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16. In the FY 2015 NPRM, we sought comment on whether to raise the earth station regulatory fees again.\58\ We find, however, that this issue requires further analysis. In particular, due to comments suggesting that we adopt different regulatory fees for different types of earth stations and an ongoing proceeding concerning Part 25 (Satellite Communications) of the Commission's rules which may affect the distribution of FTE work, we plan to further examine and consider this issue for FY 2016.\59\ In doing so, we intend to seek comment on EchoStar's proposal to assess different levels of regulatory fees on different types of earth station licenses.\60\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \58\ FY 2015 NPRM, 30 FCC Rcd at 5360, para. 14. \59\ See EchoStar July 20, 2015 ex parte. \60\ See EchoStar July 20, 2015 ex parte. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5. FTE Reallocations 17. As explained above in paragraph five, we calculate regulatory fees by classifying FTEs either as direct or indirect. FTEs classified as direct are further associated with one of the core bureaus. The Commission now updates FTE allocations on an annual basis to more accurately reflect the number of FTEs working on regulation and oversight of the regulatees in the various fee categories.\61\ The Commission has [[Page 55779]] also previously determined that some of the International Bureau FTEs should be considered indirect instead of direct.\62\ We find that apart from the unique nature of the International Bureau FTEs, the work of all the FTEs in a core bureau contributes to the cost of regulating and overseeing the licensees of that bureau. Therefore, we may reasonably expect that the work of the FTEs in the core bureaus would remain focused on the industry segment regulated by each of those bureaus. The work of the FTEs in the remaining (i.e., indirect) bureaus and offices benefits the Commission and the telecommunications industry and is not specifically focused on the licensees of a particular core bureau. Given the significant implications of reassignment of FTEs in our fee calculation, we make changes to FTE classifications only after performing considerable analysis and finding the clearest case for reassignment.\63\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \61\ FY 2013 Report and Order, 28 FCC Rcd at 12355-56, para. 14. \62\ FY 2013 Report and Order, 28 FCC Rcd at 12356, para. 14. \63\ FY 2013 Report and Order, 28 FCC Rcd at 12357, para. 19. The Commission observed that the International Bureau was a ``singular case'' because the work of those FTEs ``primarily benefits licensees regulated by other bureaus.'' Id., 28 FCC Rcd at 12355, para. 14. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- a. Request To Characterize Indirect FTEs as Direct FTEs 18. SIA and EchoStar propose that we consider FTEs working in certain divisions of the Enforcement Bureau and the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau and the Office of Engineering & Technology (i.e., indirect FTEs) as direct FTEs, associated with a core bureau for purposes of regulatory fee calculation.\64\ SIA contends that the work in the Market Disputes Resolution Division ``is limited to complaints against common carriers and pole attachment disputes'' \65\ and the ``Telecommunications Consumers Division focuses on protecting consumers from fraudulent, misleading, and other harmful practices involving telecommunications, such as slamming.'' \66\ SIA's description of these two Enforcement Bureau divisions underestimates the range of issues that they investigate.\67\ EchoStar argues that the Office of Engineering & Technology's regulatory work suggests that ``no more than 7 percent of the applicable FTEs for the OET should be allocated to space-related IB licensees.'' \68\ This proposal raised by SIA and EchoStar involves more than an analysis of two divisions and one office but rather would require an assessment of how all work done by FTEs in a bureau or office not classified as a core bureau could be associated with the work of a core bureau, such that additional FTEs could be allocated to the core bureau. However, FTEs are assigned as indirect in our regulatory fee calculation where the FTEs work on a variety of issues that cannot be attributed to one particular type of industry or regulatee at this time. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \64\ SIA Comments at 8-11; EchoStar Comments at 3-4. CTIA observes that excluding one type of licensee, such as satellite providers, from contributing to indirect costs would threaten the administrability of the regulatory fee program. CTIA Reply Comments at 5. We interpret this proposal as asking us to determine how many indirect FTEs work on issues pertaining to all core bureau licensees. \65\ SIA Comments at 8. \66\ SIA Comments at 8. \67\ For a brief description of the Enforcement Bureau divisions, see https://www.fcc.gov/encyclopedia/enforcement-bureau-organization. \68\ EchoStar Comments at 4. We note that currently International Bureau licensees are 5.43% of the direct FTEs and therefore 5.43% of the indirect FTEs are assigned to the International Bureau licensees, which is lower than the 7% EchoStar is proposing. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 19. The Enforcement Bureau and Consumer & Governmental Affairs FTEs and other indirect FTEs, such as those in the Office of Engineering & Technology, work on a wide range of matters, not all directly assignable to a particular core bureau. We recognize that before the Enforcement Bureau was created, the core bureaus each had an enforcement division and those FTEs would have been assigned to those core bureaus. Currently, however, most enforcement activity is consolidated into the Enforcement Bureau, therefore the FTEs may work on a range of issues and many of their investigations cannot be assigned to a specific core bureau, e.g., investigations that involve more than one service. While SIA suggests that we might track informal complaints filed in the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau and associate them with a core licensing bureau based on the number of informal complaints in each category over a certain time period,\69\ we find that this would not be feasible at this time because the types of informal complaints can vary considerably and often cover areas that are not specifically correlated with one core bureau, e.g., billing issues for bundled services. For these reasons, we conclude that reallocating indirect FTEs as direct as suggested by EchoStar and SIA is not feasible at this time. However, we will continue to analyze this issue in future regulatory fee proceedings. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \69\ SIA Comments at 10. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- b. Request To Associate Direct FTEs With a Different Core Bureau 20. NAB notes that the FTEs in the Media Bureau who work on issues pertaining to the upcoming spectrum incentive auction to repurpose broadcast television spectrum to wireless use should be reallocated to the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau for regulatory fee purposes.\70\ SIA asks us to ``re-evaluate whether it is appropriate to exclude auction FTEs in assessing direct costs.'' \71\ FTE time devoted to developing and implementing the upcoming spectrum incentive auction- direct and indirect costs-is not included in the calculation of fees and is not offset by the collection of regulatory fees. Instead, time devoted to developing and implementing the incentive auction is tracked separately from other work performed by Media Bureau and other FTEs and is offset by the auction proceeds that the Commission is permitted to retain pursuant to section 309(j)(8) of the Communications Act and the Commission's annual appropriation statute.\72\ Thus, the Commission is unable, as a legal matter, to implement these proposals. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \71\ SIA Comments at 12. \72\ See, e.g. the FCC's FY 2015 appropriation statute, the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015, Public Law 113-235, 128 Stat. 2130 (2014). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6. DBS Rate Issues 21. In the FY 2015 NPRM, we sought comment on setting the initial rate for DBS regulatory fees, as a subset of the cable television and IPTV category, at 12 cents per year, or one cent per month.\73\ Several commenters contend that we should require DBS operators to pay the same rate as cable television and IPTV.\74\ DBS commenters contend that paying the same rate as cable television/IPTV would cause ``rate shock'' and if we adopt a fee it should be 12 cents as proposed.\75\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \73\ FY 2015 NPRM, 30 FCC Rcd at 5358, para. 9. \74\ NCTA & ACA Comments at 2-6 & Reply Comments at 4-6; ITTA Comments at 5-7. \75\ DIRECTV Comments at 3-5 & Reply Comments at 3-4 (arguing that if we adopt a fee it should be the 12 cents proposed); DISH Reply Comments at 4-5. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 22. When adopting the new regulatory fee subcategory for DBS within the cable and IPTV category, we determined a variety of regulatory developments have increased the amount of regulatory activity by the Media Bureau FTEs involving regulation and oversight of MVPDs, including DBS providers.\76\ For example, DBS providers (and cable television operators) are permitted to file program access complaints\77\ and complaints seeking relief under the retransmission consent good faith [[Page 55780]] rules.\78\ In addition, DBS providers are subject to MVPD requirements such as those pertaining to program carriage \79\ and the requirement to negotiate retransmission consent in good faith.\80\ More recently, the Commission adopted a host of requirements that apply to all MVPDs and thus equally apply to DBS providers as part of its implementation of the Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation Act (CALM Act),\81\ the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (CVAA),\82\ as well as the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act (STELA) Reauthorization Act of 2014 (STELAR).\83\ Moreover, we recognize that FY 2015 would be the first time the Commission would be applying this regulatory fee subcategory for DBS. Thus, for the above reasons, we find that for FY 2015 the proposed rate of 12 cents per subscriber per year is a sensible fee supported by data and analysis.\84\ In the FY 2016 regulatory fee proceeding, we will update this rate for future years, based on relevant information, as necessary for ensuring an appropriate level of regulatory parity and considering the resources dedicated to this new regulatory fee subcategory.\85\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \76\ See FY 2015 Fee Reform Report and Order, 30 FCC Rcd at 5367-68, para. 31. \77\ 47 U.S.C. 548; 47 CFR 76.1000-1004. \78\ 47 U.S.C. 325(b)(1), (3)(C)(ii); 47 CFR 76.65(b). \79\ 47 U.S.C. 536; 47 CFR 76.1300-1302. \80\ 47 U.S.C. 325(b)(3)(C)(iii); 47 CFR 76.65(a)-(b). \81\ See Implementation of the Commercial Advertisement, Loudness Mitigation (CALM) Act, Report and Order, 26 FCC Rcd 17222 (2011) (CALM Act Report and Order). \82\ Public Law 111-260, 124 Stat. 2751 (2010). See also Amendment of Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010, Public Law 111-265, 124 Stat. 2795 (2010) (making corrections to the CVAA); 47 CFR part 79. \83\ The STELA Reauthorization Act of 2014 (STELAR), 102, Public Law 113-200, 128 Stat. 2059, 2060-62 (2014) (codified at 47 U.S.C. 338(1)). The STELAR was enacted on Dec. 4, 2014 (H.R. 5728, 113th Cong.). Implementation of Section 102 of the STELA Reauthorization Act of 2014, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, MB Docket No. 15-71, FCC 15-34 (released Mar. 26, 2015) proposes satellite television ``market modification'' rules to implement section 102 of STELAR. \84\ See FY 2015 Fee Reform Report and Order, 30 FCC Rcd at 5367-5373, paras. 31 to 41. The agency is not required to calculate its costs with ``scientific precision.'' Central & Southern Motor Freight Tariff Ass'n v. United States, 777 F.2d 722, 736 (D.C. Cir. 1985). Reasonable approximations will suffice. Id.; Mississippi Power & Light, 601 F.2d at 232; National Cable Television Ass'n v. FCC, 554 F.2d 1094, 1105 (D.C. Cir. 1976); 36 Comp. Gen. 75 (1956). \85\ See FY 2015 Fee Reform Report and Order, 30 FCC Rcd at 5371-72, para. 38 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7. Other Rate Issues 23. Aviation Ground Licenses. In the FY 2015 NPRM, we proposed an increase in regulatory fees for aviation ground licenses. Commenters contend that we have proposed an unjustified and disproportionate fee increase for aviation ground licensees.\86\ The Aviation Joint Commenters disagree with our contention that the payment units should be adjusted and they observe that we failed to explain why the revenue requirement was increased.\87\ These commenters observe that despite no increase in regulation of this industry, the Commission has significantly increased the regulatory fees in FY 2014 and FY 2015.\88\ We agree with the Aviation Joint Commenters and, after reviewing additional information, have adjusted the payment units and rate accordingly based on current fiscal year renewals. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \86\ Aviation Joint Comments at 4-12. \87\ Aviation Joint Comments at 5-6. \88\ Aviation Joint Comments at 6-9. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 24. Satellite. Several commenters have raised issues pertaining to the proposed space station fees. SIA and EchoStar object to the proposed increase in fees, contending that we should cap any increases at 7.5 percent.\89\ These commenters argue that we should adopt the same cap we adopted for FY 2013. In FY 2013, the 7.5% cap was instituted to address the initial changes in the FTE allocations (not fee rate changes resulting from changes in the unit counts) as a result of GAO recommendations.\90\ Such FTE allocation changes could have caused some regulatory fee rates to increase dramatically. To address this issue, the Commission capped the fee rate increase to 7.5% from the prior year. In the current proceeding, some satellite commenters requested that the Commission adopt a 7.5% cap on FY 2015 regulatory fee increases as the Commission did in FY 2013 with respect to the Non- Geostationary Space Station fee category. Although the circumstances in which we instituted the cap in FY 2013 are different than now, any discussion of imposing a cap at this time is not necessary because the satellite fee rate in the FY 2015 Report and Order is nearly the same or slightly lower than in FY 2014. We therefore decline to adopt a cap in this instance. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \89\ SIA Comments at 6-7; EchoStar Comments at 6-8. \90\ General Accountability Office, ``Federal Communications Commission, Regulatory Fee Process Needs to be Updated'', GAO 12- 686, August 2012, p. 1, 8-11. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 25. Intelsat asks that we take satellite application fees \91\ into consideration in calculating our regulatory fees.\92\ We are required to assess and collect $339,844,000 in regulatory fees for FY 2015, pursuant to Section 9 of the Communications Act and the Commission's FY 2015 Appropriation.\93\ Thus, we are not able to collect less than mandated by Congress in order to take into account section 8 application fees, as Intelsat requests. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \91\ Application fees are assessed under Section 8 of the Communications Act. 47 U.S.C. 158 and are paid directly into the general fund of the U.S. Treasury. 47 U.S.C. 158(e). The Commission is not authorized to retain receipts from application fees for its own use or to use application fees to offset its appropriation. \92\ Intelsat Comments at 1-2. \93\ Section 9 regulatory fees are mandated by Congress and collected to recover the regulatory costs associated with the Commission's enforcement, policy and rulemaking, user information, and international activities. 47 U.S.C. 159(a). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 26. In addition, Intelsat argues that U.S.-licensed satellite operators should not have to subsidize the non-U.S.-licensed satellite operators' ability to serve the U.S. market.\94\ We have sought comment previously on this issue because the number of International Bureau FTEs working on non-U.S.-licensed space stations increases the regulatory fees for the International Bureau regulatees.\95\ We also note that non-U.S.-licensed space stations that have been granted access to the U.S. market will eventually communicate with earth stations in the United States, and therefore aspects of the interrelated communications system are apportioned to earth station licensees when accounting for FTE time spent processing requests to access the non-U.S. licensed space station. We conclude that due to: (i) The time spent by International Bureau FTEs in working on these issues; and (ii) the significant number of requests to access the U.S. market by non-U.S.-licensed space stations, the FTEs working on petitions or other matters involving non-U.S.-licensed space stations should be removed from the regulatory fee assessments for U.S.-licensed space stations and considered indirect for regulatory fee purposes. Non-U.S.-licensed space stations granted access to the market in the United States provide a variety of services. Attributing such FTE work as indirect appropriately attributes the regulatory fee burden to the wider telecommunications industry that benefits from such grants of market access. We have reviewed the number of FTEs working on the non- U.S.-licensed space stations and have determined that approximately four FTEs are devoted to this work at this time, therefore, we are reallocating four International Bureau FTEs as indirect FTEs for regulatory fee purposes.\96\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \94\ Intelsat Comments at 3-4. \95\ See FY 2014 NPRM, 29 FCC Rcd at 6434, para. 50. \96\ The number of market access requests can vary; however, four FTEs is appropriate at this point. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Page 55781]] 8. Puerto Rico Broadcasters Association Petition 27. In the FY 2015 NPRM, we sought comment on the petition filed by the Puerto Rico Broadcaster's Association (PRBA) seeking regulatory fee relief.\97\ We recognize the challenging circumstances described in the PRBA petition. Due to the complexities of this proposal and time constraints imposed by the annual regulatory fee process, additional time is needed to further consider this petition. We intend to address the PRBA petition in a separate proceeding outside of the regulatory fee rulemaking process. We understand that PRBA is contending that the costs associated with preparing and filing a waiver request would be overly burdensome.\98\ We do not agree that PRBA's assertion, that requesting a waiver is a burden, eliminates that option. Our waiver process,\99\ is available to PRBA members and any aggrieved party seeking a waiver of our rules.\100\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \97\ FY 2015 NPRM, 30 FCC Rcd at 5360-61, paras. 15-18. One commenter addressed the issues in the PRBA petition and suggests that we adopt our second proposal and create a separate fee category for Puerto Rico at a lower rate. ARSO Comments at 6-8. \98\ PRBA Comments at 2. \99\ 47 U.S.C. 159(d); 47 CFR 1.1166. \100\ See the Commission's regulatory fee waiver fact sheet, available at https://www.fcc.gov/document/fy-2014-regulatory-fees-waiver-fact-sheet. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9. Effective Date of Elimination of the Vanity Call Sign and General Mobile Radio Service Regulatory Fee 28. In the Commission's FY 2015 Fee Reform Report and Order,\101\ the Commission eliminated the regulatory fee component of two fee categories: amateur radio Vanity Call Signs \102\ and General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS).