83_FR_12444 83 FR 12389 - Information Collections Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission

83 FR 12389 - Information Collections Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 55 (March 21, 2018)

Page Range12389-12391
FR Document2018-05731

As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, and as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or the Commission) invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following information collection. Comments are requested concerning: whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Commission, including whether the information shall have practical utility; the accuracy of the Commission's burden estimate; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology; and ways to further reduce the information collection burden on small business concerns with fewer than 25 employees. The FCC may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid control number. No person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information subject to the PRA that does not display a valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 55 (Wednesday, March 21, 2018)
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 55 (Wednesday, March 21, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12389-12391]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-05731]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[OMB 3060-XXXX, OMB 3060-0986]


Information Collections Being Reviewed by the Federal 
Communications Commission

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, 
and as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, the 
Federal Communications Commission (FCC or the Commission) invites the 
general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to 
comment on the following information collection. Comments are requested 
concerning: whether the proposed collection of information is necessary 
for the proper performance of the functions of the Commission, 
including whether the information shall have practical utility; the 
accuracy of the Commission's burden estimate; ways to enhance the 
quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; ways to 
minimize the burden of the collection of information on the 
respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology; and ways to further reduce the 
information collection burden on small business concerns with fewer 
than 25 employees. The FCC may not conduct or sponsor a collection of 
information unless it displays a currently valid control number. No 
person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a 
collection of information subject to the PRA that does not display a 
valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number.

DATES: Written PRA comments should be submitted on or before May 21, 
2018. If you anticipate that you will be submitting comments, but find 
it difficult to do so within the period of time allowed by this notice, 
you should advise the contact listed below as soon as possible.

ADDRESSES: Direct all PRA comments to Nicole Ongele, FCC, via email 
[email protected] and to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information about the 
information collection, contact Nicole Ongele at (202) 418-2991.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: As part of its continuing effort to reduce

[[Page 12390]]

