82 FR 4275 - Connect America Fund
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 9 (January 13, 2017)
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 9 (January 13, 2017)
| Page Range | 4275-4276 | |
| FR Document | 2017-00598 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 9 (Friday, January 13, 2017)] [Proposed Rules] [Pages 4275-4276] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-00598] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 47 CFR Part 54 [WC Docket No. 10-90; FCC 16-178] Connect America Fund AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission. ACTION: Proposed rule. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) seeks comment on whether to expand the Alternative Connect America Cost Model (A-CAM) budget for rate-of-return carriers to provide additional funding with an associated increase in broadband deployment obligations. DATES: Comments are due on or before February 13, 2017 and reply comments are due on or before February 27, 2017. If you anticipate that you will be submitting comments, but find it difficult to do so within the period of time allowed by this document, you should advise the contact listed below as soon as possible. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by WC Docket No. 10-90, by any of the following methods:Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. Federal Communications Commission's Web site: http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/ecfs2/. Electronic Filers: Comments may be filed electronically using the Internet by accessing the ECFS: http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/ecfs2/. [ssquf] Paper Filers: Parties who choose to file by paper must file an original and one copy of each filing. Because more than one docket number appears in the caption of this proceeding, filers must submit two additional copies for each additional docket number. Filings can be sent by hand or messenger delivery, by commercial overnight courier, or by first-class or overnight U.S. Postal Service mail. All filings must be addressed to the Commission's Secretary, Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission. [cir] All hand-delivered or messenger-delivered paper filings for the Commission's Secretary must be delivered to FCC Headquarters at 445 12th St. SW., Room TW-A325, Washington, DC 20554. The filing hours are 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. All hand deliveries must be held together with rubber bands or fasteners. Any envelopes and boxes must be disposed of before entering the building. [ssquf] Commercial overnight mail (other than U.S. Postal Service Express Mail and Priority Mail) must be sent to 9300 East Hampton Drive, Capitol Heights, MD 20743. [ssquf] U.S. Postal Service first-class, Express, and Priority mail must be addressed to 445 12th St. SW., Washington, DC 20554. People with Disabilities: Contact the FCC to request reasonable accommodations (accessible format documents, sign language interpreters, CART, etc.) by email: [email protected] or phone: (202) 418- 0530 or TTY: (202) 418-0432. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alexander Minard, Wireline Competition Bureau, (202) 418-7400 or TTY: (202) 418-0484. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a synopsis of the Commission's Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM) in WC Docket No. 10-90; FCC 16-178, adopted on December 19, 2016 and released on December 20, 2016. The full text of this document is available for public inspection during regular business hours in the FCC Reference Center, Room CY- A257, 445 12th St. SW., Washington, DC 20554 or at the following Internet address: http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2016/db1220/FCC-16-178A1.pdf. I. Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking 1. In this Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, the Commission seeks [[Page 4276]] comment on whether to allocate additional high-cost funding to the voluntary path to the model. Rate-of-return carriers that accept the second offer of model-based support will do so on the condition that they commit to meet the deployment obligations of the original offer if authorized no later than December 31, 2017 to receive additional A-CAM funding equivalent to the original offer. The Commission therefore seeks comment on whether the Commission should further increase the budget for A-CAM to provide the full amount of the original offer for some or all of those carriers that accepted the second offer of model- based support. 2. The Commission seeks comment on increasing the budget by a lesser amount. If the increased budget for A-CAM were insufficient to cover all participants, should the Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) prioritize funding to those with the least broadband deployment using the same data set as that utilized for the adjusted offer? Alternatively, if the Commission increases the budget by a smaller amount, should the Bureau revise the offers to an amount less than the original offer? In that latter situation, the Commission expects that the Bureau would make a new offer, limited to the carriers that originally elected the first offer and accepted the revised offer; those carriers would be free to choose whether to accept that new offer and the associated broadband deployment obligations. 