\103\ The elimination of regulatory fee categories constitutes a ``permitted amendment'' as defined in section 9(b)(3) of the Act. As required by section 9(b)(4)(B) of the Act, ``permitted amendment'' letters dated June 4, 2015 were mailed to congressional officials informing them of the elimination of these two fee categories and adoption of the new DBS fee category. Consistent with section 9(b)(4)(B) of the Act, these amendments will take effect 90 days after congressional notification of the permitted amendment letter, dated June 4, 2015. Thus, effective September 3, 2015, the Vanity Call Sign and GMRS regulatory fee categories will be eliminated and licensees will not be required to pay additional regulatory fees for these licenses.\104\ Regulatees are still responsible for the payment of all application fees associated with these licenses. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \101\ FY 2015 Fee Reform Report and Order, 30 FCC Rcd at 5361- 62, paras. 19-22. \102\ Call signs assigned to newly licensed stations, i.e., a sequential call sign, are assigned based on the licensee's mailing address and class of operator license. 47 CFR 97.17(d). The licensee can request a specific unassigned but assignable call sign, known as a vanity call sign. 47 CFR 97.19. There is no fee for the sequential call sign. \103\ GMRS (formerly Class A of the Citizens Radio Service) is a personal radio service available for the conduct of an individual's personal and family communications. See 47 CFR 95.1. \104\ The letter dated June 4, 2015 also includes the establishment of a DBS regulatory fee which will also be effective September 3, 2015. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- V. Procedural Matters A. Payment of Regulatory Fees 1. Payments by Check Will Not Be Accepted for Payment of Annual Regulatory Fees 29. Pursuant to an Office of Management and Budget (OMB) directive,\105\ the Commission is moving towards a paperless environment, extending to disbursement and collection of select federal government payments and receipts.\106\ The initiative to reduce paper and curtail check payments for regulatory fees is expected to produce cost savings, reduce errors, and improve efficiencies across government. Accordingly, the Commission will no longer accept checks (including cashier's checks and money orders) and the accompanying hardcopy forms (e.g., Forms 159, 159-B, 159-E, 159-W) for the payment of regulatory fees. This new paperless procedure will require that all payments be made by online ACH payment, online credit card, or wire transfer. Any other form of payment (e.g., checks, cashier's checks, or money orders) will be rejected. For payments by wire, a Form 159-E should still be transmitted via fax so that the Commission can associate the wire payment with the correct regulatory fee information. This change will affect all payments of regulatory fees.\107\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \105\ Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Memorandum M-10-06, Open Government Directive, Dec. 8, 2009; see also http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/06/13/executive-order-13576-delivering-efficient-effective-and-accountable-gov. \106\ See U.S. Department of the Treasury, Open Government Plan 2.1, Sept. 2012. \107\ Payors should note that this change will mean that to the extent certain entities have to date paid both regulatory fees and application fees at the same time via paper check, they will no longer be able to do so as the regulatory fees payment via paper check will no longer be accepted. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. Revised Credit Card Transaction Levels 30. In accordance with U.S. Treasury Announcement No. A-2014-04 (July 2014), the amount that can be charged on a credit card for transactions with federal agencies has been reduced to $24,999.99.\108\ Previously, the credit card limit was $49,999.99. This lower transaction amount is effective June 1, 2015. Transactions greater than $24,999.99 will be rejected. This limit applies to single payments or bundled payments of more than one bill. Multiple transactions to a single agency in one day may be aggregated and treated as a single transaction subject to the $24,999.99 limit. Customers who wish to pay an amount greater than $24,999.99 should consider available electronic alternatives such as Visa or MasterCard debit cards, Automated Clearing House (ACH) debits from a bank account, and wire transfers. Each of these payment options is available after filing regulatory fee information in Fee Filer. Further details will be provided regarding payment methods and procedures at the time of FY 2015 regulatory fee collection in Fact Sheets, available at https://www.fcc.gov/regfees. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \108\ Customers who owe an amount on a bill, debt, or other obligation due to the federal government are prohibited from splitting the total amount due into multiple payments. Splitting an amount owed into several payment transactions violates the credit card network and Fiscal Service rules. An amount owed that exceeds the Fiscal Service maximum dollar amount, $24,999.99, may not be split into two or more payment transactions in the same day by using one or multiple cards. Also, an amount owed that exceeds the Fiscal Service maximum dollar amount may not be split into two or more transactions over multiple days by using one or more cards. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. Lock Box Bank 31. During the fee season for collecting FY 2015 regulatory fees, regulatees can pay their fees by credit card through Pay.gov,\109\ ACH, debit card,\110\ or by wire transfer. Additional payment instructions are posted at http://transition.fcc.gov/fees/regfees.html. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \109\ In accordance with U.S. Treasury Financial Manual Announcement No. A-2014-04 (July 2014), the amount that may be charged on a credit card for transactions with federal agencies has been reduced to $24,999.99. \110\ In accordance with U.S. Treasury Financial Manual Announcement No. A-2012-02, the maximum dollar-value limit for debit card transactions is eliminated. It should also be noted that only Visa and MasterCard branded debit cards are accepted by Pay.gov. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4. Receiving Bank for Wire Payments 32. The receiving bank for all wire payments is the Federal Reserve Bank, New York, New York (TREAS NYC). When making a wire transfer, regulatees must fax a copy of their Fee Filer generated Form 159-E to the Federal Communications Commission at (202) 418-2843 at least one hour before initiating the wire transfer (but on the [[Page 55782]] same business day) so as not to delay crediting their account. Regulatees should discuss arrangements (including bank closing schedules) with their bankers several days before they plan to make the wire transfer to allow sufficient time for the transfer to be initiated and completed before the deadline. Complete instructions for making wire payments are posted at http://transition.fcc.gov/fees/wiretran.html. 5. De Minimis Regulatory Fees 33. Regulatees whose total FY 2015 annual regulatory fee liability, including all categories of fees for which payment is due, is $500 or less are exempt from payment of FY 2015 regulatory fees. The de minimis threshold applies only to filers of annual regulatory fees (not regulatory fees paid through multi-year filings), and it is not a permanent exemption. Rather, each regulate will need to reevaluate their total fee liability each fiscal year to determine whether they meet the de minimis exemption. 6. Standard Fee Calculations and Payment Dates 34. The Commission will accept fee payments made in advance of the window for the payment of regulatory fees. The responsibility for payment of fees by service category is as follows:Media Services: Regulatory fees must be paid for initial construction permits that were granted on or before October 1, 2014 for AM/FM radio stations, VHF/UHF full service television stations, and satellite television stations. Regulatory fees must be paid for all broadcast facility licenses granted on or before October 1, 2014. For providers of Direct Broadcast Service (DBS) service, regulatory fees should be paid based on a subscriber count on or about December 31, 2014. In instances where a permit or license is transferred or assigned after October 1, 2014, responsibility for payment rests with the holder of the permit or license as of the fee due date. Wireline (Common Carrier) Services: Regulatory fees must be paid for authorizations that were granted on or before October 1, 2014. In instances where a permit or license is transferred or assigned after October 1, 2014, responsibility for payment rests with the holder of the permit or license as of the fee due date. Audio bridging service providers are included in this category.\111\ For Responsible Organizations (RespOrgs) that manage Toll Free Numbers (TFN), regulatory fees should be paid on all working, assigned, and reserved toll free numbers, including those toll free numbers that are in transit status, or any other status as defined in section 52.103 of the Commission's rules. The unit count should be based on toll free numbers managed by RespOrgs on or about December 31, 2014. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \111\ Audio bridging services are toll teleconferencing services. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wireless Services: CMRS cellular, mobile, and messaging services (fees based on number of subscribers or telephone number count): Regulatory fees must be paid for authorizations that were granted on or before October 1, 2014. The number of subscribers, units, or telephone numbers on December 31, 2014 will be used as the basis from which to calculate the fee payment. In instances where a permit or license is transferred or assigned after October 1, 2014, responsibility for payment rests with the holder of the permit or license as of the fee due date. Wireless Services, Multi-year fees: The first eight regulatory fee categories in our Schedule of Regulatory Fees pay ``small multi-year wireless regulatory fees.'' Entities pay these regulatory fees in advance for the entire amount period covered by the five-year or ten-year terms of their initial licenses, and pay regulatory fees again only when the license is renewed or a new license is obtained. We include these fee categories in our rulemaking (see Table B) to publicize our estimates of the number of ``small multi-year wireless'' licenses that will be renewed or newly obtained in FY 2015. Multichannel Video Programming Distributor Services (cable television operators and CARS licensees): Regulatory fees must be paid for the number of basic cable television subscribers as of December 31, 2014.\112\ Regulatory fees also must be paid for CARS licenses that were granted on or before October 1, 2014. In instances where a permit or license is transferred or assigned after October 1, 2014, responsibility for payment rests with the holder of the permit or license as of the fee due date. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \112\ Cable television system operators should compute their number of basic subscribers as follows: Number of single family dwellings + number of individual households in multiple dwelling unit (apartments, condominiums, mobile home parks, etc.) paying at the basic subscriber rate + bulk rate customers + courtesy and free service. Note: Bulk-Rate Customers = Total annual bulk-rate charge divided by basic annual subscription rate for individual households. Operators may base their count on ``a typical day in the last full week'' of December 2014, rather than on a count as of December 31, 2014. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- International Services: Regulatory fees must be paid for (1) earth stations and (2) geostationary orbit space stations and non- geostationary orbit satellite systems that were licensed and operational on or before October 1, 2014. In instances where a permit or license is transferred or assigned after October 1, 2014, responsibility for payment rests with the holder of the permit or license as of the fee due date. International Services: (Submarine Cable Systems): Regulatory fees for submarine cable systems are to be paid on a per cable landing license basis based on circuit capacity as of December 31, 2014. In instances where a license is transferred or assigned after October 1, 2014, responsibility for payment rests with the holder of the license as of the fee due date. For regulatory fee purposes, the allocation in FY 2015 will remain at 87.6 percent for submarine cable and 12.4 percent for satellite/terrestrial facilities. International Services: (Terrestrial and Satellite Services): Regulatory fees for Terrestrial and Satellite International Bearer Circuits are to be paid by facilities-based common carriers that have active (used or leased) international bearer circuits as of December 31, 2014 in any terrestrial or satellite transmission facility for the provision of service to an end user or resale carrier. When calculating the number of such active circuits, the facilities-based common carriers must include circuits used by themselves or their affiliates. In addition, non-common carrier satellite operators must pay a fee for each circuit they and their affiliates hold and each circuit sold or leased to any customer, other than an international common carrier authorized by the Commission to provide U.S. international common carrier services. For these purposes, ``active circuits'' include backup and redundant circuits as of December 31, 2014. Whether circuits are used specifically for voice or data is not relevant for purposes of determining that they are active circuits.\113\ In instances where a permit or license is transferred or assigned after October 1, 2014, responsibility for payment rests with the holder of the permit or license as of the fee due date. For regulatory fee purposes, the allocation in FY 2015 will remain at 87.6 percent for submarine cable and 12.4 percent for satellite/terrestrial facilities.\114\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \113\ We encourage terrestrial and satellite service providers to seek guidance from the International Bureau's Policy Division to verify their IBC reporting processes to ensure that their calculation methods comply with our rules. \114\ We remind facilities-based common carriers to review their reporting processes to ensure that they accurately calculate and report IBCs. As we recently have done with submarine cable capacity holders, we will review the processes for reporting IBCs in the near future to ensure that all carriers are reporting IBCs in the same manner, consistent with our rules. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Page 55783]] B. Commercial Mobile Radio Service (CMRS) Cellular and Mobile Services Assessments 35. The Commission will compile data from the Numbering Resource Utilization Forecast (NRUF) report that is based on ``assigned'' telephone number (subscriber) counts that have been adjusted for porting to net Type 0 ports (``in'' and ``out'').\115\ This information of telephone numbers (subscriber count) will be posted on the Commission's electronic filing and payment system (Fee Filer) along with the carrier's Operating Company Numbers (OCNs). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \115\ See FY 2005 Report and Order, 20 FCC Rcd at 12264, paras. 38-44. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 36. A carrier wishing to revise its telephone number (subscriber) count can do so by accessing Fee Filer and follow the prompts to revise their telephone number counts. Any revisions to the telephone number counts should be accompanied by an explanation or supporting documentation.\116\ The Commission will then review the revised count and supporting documentation and either approve or disapprove the submission in Fee Filer. If the submission is disapproved, the Commission will contact the provider to afford the provider an opportunity to discuss its revised subscriber count and/or provide additional supporting documentation. If we receive no response from the provider, or we do not reverse our initial disapproval of the provider's revised count submission, the fee payment must be based on the number of subscribers listed initially in Fee Filer. Once the timeframe for revision has passed, the telephone number counts are final and are the basis upon which CMRS regulatory fees are to be paid. Providers can view their final telephone counts online in Fee Filer. A final CMRS assessment letter will not be mailed out. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \116\ In the supporting documentation, the provider will need to state a reason for the change, such as a purchase or sale of a subsidiary, the date of the transaction, and any other pertinent information that will help to justify a reason for the change. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 37. Because some carriers do not file the NRUF report, they may not see their telephone number counts in Fee Filer. In these instances, the carriers should compute their fee payment using the standard methodology that is currently in place for CMRS Wireless services (i.e., compute their telephone number counts as of December 31, 2014), and submit their fee payment accordingly. Whether a carrier reviews its telephone number counts in Fee Filer or not, the Commission reserves the right to audit the number of telephone numbers for which regulatory fees are paid. In the event that the Commission determines that the number of telephone numbers that are paid is inaccurate, the Commission will bill the carrier for the difference between what was paid and what should have been paid. C. Enforcement 38. To be considered timely, regulatory fee payments must be made electronically by the payment due date for regulatory fees. Section 9(c) of the Act requires us to impose a late payment penalty of 25 percent of the unpaid amount to be assessed on the first day following the deadline for filing these fees.\117\ Failure to pay regulatory fees and/or any late penalty will subject regulatees to sanctions, including those set forth in section 1.1910 of the Commission's rules,\118\ which generally requires the Commission to withhold action on ``applications, including on a petition for reconsideration or any application for review of a fee determination, or requests for authorization by any entity found to be delinquent in its debt to the Commission'' and in the DCIA.\119\ We also assess administrative processing charges on delinquent debts to recover additional costs incurred in processing and handling the debt pursuant to the DCIA and section 1.1940(d) of the Commission's rules.\120\ These administrative processing charges will be assessed on any delinquent regulatory fee, in addition to the 25 percent late charge penalty. In the case of partial payments (underpayments) of regulatory fees, the payor will be given credit for the amount paid, but if it is later determined that the fee paid is incorrect or not timely paid, then the 25 percent late charge penalty (and other charges and/or sanctions, as appropriate) will be assessed on the portion that is not paid in a timely manner. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \117\ 47 U.S.C. 159(c). \118\ See 47 CFR 1.1910. \119\ Delinquent debt owed to the Commission triggers the ``red light rule,'' which places a hold on the processing of pending applications, fee offsets, and pending disbursement payments. 47 CFR 1.1910, 1.1911, 1.1912. In 2004, the Commission adopted rules implementing the requirements of the DCIA. See Amendment of Parts 0 and 1 of the Commission's Rules, MD Docket No. 02-339, Report and Order, 19 FCC Rcd 6540 (2004); 47 CFR part 1, subpart O, Collection of Claims Owed the United States. \120\ 47 CFR 1.1940(d). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 39. Pursuant to the ``red light rule,'' we will withhold action on any applications or other requests for benefits filed by anyone who is delinquent in any non-tax debts owed to the Commission (including regulatory fees) and will ultimately dismiss those applications or other requests if payment of the delinquent debt or other satisfactory arrangement for payment is not made.\121\ Failure to pay regulatory fees can also result in the initiation of a proceeding to revoke any and all authorizations held by the entity responsible for paying the delinquent fee(s).\122\ Pursuant to a pilot program, we have initiated procedures to transfer debt to the Centralized Receivables Service at the U.S. Treasury, as described below. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \121\ See 47 CFR 1.1161(c), 1.1164(f)(5), and 1.1910. \122\ 47 U.S.C. 159. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- D. Transfers of Unpaid Debt to Centralized Receivables Service, U.S. Treasury 40. Under section 9 of the Act, Commission's rules, and federal debt collection laws, a licensee's regulatory fee is due on the first day of the fiscal year and payable at a date established in the Commission's annual regulatory fee Report and Order. Beginning on or after October 1, 2015, under revised procedures, the Commission will begin transferring unpaid regulatory fee receivables directly to the CRS at the U.S. Treasury instead of working to collect the debt and then transferring the remaining unpaid debts to Treasury. The Commission can transfer delinquent debt to Treasury for further collection action within 120 days after the date of delinquency.\123\ We anticipate that the transfer of FY 2015 debts to Treasury will occur much sooner than our current process. Regulatees, however, will not likely see any substantial change in the current procedures of how past due debts are to be paid, except that the debts will be handled by CRS (U.S. Treasury) rather than by the Commission. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \123\ See 31 U.S.C. 3711(g); 31 CFR 285.12; 47 CFR 1.1917. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- E. Effective Date 41. Providing a 30 day period after Federal Register publication before this Report and Order becomes effective as required by 5 U.S.C. 553(d) will not allow sufficient time for the Commission to collect the FY 2015 fees before FY 2015 ends on September 30, 2015. For this reason, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), the Commission finds there is good cause to waive the requirements of section 553(d), and this Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking will become effective upon publication in the [[Page 55784]] Federal Register. Because payments of the regulatory fees will not actually be due until the middle of September, persons affected by this Report and Order will still have a reasonable period in which to make their payments and thereby comply with the rules established herein. VI. Additional Tables Table A ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Commenter Abbreviation ------------------------------------------------------------------------ List of Commenters--Initial Comments ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ARSO Radio Corporation........ ARSO. Aviation Spectrum Resources, Aviation Joint Commenters. Inc., Airlines for America, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Delta Airlines, Harris Corporation, Rockwell- Collins Information Management Services, Southwest Airlines Co., The Boeing Company, and SITA OnAir. DIRECTV, LLC.................. DIRECTV. DISH Network, L.L.C........... DISH. EchoStar Satellite Operating EchoStar. Corporation and Hughes Network Systems, LLC. Intelsat Licensee, LLC........ Intelsat. ITTA--The Voice of Mid-Size ITTA. Communications Companies. National Association of NAB. Broadcasters. National Cable & NCTA & ACA. Telecommunications Association and the American Cable Association. North American Submarine Cable NASCA. Association. Puerto Rico Broadcasters PRBA. Association, International Broadcasting Corporation, Eastern Television Corporation, America-CV Stations Group, Inc., R & F Broadcasting, Inc.. Satellite Industry Association SIA. Submarine Cable Coalition..... Coalition. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ List of Commenters--Reply Comments ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CTIA--The Wireless CTIA. Association[supreg]. DIRECTV, LLC.................. DIRECTV. DISH Network, L.L.C........... DISH. EchoStar Satellite Operating EchoStar. Corporation and Hughes Network Systems, LLC. National Cable & NCTA & ACA. Telecommunications Association and the American Cable Association. North American Submarine Cable NASCA. Association. SES Americom, Inc., Inmarsat, Satellite Parties. Inc., Telesat Canada. Submarine Cable Coalition..... Coalition. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Table B--Calculation of FY 2015 Revenue Requirements and Pro-Rata Fees [The first seven regulatory fees listed below are collected by the Commission in advance to cover the term of the license and are submitted at the time the application is filed.] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FY 2014 Pro-rated FY Fee category FY 2015 payment units Years revenue 2015 revenue Computed FY 2015 Rounded FY 2015 Expected FY estimate requirement regulatory fee regulatory fee 2015 revenue -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PLMRS (Exclusive Use)................ 1,820 10 595,000 589,899 32 30 546,000 PLMRS (Shared use)................... 31,000 10 3,000,000 2,822,788 9 10 3,100,000 Microwave............................ 12,600 10 2,550,000 2,780,552 22 20 2,520,000 Marine (Ship)........................ 6,300 10 780,000 927,085 15 15 945,000 Aviation (Aircraft).................. 4,200 10 420,000 420,954 10 10 420,000 Marine (Coast)....................... 490 10 165,000 168,241 34 35 171,500 Aviation (Ground).................... 900 10 153,000 168,241 19 20 180,000 AM Class A \4\....................... 65 1 274,700 280,935 4,322 4,325 281,125 AM Class B \4\....................... 1,505 1 3,410,900 3,483,012 2,314 2,325 3,499,125 AM Class C \4\....................... 889 1 1,212,750 1,245,750 1,401 1,400 1,244,600 AM Class D \4\....................... 1,492 1 4,033,300 4,120,475 2,762 2,750 4,103,000 FM Classes A, B1 & C3 \4\............ 3,132 1 8,466,575 8,641,905 2,759 2,700 8,613,000 FM Classes B, C, C0, C1 & C2 \4\..... 3,143 1 10,437,175 10,595,484 3,371 3,375 10,607,625 AM Construction Permits \1\.......... 29 1 17,700 17,110 590 590 17,110 FM Construction Permits \1\.......... 182 1 138,750 136,500 750 750 136,500 Satellite TV......................... 127 1 196,850 199,675 1,572 1,575 200,025 Digital TV Markets 1-10.............. 134 1 6,161,700 6,274,824 46,827 46,825 6,274,550 Digital TV Markets 11-25............. 137 1 5,809,800 5,918,646 43,202 43,200 5,918,400 Digital TV Markets 26-50............. 181 1 4,909,450 5,001,220 27,631 27,625 5,00,125 Digital TV Markets 51-100............ 283 1 4,524,000 4,608,775 16,285 16,275 4,605,825 Digital TV Remaining Markets......... 379 1 1,805,000 1,834,853 4,841 4,850 1,838,150 Digital TV Construction Permits \1\.. 2 1 23,750 9,700 4,850 4,850 9,700 LPTV/Translators/Boosters/Class A TV. 3,640 1 1,570,300 1,592,900 438 440 1,601,600 CARS Stations........................ 300 1 196,625 197,876 660 660 198,000 Cable TV Systems, including IPTV..... 64,500,000 1 64,746,000 61,618,439 .955532 .96 61,920,000 Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS)..... 34,000,000 1 .............. 4,115,811 .1211 .12 4,080,000 Interstate Telecommunication Service $38,800,000,000 1 131,369,000 128,607,682 0.0033146 0.00331 128,428,000 Providers........................... Toll Free Numbers.................... 36,500,000 1 .............. 4,419,018 0.12069 0.12 4,380,000 CMRS Mobile Services (Cellular/Public 354,000,000 1 60,300,000 60,506,881 0.1737 0.17 60,180,000 Mobile)............................. CMRS Messag. Services................ 2,600,000 1 232,000 208,000 0.0800 0.080 208,000 [[Page 55785]] BRS \2\.............................. 890 1 643,500 564,064 634 635 565,150 LMDS................................. 375 1 135,850 237,667 634 635 238,125 Per 64 kbps Int'l Bearer Circuits.... 21,900,000 1 941,640 658,593 .0301 .03 657,000 Terrestrial (Common) & Satellite ..................... ...... .............. .............. ................. ............... .............. (Common & Non-Common) \5\ Submarine Cable Providers (see chart 40.563 1 6,586,731 4,652,639 114,702 114,700 4,652,576 in Appendix C) 3 5.................. Earth Stations \5\................... 3,300 1 1,003,000 1,022,890 310 310 1,023,000 Space Stations (Geostationary) \5\... 96 1 11,505,600 11,437,435 119,140 119,150 11,438,400 Space Stations (Non-Geostationary) 6 1 797,100 792,693 132,116 132,125 792,750 \5\................................. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ****** Total Estimated Revenue to ..................... ...... 339,847,246 341,879,214 ................. ............... 340,593,961 be Collected.................... ****** Total Revenue Requirement. ..................... ...... 339,844,000 339,844,000 ................. ............... 339,844,000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Difference................... ..................... ...... 3,246 2,035,214 ................. ............... 749,961 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Notes on Table B \1\ The AM and FM Construction Permit revenues and the Digital (VHF/UHF) Construction Permit revenues were adjusted, respectively, to set the regulatory fee to an amount no higher than the lowest licensed fee for that class of service. Reductions in the Digital (VHF/UHF) Construction Permit revenues were also offset by increases in the revenue totals for various Digital television stations by market size, respectively. \2\ MDS/MMDS category was renamed Broadband Radio Service (BRS). See Amendment of Parts 1, 21, 73, 74 and 101 of the Commission's Rules to Facilitate the Provision of Fixed and Mobile Broadband Access, Educational and Other Advanced Services in the 2150-2162 and 2500-2690 MHz Bands, Report & Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 19 FCC Rcd 14165, 14169, para. 6 (2004). \3\ The chart at the end of Table C lists the submarine cable bearer circuit regulatory fees (common and non-common carrier basis) that resulted from the adoption of the FY 2008 Further Notice, 24 FCC Rcd 6388 and the Submarine Cable Order, 24 FCC Rcd 4208. \4\ The fee amounts listed in the column entitled ``Rounded New FY 2015 Regulatory Fee'' constitute a weighted average media regulatory fee by class of service. The actual FY 2015 regulatory fees for AM/FM radio station are listed on a grid located at the end of Table C. \5\ As a continuation of our regulatory fee reform for the submarine cable and bearer circuit fee categories, the allocation percentage for these two categories, in relation to the satellite (GSO and NGSO) and earth station fee categories, was reduced by approximately 7.5 per cent proportionally between the submarine cable and bearer circuit fee categories. This allocation reduction of 7.5 per cent resulted in an increase in the allocation for the satellite and earth station fee categories. In addition, four (4) International Bureau FTEs were changed from ``direct'' to ``indirect'', thereby reducing the International Bureau's overall FTE allocation percentage. Table C--FY 2015 Schedule of Regulatory Fees [The first eight regulatory fees listed below are collected by the Commission in advance to cover the term of the license and are submitted at the time the application is filed.] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Annual regulatory Fee category fee (U.S. $'s) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ PLMRS (per license) (Exclusive Use) (47 CFR part 90). 30 Microwave (per license) (47 CFR part 101)............ 20 Marine (Ship) (per station) (47 CFR part 80)......... 15 Marine (Coast) (per license) (47 CFR part 80)........ 35 Rural Radio (47 CFR part 22) (previously listed under 10 the Land Mobile category)........................... PLMRS (Shared Use) (per license) (47 CFR part 90).... 10 Aviation (Aircraft) (per station) (47 CFR part 87)... 10 Aviation (Ground) (per license) (47 CFR part 87)..... 20 CMRS Mobile/Cellular Services (per unit) (47 CFR .17 parts 20, 22, 24, 27, 80 and 90).................... CMRS Messaging Services (per unit) (47 CFR parts 20, .08 22, 24 and 90)...................................... Broadband Radio Service (formerly MMDS/MDS) (per 635 license) (47 CFR part 27)........................... Local Multipoint Distribution Service (per call sign) 635 (47 CFR, part 101).................................. AM Radio Construction Permits........................ 590 FM Radio Construction Permits........................ 750 Digital TV (47 CFR part 73) VHF and UHF Commercial: Markets 1-10..................................... 46,825 Markets 11-25.................................... 43,200 Markets 26-50.................................... 27,625 Markets 51-100................................... 16,275 Remaining Markets................................ 4,850 Construction Permits............................. 4,850 Satellite Television Stations (All Markets).......... 1,575 Low Power TV, Class A TV, TV/FM Translators & 440 Boosters (47 CFR part 74)........................... CARS (47 CFR part 78)................................ 660 Cable Television Systems (per subscriber) (47 CFR .96 part 76), Including IPTV............................ Direct Broadcast Service (DBS) (per subscriber) (as .12 defined by section 602(13) of the Act).............. Interstate Telecommunication Service Providers (per .00331 revenue dollar)..................................... Toll Free (per toll free subscriber) (47 C.F.R. .12 section 52.101 (f) of the rules).................... Earth Stations (47 CFR part 25)...................... 310 Space Stations (per operational station in 119,150 geostationary orbit) (47 CFR part 25) also includes DBS Service (per operational station) (47 CFR part 100)................................................ [[Page 55786]] Space Stations (per operational system in non- 132,125 geostationary orbit) (47 CFR part 25)............... International Bearer Circuits--Terrestrial/Satellites .03 (per 64KB circuit).................................. Submarine Cable Landing Licenses Fee (per cable See Table Below system)............................................. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ FY 2015 Schedule of Regulatory Fees: [Continued] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FY 2015 RADIO STATION REGULATORY FEES --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FM Classes A, FM Classes B, Population served AM Class A AM Class B AM Class C AM Class D B1 & C3 C, C0, C1 & C2 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- <=25,000................................................ $775 $645 $590 $670 $750 $925 25,001-75,000........................................... 1,550 1,300 900 1,000 1,500 1,625 75,001-150,000.......................................... 2,325 1,625 1,200 1,675 2,050 3,000 150,001-500,000......................................... 3,475 2,750 1,800 2,025 3,175 3,925 500,001-1,200,000....................................... 5,025 4,225 3,000 3,375 5,050 5,775 1,200,001-3,000,00...................................... 7,750 6,500 4,500 5,400 8,250 9,250 >3,000,000.............................................. 9,300 7,800 5,700 6,750 10,500 12,025 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FY 2015 Schedule of Regulatory Fees [International Bearer Circuits--Submarine Cable.] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Submarine Cable Systems (capacity as of December 31, 2014) Fee amount ------------------------------------------------------------------------ <2.5 Gbps............................................... $7,175 2.5 Gbps or greater, but less than 5 Gbps............... 14,350 5 Gbps or greater, but less than 10 Gbps................ 28,675 10 Gbps or greater, but less than 20 Gbps............... 57,350 20 Gbps or greater...................................... 114,700 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Table D--Sources of Payment Unit Estimates for FY 2015 In order to calculate individual service fees for FY 2015, we adjusted FY 2014 payment units for each service to more accurately reflect expected FY 2015 payment liabilities. We obtained our updated estimates through a variety of means. For example, we used Commission licensee data bases, actual prior year payment records and industry and trade association projections when available. The databases we consulted include our Universal Licensing System (ULS), International Bureau Filing System (IBFS), Consolidated Database System (CDBS) and Cable Operations and Licensing System (COALS), as well as reports generated within the Commission such as the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau's Numbering Resource Utilization Forecast report. We sought verification for these estimates from multiple sources and, in all cases, we compared FY 2015 estimates with actual FY 2014 payment units to ensure that our revised estimates were reasonable. Where appropriate, we adjusted and/or rounded our final estimates to take into consideration the fact that certain variables that impact on the number of payment units cannot yet be estimated with sufficient accuracy. These include an unknown number of waivers and/or exemptions that may occur in FY 2015 and the fact that, in many services, the number of actual licensees or station operators fluctuates from time to time due to economic, technical, or other reasons. When we note, for example, that our estimated FY 2015 payment units are based on FY 2014 actual payment units, it does not necessarily mean that our FY 2015 projection is exactly the same number as in FY 2014. We have either rounded the FY 2015 number or adjusted it slightly to account for these variables. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Fee category Sources of payment unit estimates ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Land Mobile (All), Microwave, Based on Wireless Telecommunications Marine (Ship & Coast), Aviation Bureau (WTB) projections of new (Aircraft & Ground), Domestic applications and renewals taking Public Fixed. into consideration existing Commission licensee data bases. Aviation (Aircraft) and Marine (Ship) estimates have been adjusted to take into consideration the licensing of portions of these services on a voluntary basis. CMRS Cellular/Mobile Services..... Based on WTB projection reports, and FY 14 payment data. CMRS Messaging Services........... Based on WTB reports, and FY 14 payment data. AM/FM Radio Stations.............. Based on CDBS data, adjusted for exemptions, and actual FY 2014 payment units. Digital TV Stations (Combined VHF/ Based on CDBS data, adjusted for UHF units). exemptions, and actual FY 2014 payment units. AM/FM/TV Construction Permits..... Based on CDBS data, adjusted for exemptions, and actual FY 2014 payment units. [[Page 55787]] LPTV, Translators and Boosters, Based on CDBS data, adjusted for Class A Television. exemptions, and actual FY 2014 payment units. BRS (formerly MDS/MMDS)........... Based on WTB reports and actual FY 2014 payment units. LMDS.............................. Based on WTB reports and actual FY 2014 payment units. Cable Television Relay Service Based on data from Media Bureau's (``CARS'') Stations. COALS database and actual FY 2013 payment units. Cable Television System Based on publicly available data Subscribers, Including IPTV sources for estimated subscriber Subscribers. counts and actual FY 2014 payment units. Interstate Telecommunication Based on FCC Form 499-Q data for the Service Providers. four quarters of calendar year 2014, the Wireline Competition Bureau projected the amount of calendar year 2014 revenue that will be reported on 2015 FCC Form 499-A worksheets in April, 2015. Earth Stations.................... Based on International Bureau (``IB'') licensing data and actual FY 2014 payment units. Space Stations (GSOs & NGSOs)..... Based on IB data reports and actual FY 2014 payment units. International Bearer Circuits..... Based on IB reports and submissions by licensees, adjusted as necessary. Submarine Cable Licenses.......... Based on IB license information. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Table E--Factors, Measurements, and Calculations That Determines Station Signal Contours and Associated Population Coverages AM Stations For stations with nondirectional daytime antennas, the theoretical radiation was used at all azimuths. For stations with directional daytime antennas, specific information on each day tower, including field ratio, phase, spacing, and orientation was retrieved, as well as the theoretical pattern root-mean-square of the radiation in all directions in the horizontal plane (RMS) figure (milliVolt per meter (mVm) @1 km) for the antenna system. The standard, or augmented standard if pertinent, horizontal plane radiation pattern was calculated using techniques and methods specified in sections 73.150 and 73.152 of the Commission's rules. Radiation values were calculated for each of 360 radials around the transmitter site. Next, estimated soil conductivity data was retrieved from a database representing the information in FCC Figure R3. Using the calculated horizontal radiation values, and the retrieved soil conductivity data, the distance to the principal community (5 mVm) contour was predicted for each of the 360 radials. The resulting distance to principal community contours were used to form a geographical polygon. Population counting was accomplished by determining which 2010 block centroids were contained in the polygon. (A block centroid is the center point of a small area containing population as computed by the U.S. Census Bureau.) The sum of the population figures for all enclosed blocks represents the total population for the predicted principal community coverage area. FM Stations The greater of the horizontal or vertical effective radiated power (ERP) (kW) and respective height above average terrain (HAAT) (m) combination was used. Where the antenna height above mean sea level (HAMSL) was available, it was used in lieu of the average HAAT figure to calculate specific HAAT figures for each of 360 radials under study. Any available directional pattern information was applied as well, to produce a radial-specific ERP figure. The HAAT and ERP figures were used in conjunction with the Field Strength (50-50) propagation curves specified in 47 CFR 73.313 of the Commission's rules to predict the distance to the principal community (70 dBu (decibel above 1 microVolt per meter) or 3.17 mVm) contour for each of the 360 radials. The resulting distance to principal community contours were used to form a geographical polygon. Population counting was accomplished by determining which 2010 block centroids were contained in the polygon. The sum of the population figures for all enclosed blocks represents the total population for the predicted principal community coverage area. Table F--FY 2014 Schedule of Regulatory Fees [The first eleven regulatory fees listed below are collected by the Commission in advance to cover the term of the license and are submitted at the time the application is filed] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Annual regulatory Fee category fee (U.S. $'s) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ PLMRS (per license) (Exclusive Use) (47 CFR part 90). 35 Microwave (per license) (47 CFR part 101)............ 15 218-219 MHz (Formerly Interactive Video Data Service) 80 (per license) (47 CFR part 95)...................... Marine (Ship) (per station) (47 CFR part 80)......... 15 Marine (Coast) (per license) (47 CFR part 80)........ 55 General Mobile Radio Service (per license) (47 CFR 5 part 95)............................................ Rural Radio (47 CFR part 22) (previously listed under 10 the Land Mobile category)........................... PLMRS (Shared Use) (per license) (47 CFR part 90).... 10 Aviation (Aircraft) (per station) (47 CFR part 87)... 10 Aviation (Ground) (per license) (47 CFR part 87)..... 30 Amateur Vanity Call Signs (per call sign) (47 CFR 2.14 part 97)............................................ CMRS Mobile/Cellular Services (per unit) (47 CFR .18 parts 20, 22, 24, 27, 80 and 90).................... CMRS Messaging Services (per unit) (47 CFR parts 20, .08 22, 24 and 90)...................................... Broadband Radio Service (formerly MMDS/MDS) (per 715 license) (47 CFR part 27)........................... Local Multipoint Distribution Service (per call sign) 715 (47 CFR, part 101).................................. AM Radio Construction Permits........................ 590 FM Radio Construction Permits........................ 750 [[Page 55788]] Digital TV (47 CFR part 73) VHF and UHF Commercial: Markets 1-10..................................... 44,650 Markets 11-25.................................... 42,100 Markets 26-50.................................... 26,975 Markets 51-100................................... 15,600 Remaining Markets................................ 4,750 Construction Permits............................. 4,750 Satellite Television Stations (All Markets).......... 1,550 Construction Permits--Satellite Television Stations.. 1,300 Low Power TV, Class A TV, TV/FM Translators & 410 Boosters (47 CFR part 74)........................... Broadcast Auxiliaries (47 CFR part 74)............... 10 CARS (47 CFR part 78)................................ 605 Cable Television Systems (per subscriber) (47 CFR .99 part 76), Including IPTV............................ Interstate Telecommunication Service Providers (per .00343 revenue dollar)..................................... Earth Stations (47 CFR part 25)...................... 295 Space Stations (per operational station in 122,400 geostationary orbit) (47 CFR part 25) also includes DBS Service (per operational station) (47 CFR part 100)................................................ Space Stations (per operational system in non- 132,850 geostationary orbit) (47 CFR part 25)............... International Bearer Circuits--Terrestrial/Satellites .21 (per 64KB circuit).................................. International Bearer Circuits--Submarine Cable....... See Table Below ------------------------------------------------------------------------ FY 2014 Schedule of Regulatory Fees: Maintain Allocation -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FY 2014 Radio Station Regulatory Fees --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FM Classes A, FM Classes B, Population served AM Class A AM Class B AM Class C AM Class D B1 & C3 C, C0, C1 & C2 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- <=25,000................................................ $775 $645 $590 $670 $750 $925 25,001-75,000........................................... 1,550 1,300 900 1,000 1,500 1,625 75,001-150,000.......................................... 2,325 1,625 1,200 1,675 2,050 3,000 150,001-500,000......................................... 3,475 2,750 1,800 2,025 3,175 3,925 500,001-1,200,000....................................... 5,025 4,225 3,000 3,375 5,050 5,775 1,200,001-3,000,000..................................... 7,750 6,500 4,500 5,400 8,250 9,250 >3,000,000.............................................. 9,300 7,800 5,700 6,750 10,500 12,025 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FY 2014 Schedule of Regulatory Fees [International Bearer Circuits--Submarine Cable] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Submarine cable systems (capacity as of December 31, 2013) Fee amount ------------------------------------------------------------------------ <2.5 Gbps............................................... $10,250 2.5 Gbps or greater, but less than 5 Gbps............... 20,500 5 Gbps or greater, but less than 10 Gbps................ 40,975 10 Gbps or greater, but less than 20 Gbps............... 81,950 20 Gbps or greater...................................... 163,900 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ VII. Regulatory Flexibility Analysis 1. As required by the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980, as amended (RFA),\124\ an Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) was included in the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.\125\ The Commission sought written public comment on these proposals including comment on the IRFA. This Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (FRFA) conforms to the IRFA.\126\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \124\ 5 U.S.C. 603. The RFA, 5 U.S.C. 601-612 has been amended by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (SBREFA), Public Law 104-121, Title II, 110 Stat. 847 (1996). \125\ Assessment and Collection of Regulatory Fees for Fiscal Year 2015, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Report and Order, and Order, MD Docket No. 15-121, 30 FCC Rcd 5354 (2015) (FY 2015 NPRM). \126\ 5 U.S.C. 604. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- A. Need for, and Objectives of, the Report and Order 2. In this Report and Order, we conclude the Assessment and Collection of Regulatory Fees for Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 proceeding to collect $339,844,000 in regulatory fees for FY 2015, pursuant to section 9 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended.\127\ These regulatory fees will be due in September 2015. Under section 9 of the [[Page 55789]] Communications Act, regulatory fees are mandated by Congress and collected to recover the regulatory costs associated with the Commission's enforcement, policy and rulemaking, user information, and international activities in an amount that can be reasonably expected to equal the amount of the Commission's annual appropriation.\128\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \127\ 47 U.S.C. 159. \128\ 47 U.S.C. 159(a). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. This FY 2015 Report and Order adopts a regulatory fee schedule that includes the following noteworthy changes from prior years: (1) A reduction in regulatory fees for the submarine cable/terrestrial and satellite bearer circuit category relative to other fee categories in the International Bureau; (2) the first fee rate for Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) as a subcategory of the cable television and Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) regulatory fee category; (3) the first fee rate for toll free numbers; and (4) the elimination of the regulatory fee component of two fee categories: Amateur Radio Vanity Call Signs and General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS). In addition, in calculating the FY 2015 fee schedule, the Commission also reallocated four International Bureau full time employees (FTEs) as indirect. 4. With respect to the submarine cable/terrestrial and satellite bearer circuit fee category, after additional review, the Commission concluded that the fee assessed on the submarine cable/terrestrial and satellite bearer circuit fee category was excessive relative to the Commission's oversight and regulation of this industry. As a result, the Commission reduced the percentage of total fees paid by this fee category by 7.5 percent. With respect to the DBS fee category, the Commission instituted the DBS fee after realizing that Media Bureau resources were being used to address DBS and MVPD issues, but these costs were not being recovered from DBS providers. Therefore, the DBS fee is instituted to recover the cost of Media Bureau resources that is spent on MVPD and DBS issues. Similarly, a toll free number regulatory fee is instituted to recover the cost of resources expended by the Wireline Bureau on issues relating to toll free numbers. With respect to Amateur Radio Vanity Call Signs and General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS), the Commission concluded that the administrative costs of processing, reviewing, and enforcing the thousands of Vanity Call Sign and GMRS licenses far exceeds the $21.40 and $25 per license regulatory fee rate that is collected, respectively. Many of the Amateur Vanity Call Signs and GMRS licensees are small businesses and/or individuals. Finally, in calculating the FY 2015 fee schedule, the Commission reallocated four International Bureau full time employees (FTEs) as indirect to reflect work performed by International Bureau staff on non-U.S.-licensed space stations, who are not required to pay regulatory fees. B. Summary of the Significant Issues Raised by the Public Comments in Response to the IRFA 5. None. C. Description and Estimate of the Number of Small Entities to Which the Rules Will Apply 6. The RFA directs agencies to provide a description of, and where feasible, an estimate of the number of small entities that may be affected by the proposed rules and policies, if adopted.\129\ The RFA generally defines the term ``small entity'' as having the same meaning as the terms ``small business,'' ``small organization,'' and ``small governmental jurisdiction.'' \130\ In addition, the term ``small business'' has the same meaning as the term ``small business concern'' under the Small Business Act.\131\ A ``small business concern'' is one which: (1) Is independently owned and operated; (2) is not dominant in its field of operation; and (3) satisfies any additional criteria established by the SBA.\132\ Nationwide, there are a total of approximately 27.9 million small businesses, according to the SBA.\133\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \129\ 5 U.S.C. 603(b)(3). \130\ 5 U.S.C. 601(6). \131\ 5 U.S.C. 601(3) (incorporating by reference the definition of ``small-business concern'' in the Small Business Act, 15 U.S.C. 632). Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 601(3), the statutory definition of a small business applies ``unless an agency, after consultation with the Office of Advocacy of the Small Business Administration and after opportunity for public comment, establishes one or more definitions of such term which are appropriate to the activities of the agency and publishes such definition(s) in the Federal Register.'' \132\ 15 U.S.C. 632. \133\ See SBA, Office of Advocacy, ``Frequently Asked Questions,'' http://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/FAQ_Sept_2012.pdf. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Wired Telecommunications Carriers. The U.S. Census Bureau defines this industry as ``establishments primarily engaged in operating and/or providing access to transmission facilities and infrastructure that they own and/or lease for the transmission of voice, data, text, sound, and video using wired communications networks. Transmission facilities may be based on a single technology or a combination of technologies. Establishments in this industry use the wired telecommunications network facilities that they operate to provide a variety of services, such as wired telephony services, including VoIP services, wired (cable) audio and video programming distribution, and wired broadband internet services. By exception, establishments providing satellite television distribution services using facilities and infrastructure that they operate are included in this industry.'' \134\ The SBA has developed a small business size standard for Wired Telecommunications Carriers, which consists of all such companies having 1,500 or fewer employees.\135\ Census data for 2007 shows that there were 3,188 firms that operated that year. Of this total, 3,144 operated with less than 1,000 employees.\136\ Thus, under this size standard, the majority of firms in this industry can be considered small. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \134\ http://www.census.gov/cgi-bin/sssd/naics/naicsrch. \135\ See 13 CFR 120.201, NAICS Code 517110. \136\ http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ECN_2007_US_51SSSZ5&prodType=table. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. Local Exchange Carriers (LECs). Neither the Commission nor the SBA has developed a size standard for small businesses specifically applicable to local exchange services. The closest applicable NAICS Code category is Wired Telecommunications Carriers as defined in paragraph 6 of this FRFA. Under the applicable SBA size standard, such a business is small if it has 1,500 or fewer employees.\137\ According to Commission data, census data for 2007 shows that there were 3,188 firms that operated that year. Of this total, 3,144 operated with fewer than 1,000 employees.\138\ The Commission therefore estimates that most providers of local exchange carrier service are small entities that may be affected by the rules adopted. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \137\ 13 CFR 121.201, NAICS code 517110. \138\ http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ECN_2007_US_51SSSZ5&prodType=table. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. Incumbent LECs. Neither the Commission nor the SBA has developed a small business size standard specifically for incumbent local exchange services. The closest applicable NAICS Code category is Wired Telecommunications Carriers as defined in paragraph 6 of this FRFA. Under that size standard, such a business is small if it has 1,500 or fewer employees.\139\ According to Commission data, 3,188 firms operated in that year. Of this total, 3,144 operated [[Page 55790]] with fewer than 1,000 employees.\140\ Consequently, the Commission estimates that most providers of incumbent local exchange service are small businesses that may be affected by the rules and policies adopted. Three hundred and seven (307) Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers reported that they were incumbent local exchange service providers.\141\ Of this total, an estimated 1,006 have 1,500 or fewer employees.\142\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \139\ 13 CFR 121.201, NAICS code 517110. \140\ http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ECN_2007_US_51SSSZ5&prodType=table. \141\ See Trends in Telephone Service, Federal Communications Commission, Wireline Competition Bureau, Industry Analysis and Technology Division at Table 5.3 (Sept. 2010) (Trends in Telephone Service). \142\ Id. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4. Competitive Local Exchange Carriers (Competitive LECs), Competitive Access Providers (CAPs), Shared-Tenant Service Providers, and Other Local Service Providers. Neither the Commission nor the SBA has developed a small business size standard specifically for these service providers. The appropriate NAICS Code category is Wired Telecommunications Carriers, as defined in paragraph 6 of this FRFA. Under that size standard, such a business is small if it has 1,500 or fewer employees.\143\ U.S. Census data for 2007 indicate that 3,188 firms operated during that year. Of that number, 3,144 operated with fewer than 1,000 employees.\144\ Based on this data, the Commission concludes that the majority of Competitive LECS, CAPs, Shared-Tenant Service Providers, and Other Local Service Providers, are small entities. According to Commission data, 1,442 carriers reported that they were engaged in the provision of either competitive local exchange services or competitive access provider services.\145\ Of these 1,442 carriers, an estimated 1,256 have 1,500 or fewer employees.\146\ In addition, 17 carriers have reported that they are Shared-Tenant Service Providers, and all 17 are estimated to have 1,500 or fewer employees.\147\ Also, 72 carriers have reported that they are Other Local Service Providers.\148\ Of this total, 70 have 1,500 or fewer employees.\149\ Consequently, based on internally researched FCC data, the Commission estimates that most providers of competitive local exchange service, competitive access providers, Shared-Tenant Service Providers, and Other Local Service Providers are small entities that may be affected by the rules adopted. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \143\ 13 CFR 121.201, NAICS code 517110. \144\ http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ECN_2007_US_51SSSZ5&prodType=table. \145\ See Trends in Telephone Service, at Table 5.3. \146\ Id. \147\ Id. \148\ Id. \149\ Id. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5. Interexchange Carriers (IXCs). Neither the Commission nor the SBA has developed a definition for Interexchange Carriers. The closest NAICS Code category is Wired Telecommunications Carriers as defined in paragraph 6 of this FRFA. The applicable size standard under SBA rules is that such a business is small if it has 1,500 or fewer employees.\150\ U.S. Census data for 2007 indicates that 3,188 firms operated during that year. Of that number, 3,144 operated with fewer than 1,000 employees.\151\ According to internally developed Commission data, 359 companies reported that their primary telecommunications service activity was the provision of interexchange services.\152\ Of this total, an estimated 317 have 1,500 or fewer employees.\153\ Consequently, the Commission estimates that the majority of interexchange service providers are small entities that may be affected by the rules adopted. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \150\ 13 CFR 121.201, NAICS code 517110. \151\ http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ECN_2007_US_51SSSZ5&prodType=table. \152\ See Trends in Telephone Service, at Table 5.3. \153\ Id. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6. Prepaid Calling Card Providers. Neither the Commission nor the SBA has developed a small business size standard specifically for prepaid calling card providers. The appropriate NAICS Code category for prepaid calling card providers is Telecommunications Resellers. This industry comprises establishments engaged in purchasing access and network capacity from owners and operators of telecommunications networks and reselling wired and wireless telecommunications services (except satellite) to businesses and households. Mobile virtual networks operators (MVNOs) are included in this industry.\154\ Under the applicable SBA size standard, such a business is small if it has 1,500 or fewer employees.\155\ U.S. Census data for 2007 show that 1,523 firms provided resale services during that year. Of that number, 1,522 operated with fewer than 1,000 employees.\156\ Thus, under this category and the associated small business size standard, the majority of these prepaid calling card providers can be considered small entities. According to Commission data, 193 carriers have reported that they are engaged in the provision of prepaid calling cards.\157\ All 193 carriers have 1,500 or fewer employees.\158\ Consequently, the Commission estimates that the majority of prepaid calling card providers are small entities that may be affected by the rules adopted. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \154\ http://www.census.gov/cgi-bin/ssd/naics/naicsrch. \155\ 13 CFR 121.201, NAICS code 517911. \156\ http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ECN_2007_US_51SSSZ5&prodType=table. \157\ See Trends in Telephone Service, at Table 5.3. \158\ Id. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7. Local Resellers. The SBA has developed a small business size standard for the category of Telecommunications Resellers. Under that size standard, such a business is small if it has 1,500 or fewer employees.\159\ Census data for 2007 show that 1,523 firms provided resale services during that year. Of that number, 1,522 operated with fewer than 1,000 employees.\160\ Under this category and the associated small business size standard, the majority of these local resellers can be considered small entities. According to Commission data, 213 carriers have reported that they are engaged in the provision of local resale services.\161\ Of this total, an estimated 211 have 1,500 or fewer employees.\162\ Consequently, the Commission estimates that the majority of local resellers are small entities that may be affected by the rules adopted. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \159\ 13 CFR 121.201, NAICS code 517911. \160\ http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ECN_2007_US_51SSSZ5&prodType=table. \161\ See Trends in Telephone Service, at Table 5.3. \162\ Id. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8. Toll Resellers. The Commission has not developed a definition for Toll Resellers. The closest NAICS Code Category is Telecommunications Resellers, and the SBA has developed a small business size standard for the category of Telecommunications Resellers. Under that size standard, such a business is small if it has 1,500 or fewer employees.\163\ Census data for 2007 show that 1,523 firms provided resale services during that year. Of that number, 1,522 operated with fewer than 1,000 employees.\164\ Thus, under this category and the associated small business size standard, the majority of these resellers can be considered small entities. According to Commission data, 881 carriers have reported that they are [[Page 55791]] engaged in the provision of toll resale services.\165\ Of this total, an estimated 857 have 1,500 or fewer employees.\166\ Consequently, the Commission estimates that the majority of toll resellers are small entities that may be affected by the rules adopted. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \163\ http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ECN_2007_US_51SSSZ5&prodType=table. \164\ Id. \165\ Trends in Telephone Service, at Table 5.3. \166\ Id. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9. Other Toll Carriers. Neither the Commission nor the SBA has developed a definition for small businesses specifically applicable to Other Toll Carriers. This category includes toll carriers that do not fall within the categories of interexchange carriers, operator service providers, prepaid calling card providers, satellite service carriers, or toll resellers. The closest applicable NAICS Code category is for Wired Telecommunications Carriers as defined in paragraph 6 of this FRFA. Under the applicable SBA size standard, such a business is small if it has 1,500 or fewer employees.\167\ Census data for 2007 shows that there were 3,188 firms that operated that year. Of this total, 3,144 operated with fewer than 1,000 employees.\168\ Thus, under this category and the associated small business size standard, the majority of Other Toll Carriers can be considered small. According to internally developed Commission data, 284 companies reported that their primary telecommunications service activity was the provision of other toll carriage.\169\ Of these, an estimated 279 have 1,500 or fewer employees.\170\ Consequently, the Commission estimates that most Other Toll Carriers are small entities that may be affected by the rules and policies adopted. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \167\ 13 CFR 121.201, NAICS code 517110. \168\ http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ECN_2007_US_51SSSZ5&prodType=table. \169\ Trends in Telephone Service, at Table 5.3. \170\ Id. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10. Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite). This industry comprises establishments engaged in operating and maintaining switching and transmission facilities to provide communications via the airwaves, such as cellular services, paging services, wireless internet access, and wireless video services.\171\ The appropriate size standard under SBA rules is that such a business is small if it has 1,500 or fewer employees. For this industry, Census data for 2007 show that there were 1,383 firms that operated for the entire year. Of this total, 1,368 firms had fewer than 1,000 employees. Thus under this category and the associated size standard, the Commission estimates that the majority of wireless telecommunications carriers (except satellite) are small entities. Similarly, according to internally developed Commission data, 413 carriers reported that they were engaged in the provision of wireless telephony, including cellular service, Personal Communications Service (PCS), and Specialized Mobile Radio (SMR) services.\172\ Of this total, an estimated 261 have 1,500 or fewer employees.\173\ Consequently, the Commission estimates that approximately half of these firms can be considered small. Thus, using available data, we estimate that the majority of wireless firms can be considered small. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \171\ NAICS Code 517210. See http://www.census.gov/cgi-bin/ssd/naics/naiscsrch. \172\ Trends in Telephone Service, at Table 5.3 \173\ Id. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11. Cable Television and Other Subscription Programming.\174\ Since 2007, these services have been defined within the broad economic census category of Wired Telecommunications Carriers. That category is defined as follows: ``This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in operating andor providing access to transmission facilities and infrastructure that they own andor lease for the transmission of voice, data, text, sound, and video using wired telecommunications networks. Transmission facilities may be based on a single technology or a combination of technologies.'' \175\ The SBA has developed a small business size standard for this category, which is: All such firms having 1,500 or fewer employees.\176\ Census data for 2007 shows that there were 3,188 firms that operated that year. Of this total, 3,144 had fewer than 1,000 employees.\177\ Thus under this size standard, the majority of firms offering cable and other program distribution services can be considered small and may be affected by rules adopted. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \174\ In 2014, ``Cable and Other Subscription Programming,'' NAICS Code 515210, replaced a prior category, now obsolete, which was called ``Cable and Other Program Distribution.'' Cable and Other Program Distribution, prior to 2014, was placed under NAICS Code 517110, Wired Telecommunications Carriers. Wired Telecommunications Carriers is still a current and valid NAICS Code Category. Because of the similarity between ``Cable and Other Subscription Programming'' and ``Cable and other Program Distribution,'' we will, in this proceeding, continue to use Wired Telecommunications Carrier data based on the U.S. Census. The alternative of using data gathered under Cable and Other Subscription Programming (NAICS Code 515210) is unavailable to us for two reasons. First, the size standard established by the SBA for Cable and Other Subscription Programming is annual receipts of $38.5 million or less. Thus to use the annual receipts size standard would require the Commission either to switch from existing employee based size standard of 1,500 employees or less for Wired Telecommunications Carriers, or else would require the use of two size standards. No official approval of either option has been granted by the Commission as of the time of the release of the FY 2015 NPRM. Second, the data available under the size standard of $38.5 million dollars or less is not applicable at this time, because the only currently available U.S. Census data for annual receipts of all businesses operating in the NAICS Code category of 515210 (Cable and other Subscription Programming) consists only of total receipts for all businesses operating in this category in 2007 and of total annual receipts for all businesses operating in this category in 2012. The data do not provide any basis for determining, for either year, how many businesses were small because they had annual receipts of $38.5 million or less. See http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ECN_2012_US_51I2&prodType=table. \175\ U.S. Census Bureau, 2007 NAICS Definitions, ``517110 Wired Telecommunications Carriers'' (partial definition), (Full definition stated in paragraph 6 of this IRFA) available at http://www.census.gov/cgi-bin/sssd/naics/naicsrch. \176\ 13 CFR 121.201, NAICS code 517110. \177\ http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ECN_2007_US-51SSSZ5&prodType=Table. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12. Cable Companies and Systems. The Commission has developed its own small business size standards for the purpose of cable rate regulation. Under the Commission's rules, a ``small cable company'' is one serving 400,000 or fewer subscribers nationwide.\178\ Industry data indicate that there are currently 4,600 active cable systems in the United States.\179\ Of this total, all but ten cable operators nationwide are small under the 400,000-subscriber size standard.\180\ In addition, under the Commission's rate regulation rules, a ``small system'' is a cable system serving 15,000 or fewer subscribers.\181\ Current Commission records show 4,600 cable systems nationwide.\182\ Of this total, 3,900 cable systems have less than 15,000 subscribers, and 700 systems have 15,000 or more subscribers, based on the same records.\183\ Thus, under this standard as well, we estimate that most cable systems are small entities. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \178\ 47 CFR 76.901(e). \179\ August 15, 2015 Report from the Media Bureau based on data contained in the Commission's Cable Operations And Licensing System (COALS). See www/fcc.gov/coals. \180\ See SNL KAGAN at Https://snl.cominteractiveX_top_cable_MSOs_aspx?period2015Q1&sortcol=subscribersbasic&sortorder=desc. \181\ 47 CFR 76.901(c) \182\ See footnote 2, supra. \183\ August 5, 2015 report from the Media Bureau based on its research in COALS. See www.fcc.gov/coals. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13. Cable System Operators (Telecom Act Standard). The Communications Act of 1934, as amended, also contains a size standard for small cable system operators, which is ``a cable operator that, directly or through an affiliate, serves in the aggregate fewer than 1 percent of all subscribers in the United States and is not affiliated with any entity or entities whose gross annual [[Page 55792]] revenues in the aggregate exceed $250,000,000.'' \184\ There are approximately 52,403,705 cable video subscribers in the United States today.\185\ Accordingly, an operator serving fewer than 524,037 subscribers shall be deemed a small operator if its annual revenues, when combined with the total annual revenues of all its affiliates, do not exceed $250 million in the aggregate.\186\ Based on available data, we find that all but nine incumbent cable operators are small entities under this size standard.\187\ We note that the Commission neither requests nor collects information on whether cable system operators are affiliated with entities whose gross annual revenues exceed $250 million.\188\ Although it seems certain that some of these cable system operators are affiliated with entities whose gross annual revenues exceed $250,000,000, we are unable at this time to estimate with greater precision the number of cable system operators that would qualify as small cable operators under the definition in the Communications Act. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \184\ 47 CFR 901 (f) and notes ff. 1, 2, and 3. \185\ See SNL KAGAN at htpps://www.snl.com/interactivex/MultichannelIndustryBenchmarks.aspx. \186\ 47.901(f) and notes ff. 1, 2, and 3. \187\ See SNL KAGAN at www.snl.com/Interactivex/TopCable MSOs.aspx \188\ The Commission does receive such information on a case-by- case basis if a cable operator appeals a local franchise authority's finding that the operator does not qualify as a small cable operator pursuant to 76.901(f) of the Commission's rules. See 47 CFR 76.901(f). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14. All Other Telecommunications. ``All Other Telecommunications'' is defined as follows: This U.S. industry is comprised of establishments that are primarily engaged in providing specialized telecommunications services, such as satellite tracking, communications telemetry, and radar station operation. This industry also includes establishments primarily engaged in providing satellite terminal stations and associated facilities connected with one or more terrestrial systems and capable of transmitting telecommunications to, and receiving telecommunications from, satellite systems. Establishments providing Internet services or voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) services via client-supplied telecommunications connections are also included in this industry.\189\ The SBA has developed a small business size standard for ``All Other Telecommunications,'' which consists of all such firms with gross annual receipts of $32.5 million or less.\190\ For this category, census data for 2007 show that there were 2,383 firms that operated for the entire year. Of these firms, a total of 2,346 had gross annual receipts of less than $25 million.\191\ Thus, a majority of ``All Other Telecommunications'' firms potentially affected by the rules adopted can be considered small. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \189\ http://www.census.gov/cgi-bin/ssssd/naics/naicsrch. \190\ 13 CFR 121.201; NAICS Code 517919. \191\ http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ECN_2007_US_51SSSZ5&prodType=table. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- D. Description of Projected Reporting, Recordkeeping and Other Compliance Requirements 15. This Report and Order does not adopt any new reporting, recordkeeping, or other compliance requirements. E. Steps Taken To Minimize Significant Economic Impact on Small Entities, and Significant Alternatives Considered 16. The RFA requires an agency to describe any significant alternatives that it has considered in reaching its approach, which may include the following four alternatives, among others: (1) The establishment of differing compliance or reporting requirements or timetables that take into account the resources available to small entities; (2) the clarification, consolidation, or simplification of compliance or reporting requirements under the rule for small entities; (3) the use of performance, rather than design, standards; and (4) an exemption from coverage of the rule, or any part thereof, for small entities.\192\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \192\ 5 U.S.C. 603(c)(1) through (c)(4). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 17. This Report and Order does not adopt any new reporting requirements. Therefore no adverse economic impact on small entities will be sustained based on reporting requirements. There will be a regulatory fee instituted on DBS providers due to the adoption of a new fee category, but we anticipate that the two primary DBS companies required to pay these fees are not small entities. Similarly, a new regulatory fee for Responsible Organizations (Resp. Org) has also been instituted in FY 2015 for the toll free number fee category that was previously adopted--the fee rate adopted is 12 cents per year. This is not a new reporting requirement, and should not have any adverse economic impact on small Resp. Org. entities because they are able to recover these assessed fees from their customers. 18. In keeping with the requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, we have considered certain alternative means of mitigating the effects of fee increases to a particular industry segment. For example, beginning in FY 2015 the Commission has increased the de minimis threshold from under $10 to $500 (the total of all regulatory fees), which will impact many small entities that pay regulatory fees for ITSP, paging, cellular, cable, and Low Power Television/FM Translators. Historically, many of these small entities have been late in making their fee payments to the Commission by the due date. This increase in the de minimis threshold to $500 will relieve regulatees both financially and administratively. Finally, regulatees may also seek waivers or other relief on the basis of financial hardship. See 47 CFR 1.1166. F. Federal Rules That May Duplicate, Overlap, or Conflict 19. None. VIII. Ordering Clauses 20. Accordingly, it is ordered that, pursuant to sections 4(i) and (j), 9, and 303(r) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. 154(i), 154(j), 159, and 303(r), this Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking is hereby adopted. 21. It is further ordered that, as provided in paragraph 41, this Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking shall be effective September 17, 2015. 22. It is further ordered that the Commission's Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau, Reference Information Center, shall send a copy of this Report and Order, including the Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis, to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration. Federal Communications Commission. Marlene H. Dortch. Secretary. List of Subjects in 47 CFR Part 1 Administrative practice and procedure. Lawyers, Metric system, Penalties, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Telecommunications. Rule Changes For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Federal Communications Commission amends 47 CFR, part 1 as follows: PART 1--PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE 0 1. The authority citation for part 1 continues to read as follows: Authority: 15 U.S.C. 79, et seq.; 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 154(j), 155, 157, 160, 201, 225, 227, 303, 309, 332, 1403, 1404, 1451, 1452, and 1455. 0 2. Section 1.1152 is revised to read as follows: [[Page 55793]] Sec. 1.1152 Schedule of annual regulatory fees for wireless radio services. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Exclusive use services (per license) Fee amount \1\ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1. Land Mobile (Above 470 MHz and 220 MHz Local, Base Station & SMRS) (47 CFR part 90): (a) New, Renew/Mod (FCC 601 & 159).................. $30.00 (b) New, Renew/Mod (Electronic Filing) (FCC 601 & 30.00 159)............................................... (c) Renewal Only (FCC 601 & 159).................... 30.00 (d) Renewal Only (Electronic Filing) (FCC 601 & 159) 30.00 220 MHz Nationwide: (a) New, Renew/Mod (FCC 601 & 159).................. 30.00 (b) New, Renew/Mod (Electronic Filing) (FCC 601 & 30.00 159)............................................... (c) Renewal Only (FCC 601 & 159).................... 30.00 (d) Renewal Only (Electronic Filing) (FCC 601 & 159) 30.00 2. Microwave (47 CFR part 101) (Private): (a) New, Renew/Mod (FCC 601 & 159).................. 20.00 (b) New, Renew/Mod (Electronic Filing) (FCC 601 & 20.00 159)............................................... (c) Renewal Only (FCC 601 & 159).................... 20.00 (d) Renewal Only (Electronic Filing) (FCC 601 & 159) 20.00 3. Shared Use Services: Land Mobile (Frequencies Below 470 MHz--except 220 MHz): (a) New, Renew/Mod (FCC 601 & 159).................. 10.00 (b) New, Renew/Mod (Electronic Filing) (FCC 601 & 10.00 159)............................................... (c) Renewal Only (FCC 601 & 159).................... 10.00 (d) Renewal Only (Electronic Filing) (FCC 601 & 159) 10.00 Rural Radio (Part 22): (a) New, Additional Facility, Major Renew/Mod 10.00 (Electronic Filing) (FCC 601 & 159)................ (b) Renewal, Minor Renew/Mod (Electronic Filing) 10.00 (FCC 601 & 159).................................... Marine Coast: (a) New Renewal/Mod (FCC 601 & 159)................. 35.00 (b) New, Renewal/Mod (Electronic Filing) (FCC 601 & 35.00 159)............................................... (c) Renewal Only (FCC 601 & 159).................... 35.00 (d) Renewal Only (Electronic Filing) (FCC 601 & 159) 35.00 Aviation Ground: (a) New, Renewal/Mod (FCC 601 & 159)................ 20.00 (b) New, Renewal/Mod (Electronic Filing) (FCC 601 & 20.00 159)............................................... (c) Renewal Only (FCC 601 & 159).................... 20.00 (d) Renewal Only (Electronic Only) (FCC 601 & 159).. 20.00 Marine Ship: (a) New, Renewal/Mod (FCC 605 & 159)................ 15.00 (b) New, Renewal/Mod (Electronic Filing) (FCC 605 & 15.00 159)............................................... (c) Renewal Only (FCC 605 & 159).................... 15.00 (d) Renewal Only (Electronic Filing) (FCC 605 & 159) 15.00 Aviation Aircraft: (a) New, Renew/Mod (FCC 605 & 159).................. 10.00 (b) New, Renew/Mod (Electronic Filing) (FCC 605 & 10.00 159)............................................... (c) Renewal Only (FCC 605 & 159).................... 10.00 (d) Renewal Only (Electronic Filing) (FCC 605 & 159) 10.00 4. CMRS Cellular/Mobile Services (per unit) (FCC 159)... \2\ .17 5. CMRS Messaging Services (per unit) (FCC 159)......... \3\ .08 6. Broadband Radio Service (formerly MMDS and MDS) 635 7. Local Multipoint Distribution Service................ 635 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 0 3. Section 1.1153 is revised to read as follows: --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ Note that ``small fees'' are collected in advance for the entire license term. Therefore, the annual fee amount shown in this table that is a small fee (categories 1 through 5) must be multiplied by the 5- or 10-year license term, as appropriate, to arrive at the total amount of regulatory fees owed. Also, application fees may apply as detailed in Sec. 1.1102. of this chapter. \2\ These are standard fees that are to be paid in accordance with Sec. 1.1157(b) of this chapter. \3\ These are standard fees that are to be paid in accordance with 1.1157(b) of this chapter. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sec. 1.1153 Schedule of annual regulatory fees and filing locations for mass media services. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Fee amount ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Radio [AM and FM] (47 CFR part 73): 1. AM Class A: <=25,000 population............................. $775 25,001-75,000 population........................ 1,550 75,001-150,000 population....................... 2,325 150,001-500,000 population...................... 3,475 [[Page 55794]] 500,001-1,200,000 population.................... 5,025 1,200,001-3,000,000 population.................. 7,750 >3,000,000 population........................... 9,300 2. AM Class B: <=25,000 population............................. 645 25,001-75,000 population........................ 1,300 75,001-150,000 population....................... 1,625 150,001-500,000 population...................... 2,750 500,001-1,200,000 population.................... 4,225 1,200,001-3,000,000 population.................. 6,500 >3,000,000 population........................... 7,800 3. AM Class C: <=25,000 population............................. 590 25,001-75,000 population........................ 900 75,001-150,000 population....................... 1,200 150,001-500,000 population...................... 1,800 500,001-1,200,000 population.................... 3,000 1,200,001-3,000,000 population.................. 4,500 >3,000,000 population........................... 5,700 4. AM Class D: <=25,000 population............................. 670 25,001-75,000 population........................ 1,000 75,001-150,000 population....................... 1,675 150,001-500,000 population...................... 2,025 500,001-1,200,000 population.................... 3,375 1,200,001-3,000,000 population.................. 5,400 >3,000,000 population........................... 6,750 5. AM Construction Permit........................... 590 6. FM Classes A, B1 and C3: <=25,000 population............................. 750 25,001-75,000 population........................ 1,500 75,001-150,000 population....................... 2,050 150,001-500,000 population...................... 3,175 500,001-1,200,000 population.................... 5,050 1,200,001-3,000,000 population.................. 8,250 >3,000,000 population........................... 10,500 7. FM Classes B, C, C0, C1 and C2: <=25,000 population............................. 925 25,001-75,000 population........................ 1,625 75,001-150,000 population....................... 3,000 150,001-500,000 population...................... 3,925 500,001-1,200,000 population.................... 5,775 1,200,001-3,000,000 population.................. 9,250 >3,000,000 population........................... 12,025 8. FM Construction Permits.......................... 750 TV (47 CFR part 73) Digital TV (UHF and VHF Commercial Stations): 1. Markets 1 thru 10................................ 46,825 2. Markets 11 thru 25............................... 43,200 3. Markets 26 thru 50............................... 27,625 4. Markets 51 thru 100.............................. 16,275 5. Remaining Markets................................ 4,850 6. Construction Permits............................. 4,850 Satellite UHF/VHF Commercial: 1. All Markets...................................... 1,575 Low Power TV, Class A TV, TV/FM Translator, & TV/FM 440 Booster (47 CFR part 74)............................... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 0 4. Section 1.1154 is revised to read as follows: Sec. 1.1154 Schedule of annual regulatory charges for common carrier services. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Fee amount ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Radio Facilities: 1. Microwave (Domestic Public Fixed) $20.00. (Electronic Filing) (FCC Form 601 & 159). Carriers: 1. Interstate Telephone Service $.00331. Providers (per interstate and international end-user revenues (see FCC Form 499-A). 2. Toll Free Number Fee.............. .12 per Toll Free Number. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [[Page 55795]] 0 5. Section 1.1155 is revised to read as follows: Sec. 1.1155 Schedule of regulatory fees for cable television services. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Fee amount ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1. Cable Television Relay Service........ $660. 2. Cable TV System, Including IPTV (per 0.96. subscriber). 3. Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS)...... $.12 per subscriber. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 0 6. Section 1.1156 is revised to read as follows: Sec. 1.1156 Schedule of regulatory fees for international services. (a) The following schedule applies for the listed services: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Fee category Fee amount ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Space Stations (Geostationary Orbit).................... $119,150 Space Stations (Non-Geostationary Orbit)................ 132,125 Earth Stations: Transmit/Receive & Transmit only (per 310 authorization or registration)......................... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ (b) International Terrestrial and Satellite. Regulatory fees for International Bearer Circuits are to be paid by facilities-based common carriers that have active (used or leased) international bearer circuits as of December 31 of the prior year in any terrestrial or satellite transmission facility for the provision of service to an end user or resale carrier, which includes active circuits to themselves or to their affiliates. In addition, non-common carrier satellite operators must pay a fee for each circuit sold or leased to any customer, including themselves or their affiliates, other than an international common carrier authorized by the Commission to provide U.S. international common carrier services. ``Active circuits'' for these purposes include backup and redundant circuits. In addition, whether circuits are used specifically for voice or data is not relevant in determining that they are active circuits. The fee amount, per active 64 KB circuit or equivalent will be determined for each fiscal year. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ International terrestrial and satellite (capacity as of December 31, 2014) Fee amount ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Terrestrial Common Carrier Satellite $0.03 per 64 KB Circuit. Common Carrier Satellite Non-Common Carrier. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ (c) Submarine cable: Regulatory fees for submarine cable systems will be paid annually, per cable landing license, for all submarine cable systems operating as of December 31 of the prior year. The fee amount will be determined by the Commission for each fiscal year. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Submarine cable systems (capacity as of December 31, 2014) Fee amount ------------------------------------------------------------------------ <2.5 Gbps............................................... $7,175 2.5 Gbps or greater, but less than 5 Gbps............... 14,350 5 Gbps or greater, but less than 10 Gbps................ 28,675 10 Gbps or greater, but less than 20 Gbps............... 57,350 20 Gbps or greater...................................... 114,700 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [FR Doc. 2015-23312 Filed 9-16-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6712-01-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 180 / Thursday, September 17, 2015 / Rules and Regulations 55775
Date certain
Federal
Effective date authorization/
Community Current effective assistance no
State and location cancellation of sale of flood
No. map date longer
insurance in community available
in SFHAs
Hampstead, Town of, Carroll County .... 240090 November 27, 1973, Emerg; January 7, ......do ............... Do.
1983, Reg; October 2, 2015, Susp
Manchester, Town of, Carroll County ... 240107 July 27, 2006, Emerg; N/A, Reg; October 2, ......do ............... Do.
2015, Susp
Mount Airy, Town of, Carroll and Fred- 240200 N/A, Emerg; May 27, 2014, Reg; October 2, ......do ............... Do.
erick Counties. 2015, Susp
New Windsor, Town of, Carroll County 240149 August 5, 1975, Emerg; February 16, 1979, ......do ............... Do.
Reg; October 2, 2015, Susp
Sykesville, Town of, Carroll County ...... 240016 May 1, 1973, Emerg; September 30, 1977, ......do ............... Do.
Reg; October 2, 2015, Susp
Union Bridge, Town of, Carroll County 240017 April 16, 1973, Emerg; August 1, 1977, ......do ............... Do.
Reg; October 2, 2015, Susp
Westminster, City of, Carroll County ..... 240018 June 25, 1973, Emerg; December 1, 1977, ......do ............... Do.
Reg; October 2, 2015, Susp
Region V
Wisconsin:
Prairie du Sac, Village of, Sauk County 550401 September 29, 2000, Emerg; March 7, ......do ............... Do.
2001, Reg; October 2, 2015, Susp
Reedsburg, City of, Sauk County .......... 550402 May 21, 1975, Emerg; March 4, 1985, Reg; ......do ............... Do.
October 2, 2015, Susp
Sauk City, Village of, Sauk County ....... 550404 May 7, 1975, Emerg; March 7, 2001, Reg; ......do ............... Do.
October 2, 2015, Susp
Sauk County Unincorporated Areas ...... 550391 September 7, 1973, Emerg; September 17, ......do ............... Do.
1980, Reg; October 2, 2015, Susp
Region VII
Nebraska:
Bloomfield, City of, Knox County .......... 310351 N/A, Emerg; June 18, 2007, Reg; October ......do ............... Do.
2, 2015, Susp
Crofton, City of, Knox County ............... 310361 July 9, 1976, Emerg; September 1, 1986, ......do ............... Do.
Reg; October 2, 2015, Susp
Knox County Unincorporated Areas ...... 310451 N/A, Emerg; November 14, 2005, Reg; Oc- ......do ............... Do.
tober 2, 2015, Susp
*-do- = Ditto.
Code for reading third column: Emerg.—Emergency; Reg.—Regular; Susp—Suspnsion.
Dated: August 31, 2015. Act of 1934, as amended, provides for Commission has prepared a Final
Roy E. Wright, the annual assessment and collection of Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (FRFA)
Deputy Associate Administrator, Federal regulatory fees under sections 9(b)(2) relating to this Report and Order. The
Insurance and Mitigation Administration, and 9(b)(3), respectively, for annual FRFA is contained towards the end of
Department of Homeland Security, Federal ‘‘Mandatory Adjustments’’ and this document.
Emergency Management Agency. ‘‘Permitted Amendments’’ to the
B. Final Paperwork Reduction Act of
[FR Doc. 2015–23303 Filed 9–16–15; 8:45 am] Schedule of Regulatory Fees.
1995 Analysis
BILLING CODE 9110–12–P DATES: Effective September 17, 2015. To
avoid penalties and interest, regulatory 2. This document does not contain
fees should be paid by the due date of new or modified information collection
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS September 24, 2015. requirements subject to the Paperwork
COMMISSION FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), Public
Roland Helvajian, Office of Managing Law 104–13. In addition, therefore, it
47 CFR Part 1 Director at (202) 418–0444. does not contain any new or modified
information collection burden for small
[MD Docket No. 15–121; FCC 15–108] SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a
business concerns with fewer than 25
summary of the Commission’s Report
employees, pursuant to the Small
Assessment and Collection of and Order (R&O), FCC 15–108, MD
Docket No. 15–121, adopted on Business Paperwork Relief Act of 2002,
Regulatory Fees for Fiscal Year 2015 Public Law 107–198, see 44 U.S.C.
September 1, 2015 and released on
AGENCY: Federal Communications September 2, 2015. 3506(c)(4).
Commission. C. Congressional Review Act
I. Administrative Matters
ACTION: Final rule.
3. The Commission will send a copy
A. Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES
SUMMARY: In this document the of this Report and Order to Congress
1. As required by the Regulatory and the Government Accountability
Commission revises its Schedule of
Flexibility Act of 1980 (RFA),1 the
Regulatory Fees to recover an amount of
(SBREFA), Public Law 104–121, Title II, 110 Stat.
$339,844,000 that Congress has required 1 See5 U.S.C. 603. The RFA, see 5 U.S.C. 601– 847 (1996). The SBREFA was enacted as Title II of
the Commission to collect for fiscal year 612, has been amended by the Small Business the Contract with America Advancement Act of
2015. Section 9 of the Communications Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 1996 (CWAAA).
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Federal Register. Because payments of persons affected by this Report and thereby comply with the rules
the regulatory fees will not actually be Order will still have a reasonable period established herein.
due until the middle of September, in which to make their payments and VI. Additional Tables
TABLE A
Commenter Abbreviation
List of Commenters—Initial Comments
ARSO Radio Corporation ........................................................................................................................................ ARSO.
Aviation Spectrum Resources, Inc., Airlines for America, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Delta Airlines, Aviation Joint Commenters.
Harris Corporation, Rockwell-Collins Information Management Services, Southwest Airlines Co., The Boeing
Company, and SITA OnAir.
DIRECTV, LLC ......................................................................................................................................................... DIRECTV.
DISH Network, L.L.C. .............................................................................................................................................. DISH.
EchoStar Satellite Operating Corporation and Hughes Network Systems, LLC .................................................... EchoStar.
Intelsat Licensee, LLC ............................................................................................................................................. Intelsat.
ITTA—The Voice of Mid-Size Communications Companies ................................................................................... ITTA.
National Association of Broadcasters ...................................................................................................................... NAB.
National Cable & Telecommunications Association and the American Cable Association .................................... NCTA & ACA.
North American Submarine Cable Association ....................................................................................................... NASCA.
Puerto Rico Broadcasters Association, International Broadcasting Corporation, Eastern Television Corporation, PRBA.
America-CV Stations Group, Inc., R & F Broadcasting, Inc..
Satellite Industry Association ................................................................................................................................... SIA.
Submarine Cable Coalition ...................................................................................................................................... Coalition.
List of Commenters—Reply Comments
CTIA—The Wireless Association® .......................................................................................................................... CTIA.
DIRECTV, LLC ......................................................................................................................................................... DIRECTV.
DISH Network, L.L.C ............................................................................................................................................... DISH.
EchoStar Satellite Operating Corporation and Hughes Network Systems, LLC .................................................... EchoStar.
National Cable & Telecommunications Association and the American Cable Association .................................... NCTA & ACA.
North American Submarine Cable Association ....................................................................................................... NASCA.
SES Americom, Inc., Inmarsat, Inc., Telesat Canada ............................................................................................. Satellite Parties.
Submarine Cable Coalition ...................................................................................................................................... Coalition.
TABLE B—CALCULATION OF FY 2015 REVENUE REQUIREMENTS AND PRO-RATA FEES
[The first seven regulatory fees listed below are collected by the Commission in advance to cover the term of the license and are submitted at
the time the application is filed.]