paperwork burdens, and as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) 
of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520), the Federal Communications Commission 
(FCC or Commission) invites the general public and other Federal 
agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following 
information collections. Comments are requested concerning: Whether the 
proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper 
performance of the functions of the Commission, including whether the 
information shall have practical utility; the accuracy of the 
Commission's burden estimate; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and 
clarity of the information collected; ways to minimize the burden of 
the collection of information on the respondents, including the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology; and ways to further reduce the information collection 
burden on small business concerns with fewer than 25 employees.
    OMB Control Number: 3060-XXXX.
    Title: Application for Connect America Fund Phase II Auction 
Support--FCC Form 683.
    Form Number: FCC Form 683.
    Type of Review: New collection.
    Respondents: Business or other for-profit entities, not-for-profit 
institutions, and state, local or tribal governments.
    Number of Respondents and Responses: 400 respondents; 800 
responses.
    Estimated Time per Response: 2-12 hours (on average).
    Frequency of Response: Annual reporting requirements, on occasion 
reporting requirement.
    Obligation to Respond: Required to obtain or retain benefits. 
Statutory authority for this information collection 47 U.S.C. 154, 254 
and 303(r) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended.
    Total Annual Burden: 5,600 hours.
    Total Annual Cost(s): No Cost.
    Nature and Extent of Confidentiality: Although most information 
collected in FCC Form 683 will be made available for public inspection, 
the Commission will withhold certain information collected in FCC Form 
683 from routine public inspection. Specifically, the Commission will 
treat certain financial and technical information submitted in FCC Form 
683 as confidential. In addition, an applicant may use the abbreviated 
process under 47 CFR 0.459(a)(4) to request confidential treatment of 
the audited financial statements that are submitted during the post-
selection review process. However, if a request for public inspection 
for this technical or financial information is made under 47 CFR 0.461, 
and the applicant has any objections to disclosure, the applicant will 
be notified and will be required to justify continued confidential 
treatment. To the extent that an applicant seeks to have other 
information collected in FCC Form 683 or during the post-selection 
review process withheld from public inspection, the applicant may 
request confidential treatment pursuant to 47 CFR 0.459.
    Privacy Act Impact Assessment: No impact(s).
    Needs and Uses: In 2011, the Commission released the USF/ICC 
Transformation Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, WC 
Docket No. 10-90 et al., FCC 11-161 (USF/ICC Transformation Order and/
or FNPRM), which comprehensively reformed and modernized the high-cost 
program within the universal service fund to focus support on networks 
capable of providing voice and broadband services. Among other things, 
the Commission created the Connect America Fund (CAF) and concluded 
that support in price cap areas would be provided through a combination 
of ``a new forward-looking model of the cost of constructing modern 
multi-purpose networks'' and a competitive bidding process (the Connect 
America Fund Phase II auction or Phase II auction or Auction 903). The 
Commission also sought comment in the accompanying USF/ICC 
Transformation FNPRM on proposed rules governing the Phase II auction, 
including basic auction design and the application process.
    In the Phase II auction, service providers will compete to receive 
support of up to $1.98 billion over 10 years to offer voice and 
broadband service in unserved high-cost areas. The information 
collection requirements reported under this new collection are the 
result of several Commission decisions to implement reform adopted in 
the USF/ICC Transformation Order and move forward with conducting the 
Phase II auction. In the April 2014 Connect America Order, WC Docket 
No. 10-90 et al., FCC 14-54, the Commission adopted various rules 
regarding participation in the Phase II auction, the term of support, 
and the eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) designation process. 
In the Phase II Auction Order, WC Docket No. 10-90 et al., FCC 16-64, 
the Commission adopted rules to govern the Phase II auction, including 
the adoption of a two-stage application process, which includes a pre-
auction short-form application to be submitted by parties interested in 
bidding in the Phase II auction and a post-auction long-form 
application that must be submitted by winning bidders seeking to become 
authorized to receive Phase II auction support. The Commission 
concluded, based on its experience with auctions and consistent with 
the record, that this two-stage application process balances the need 
to collect information essential to conducting a successful auction and 
authorizing Phase II support with administrative efficiency.
    On January 30, 2018, the Commission adopted a public notice that 
established the final procedures for the Phase II auction, including 
the long-form application disclosure and certification requirements for 
winning bidders seeking to become authorized to receive Phase II 
auction support. See Phase II Auction Procedures Public Notice, WC 
Docket No. 17-182 et al., FCC 18-6. The Commission also adopted the 
Phase II Auction Order on Reconsideration, WC Docket No. 10-90 et al., 
FCC 18-5, which modified the Commission's letter of credit rules to 
provide some additional relief for Phase II auction support recipients 
by reducing the costs of maintaining a letter of credit.
    Under this information collection, the Commission will collect 
information from winning bidders to determine the recipients of Phase 
II auction support. To aid in collecting this information, the 
Commission has created FCC Form 683, which the public will use to 
provide the disclosures and certifications that must be made by Phase 
II auction winning bidders in the Connect America Fund Phase II auction 
seeking to become authorized for Phase II support.

    OMB Control Number: 3060-0986.
    Title: High-Cost Universal Service Support.
    Form Number: FCC Form 481, FCC Form 505, and FCC Form 525.
    Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Respondents: Business or other for-profit, not-for-profit 
institutions and state, local or tribal government.
    Number of Respondents and Responses: 1,877 respondents; 14,335 
responses.
    Estimated Time per Response: 0.5-15 hours.
    Frequency of Response: On occasion, quarterly and annual reporting 
requirements, recordkeeping requirement and third party disclosure 
requirement.
    Obligation to Respond: Required to obtain or retain benefits. 
Statutory authority for this information collection is contained in 47 
U.S.C. 151-154, 155, 201-206, 214, 218-220, 251, 252, 254, 256, 303(r), 
332, 403, 405, 410, and 1302.

[[Page 12391]]