3. The Commission notes that commenters responding to the Bureau's A-CAM Election Results Public Notice uniformly support increasing the A-CAM budget by more than $50 million. The Commission would need to increase the overall high-cost budget by an additional $110 million per year if all carriers elect the second offer, and by a lesser amount if fewer do. The Commission invites comment from all interested stakeholders on whether to enlarge the budget for A-CAM support, including the costs and benefits of allocating limited funding for this particular purpose. II. Procedural Matters 4. This document does not contain new 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). 5. In the April 2014 Connect America FNPRM, 79 FR 39196, July 9, 2014, the Commission proposed a framework for a voluntary election by rate-of-return carriers to receive model-based support and tentatively concluded that such a framework could achieve important universal service benefits by creating incentives for deployment of voice and broadband-capable infrastructure. The Commission sought written comment on the proposal, including comment on the Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA). The Commission did not receive any comments on the April 2014 Connect America FNPRM IRFA. In the Rate-of- Return Reform Order, 81 FR 24282, April 25, 2016, the Commission adopted a voluntary path under which rate-of-return carriers may elect to receive model-based support for a term of 10 years in exchange for meeting defined build-out obligations. The Commission issued a Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (FRFA) that conforms to the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (RFA), as amended. This present Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking implements the framework previously adopted by the Commission and seeks comment on additional funding to implement that framework. The Commission promulgates no additional final rules, and our present action is, therefore, not an RFA matter. 6. The proceeding this Notice initiates shall be treated as a ``permit-but-disclose'' proceeding in accordance with the Commission's ex parte rules. Persons making ex parte presentations must file a copy of any written presentation or a memorandum summarizing any oral presentation within two business days after the presentation (unless a different deadline applicable to the Sunshine period applies). Persons making oral ex parte presentations are reminded that memoranda summarizing the presentation must (1) list all persons attending or otherwise participating in the meeting at which the ex parte presentation was made, and (2) summarize all data presented and arguments made during the presentation. If the presentation consisted in whole or in part of the presentation of data or arguments already reflected in the presenter's written comments, memoranda or other filings in the proceeding, the presenter may provide citations to such data or arguments in his or her prior comments, memoranda, or other filings (specifying the relevant page and/or paragraph numbers where such data or arguments can be found) in lieu of summarizing them in the memorandum. Documents shown or given to Commission staff during ex parte meetings are deemed to be written ex parte presentations and must be filed consistent with rule 1.1206(b). In proceedings governed by rule 1.49(f) or for which the Commission has made available a method of electronic filing, written ex parte presentations and memoranda summarizing oral ex parte presentations, and all attachments thereto, must be filed through the electronic comment filing system available for that proceeding, and must be filed in their native format (e.g., .doc, .xml, .ppt, searchable .pdf). Participants in this proceeding should familiarize themselves with the Commission's ex parte rules. 7. People with Disabilities: To request materials in accessible formats for people with disabilities (braille, large print, electronic files, audio format), send an email to [email protected] or call the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202-418-0530 (voice), 202- 418-0432 (TTY). III. Ordering Clauses 8. It is further ordered, pursuant to the authority contained in sections 1, 2, 4(i), 5, 10, 201-206, 214, 218-220, and 254 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, and section 706 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, 47 U.S.C. 151, 152, 154(i), 155, 160, 201-206, 214, 218-220, 254, and 1302, and sections 1.1, 1.3, 1.421, 1.427, and 1.429 of the Commission's rules, 47 CFR 1.1, 1.3, 1.421, 1.427, and 1.429, that this Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking is adopted, effective thirty (30) days after publication of the text or summary thereof in the Federal Register. Federal Communications Commission. Marlene H. Dortch, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2017-00598 Filed 1-12-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6712-01-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 9 / Friday, January 13, 2017 / Proposed Rules 4275
Small businesses may be able to become F. Federal Rules That Overlap, Comments may be filed electronically
accounting clearinghouses, as the Duplicate or Conflict With These using the Internet by accessing the
establishment of such a function does Proposed Requirements ECFS: http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/ecfs2/.
