81 FR 41961 - Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Community Connectivity Initiative Self-Assessment Tool

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Telecommunications and Information Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 124 (June 28, 2016)

Page Range		41961-41963
FR Document		2016-15149

The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, invites the general public and other federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the proposed framework for the community connectivity self-assessment tool. This framework is an element of the Community Connectivity Initiative, which is one of the commitments of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) through its work with the Broadband Opportunity Council, which President Obama established to review actions the federal government could take to reduce regulatory barriers to broadband deployment, competition, investment, and adoption. The Community Connectivity Initiative will support communities across the country with tools to help accelerate local broadband planning and deployment efforts. The community connectivity self-assessment tool will provide a framework of benchmarks and indicators on broadband access, adoption, policy and use, helping community leaders identify critical broadband needs and connect them with expertise and resources.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 124 (Tuesday, June 28, 2016)

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 124 (Tuesday, June 28, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41961-41963]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-15149]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Telecommunications and Information Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Community 
Connectivity Initiative Self-Assessment Tool

AGENCY: National Telecommunications and Information Administration, 
Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden as required by the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995, invites the general public and other federal 
agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the proposed framework 
for the community connectivity self-assessment tool. This framework is 
an element of the Community Connectivity Initiative, which is one of 
the commitments of the National Telecommunications and Information 
Administration (NTIA) through its work with the Broadband Opportunity 
Council, which President Obama established to review actions the 
federal government could take to reduce regulatory barriers to 
broadband deployment, competition, investment, and adoption. The 
Community Connectivity Initiative will support communities across the 
country with tools to help accelerate local broadband planning and 
deployment efforts. The community connectivity self-assessment tool 
will provide a framework of benchmarks and indicators on broadband 
access, adoption, policy and use, helping community leaders identify 
critical broadband needs and connect them with expertise and resources.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before August 29, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 1401 
and Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet 
at [email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instruments and instructions 
should be sent to Laura Spining, Telecommunications Policy Specialist, 
Broadband USA, National Telecommunications and Information 
Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue 
NW., Room 4878, Washington, DC

[[Page 41962]]

20230 (or via email at [email protected]).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    In March 2015, President Obama created the Broadband Opportunity 
Council (Council), composed of 25 federal departments and agencies, to 
determine what actions the federal government could take to eliminate 
regulatory barriers to broadband deployment and to encourage investment 
in broadband networks and services.\1\ The Departments of Commerce and 
Agriculture co-chair the Council.
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    \1\ The White House, Office of the Press Secretary, Presidential 
Memorandum--Expanding Broadband Deployment and Adoption by 
Addressing Regulatory Barriers and Encouraging Investment and 
Training (May 23, 2015), available at https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2015/03/23/presidential-memorandum-expanding-broadband-deployment-and-adoption-addr.
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    In parallel with the work of the Council, NTIA launched 
BroadbandUSA in January 2015 to help satisfy a demand from communities 
that realize broadband access and use are vital to their economic 
development, innovation, education, and healthcare needs. BroadbandUSA 
offers technical assistance, guidance, and resources to communities 
across the country seeking to expand local broadband deployment, 
investment, and adoption.
    In September 2015, the White House released the Council's report, 
which describes 36 concrete steps the member agencies will take over 
the next 18 months to reduce barriers and promote broadband investment 
and adoption.\2\ The Community Connectivity Initiative is one of NTIA's 
commitments outlined in the Council's report.\3\ The purpose of the 
Community Connectivity Initiative is to empower communities with tools 
and resources to attract broadband investment and promote meaningful 
use. NTIA and the National Economic Council conducted outreach to more 
than 200 stakeholders and communities to seek input on the 
implementation of this action item. The initial findings of that 
outreach resulted in collaborators and communities assisting in the 
creation of the framework for the Community Connectivity Initiative.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ Broadband Opportunity Council, Report and Recommendations 
Pursuant to the Presidential Memorandum on Expanding Broadband 
Deployment and Adoption by Addressing Regulatory Barriers and 
Encouraging Investment and Training (Aug. 20, 2015) at 12, available 
at https://www.ntia.doc.gov/files/ntia/publications/broadband_opportunity_council_report_final.pdf.
    \3\ Id. at 19. The report tasked NTIA, in collaboration with the 
National Economic Council, to ``convene stakeholders to design and 
launch a community connectivity index.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The objectives of the Community Connectivity Initiative are: (1) To 
support communities as they convene, assess, and act to promote local 
priorities and advance broadband access, adoption, policies, and use; 
and (2) to increase the number of communities actively assessing 
connectivity impacts and investing to improve broadband outcomes. The 
Community Connectivity Initiative includes three resources for 
communities, including the community connectivity framework, an online 
self-assessment tool, and a report with recommendations for each 
participating community. The community connectivity framework provides 
a structure to engage local stakeholders in conversations about 
broadband access and community priorities. The online self-assessment 
tool will provide local leaders with a framework for assessing 
broadband needs in their communities. The tool will enable them to 
record their findings and integrate the assessments with national 
datasets on community broadband. Upon completion of the self-assessment 
tool, communities will receive a report that combines input from the 
self-assessment tool with other data sources, along with 
recommendations for resources that they could use to improve their 
broadband capabilities.
    NTIA is seeking input on the framework and types of questions that 
the self-assessment tool will ask local community leaders in order to 
help achieve local priorities and improve broadband planning efforts. 
NTIA will use the collection of information to support communities 
working to accelerate broadband deployment, deepen broadband adoption, 
strengthen local policies, and use broadband to advance local 
priorities. Through this effort, the Community Connectivity Initiative 
will produce improved broadband planning assets for communities, 
thereby increasing the number of communities actively investing to 
improve broadband access and digital inclusion.
    The community connectivity self-assessment tool will collect local 
input across four major areas, incorporate key local data from national 
data sources, and produce a report focused on actions communities can 
take to support broadband deployment and adoption. The four major 
categories covered in the self-assessment tool are:

1. Broadband Access and Assets (Access)
2. Digital Inclusion and Skills (Adoption)
3. Policy and Funding (Policy)
4. Community Priorities (Use)

    The access category will include imported and user-provided data on 
wireline and fixed wireless broadband access, mobile broadband access, 
and community technology assets. Additionally, the self-assessment tool 
will ask community leaders about their communications resilience 
planning efforts, the availability of WiFi hot spots and public 
computing centers, and their experiences with the availability, 
affordability, and quality of broadband in their localities.
    The adoption category will include three sub-categories: broadband 
utilization, digital inclusion, and digital skills. The broadband 
utilization sub-category will ask about subscriptions to mobile data 
plans, connections to mobile data plans, and the number of internet-
enabled devices owned by people in the community. The digital inclusion 
sub-category will include questions about the following: Outreach 
efforts to vulnerable populations; digital literacy training and 
support services; availability of discount and subsidy programs; device 
loan programs; and accessibility. The digital skills sub-category will 
ask community leaders about programs available to their populations 
that would provide advanced skills to prepare residents and businesses 
for the digital economy. This topic area includes: digital basics and 
work skills; digital participation and content creation; coding, 
computer science and application development; and privacy, security, 
and online safety.
    The policy category will include three sub-categories: leadership, 
funding, and use of public assets. The leadership sub-category will 
seek information on whether community leaders consider community 
connectivity a priority, allocate resources appropriately, and 
incorporate broadband planning and technology innovation across local 
agencies. The funding sub-category will ask how a community funds 
public access, digital inclusion, innovation, and technology as funding 
decisions reflect a community's support for broadband deployment and 
digital equity. The use of public assets sub-category will ask about 
accessible inventory of public assets, regulations providing for fair 
use of assets, and processes enabling use and promoting accountability.
    The use category will include questions about a community's use of 
broadband applications in the following areas: Government services and 
public safety; economic development and innovation; and education and 
health. The government services and public safety sub-category will ask 
about e-government services, citizen

[[Page 41963]]

engagement, safety communications, and network resilience and 
reliability. The economic development and innovation sub-category will 
ask about workforce development. The education and health sub-category 
will ask about student device ownership and support; broadband capacity 
to schools and libraries; electronic health records; telemedicine; and 
broadband capacity and connections to hospitals and clinics.