    Total Annual Burden: 63,486 hours.
    Total Annual Cost(s): No Cost.
    Privacy Act Impact Assessment: No impact(s).
    Nature and Extent of Confidentiality: The Commission notes that 
USAC must preserve the confidentiality of all data obtained from 
respondents; must not use the data except for purposes of administering 
the universal service programs; and must not disclose data in company-
specific form unless directed to do so by the Commission. Privately-
held rate-of-return carriers may file the financial information they 
disclose in FCC Form 481 pursuant to a protective order.
    Needs and Uses: The Commission is requesting the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) approval for this revised information 
collection. On November 18, 2011, the Commission adopted an order 
reforming its high-cost universal service support mechanisms. Connect 
America Fund; A National Broadband Plan for Our Future; Establish Just 
and Reasonable Rates for Local Exchange Carriers; High-Cost Universal 
Service Support; Developing a Unified Intercarrier Compensation Regime; 
Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service; Lifeline and Link-Up; 
Universal Service Reform--Mobility Fund, WC Docket Nos. 10-90, 07-135, 
05-337, 03-109; GN Docket No. 09-51; CC Docket Nos. 01-92, 96-45; WT 
Docket No. 10-208, Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 26 
FCC Rcd 17663 (2011) (USF/ICC Transformation Order), and the Commission 
and Wireline Competition Bureau have since adopted a number of orders 
that implement the USF/ICC Transformation Order; see also Connect 
America Fund et al., WC Docket No. 10-90 et al., Third Order on 
Reconsideration, 27 FCC Rcd 5622 (2012); Connect America Fund et al., 
WC Docket No. 10-90 et al., Order, 27 FCC Rcd 605 (Wireline Comp. Bur. 
2012); Connect America Fund et al., WC Docket No. 10-90 et al., Fifth 
Order on Reconsideration, 27 FCC Rcd 14549 (2012); Connect America Fund 
et al., WC Docket No. 10-90 et al., Order, 28 FCC Rcd 2051 (Wireline 
Comp. Bur. 2013); Connect America Fund et al., WC Docket No. 10-90 et 
al., Order, 28 FCC Rcd 7227 (Wireline Comp. Bur. 2013); Connect America 
Fund, WC Docket No. 10-90, Report and Order, 28 FCC Rcd 7766 (Wireline 
Comp. Bur. 2013); Connect America Fund, WC Docket No. 10-90, Report and 
Order, 28 FCC Rcd 7211 (Wireline Comp. Bur. 2013); Connect America 
Fund, WC Docket No. 10-90, Report and Order, 28 FCC Rcd 10488 (Wireline 
Comp. Bur. 2013); Connect America Fund et al., WC Docket No. 10-90 et 
al., Report and Order, Order and Order on Reconsideration and Further 
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 31 FCC Rcd 3087 (2016). The Commission 
has received OMB approval for most of the information collections 
required by these orders. At a later date, the Commission plans to 
submit additional revisions for OMB review to address other reforms 
adopted in the orders (e.g., 47 CFR 54.313(a)(6)).
    More recently, on August 23, 2016, the Commission adopted the 
Alaska Plan Order. See Connect America Fund et al., WC Docket Nos. 10-
90, 16-271; WT Docket No. 10-208, Report and Order and Further Notice 
of Proposed Rulemaking, 31 FCC Rcd 10139 (2016) (Alaska Plan Order). In 
that order, the Commission adopted a plan for providing Alaskan rate-
of-return carriers and competitive eligible telecommunications carriers 
(ETCs) the option to obtain a fixed level of funding for a defined term 
in exchange for committing to deployment obligations that are tailored 
to each Alaskan carrier's circumstances. ETCs receiving support 
pursuant to the Alaska Plan must comply with the Commission's existing 
high-cost reporting and oversight mechanisms, with certain exceptions 
and modifications.
    On July 7, 2017, the Commission adopted the ETC Reporting 
Streamlining Order. See Connect America Fund; ETC Annual Reports and 
Certifications, WC Docket Nos. 10-90, 14-58, Report and Order, 32 FCC 
Rcd 5944 (2017) (ETC Reporting Streamlining Order). In that order, the 
Commission streamlined the annual reporting requirements for ETCs by 
eliminating rules duplicative of other reporting requirements or that 
are no longer necessary.
    Further, since the previous filing deadline associated with this 
collection, changing circumstances have made filing certain information 
no longer necessary or required under the rules. For instance, the 
final Connect America Phase I incremental support deployment deadlines 
were in early 2017, so there are no longer any reporting obligations 
associated with that support. Moreover, because the Connect America 
Phase II challenge process has ended, the Commission proposes to remove 
Form 505 from this collection. The Commission also proposes to move FCC 
Form 507, FCC Form 508, FCC Form 509 and the accompanying instructions 
to information collection 3060-0233.
    The Commission therefore proposes to revise this information 
collection, as well as Form 481 and its accompanying instructions, to 
reflect these new or modified requirements. The Commission also 
proposes a number of non-substantive changes to the Form 481 and 
accompanying instructions. Any increased burdens for particular 
reporting requirements are associated with ETCs newly subject to those 
requirements as a condition of receiving high-cost support.

Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene J. Dortch,
Secretary, Office of the Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2018-05731 Filed 3-20-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6712-01-P



                                                                                     Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 55 / Wednesday, March 21, 2018 / Notices                                                          12389

                                                      Item No.                                        Bureau                                                                       Subject

                                                                                                                                            Summary: The Commission will consider a Second Report and Order that would
                                                                                                                                               clarify and modify the procedures for NHPA and NEPA review of wireless infra-
                                                                                                                                               structure deployments.
                                                2 .........................   CONSUMER & GOVERNMENTAL AF-                                   Title: Advanced Methods to Target and Eliminate Unlawful Robocalls (CG Docket
                                                                               FAIRS.                                                          No. 17–59).
                                                                                                                                            Summary: The Commission will consider a Second Further Notice of Proposed
                                                                                                                                               Rulemaking to address the problem of unwanted calls to reassigned numbers.
                                                3 .........................   PUBLIC SAFETY & HOMELAND SECU-                                Title: Location-Based Routing For Wireless 911 Calls (PS Docket No. 18–64).
                                                                               RITY.
                                                                                                                                            Summary: The Commission will consider a Notice of Inquiry examining location-
                                                                                                                                               based routing of wireless 911 calls to ensure that calls are routed to the proper
                                                                                                                                               911 call center.
                                                4 .........................   PUBLIC SAFETY & HOMELAND SECU-                                Title: Amendment of Part 90 of the Commission’s Rules (WP Docket No. 07–
                                                                               RITY.                                                           100).
                                                                                                                                            Summary: The Commission will consider a Sixth Further Notice of Proposed
                                                                                                                                               Rulemaking to stimulate use of and investment in the 4.9 GHz band.
                                                5 .........................   MEDIA .....................................................   Title: Streamlined Reauthorization Procedures for Assigned or Transferred Tele-
                                                                                                                                               vision Satellite Stations (MB Docket No. 18–63); Modernization of Media Regu-
                                                                                                                                               lation Initiative (MB Docket No. 17–105).
                                                                                                                                            Summary: The Commission will consider a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that
                                                                                                                                               proposes to streamline the reauthorization process for television satellite sta-
                                                                                                                                               tions that are assigned or transferred in combination with a previously approved
                                                                                                                                               parent station.
                                                6 .........................   WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS ..                                Title: Amendments of Parts 1, 2, 22, 24, 27, 90 95 of the Commission’s Rules to
                                                                                                                                               Improve Wireless Coverage Through the Use of Signal Boosters (WT Docket
                                                                                                                                               No. 10–4).
                                                                                                                                            Summary: The Commission will consider a Second Report and Order that would
                                                                                                                                               remove the personal use restriction for Provider-Specific Consumer Signal
                                                                                                                                               Boosters and a Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that seeks
                                                                                                                                               comment on ways to further expand access to Consumer Signal Boosters.



                                                *      *     *    *     *                                               Federal Communications Commission.                       quality, utility, and clarity of the
                                                   The meeting site is fully accessible to                              Marlene H. Dortch,                                       information collected; ways to minimize
                                                people using wheelchairs or other                                       Secretary.                                               the burden of the collection of
                                                mobility aids. Sign language                                            [FR Doc. 2018–05742 Filed 3–20–18; 8:45 am]              information on the respondents,
                                                interpreters, open captioning, and                                      BILLING CODE 6712–01–P
                                                                                                                                                                                 including the use of automated
                                                                                                                                                                                 collection techniques or other forms of
                                                assistive listening devices will be
                                                                                                                                                                                 information technology; and ways to
                                                provided on site. Other reasonable
                                                                                                                        FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS                                   further reduce the information
                                                accommodations for people with                                                                                                   collection burden on small business
                                                                                                                        COMMISSION
                                                disabilities are available upon request.                                                                                         concerns with fewer than 25 employees.
                                                In your request, include a description of                               [OMB 3060–XXXX, OMB 3060–0986]
                                                                                                                                                                                 The FCC may not conduct or sponsor a
                                                the accommodation you will need and                                                                                              collection of information unless it
                                                a way we can contact you if we need                                     Information Collections Being
                                                                                                                        Reviewed by the Federal                                  displays a currently valid control
                                                more information. Last minute requests                                                                                           number. No person shall be subject to
                                                will be accepted, but may be impossible                                 Communications Commission
                                                                                                                                                                                 any penalty for failing to comply with
                                                to fill. Send an email to: fcc504@fcc.gov                               AGENCY: Federal Communications                           a collection of information subject to the
                                                or call the Consumer & Governmental                                     Commission.                                              PRA that does not display a valid Office
                                                Affairs Bureau at 202–418–0530 (voice),                                 ACTION: Notice and request for                           of Management and Budget (OMB)
                                                202–418–0432 (TTY).                                                     comments.                                                control number.
                                                   Additional information concerning                                                                                             DATES: Written PRA comments should
                                                this meeting may be obtained from the                                   SUMMARY:   As part of its continuing effort              be submitted on or before May 21, 2018.
                                                                                                                        to reduce paperwork burdens, and as                      If you anticipate that you will be
                                                Office of Media Relations, (202) 418–
                                                                                                                        required by the Paperwork Reduction                      submitting comments, but find it
                                                0500; TTY 1–888–835–5322. Audio/
                                                                                                                        Act (PRA) of 1995, the Federal                           difficult to do so within the period of
                                                Video coverage of the meeting will be                                   Communications Commission (FCC or
                                                broadcast live with open captioning                                                                                              time allowed by this notice, you should
                                                                                                                        the Commission) invites the general                      advise the contact listed below as soon
                                                over the internet from the FCC Live web                                 public and other Federal agencies to
                                                page at www.fcc.gov/live.                                                                                                        as possible.
                                                                                                                        take this opportunity to comment on the
                                                                                                                                                                                 ADDRESSES: Direct all PRA comments to
                                                   For a fee this meeting can be viewed                                 following information collection.
                                                                                                                        Comments are requested concerning:                       Nicole Ongele, FCC, via email PRA@
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES




                                                live over George Mason University’s
                                                                                                                        whether the proposed collection of                       fcc.gov and to Nicole.Ongele@fcc.gov.
                                                Capitol Connection. The Capitol
                                                Connection also will carry the meeting                                  information is necessary for the proper                  FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
                                                live via the internet. To purchase these                                performance of the functions of the                      additional information about the
                                                services, call (703) 993–3100 or go to                                  Commission, including whether the                        information collection, contact Nicole
                                                                                                                        information shall have practical utility;                Ongele at (202) 418–2991.
                                                www.capitolconnection.gmu.edu.
                                                                                                                        the accuracy of the Commission’s                         SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: As part of
                                                                                                                        burden estimate; ways to enhance the                     its continuing effort to reduce


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                                                12390                       Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 55 / Wednesday, March 21, 2018 / Notices

                                                paperwork burdens, and as required by                   made under 47 CFR 0.461, and the                      auction and a post-auction long-form
                                                the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of                    applicant has any objections to                       application that must be submitted by
                                                1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501–3520), the Federal                 disclosure, the applicant will be notified            winning bidders seeking to become
                                                Communications Commission (FCC or                       and will be required to justify continued             authorized to receive Phase II auction
                                                Commission) invites the general public                  confidential treatment. To the extent                 support. The Commission concluded,
                                                and other Federal agencies to take this                 that an applicant seeks to have other                 based on its experience with auctions
                                                opportunity to comment on the                           information collected in FCC Form 683                 and consistent with the record, that this
                                                following information collections.                      or during the post-selection review                   two-stage application process balances
                                                Comments are requested concerning:                      process withheld from public                          the need to collect information essential
                                                Whether the proposed collection of                      inspection, the applicant may request                 to conducting a successful auction and
                                                information is necessary for the proper                 confidential treatment pursuant to 47                 authorizing Phase II support with
                                                performance of the functions of the                     CFR 0.459.                                            administrative efficiency.
                                                Commission, including whether the                          Privacy Act Impact Assessment: No                     On January 30, 2018, the Commission
                                                information shall have practical utility;               impact(s).                                            adopted a public notice that established
                                                the accuracy of the Commission’s                           Needs and Uses: In 2011, the                       the final procedures for the Phase II
                                                burden estimate; ways to enhance the                    Commission released the USF/ICC                       auction, including the long-form
                                                quality, utility, and clarity of the                    Transformation Order and Further                      application disclosure and certification
                                                information collected; ways to minimize                 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, WC                     requirements for winning bidders
                                                the burden of the collection of                         Docket No. 10–90 et al., FCC 11–161                   seeking to become authorized to receive
                                                information on the respondents,                         (USF/ICC Transformation Order and/or                  Phase II auction support. See Phase II
                                                including the use of automated                          FNPRM), which comprehensively                         Auction Procedures Public Notice, WC
                                                collection techniques or other forms of                 reformed and modernized the high-cost                 Docket No. 17–182 et al., FCC 18–6. The
                                                information technology; and ways to                     program within the universal service                  Commission also adopted the Phase II
                                                further reduce the information                          fund to focus support on networks                     Auction Order on Reconsideration, WC
                                                collection burden on small business                     capable of providing voice and                        Docket No. 10–90 et al., FCC 18–5,
                                                concerns with fewer than 25 employees.                  broadband services. Among other                       which modified the Commission’s letter
                                                   OMB Control Number: 3060–XXXX.                       things, the Commission created the                    of credit rules to provide some
                                                   Title: Application for Connect                       Connect America Fund (CAF) and                        additional relief for Phase II auction
                                                America Fund Phase II Auction                           concluded that support in price cap                   support recipients by reducing the costs
                                                Support—FCC Form 683.                                   areas would be provided through a                     of maintaining a letter of credit.