FY 2014 Pro-rated FY Rounded Expected
Computed FY 2015
Fee category FY 2015 payment units Years revenue 2015 revenue FY 2015 FY 2015
regulatory fee
estimate requirement regulatory fee revenue
PLMRS (Exclusive Use) .................... 1,820 10 595,000 589,899 32 30 546,000
PLMRS (Shared use) ........................ 31,000 10 3,000,000 2,822,788 9 10 3,100,000
Microwave ......................................... 12,600 10 2,550,000 2,780,552 22 20 2,520,000
Marine (Ship) ..................................... 6,300 10 780,000 927,085 15 15 945,000
Aviation (Aircraft) ............................... 4,200 10 420,000 420,954 10 10 420,000
Marine (Coast) .................................. 490 10 165,000 168,241 34 35 171,500
Aviation (Ground) .............................. 900 10 153,000 168,241 19 20 180,000
AM Class A 4 ..................................... 65 1 274,700 280,935 4,322 4,325 281,125
AM Class B 4 ..................................... 1,505 1 3,410,900 3,483,012 2,314 2,325 3,499,125
AM Class C 4 ..................................... 889 1 1,212,750 1,245,750 1,401 1,400 1,244,600
AM Class D 4 ..................................... 1,492 1 4,033,300 4,120,475 2,762 2,750 4,103,000
FM Classes A, B1 & C3 4 ................. 3,132 1 8,466,575 8,641,905 2,759 2,700 8,613,000
FM Classes B, C, C0, C1 & C2 4 ...... 3,143 1 10,437,175 10,595,484 3,371 3,375 10,607,625
AM Construction Permits 1 ................ 29 1 17,700 17,110 590 590 17,110
FM Construction Permits 1 ................ 182 1 138,750 136,500 750 750 136,500
Satellite TV ........................................ 127 1 196,850 199,675 1,572 1,575 200,025
Digital TV Markets 1–10 ................... 134 1 6,161,700 6,274,824 46,827 46,825 6,274,550
Digital TV Markets 11–25 ................. 137 1 5,809,800 5,918,646 43,202 43,200 5,918,400
Digital TV Markets 26–50 ................. 181 1 4,909,450 5,001,220 27,631 27,625 5,00,125
Digital TV Markets 51–100 ............... 283 1 4,524,000 4,608,775 16,285 16,275 4,605,825
Digital TV Remaining Markets .......... 379 1 1,805,000 1,834,853 4,841 4,850 1,838,150
Digital TV Construction Permits 1 ...... 2 1 23,750 9,700 4,850 4,850 9,700
LPTV/Translators/Boosters/Class A
TV .................................................. 3,640 1 1,570,300 1,592,900 438 440 1,601,600
CARS Stations .................................. 300 1 196,625 197,876 660 660 198,000
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Cable TV Systems, including IPTV ... 64,500,000 1 64,746,000 61,618,439 .955532 .96 61,920,000
Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) ....... 34,000,000 1 ........................ 4,115,811 .1211 .12 4,080,000
Interstate Telecommunication Serv-
ice Providers .................................. $38,800,000,000 1 131,369,000 128,607,682 0.0033146 0.00331 128,428,000
Toll Free Numbers ............................ 36,500,000 1 ........................ 4,419,018 0.12069 0.12 4,380,000
CMRS Mobile Services (Cellular/
Public Mobile) ................................ 354,000,000 1 60,300,000 60,506,881 0.1737 0.17 60,180,000
CMRS Messag. Services .................. 2,600,000 1 232,000 208,000 0.0800 0.080 208,000
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TABLE B—CALCULATION OF FY 2015 REVENUE REQUIREMENTS AND PRO-RATA FEES—Continued
[The first seven regulatory fees listed below are collected by the Commission in advance to cover the term of the license and are submitted at
the time the application is filed.]
FY 2014 Pro-rated FY Rounded Expected
Computed FY 2015
Fee category FY 2015 payment units Years revenue 2015 revenue FY 2015 FY 2015
regulatory fee
estimate requirement regulatory fee revenue
BRS 2 ................................................. 890 1 643,500 564,064 634 635 565,150
LMDS ................................................ 375 1 135,850 237,667 634 635 238,125
Per 64 kbps Int’l Bearer Circuits ....... 21,900,000 1 941,640 658,593 .0301 .03 657,000
Terrestrial (Common) & Satellite
(Common & Non-Common) 5 ...................................... .......... ........................ ........................ ................................ ............................ ........................
Submarine Cable Providers (see
chart in Appendix C) 3 5 .................. 40.563 1 6,586,731 4,652,639 114,702 114,700 4,652,576
Earth Stations 5 ................................. 3,300 1 1,003,000 1,022,890 310 310 1,023,000
Space Stations (Geostationary) 5 ...... 96 1 11,505,600 11,437,435 119,140 119,150 11,438,400
Space Stations (Non-Geo-
stationary) 5 .................................... 6 1 797,100 792,693 132,116 132,125 792,750
****** Total Estimated Revenue
to be Collected ....................... ...................................... .......... 339,847,246 341,879,214 ................................ ............................ 340,593,961
****** Total Revenue Require-
ment ........................................ ...................................... .......... 339,844,000 339,844,000 ................................ ............................ 339,844,000
Difference ............................ ...................................... .......... 3,246 2,035,214 ................................ ............................ 749,961
Notes on Table B
1 The AM and FM Construction Permit revenues and the Digital (VHF/UHF) Construction Permit revenues were adjusted, respectively, to set the regulatory fee to
an amount no higher than the lowest licensed fee for that class of service. Reductions in the Digital (VHF/UHF) Construction Permit revenues were also offset by in-
creases in the revenue totals for various Digital television stations by market size, respectively.
2 MDS/MMDS category was renamed Broadband Radio Service (BRS). See Amendment of Parts 1, 21, 73, 74 and 101 of the Commission’s Rules to Facilitate the
Provision of Fixed and Mobile Broadband Access, Educational and Other Advanced Services in the 2150–2162 and 2500–2690 MHz Bands, Report & Order and Fur-
ther Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 19 FCC Rcd 14165, 14169, para. 6 (2004).
3 The chart at the end of Table C lists the submarine cable bearer circuit regulatory fees (common and non-common carrier basis) that resulted from the adoption of
the FY 2008 Further Notice, 24 FCC Rcd 6388 and the Submarine Cable Order, 24 FCC Rcd 4208.
4 The fee amounts listed in the column entitled ‘‘Rounded New FY 2015 Regulatory Fee’’ constitute a weighted average media regulatory fee by class of service.
The actual FY 2015 regulatory fees for AM/FM radio station are listed on a grid located at the end of Table C.
5 As a continuation of our regulatory fee reform for the submarine cable and bearer circuit fee categories, the allocation percentage for these two categories, in rela-
tion to the satellite (GSO and NGSO) and earth station fee categories, was reduced by approximately 7.5 per cent proportionally between the submarine cable and
bearer circuit fee categories. This allocation reduction of 7.5 per cent resulted in an increase in the allocation for the satellite and earth station fee categories. In addi-
tion, four (4) International Bureau FTEs were changed from ‘‘direct’’ to ‘‘indirect’’, thereby reducing the International Bureau’s overall FTE allocation percentage.
TABLE C—FY 2015 SCHEDULE OF REGULATORY FEES
[The first eight regulatory fees listed below are collected by the Commission in advance to cover the term of the license and are submitted at the
time the application is filed.]
Annual
Fee category regulatory fee
(U.S. $’s)
PLMRS (per license) (Exclusive Use) (47 CFR part 90) .............................................................................................................. 30
Microwave (per license) (47 CFR part 101) .................................................................................................................................. 20
Marine (Ship) (per station) (47 CFR part 80) ................................................................................................................................ 15
Marine (Coast) (per license) (47 CFR part 80) ............................................................................................................................. 35
Rural Radio (47 CFR part 22) (previously listed under the Land Mobile category) ..................................................................... 10
PLMRS (Shared Use) (per license) (47 CFR part 90) .................................................................................................................. 10
Aviation (Aircraft) (per station) (47 CFR part 87) .......................................................................................................................... 10
Aviation (Ground) (per license) (47 CFR part 87) ......................................................................................................................... 20
CMRS Mobile/Cellular Services (per unit) (47 CFR parts 20, 22, 24, 27, 80 and 90) ................................................................. .17
CMRS Messaging Services (per unit) (47 CFR parts 20, 22, 24 and 90) .................................................................................... .08
Broadband Radio Service (formerly MMDS/MDS) (per license) (47 CFR part 27) ...................................................................... 635
Local Multipoint Distribution Service (per call sign) (47 CFR, part 101) ...................................................................................... 635
AM Radio Construction Permits .................................................................................................................................................... 590
FM Radio Construction Permits .................................................................................................................................................... 750
Digital TV (47 CFR part 73) VHF and UHF Commercial:
Markets 1–10 .......................................................................................................................................................................... 46,825
Markets 11–25 ........................................................................................................................................................................ 43,200
Markets 26–50 ........................................................................................................................................................................ 27,625
Markets 51–100 ...................................................................................................................................................................... 16,275
Remaining Markets ................................................................................................................................................................. 4,850
Construction Permits .............................................................................................................................................................. 4,850
Satellite Television Stations (All Markets) ..................................................................................................................................... 1,575
Low Power TV, Class A TV, TV/FM Translators & Boosters (47 CFR part 74) ........................................................................... 440
CARS (47 CFR part 78) ................................................................................................................................................................ 660
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Cable Television Systems (per subscriber) (47 CFR part 76), Including IPTV ............................................................................ .96
Direct Broadcast Service (DBS) (per subscriber) (as defined by section 602(13) of the Act) ..................................................... .12
Interstate Telecommunication Service Providers (per revenue dollar) ......................................................................................... .00331
Toll Free (per toll free subscriber) (47 C.F.R. section 52.101 (f) of the rules) ............................................................................. .12
Earth Stations (47 CFR part 25) ................................................................................................................................................... 310
Space Stations (per operational station in geostationary orbit) (47 CFR part 25) also includes DBS Service (per operational
station) (47 CFR part 100) ......................................................................................................................................................... 119,150
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TABLE C—FY 2015 SCHEDULE OF REGULATORY FEES—Continued
[The first eight regulatory fees listed below are collected by the Commission in advance to cover the term of the license and are submitted at the
time the application is filed.]
Annual
Fee category regulatory fee
(U.S. $’s)
Space Stations (per operational system in non-geostationary orbit) (47 CFR part 25) ............................................................... 132,125
International Bearer Circuits—Terrestrial/Satellites (per 64KB circuit) ......................................................................................... .03
Submarine Cable Landing Licenses Fee (per cable system) ....................................................................................................... See Table Below
FY 2015 SCHEDULE OF REGULATORY FEES:
[Continued]
FY 2015 RADIO STATION REGULATORY FEES
FM Classes
FM Classes
Population served AM Class A AM Class B AM Class C AM Class D B, C, C0, C1
A, B1 & C3 & C2
<=25,000 .................................................. $775 $645 $590 $670 $750 $925
25,001–75,000 ......................................... 1,550 1,300 900 1,000 1,500 1,625
75,001–150,000 ....................................... 2,325 1,625 1,200 1,675 2,050 3,000
150,001–500,000 ..................................... 3,475 2,750 1,800 2,025 3,175 3,925
500,001–1,200,000 .................................. 5,025 4,225 3,000 3,375 5,050 5,775
1,200,001–3,000,00 ................................. 7,750 6,500 4,500 5,400 8,250 9,250
>3,000,000 ............................................... 9,300 7,800 5,700 6,750 10,500 12,025
FY 2015 SCHEDULE OF REGULATORY FEES
[International Bearer Circuits—Submarine Cable.]
Submarine Cable Systems Fee
(capacity as of December 31, 2014) amount
<2.5 Gbps ............................................................................................................................................................................................ $7,175
2.5 Gbps or greater, but less than 5 Gbps ......................................................................................................................................... 14,350
5 Gbps or greater, but less than 10 Gbps .......................................................................................................................................... 28,675
10 Gbps or greater, but less than 20 Gbps ........................................................................................................................................ 57,350
20 Gbps or greater .............................................................................................................................................................................. 114,700
Table D—Sources of Payment Unit System (CDBS) and Cable Operations payment units cannot yet be estimated
Estimates for FY 2015 and Licensing System (COALS), as well with sufficient accuracy. These include
as reports generated within the an unknown number of waivers and/or
In order to calculate individual Commission such as the Wireless exemptions that may occur in FY 2015
service fees for FY 2015, we adjusted FY Telecommunications Bureau’s and the fact that, in many services, the
2014 payment units for each service to Numbering Resource Utilization number of actual licensees or station
more accurately reflect expected FY Forecast report. operators fluctuates from time to time
2015 payment liabilities. We obtained We sought verification for these due to economic, technical, or other
our updated estimates through a variety estimates from multiple sources and, in reasons. When we note, for example,
of means. For example, we used all cases, we compared FY 2015 that our estimated FY 2015 payment
Commission licensee data bases, actual estimates with actual FY 2014 payment units are based on FY 2014 actual
prior year payment records and industry units to ensure that our revised payment units, it does not necessarily
and trade association projections when estimates were reasonable. Where mean that our FY 2015 projection is
available. The databases we consulted appropriate, we adjusted and/or exactly the same number as in FY 2014.
include our Universal Licensing System rounded our final estimates to take into We have either rounded the FY 2015
(ULS), International Bureau Filing consideration the fact that certain number or adjusted it slightly to account
System (IBFS), Consolidated Database variables that impact on the number of for these variables.
Fee category Sources of payment unit estimates
Land Mobile (All), Microwave, Marine (Ship & Coast), Based on Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (WTB) projections of new applica-
Aviation (Aircraft & Ground), Domestic Public Fixed. tions and renewals taking into consideration existing Commission licensee data
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bases. Aviation (Aircraft) and Marine (Ship) estimates have been adjusted to take
into consideration the licensing of portions of these services on a voluntary basis.
CMRS Cellular/Mobile Services ......................................... Based on WTB projection reports, and FY 14 payment data.
CMRS Messaging Services ............................................... Based on WTB reports, and FY 14 payment data.
AM/FM Radio Stations ....................................................... Based on CDBS data, adjusted for exemptions, and actual FY 2014 payment units.
Digital TV Stations (Combined VHF/UHF units) ................ Based on CDBS data, adjusted for exemptions, and actual FY 2014 payment units.
AM/FM/TV Construction Permits ....................................... Based on CDBS data, adjusted for exemptions, and actual FY 2014 payment units.
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Fee category Sources of payment unit estimates
LPTV, Translators and Boosters, Class A Television ....... Based on CDBS data, adjusted for exemptions, and actual FY 2014 payment units.
BRS (formerly MDS/MMDS) .............................................. Based on WTB reports and actual FY 2014 payment units.
LMDS ................................................................................. Based on WTB reports and actual FY 2014 payment units.
Cable Television Relay Service (‘‘CARS’’) Stations .......... Based on data from Media Bureau’s COALS database and actual FY 2013 payment
units.
Cable Television System Subscribers, Including IPTV Based on publicly available data sources for estimated subscriber counts and actual
Subscribers. FY 2014 payment units.
Interstate Telecommunication Service Providers .............. Based on FCC Form 499–Q data for the four quarters of calendar year 2014, the
Wireline Competition Bureau projected the amount of calendar year 2014 revenue
that will be reported on 2015 FCC Form 499–A worksheets in April, 2015.
Earth Stations ..................................................................... Based on International Bureau (‘‘IB’’) licensing data and actual FY 2014 payment
units.
Space Stations (GSOs & NGSOs) .................................... Based on IB data reports and actual FY 2014 payment units.
International Bearer Circuits .............................................. Based on IB reports and submissions by licensees, adjusted as necessary.
Submarine Cable Licenses ................................................ Based on IB license information.