Description of Proposed Use

    The community connectivity self-assessment tool will capture local 
information about broadband access, digital inclusion, adoption, 
policies, and priorities. The self-assessment tool will use the 
information input by the community leaders in combination with existing 
information from national data sources to create a report targeted to 
the needs of the local community. The resulting report will present the 
information that is relevant to the local community and provide 
recommendations for action along with references to BroadbandUSA and 
other resources. NTIA intends to use this self-assessment to support 
communities as they consider investments and actions to further align 
broadband access with community priorities.
    A primary strategy for reducing respondents' burden in the self-
assessment tool is to create the reports using existing national data 
sources, which may include data from the American Communities Survey 
produced by the U.S. Census Bureau and Broadband Deployment and 
Subscription data collected by the Federal Communications Commission.

II. Method of Collection

    This will be administered as a voluntary online tool for 
communities.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: None.
    Form Number(s): None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission; new collection.
    Affected Public: State, regional, local, and tribal government 
organizations.
    Frequency: Annually.
    Number of Respondents: 500.
    Average Time per Response: 12 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 6,000.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $406,730.

IV. Request for Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden 
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; 
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on respondents, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they will also become a matter of public record.

    Dated: June 22, 2016.
Glenna Mickelson,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2016-15149 Filed 6-27-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE P

Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 124 / Tuesday, June 28, 2016 / Notices 41961

or references to support this assertion. information to indicate that the Maui DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Mentions of the Kona population in the and Kona reef manta ray populations
references cited in the petition only may qualify as DPSs under the DPS National Telecommunications and
exist in relation to the catalog of photos Policy, the petitioned entities do not Information Administration
identifying 146 manta rays from this constitute ‘‘species’’ that are eligible for
population (citing Proposed Information Collection;
listing under the ESA. As such, we do
www.mantapacific.org), which was used Comment Request; Community
not need to evaluate whether the
to compare against photos of Connectivity Initiative Self-Assessment
information in the petition indicates Tool
individuals from the Maui reef manta that these populations face an extinction
ray population (Deakos 2010a; Deakos et
risk that is cause for concern. AGENCY: National Telecommunications
al. 2011).
In terms of discreteness, we do not and Information Administration,
Petition Finding Department of Commerce.
consider the lack of photo-identification
matches between the Maui population After reviewing the information ACTION: Notice.
and the Kona population to be contained in the petition, as well as
substantial evidence indicating that the information readily available in our SUMMARY: The Department of
Kona population may be discrete. As files, and based on the above analysis, Commerce, as part of its continuing
noted above, the Maui population study we conclude that the petition does not effort to reduce paperwork and
also included time-series information on present substantial scientific or respondent burden as required by the
re-sightings of individuals within the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995,
commercial information indicating that
population, providing support for long- invites the general public and other
the petitioned action of identifying the
term site fidelity, as well as acoustic federal agencies to take this opportunity
Maui and Kona reef manta ray to comment on the proposed framework
tracking of individuals (Deakos 2010a; populations as DPSs may be warranted.
Deakos et al. 2011). Similar information for the community connectivity self-
As such, we find that the petition does assessment tool. This framework is an
was not provided for the Kona not present substantial scientific or
population, nor do we have this element of the Community Connectivity
commercial information indicating that Initiative, which is one of the
information available in our files. Even
the Maui and Kona reef manta ray commitments of the National
if we were to consider that the Kona
population may be discrete by using the populations are ‘‘species’’ eligible for Telecommunications and Information
information supporting the potential listing under the ESA. Administration (NTIA) through its work
discreteness of the Maui population as While this is a final action, and, with the Broadband Opportunity
a proxy (e.g., physical barriers, therefore, we do not solicit comments Council, which President Obama
ecological and/or behavioral factors on it, we note that we are currently established to review actions the federal
contributing to marked separation), the conducting a status review of M. alfredi government could take to reduce
petition provides no information on the (which considers all global populations regulatory barriers to broadband
importance of the Kona population of reef manta rays, including the Maui deployment, competition, investment,
segment to the overall welfare of the and Kona populations) to determine and adoption. The Community
species, nor do we have that Connectivity Initiative will support
whether the reef manta ray is in danger
information readily available in our communities across the country with
of extinction or likely to become so
files. Similar to the Maui population, tools to help accelerate local broadband
throughout all or a significant portion of
the ecological setting that the Kona planning and deployment efforts. The
its range. More information on that community connectivity self-assessment
population occupies is similar to that of
action can be found in the Federal tool will provide a framework of
the rest of the species; loss of the
population would not constitute a Register notice (81 FR 8874; February benchmarks and indicators on
significant gap in the taxon’s extensive 23, 2016) announcing the initiation of broadband access, adoption, policy and
range; the Kona population does not this status review. use, helping community leaders identify
represent the only surviving natural References Cited critical broadband needs and connect
occurrence of M. alfredi within its them with expertise and resources.
historical range; and we have no A complete list of references is DATES: Written comments must be
available genetic or other data to suggest available upon request to the NMFS submitted on or before August 29, 2016.
that the population may make a Office of Protected Resources (see ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments
significant contribution to the adaptive, ADDRESSES).
to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental
ecological, or genetic diversity of the
Authority Paperwork Clearance Officer,
taxon.
Department of Commerce, Room 6616,
Overall, based on the information in
The authority for this action is the 1401 and Constitution Avenue NW.,
the petition and in our files, and guided
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as Washington, DC 20230 (or via the
by the DPS Policy criteria, we were
amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). Internet at JJessup@doc.gov).
unable to find evidence to suggest that
the Kona reef manta ray population may Dated: June 20, 2016. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
be both discrete and significant. Thus, Samuel D. Rauch III, Requests for additional information or
copies of the information collection
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