                                                   Form Number: FCC Form 683.                           combination of ‘‘a new forward-looking                   Under this information collection, the
                                                   Type of Review: New collection.                      model of the cost of constructing                     Commission will collect information
                                                   Respondents: Business or other for-                  modern multi-purpose networks’’ and a                 from winning bidders to determine the
                                                profit entities, not-for-profit institutions,           competitive bidding process (the                      recipients of Phase II auction support.
                                                and state, local or tribal governments.                 Connect America Fund Phase II auction                 To aid in collecting this information, the
                                                   Number of Respondents and                            or Phase II auction or Auction 903). The              Commission has created FCC Form 683,
                                                Responses: 400 respondents; 800                         Commission also sought comment in the                 which the public will use to provide the
                                                responses.                                              accompanying USF/ICC Transformation                   disclosures and certifications that must
                                                   Estimated Time per Response: 2–12                    FNPRM on proposed rules governing                     be made by Phase II auction winning
                                                hours (on average).                                     the Phase II auction, including basic                 bidders in the Connect America Fund
                                                   Frequency of Response: Annual                        auction design and the application                    Phase II auction seeking to become
                                                reporting requirements, on occasion                     process.                                              authorized for Phase II support.
                                                reporting requirement.                                     In the Phase II auction, service
                                                                                                                                                                 OMB Control Number: 3060–0986.
                                                   Obligation to Respond: Required to                   providers will compete to receive                        Title: High-Cost Universal Service
                                                obtain or retain benefits. Statutory                    support of up to $1.98 billion over 10                Support.
                                                authority for this information collection               years to offer voice and broadband                       Form Number: FCC Form 481, FCC
                                                47 U.S.C. 154, 254 and 303(r) of the                    service in unserved high-cost areas. The              Form 505, and FCC Form 525.
                                                Communications Act of 1934, as                          information collection requirements                      Type of Review: Revision of a
                                                amended.                                                reported under this new collection are                currently approved collection.
                                                   Total Annual Burden: 5,600 hours.                    the result of several Commission                         Respondents: Business or other for-
                                                   Total Annual Cost(s): No Cost.                       decisions to implement reform adopted                 profit, not-for-profit institutions and
                                                   Nature and Extent of Confidentiality:                in the USF/ICC Transformation Order                   state, local or tribal government.
                                                Although most information collected in                  and move forward with conducting the                     Number of Respondents and
                                                FCC Form 683 will be made available                     Phase II auction. In the April 2014                   Responses: 1,877 respondents; 14,335
                                                for public inspection, the Commission                   Connect America Order, WC Docket No.                  responses.
                                                will withhold certain information                       10–90 et al., FCC 14–54, the                             Estimated Time per Response: 0.5–15
                                                collected in FCC Form 683 from routine                  Commission adopted various rules                      hours.
                                                public inspection. Specifically, the                    regarding participation in the Phase II                  Frequency of Response: On occasion,
                                                Commission will treat certain financial                 auction, the term of support, and the                 quarterly and annual reporting
                                                and technical information submitted in                  eligible telecommunications carrier                   requirements, recordkeeping
                                                FCC Form 683 as confidential. In                        (ETC) designation process. In the Phase               requirement and third party disclosure
                                                addition, an applicant may use the                      II Auction Order, WC Docket No. 10–90
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES




                                                                                                                                                              requirement.
                                                abbreviated process under 47 CFR                        et al., FCC 16–64, the Commission                        Obligation to Respond: Required to
                                                0.459(a)(4) to request confidential                     adopted rules to govern the Phase II                  obtain or retain benefits. Statutory
                                                treatment of the audited financial                      auction, including the adoption of a                  authority for this information collection
                                                statements that are submitted during the                two-stage application process, which                  is contained in 47 U.S.C. 151–154, 155,
                                                post-selection review process. However,                 includes a pre-auction short-form                     201–206, 214, 218–220, 251, 252, 254,
                                                if a request for public inspection for this             application to be submitted by parties                256, 303(r), 332, 403, 405, 410, and
                                                technical or financial information is                   interested in bidding in the Phase II                 1302.