not appear to involve high 9. None. D Paper Filers: Parties who choose to
implementation costs. The rules also file by paper must file an original and
apply to existing maritime mobile and V. Ordering Clauses one copy of each filing. Because more
maritime satellite customers who have 10. It is ordered that pursuant to than one docket number appears in the
not presubscribed to a U.S. accounting sections 4(i), 4(j), 11, 201–205 and caption of this proceeding, filers must
authority and are, therefore, billed 303(r) of the Communications Act of submit two additional copies for each
through the FCC as the accounting 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. 154(i), additional docket number.
authority of last resort. An estimated 154(j), 161, 201–205 and 303(r), this • Filings can be sent by hand or
Second Further Notice of Proposed messenger delivery, by commercial
thirty small entities have been billed for
Rulemaking is adopted. overnight courier, or by first-class or
traffic by the FCC as an accounting
11. It is further ordered that the overnight U.S. Postal Service mail. All
authority in 2016. The proposed action
Commission’s Consumer and filings must be addressed to the
in this Second Notice of Proposed Commission’s Secretary, Office of the
Rulemaking does not appear to involve Governmental Affairs Bureau, Reference
Information Center, shall send a copy of Secretary, Federal Communications
high implementation costs for such Commission.
entities. this Second Further Notice of Proposed
Æ All hand-delivered or messenger-
Rulemaking, including the Initial
D. Reporting, Recordkeeping, and Other delivered paper filings for the
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis, to the
Compliance Requirements Commission’s Secretary must be
Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small
delivered to FCC Headquarters at 445
Business Administration.
7. The proposed action in this Second 12th St. SW., Room TW–A325,
Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Federal Communications Commission. Washington, DC 20554. The filing hours
would affect those entities already Marlene H. Dortch, are 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. All hand
certified and those applying for Secretary. deliveries must be held together with
certification as a private accounting [FR Doc. 2017–00597 Filed 1–12–17; 8:45 am] rubber bands or fasteners. Any
authority in the maritime mobile, BILLING CODE 6712–01–P
envelopes and boxes must be disposed
maritime mobile-satellite, aeronautical of before entering the building.
and other satellite-based radio services. D Commercial overnight mail (other
The amended rule, however, merely FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS than U.S. Postal Service Express Mail
clarifies an existing requirement COMMISSION and Priority Mail) must be sent to 9300
imposed on accounting authorities. It, East Hampton Drive, Capitol Heights,
therefore, does not alter the reporting, 47 CFR Part 54 MD 20743.
D U.S. Postal Service first-class,
recordkeeping or other compliance [WC Docket No. 10–90; FCC 16–178]
Express, and Priority mail must be
requirements of certified accounting
Connect America Fund addressed to 445 12th St. SW.,
authorities.
Washington, DC 20554.
E. Steps Taken To Minimize Significant AGENCY: Federal Communications • People with Disabilities: Contact the
Economic Impact on Small Entities and Commission. FCC to request reasonable
Significant Alternatives Considered ACTION: Proposed rule. accommodations (accessible format
documents, sign language interpreters,
8. As stated above, we propose to SUMMARY: In this document, the Federal CART, etc.) by email: FCC504@fcc.gov
transition the functions and duties Communications Commission or phone: (202) 418–0530 or TTY: (202)
performed by the Commission as an (Commission) seeks comment on 418–0432.
accounting authority to private whether to expand the Alternative FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
accounting authorities. In doing so, we Connect America Cost Model (A–CAM) Alexander Minard, Wireline
seek to revisit findings in 1999 budget for rate-of-return carriers to Competition Bureau, (202) 418–7400 or
Accounting Authority Order & provide additional funding with an TTY: (202) 418–0484.