we conclude that the petition does not Deputy Assistant Administrator for
present substantial information to Regulatory Programs, National Marine
instruments and instructions should be
indicate that the Kona reef manta ray Fisheries Service. sent to Laura Spining,
population may qualify as a DPS under Telecommunications Policy Specialist,
[FR Doc. 2016–15201 Filed 6–27–16; 8:45 am]
the DPS Policy. Broadband USA, National
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
Telecommunications and Information
ESA Section 4(a)(1) Factors Administration, U.S. Department of
Because we concluded that the Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue
petition does not present substantial NW., Room 4878, Washington, DC

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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 124 / Tuesday, June 28, 2016 / Notices 41963

engagement, safety communications, whether the information shall have Renewal of Federal Advisory
ACTION:
and network resilience and reliability. practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Committee.
The economic development and agency’s estimate of the burden
innovation sub-category will ask about (including hours and cost) of the SUMMARY: The Department of Defense
workforce development. The education proposed collection of information; (c) (DoD) is publishing this notice to
and health sub-category will ask about ways to enhance the quality, utility, and announce that it is renewing the charter
student device ownership and support; clarity of the information to be for the Uniform Formulary Beneficiary
broadband capacity to schools and collected; and (d) ways to minimize the Advisory Panel (‘‘the Panel’’).
libraries; electronic health records; burden of the collection of information
telemedicine; and broadband capacity on respondents, including through the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim
and connections to hospitals and use of automated collection techniques Freeman, Advisory Committee
clinics. or other forms of information Management Officer for the Department
technology. of Defense, 703–692–5952.
Description of Proposed Use Comments submitted in response to
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
The community connectivity self- this notice will be summarized and/or
included in the request for OMB Panel’s charter is being renewed
assessment tool will capture local
approval of this information collection; pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 1074g(c) and in
information about broadband access,
they will also become a matter of public accordance with the Federal Advisory
digital inclusion, adoption, policies, and
priorities. The self-assessment tool will record. Committee Act (FACA) of 1972 (5
use the information input by the U.S.C., Appendix, as amended) and 41
Dated: June 22, 2016.
community leaders in combination with CFR 102-3.50(d). The Panel’s charter
Glenna Mickelson, and contact information for the Panel’s
existing information from national data Management Analyst, Office of the Chief
sources to create a report targeted to the Designated Federal Officer (DFO) can be
Information Officer.
needs of the local community. The found at http://www.facadatabase.gov/.
[FR Doc. 2016–15149 Filed 6–27–16; 8:45 am]
resulting report will present the BILLING CODE P
The Panel provides the Secretary of
information that is relevant to the local Defense and the Deputy Secretary of
community and provide Defense, through the Under Secretary of
recommendations for action along with Defense for Personnel and Readiness,
COMMISSION OF FINE ARTS
references to BroadbandUSA and other independent advice and
resources. NTIA intends to use this self- Notice of Meeting recommendations on the development
assessment to support communities as of the uniform formulary. The Secretary
they consider investments and actions The next meeting of the U.S. of Defense shall consider the comments
to further align broadband access with Commission of Fine Arts is scheduled of the Panel before implementing the
community priorities. for 21 July 2016, at 9:00 a.m. in the uniform formulary or implementing