Table E—Factors, Measurements, and database representing the information in above mean sea level (HAMSL) was
Calculations That Determines Station FCC Figure R3. Using the calculated available, it was used in lieu of the
Signal Contours and Associated horizontal radiation values, and the average HAAT figure to calculate
Population Coverages retrieved soil conductivity data, the specific HAAT figures for each of 360
distance to the principal community (5 radials under study. Any available
AM Stations
mVm) contour was predicted for each of directional pattern information was
For stations with nondirectional the 360 radials. The resulting distance applied as well, to produce a radial-
daytime antennas, the theoretical to principal community contours were specific ERP figure. The HAAT and ERP
radiation was used at all azimuths. For used to form a geographical polygon.
stations with directional daytime figures were used in conjunction with
Population counting was accomplished
antennas, specific information on each the Field Strength (50–50) propagation
by determining which 2010 block
day tower, including field ratio, phase, curves specified in 47 CFR 73.313 of the
centroids were contained in the
spacing, and orientation was retrieved, polygon. (A block centroid is the center Commission’s rules to predict the
as well as the theoretical pattern root- point of a small area containing distance to the principal community (70
mean-square of the radiation in all population as computed by the U.S. dBu (decibel above 1 microVolt per
directions in the horizontal plane (RMS) Census Bureau.) The sum of the meter) or 3.17 mVm) contour for each of
figure (milliVolt per meter (mVm) @1 population figures for all enclosed the 360 radials. The resulting distance
km) for the antenna system. The blocks represents the total population to principal community contours were
standard, or augmented standard if for the predicted principal community used to form a geographical polygon.
pertinent, horizontal plane radiation coverage area. Population counting was accomplished
pattern was calculated using techniques by determining which 2010 block
and methods specified in sections FM Stations
centroids were contained in the
73.150 and 73.152 of the Commission’s The greater of the horizontal or polygon. The sum of the population
rules. Radiation values were calculated vertical effective radiated power (ERP) figures for all enclosed blocks represents
for each of 360 radials around the (kW) and respective height above the total population for the predicted
transmitter site. Next, estimated soil average terrain (HAAT) (m) combination principal community coverage area.
conductivity data was retrieved from a was used. Where the antenna height
TABLE F—FY 2014 SCHEDULE OF REGULATORY FEES
[The first eleven regulatory fees listed below are collected by the Commission in advance to cover the term of the license and are submitted at
the time the application is filed]
Annual
Fee category regulatory fee
(U.S. $’s)
PLMRS (per license) (Exclusive Use) (47 CFR part 90) .............................................................................................................. 35
Microwave (per license) (47 CFR part 101) .................................................................................................................................. 15
218–219 MHz (Formerly Interactive Video Data Service) (per license) (47 CFR part 95) .......................................................... 80
Marine (Ship) (per station) (47 CFR part 80) ................................................................................................................................ 15
Marine (Coast) (per license) (47 CFR part 80) ............................................................................................................................. 55
General Mobile Radio Service (per license) (47 CFR part 95) ..................................................................................................... 5
Rural Radio (47 CFR part 22) (previously listed under the Land Mobile category) ..................................................................... 10
PLMRS (Shared Use) (per license) (47 CFR part 90) .................................................................................................................. 10
Aviation (Aircraft) (per station) (47 CFR part 87) .......................................................................................................................... 10
Aviation (Ground) (per license) (47 CFR part 87) ......................................................................................................................... 30
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Amateur Vanity Call Signs (per call sign) (47 CFR part 97) ......................................................................................................... 2.14
CMRS Mobile/Cellular Services (per unit) (47 CFR parts 20, 22, 24, 27, 80 and 90) ................................................................. .18
CMRS Messaging Services (per unit) (47 CFR parts 20, 22, 24 and 90) .................................................................................... .08
Broadband Radio Service (formerly MMDS/MDS) (per license) (47 CFR part 27) ...................................................................... 715
Local Multipoint Distribution Service (per call sign) (47 CFR, part 101) ...................................................................................... 715
AM Radio Construction Permits .................................................................................................................................................... 590
FM Radio Construction Permits .................................................................................................................................................... 750
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![55788 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 180 / Thursday, September 17, 2015 / Rules and Regulations
TABLE F—FY 2014 SCHEDULE OF REGULATORY FEES—Continued
[The first eleven regulatory fees listed below are collected by the Commission in advance to cover the term of the license and are submitted at
the time the application is filed]
Annual
Fee category regulatory fee
(U.S. $’s)
Digital TV (47 CFR part 73) VHF and UHF Commercial:
Markets 1–10 .......................................................................................................................................................................... 44,650
Markets 11–25 ........................................................................................................................................................................ 42,100
Markets 26–50 ........................................................................................................................................................................ 26,975
Markets 51–100 ...................................................................................................................................................................... 15,600
Remaining Markets ................................................................................................................................................................. 4,750
Construction Permits .............................................................................................................................................................. 4,750
Satellite Television Stations (All Markets) ..................................................................................................................................... 1,550
Construction Permits—Satellite Television Stations ..................................................................................................................... 1,300
Low Power TV, Class A TV, TV/FM Translators & Boosters (47 CFR part 74) ........................................................................... 410
Broadcast Auxiliaries (47 CFR part 74) ........................................................................................................................................ 10
CARS (47 CFR part 78) ................................................................................................................................................................ 605
Cable Television Systems (per subscriber) (47 CFR part 76), Including IPTV ............................................................................ .99
Interstate Telecommunication Service Providers (per revenue dollar) ......................................................................................... .00343
Earth Stations (47 CFR part 25) ................................................................................................................................................... 295
Space Stations (per operational station in geostationary orbit) (47 CFR part 25) also includes DBS Service (per operational
station) (47 CFR part 100) ......................................................................................................................................................... 122,400
Space Stations (per operational system in non-geostationary orbit) (47 CFR part 25) ............................................................... 132,850
International Bearer Circuits—Terrestrial/Satellites (per 64KB circuit) ......................................................................................... .21
International Bearer Circuits—Submarine Cable .......................................................................................................................... See Table Below
FY 2014 SCHEDULE OF REGULATORY FEES: MAINTAIN ALLOCATION
FY 2014 Radio Station Regulatory Fees
FM Classes
FM Classes
Population served AM Class A AM Class B AM Class C AM Class D B, C, C0,
A, B1 & C3 C1 & C2
<=25,000 .................................................. $775 $645 $590 $670 $750 $925
25,001–75,000 ......................................... 1,550 1,300 900 1,000 1,500 1,625
75,001–150,000 ....................................... 2,325 1,625 1,200 1,675 2,050 3,000
150,001–500,000 ..................................... 3,475 2,750 1,800 2,025 3,175 3,925
500,001–1,200,000 .................................. 5,025 4,225 3,000 3,375 5,050 5,775
1,200,001–3,000,000 ............................... 7,750 6,500 4,500 5,400 8,250 9,250
>3,000,000 ............................................... 9,300 7,800 5,700 6,750 10,500 12,025
FY 2014 SCHEDULE OF REGULATORY FEES
[International Bearer Circuits—Submarine Cable]
Submarine cable systems Fee
(capacity as of December 31, 2013) amount
<2.5 Gbps ............................................................................................................................................................................................ $10,250
2.5 Gbps or greater, but less than 5 Gbps ......................................................................................................................................... 20,500
5 Gbps or greater, but less than 10 Gbps .......................................................................................................................................... 40,975
10 Gbps or greater, but less than 20 Gbps ........................................................................................................................................ 81,950
20 Gbps or greater .............................................................................................................................................................................. 163,900
VII. Regulatory Flexibility Analysis written public comment on these A. Need for, and Objectives of, the
proposals including comment on the Report and Order
1. As required by the Regulatory IRFA. This Final Regulatory Flexibility
Flexibility Act of 1980, as amended Analysis (FRFA) conforms to the 2. In this Report and Order, we
(RFA),124 an Initial Regulatory IRFA.126 conclude the Assessment and Collection
Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) was of Regulatory Fees for Fiscal Year (FY)
included in the Notice of Proposed 2015 proceeding to collect $339,844,000
Rulemaking.125 The Commission sought in regulatory fees for FY 2015, pursuant
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES
to section 9 of the Communications Act
124 5 U.S.C. 603. The RFA, 5 U.S.C. 601–612 has of 1934, as amended.127 These
been amended by the Small Business Regulatory regulatory fees will be due in September
Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (SBREFA), Public Rulemaking, Report and Order, and Order, MD
Law 104–121, Title II, 110 Stat. 847 (1996). Docket No. 15–121, 30 FCC Rcd 5354 (2015) (FY 2015. Under section 9 of the
125 Assessment and Collection of Regulatory Fees 2015 NPRM).
for Fiscal Year 2015, Notice of Proposed 126 5 U.S.C. 604. 127 47 U.S.C. 159.
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![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 180 / Thursday, September 17, 2015 / Rules and Regulations 55793
§ 1.1152 Schedule of annual regulatory
fees for wireless radio services.
Exclusive use services (per license) Fee amount 1
1. Land Mobile (Above 470 MHz and 220 MHz Local, Base Station & SMRS) (47 CFR part 90):
(a) New, Renew/Mod (FCC 601 & 159) ....................................................................................................................................... $30.00
(b) New, Renew/Mod (Electronic Filing) (FCC 601 & 159) ......................................................................................................... 30.00
(c) Renewal Only (FCC 601 & 159) ............................................................................................................................................. 30.00
(d) Renewal Only (Electronic Filing) (FCC 601 & 159) ............................................................................................................... 30.00
220 MHz Nationwide:
(a) New, Renew/Mod (FCC 601 & 159) ....................................................................................................................................... 30.00
(b) New, Renew/Mod (Electronic Filing) (FCC 601 & 159) ......................................................................................................... 30.00
(c) Renewal Only (FCC 601 & 159) ............................................................................................................................................. 30.00
(d) Renewal Only (Electronic Filing) (FCC 601 & 159) ............................................................................................................... 30.00
2. Microwave (47 CFR part 101) (Private):
(a) New, Renew/Mod (FCC 601 & 159) ....................................................................................................................................... 20.00
(b) New, Renew/Mod (Electronic Filing) (FCC 601 & 159) ......................................................................................................... 20.00
(c) Renewal Only (FCC 601 & 159) ............................................................................................................................................. 20.00
(d) Renewal Only (Electronic Filing) (FCC 601 & 159) ............................................................................................................... 20.00
3. Shared Use Services:
Land Mobile (Frequencies Below 470 MHz—except 220 MHz):
(a) New, Renew/Mod (FCC 601 & 159) ....................................................................................................................................... 10.00
(b) New, Renew/Mod (Electronic Filing) (FCC 601 & 159) ......................................................................................................... 10.00
(c) Renewal Only (FCC 601 & 159) ............................................................................................................................................. 10.00
(d) Renewal Only (Electronic Filing) (FCC 601 & 159) ............................................................................................................... 10.00
Rural Radio (Part 22):
(a) New, Additional Facility, Major Renew/Mod (Electronic Filing) (FCC 601 & 159) ................................................................. 10.00
(b) Renewal, Minor Renew/Mod (Electronic Filing) (FCC 601 & 159) ........................................................................................ 10.00
Marine Coast:
(a) New Renewal/Mod (FCC 601 & 159) ..................................................................................................................................... 35.00
(b) New, Renewal/Mod (Electronic Filing) (FCC 601 & 159) ....................................................................................................... 35.00
(c) Renewal Only (FCC 601 & 159) ............................................................................................................................................. 35.00
(d) Renewal Only (Electronic Filing) (FCC 601 & 159) ............................................................................................................... 35.00
Aviation Ground:
(a) New, Renewal/Mod (FCC 601 & 159) .................................................................................................................................... 20.00
(b) New, Renewal/Mod (Electronic Filing) (FCC 601 & 159) ....................................................................................................... 20.00
(c) Renewal Only (FCC 601 & 159) ............................................................................................................................................. 20.00
(d) Renewal Only (Electronic Only) (FCC 601 & 159) ................................................................................................................. 20.00
Marine Ship:
(a) New, Renewal/Mod (FCC 605 & 159) .................................................................................................................................... 15.00
(b) New, Renewal/Mod (Electronic Filing) (FCC 605 & 159) ....................................................................................................... 15.00
(c) Renewal Only (FCC 605 & 159) ............................................................................................................................................. 15.00
(d) Renewal Only (Electronic Filing) (FCC 605 & 159) ............................................................................................................... 15.00
Aviation Aircraft:
(a) New, Renew/Mod (FCC 605 & 159) ....................................................................................................................................... 10.00
(b) New, Renew/Mod (Electronic Filing) (FCC 605 & 159) ......................................................................................................... 10.00
(c) Renewal Only (FCC 605 & 159) ............................................................................................................................................. 10.00
(d) Renewal Only (Electronic Filing) (FCC 605 & 159) ............................................................................................................... 10.00
4. CMRS Cellular/Mobile Services (per unit) (FCC 159) .................................................................................................................... 2 .17
5. CMRS Messaging Services (per unit) (FCC 159) ........................................................................................................................... 3 .08
6. Broadband Radio Service (formerly MMDS and MDS) 635
7. Local Multipoint Distribution Service ............................................................................................................................................... 635
■ 3. Section 1.1153 is revised to read as § 1.1153 Schedule of annual regulatory
follows: fees and filing locations for mass media
services.
Fee amount
Radio [AM and FM] (47 CFR part 73):
1. AM Class A:
<=25,000 population .............................................................................................................................................................. $775
25,001–75,000 population ..................................................................................................................................................... 1,550
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES
75,001–150,000 population ................................................................................................................................................... 2,325
150,001–500,000 population ................................................................................................................................................. 3,475
1 Note that ‘‘small fees’’ are collected in advance 5- or 10-year license term, as appropriate, to arrive 2 These are standard fees that are to be paid in
for the entire license term. Therefore, the annual fee at the total amount of regulatory fees owed. Also, accordance with § 1.1157(b) of this chapter.
amount shown in this table that is a small fee application fees may apply as detailed in § 1.1102. 3 These are standard fees that are to be paid in
(categories 1 through 5) must be multiplied by the of this chapter. accordance with 1.1157(b) of this chapter.
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![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 180 / Thursday, September 17, 2015 / Rules and Regulations 55795
■ 5. Section 1.1155 is revised to read as § 1.1155 Schedule of regulatory fees for
follows: cable television services.
Fee amount
1. Cable Television Relay Service ...................................................................................................................................................... $660.
2. Cable TV System, Including IPTV (per subscriber) ........................................................................................................................ 0.96.
3. Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) ..................................................................................................................................................... $.12 per sub-
scriber.
■ 6. Section 1.1156 is revised to read as § 1.1156 Schedule of regulatory fees for
follows: international services.
(a) The following schedule applies for
the listed services:
Fee category Fee amount
Space Stations (Geostationary Orbit) .................................................................................................................................................. $119,150
Space Stations (Non-Geostationary Orbit) .......................................................................................................................................... 132,125
Earth Stations: Transmit/Receive & Transmit only (per authorization or registration) ....................................................................... 310
(b) International Terrestrial and includes active circuits to themselves or these purposes include backup and
Satellite. Regulatory fees for to their affiliates. In addition, non- redundant circuits. In addition, whether
International Bearer Circuits are to be common carrier satellite operators must circuits are used specifically for voice or
paid by facilities-based common carriers pay a fee for each circuit sold or leased data is not relevant in determining that
that have active (used or leased) to any customer, including themselves they are active circuits.
international bearer circuits as of or their affiliates, other than an
The fee amount, per active 64 KB
December 31 of the prior year in any international common carrier
circuit or equivalent will be determined
terrestrial or satellite transmission authorized by the Commission to
facility for the provision of service to an provide U.S. international common for each fiscal year.
end user or resale carrier, which carrier services. ‘‘Active circuits’’ for
International terrestrial and satellite (capacity as of December 31, 2014) Fee amount
Terrestrial Common Carrier Satellite Common Carrier Satellite Non-Common Carrier ..................................................................... $0.03 per 64
KB Circuit.
(c) Submarine cable: Regulatory fees for all submarine cable systems year. The fee amount will be determined
for submarine cable systems will be operating as of December 31 of the prior by the Commission for each fiscal year.
paid annually, per cable landing license,
Submarine cable systems Fee amount
(capacity as of December 31, 2014)
<2.5 Gbps ............................................................................................................................................................................................ $7,175
2.5 Gbps or greater, but less than 5 Gbps ......................................................................................................................................... 14,350
5 Gbps or greater, but less than 10 Gbps .......................................................................................................................................... 28,675
10 Gbps or greater, but less than 20 Gbps ........................................................................................................................................ 57,350
20 Gbps or greater .............................................................................................................................................................................. 114,700
[FR Doc. 2015–23312 Filed 9–16–15; 8:45 am] ACTION: Final rule; announcement of Incentive Auction Report and Order,
BILLING CODE 6712–01–P effective date. which stated that the Commission
would publish a document in the
SUMMARY: In this document, the Federal Federal Register announcing OMB
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS Communications Commission approval and the effective date of to the
COMMISSION (Commission) announces that the Office new information collection
of Management and Budget (OMB) has requirements.
47 CFR Parts 27 and 74 approved, for a period of three years,
certain information collection DATES: The amendments to 47 CFR
[GN Docket No. 12–268; FCC 14–50] requirements associated with the 27.14(k), 27.14(t)(6), 27.17(c), 27.19(b),
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES
Commission’s Expanding the Economic 27.19(c), 74.602(h)(5)(ii), and
Expanding the Economic and 74.602(h)(5)(iii), published at 79 FR
Innovation Opportunities of Spectrum and Innovation Opportunities of
Spectrum Through Incentive Auctions 48442, August 15, 2014, are effective on
Through Incentive Auctions September 17, 2015.
Report and Order (Incentive Auction
AGENCY:Federal Communications Report and Order), FCC 14–50. This FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Commission. document is consistent with the Cathy Williams by email at
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Document Created: 2015-12-15 09:33:51
Document Modified: 2015-12-15 09:33:51
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Rules and Regulations | |
| Action | Final rule. | |
| Dates | Effective September 17, 2015. To avoid penalties and interest, regulatory fees should be paid by the due date of September 24, 2015. | |
| Contact | Roland Helvajian, Office of Managing Director at (202) 418-0444. | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 55775 | |
| CFR Associated | Administrative Practice and Procedure; Lawyers; Metric System; Penalties; Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements and Telecommunications |
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