FNPRM),44 which included the associated increase in broadband SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a
Commission’s decision that it should deployment obligations. synopsis of the Commission’s Further
withdraw as an accounting authority in DATES: Comments are due on or before Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
the maritime mobile and maritime February 13, 2017 and reply comments (FNPRM) in WC Docket No. 10–90; FCC
mobile-satellite radio services. We seek are due on or before February 27, 2017. 16–178, adopted on December 19, 2016
comment on the impact of our proposals If you anticipate that you will be and released on December 20, 2016. The
on small entities and on any possible submitting comments, but find it full text of this document is available for
alternatives that could minimize the difficult to do so within the period of public inspection during regular
impact of our rules on small entities. time allowed by this document, you business hours in the FCC Reference
should advise the contact listed below Center, Room CY–A257, 445 12th St.
as soon as possible. SW., Washington, DC 20554 or at the
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
44 1998 Biennial Regulatory Review—Review of
Accounts Settlement in the Maritime Mobile and ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, following Internet address: http://
Maritime Mobile-Satellite Radio Services and identified by WC Docket No. 10–90, by
Withdrawal of the Commission as an Accounting
transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_
Authority in the Maritime Mobile and the Maritime any of the following methods: Business/2016/db1220/FCC-16-
Mobile-Satellite Radio Services, Report and Order • Federal eRulemaking Portal: http:// 178A1.pdf.
and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 15 www.regulations.gov. Follow the
FCC Rcd 20703 (1999) (1999 R&O and FNPRM). instructions for submitting comments. I. Further Notice of Proposed
The Commission as part of its Further Notice of
• Federal Communications Rulemaking
Proposed Rulemaking sought comments to be filed
by comments August 23, 1999, and replies by Commission’s Web site: http:// 1. In this Further Notice of Proposed
September 8, 1999. fjallfoss.fcc.gov/ecfs2/. Electronic Filers: Rulemaking, the Commission seeks
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![4276 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 9 / Friday, January 13, 2017 / Proposed Rules
comment on whether to allocate 5. In the April 2014 Connect America them in the memorandum. Documents
additional high-cost funding to the FNPRM, 79 FR 39196, July 9, 2014, the shown or given to Commission staff
voluntary path to the model. Rate-of- Commission proposed a framework for during ex parte meetings are deemed to
return carriers that accept the second a voluntary election by rate-of-return be written ex parte presentations and
offer of model-based support will do so carriers to receive model-based support must be filed consistent with rule
on the condition that they commit to and tentatively concluded that such a 1.1206(b). In proceedings governed by
meet the deployment obligations of the framework could achieve important rule 1.49(f) or for which the
original offer if authorized no later than universal service benefits by creating Commission has made available a
December 31, 2017 to receive additional incentives for deployment of voice and method of electronic filing, written ex
A–CAM funding equivalent to the broadband-capable infrastructure. The parte presentations and memoranda
original offer. The Commission therefore Commission sought written comment on summarizing oral ex parte
seeks comment on whether the the proposal, including comment on the presentations, and all attachments
Commission should further increase the Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis thereto, must be filed through the
budget for A–CAM to provide the full (IRFA). The Commission did not receive electronic comment filing system
amount of the original offer for some or any comments on the April 2014 available for that proceeding, and must
all of those carriers that accepted the Connect America FNPRM IRFA. In the be filed in their native format (e.g., .doc,
second offer of model-based support. Rate-of-Return Reform Order, 81 FR .xml, .ppt, searchable .pdf). Participants
2. The Commission seeks comment on 24282, April 25, 2016, the Commission in this proceeding should familiarize
increasing the budget by a lesser adopted a voluntary path under which themselves with the Commission’s ex
amount. If the increased budget for A– rate-of-return carriers may elect to parte rules.
CAM were insufficient to cover all receive model-based support for a term 7. People with Disabilities: To request
participants, should the Wireline of 10 years in exchange for meeting materials in accessible formats for
Competition Bureau (Bureau) prioritize defined build-out obligations. The people with disabilities (braille, large
funding to those with the least Commission issued a Final Regulatory print, electronic files, audio format),
broadband deployment using the same Flexibility Analysis (FRFA) that send an email to fcc504@fcc.gov or call
data set as that utilized for the adjusted conforms to the Regulatory Flexibility the Consumer & Governmental Affairs
offer? Alternatively, if the Commission Act of 1980 (RFA), as amended. This Bureau at 202–418–0530 (voice), 202–
increases the budget by a smaller present Report and Order and Further 418–0432 (TTY).