A primary strategy for reducing Commission offices at the National changes to the uniform formulary.
respondents’ burden in the self- Building Museum, Suite 312, Judiciary
Square, 401 F Street NW., Washington, The Panel is composed of no more
assessment tool is to create the reports
DC 20001–2728. Items of discussion than 15 members that include members
using existing national data sources,
which may include data from the may include buildings, parks and that represent: Non-governmental
American Communities Survey memorials. organizations and associations that
produced by the U.S. Census Bureau Draft agendas and additional represent the views and interest of a
and Broadband Deployment and information regarding the Commission large number of eligible covered
Subscription data collected by the are available on our Web site: beneficiaries; contractors responsible for
Federal Communications Commission. www.cfa.gov. Inquiries regarding the the TRICARE retail pharmacy program;
agenda and requests to submit written contractors responsible for the national
II. Method of Collection or oral statements should be addressed mail-order pharmacy program; and
This will be administered as a to Thomas Luebke, Secretary, U.S. TRICARE network providers. All
voluntary online tool for communities. Commission of Fine Arts, at the above members of the Panel are appointed to
address; by emailing cfastaff@cfa.gov; or provide advice on behalf of the
III. Data by calling 202–504–2200. Individuals Government on the basis of their best
OMB Control Number: None. requiring sign language interpretation judgment without representing any
Form Number(s): None. for the hearing impaired should contact particular point of view and in a manner
Type of Review: Regular submission; the Secretary at least 10 days before the that is free from conflict of interest.
new collection. meeting date. Except for reimbursement of official
Affected Public: State, regional, local, Dated 17 June 2016, in Washington, DC. Panel-related travel and per diem, Panel
and tribal government organizations. Thomas Luebke, members serve without compensation.
Frequency: Annually. Secretary.
Number of Respondents: 500. The public or interested organizations
Average Time per Response: 12 hours. [FR Doc. 2016–14992 Filed 6–27–16; 8:45 am] may submit written statements to the
Estimated Total Annual Burden BILLING CODE M Panel membership about the Panel’s
mission and functions. Written
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

Hours: 6,000.
Estimated Total Annual Cost to statements may be submitted at any
Public: $406,730. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE time or in response to the stated agenda
of planned meeting of the Panel. All
IV. Request for Comments Office of the Secretary written statements shall be submitted to
Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the DFO for the Panel, and this
Charter Renewal of Department of
the proposed collection of information individual will ensure that the written
Defense Federal Advisory Committees
is necessary for the proper performance statements are provided to the
of the functions of the agency, including AGENCY: Department of Defense. membership for their consideration.

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Document Created: 2016-06-28 00:53:20
Document Modified: 2016-06-28 00:53:20

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		Notices
Action		Notice.
Dates		Written comments must be submitted on or before August 29, 2016.
Contact		Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instruments and instructions should be sent to Laura Spining, Telecommunications Policy Specialist, Broadband USA, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW., Room 4878, Washington, DC 20230 (or via email at [email protected]).
FR Citation		81 FR 41961

81 FR 41961 - Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Community Connectivity Initiative Self-Assessment Tool

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCENational Telecommunications and Information Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 124 (June 28, 2016)

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Telecommunications and Information Administration