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                                                                            Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 55 / Wednesday, March 21, 2018 / Notices                                                  12391

                                                   Total Annual Burden: 63,486 hours.                   Docket No. 10–90 et al., Report and                   Commission also proposes a number of
                                                   Total Annual Cost(s): No Cost.                       Order, Order and Order on                             non-substantive changes to the Form
                                                   Privacy Act Impact Assessment: No                    Reconsideration and Further Notice of                 481 and accompanying instructions.
                                                impact(s).                                              Proposed Rulemaking, 31 FCC Rcd 3087                  Any increased burdens for particular
                                                   Nature and Extent of Confidentiality:                (2016). The Commission has received                   reporting requirements are associated
                                                The Commission notes that USAC must                     OMB approval for most of the                          with ETCs newly subject to those
                                                preserve the confidentiality of all data                information collections required by                   requirements as a condition of receiving
                                                obtained from respondents; must not                     these orders. At a later date, the                    high-cost support.
                                                use the data except for purposes of                     Commission plans to submit additional
                                                administering the universal service                                                                           Federal Communications Commission.
                                                                                                        revisions for OMB review to address
                                                programs; and must not disclose data in                                                                       Marlene J. Dortch,
                                                                                                        other reforms adopted in the orders
                                                company-specific form unless directed                   (e.g., 47 CFR 54.313(a)(6)).                          Secretary, Office of the Secretary.
                                                to do so by the Commission. Privately-                     More recently, on August 23, 2016,                 [FR Doc. 2018–05731 Filed 3–20–18; 8:45 am]
                                                held rate-of-return carriers may file the               the Commission adopted the Alaska                     BILLING CODE 6712–01–P
                                                financial information they disclose in                  Plan Order. See Connect America Fund
                                                FCC Form 481 pursuant to a protective                   et al., WC Docket Nos. 10–90, 16–271;
                                                order.                                                  WT Docket No. 10–208, Report and                      FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS
                                                   Needs and Uses: The Commission is                    Order and Further Notice of Proposed                  COMMISSION
                                                requesting the Office of Management                     Rulemaking, 31 FCC Rcd 10139 (2016)                   [OMB 3060–0149]
                                                and Budget (OMB) approval for this                      (Alaska Plan Order). In that order, the
                                                revised information collection. On                      Commission adopted a plan for                         Information Collection Being
                                                November 18, 2011, the Commission                       providing Alaskan rate-of-return carriers             Submitted for Review and Approval to
                                                adopted an order reforming its high-cost                and competitive eligible                              the Office of Management and Budget
                                                universal service support mechanisms.                   telecommunications carriers (ETCs) the
                                                Connect America Fund; A National                        option to obtain a fixed level of funding             AGENCY: Federal Communications
                                                Broadband Plan for Our Future;                          for a defined term in exchange for                    Commission.
                                                Establish Just and Reasonable Rates for                 committing to deployment obligations                  ACTION: Notice and request for
                                                Local Exchange Carriers; High-Cost                      that are tailored to each Alaskan                     comments.
                                                Universal Service Support; Developing a                 carrier’s circumstances. ETCs receiving
                                                Unified Intercarrier Compensation                                                                             SUMMARY:   As part of its continuing effort
                                                                                                        support pursuant to the Alaska Plan
                                                Regime; Federal-State Joint Board on                                                                          to reduce paperwork burdens, and as
                                                                                                        must comply with the Commission’s
                                                Universal Service; Lifeline and Link-Up;                                                                      required by the Paperwork Reduction
                                                                                                        existing high-cost reporting and
                                                Universal Service Reform—Mobility                                                                             Act (PRA) of 1995, the Federal
                                                                                                        oversight mechanisms, with certain
                                                Fund, WC Docket Nos. 10–90, 07–135,                                                                           Communications Commission (FCC or
                                                                                                        exceptions and modifications.
                                                05–337, 03–109; GN Docket No. 09–51;                       On July 7, 2017, the Commission                    the Commission) invites the general
                                                CC Docket Nos. 01–92, 96–45; WT                         adopted the ETC Reporting Streamlining                public and other Federal agencies to
                                                Docket No. 10–208, Order and Further                    Order. See Connect America Fund; ETC                  take this opportunity to comment on the
                                                Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 26 FCC                   Annual Reports and Certifications, WC                 following information collection.
                                                Rcd 17663 (2011) (USF/ICC                               Docket Nos. 10–90, 14–58, Report and                  Comments are requested concerning:
                                                Transformation Order), and the                          Order, 32 FCC Rcd 5944 (2017) (ETC                    Whether the proposed collection of
                                                Commission and Wireline Competition                     Reporting Streamlining Order). In that                information is necessary for the proper
                                                Bureau have since adopted a number of                   order, the Commission streamlined the                 performance of the functions of the
                                                orders that implement the USF/ICC                       annual reporting requirements for ETCs                Commission, including whether the
                                                Transformation Order; see also Connect                  by eliminating rules duplicative of other             information shall have practical utility;
                                                America Fund et al., WC Docket No. 10–                  reporting requirements or that are no                 the accuracy of the Commission’s
                                                90 et al., Third Order on                               longer necessary.                                     burden estimate; ways to enhance the
                                                Reconsideration, 27 FCC Rcd 5622                           Further, since the previous filing                 quality, utility, and clarity of the
                                                (2012); Connect America Fund et al.,                    deadline associated with this collection,             information collected; ways to minimize
                                                WC Docket No. 10–90 et al., Order, 27                   changing circumstances have made                      the burden of the collection of
                                                FCC Rcd 605 (Wireline Comp. Bur.                        filing certain information no longer                  information on the respondents,
                                                2012); Connect America Fund et al., WC                  necessary or required under the rules.                including the use of automated
                                                Docket No. 10–90 et al., Fifth Order on                 For instance, the final Connect America               collection techniques or other forms of
                                                Reconsideration, 27 FCC Rcd 14549                       Phase I incremental support deployment                information technology; and ways to
                                                (2012); Connect America Fund et al.,                    deadlines were in early 2017, so there                further reduce the information
                                                WC Docket No. 10–90 et al., Order, 28                   are no longer any reporting obligations               collection burden on small business
                                                FCC Rcd 2051 (Wireline Comp. Bur.                       associated with that support. Moreover,               concerns with fewer than 25 employees.
                                                2013); Connect America Fund et al., WC                  because the Connect America Phase II                     The Commission may not conduct or
                                                Docket No. 10–90 et al., Order, 28 FCC                  challenge process has ended, the                      sponsor a collection of information
                                                Rcd 7227 (Wireline Comp. Bur. 2013);                    Commission proposes to remove Form                    unless it displays a currently valid
                                                Connect America Fund, WC Docket No.                     505 from this collection. The                         Office of Management and Budget
                                                10–90, Report and Order, 28 FCC Rcd                     Commission also proposes to move FCC                  (OMB) control number. No person shall
                                                7766 (Wireline Comp. Bur. 2013);                                                                              be subject to any penalty for failing to
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES




                                                                                                        Form 507, FCC Form 508, FCC Form
                                                Connect America Fund, WC Docket No.                     509 and the accompanying instructions                 comply with a collection of information
                                                10–90, Report and Order, 28 FCC Rcd                     to information collection 3060–0233.                  subject to the PRA that does not display
                                                7211 (Wireline Comp. Bur. 2013);                           The Commission therefore proposes                  a valid OMB control number.
                                                Connect America Fund, WC Docket No.                     to revise this information collection, as             DATES: Written comments should be
                                                10–90, Report and Order, 28 FCC Rcd                     well as Form 481 and its accompanying                 submitted on or before April 20, 2018.
                                                10488 (Wireline Comp. Bur. 2013);                       instructions, to reflect these new or                 If you anticipate that you will be
                                                Connect America Fund et al., WC                         modified requirements. The                            submitting comments, but find it


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Document Created: 2018-03-21 00:45:51
Document Modified: 2018-03-21 00:45:51
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice and request for comments.
DatesWritten PRA comments should be submitted on or before May 21, 2018. If you anticipate that you will be submitting comments, but find it difficult to do so within the period of time allowed by this notice, you should advise the contact listed below as soon as possible.
ContactFor additional information about the information collection, contact Nicole Ongele at (202) 418-2991.
FR Citation83 FR 12389 

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