amount, should the Bureau revise the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
offers to an amount less than the III. Ordering Clauses
implements the framework previously
original offer? In that latter situation, the adopted by the Commission and seeks 8. It is further ordered, pursuant to the
Commission expects that the Bureau comment on additional funding to authority contained in sections 1, 2, 4(i),
would make a new offer, limited to the implement that framework. The 5, 10, 201–206, 214, 218–220, and 254
carriers that originally elected the first Commission promulgates no additional of the Communications Act of 1934, as
offer and accepted the revised offer; final rules, and our present action is, amended, and section 706 of the
those carriers would be free to choose therefore, not an RFA matter. Telecommunications Act of 1996, 47
whether to accept that new offer and the U.S.C. 151, 152, 154(i), 155, 160, 201–
associated broadband deployment 6. The proceeding this Notice initiates
shall be treated as a ‘‘permit-but- 206, 214, 218–220, 254, and 1302, and
obligations. sections 1.1, 1.3, 1.421, 1.427, and 1.429
3. The Commission notes that disclose’’ proceeding in accordance
with the Commission’s ex parte rules. of the Commission’s rules, 47 CFR 1.1,
commenters responding to the Bureau’s 1.3, 1.421, 1.427, and 1.429, that this
A–CAM Election Results Public Notice Persons making ex parte presentations
must file a copy of any written Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
uniformly support increasing the A– is adopted, effective thirty (30) days
CAM budget by more than $50 million. presentation or a memorandum
summarizing any oral presentation after publication of the text or summary
The Commission would need to
within two business days after the thereof in the Federal Register.
increase the overall high-cost budget by
an additional $110 million per year if all presentation (unless a different deadline Federal Communications Commission.
carriers elect the second offer, and by a applicable to the Sunshine period Marlene H. Dortch,
lesser amount if fewer do. The applies). Persons making oral ex parte Secretary.
Commission invites comment from all presentations are reminded that [FR Doc. 2017–00598 Filed 1–12–17; 8:45 am]
interested stakeholders on whether to memoranda summarizing the BILLING CODE 6712–01–P
enlarge the budget for A–CAM support, presentation must (1) list all persons
including the costs and benefits of attending or otherwise participating in
allocating limited funding for this the meeting at which the ex parte
particular purpose. presentation was made, and (2) DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
summarize all data presented and
II. Procedural Matters arguments made during the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
4. This document does not contain presentation. If the presentation Administration
new information collection consisted in whole or in part of the
requirements subject to the Paperwork presentation of data or arguments 50 CFR Parts 223 and 224
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), Public already reflected in the presenter’s
Law 104–13. In addition, therefore, it written comments, memoranda or other RIN 0648–XF080
does not contain any new or modified filings in the proceeding, the presenter Endangered and Threatened Species;
information collection burden for small may provide citations to such data or Petition for Rulemaking To Establish a
business concerns with fewer than 25 arguments in his or her prior comments, Whale Protection Zone for Southern
employees, pursuant to the Small memoranda, or other filings (specifying Resident Killer Whales
Business Paperwork Relief Act of 2002, the relevant page and/or paragraph
Public Law 107–198, see 44 U.S.C. numbers where such data or arguments AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
3506(c)(4). can be found) in lieu of summarizing Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
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Document Created: 2017-01-13 02:44:33
Document Modified: 2017-01-13 02:44:33
| 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 | Proposed Rules | |
| Action | Proposed rule. | |
| Dates | Comments are due on or before February 13, 2017 and reply comments are due on or before February 27, 2017. If you anticipate that you will be submitting comments, but find it difficult to do so within the period of time allowed by this document, you should advise the contact listed below as soon as possible. | |
| Contact | Alexander Minard, Wireline Competition Bureau, (202) 418-7400 or TTY: (202) 418-0484. | |
| FR Citation | 82 FR 4275 |
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