83 FR 33139 - Connect America Fund, Connect America Fund-Alaska Plan
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 137 (July 17, 2018)
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 137 (July 17, 2018)
| Page Range | 33139-33140 | |
| FR Document | 2018-15171 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 137 (Tuesday, July 17, 2018)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 33139-33140] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-15171] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 47 CFR Part 54 [WC Docket No. 10-90, 16-271; FCC 16-115] Connect America Fund, Connect America Fund--Alaska Plan AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission. ACTION: Final rule; announcement of effective date. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) announces that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved, for a period of three years, an information collection associated with the rules for the Connect America Fund contained in the Commission's Connect America Fund--Alaska Plan Order, FCC 16-115. This document is consistent with the Connect America Fund--Alaska Plan Order, which stated that the Commission would publish a document in the Federal Register announcing the effective date of the new information collection requirements. DATES: The amendments regarding Sec. Sec. 54.313(f)(1)(i), 54.313(f)(3) and 54.313(l) published at 81 FR 69696, October 7, 2016, are effective July 17, 2018. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alexander Minard, Wireline Competition Bureau at (202) 418-7400 or TTY (202) 418-0484. For additional information concerning the Paperwork Reduction Act information collection requirements contact Nicole Ongele at (202) 418-2991 or via email: Nicole.Ongele@fcc.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Commission submitted revised information collection requirements for review and approval by OMB, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, on May 30, 2018, which were approved by OMB on July 2, 2018. The information collection requirements are contained in the Commission's Connect America Fund-- Alaska Plan Order, FCC 16-115, published at 81 FR 69696, October 7, 2016. The OMB Control Number is 3060-0986. The Commission publishes this document as an announcement of the effective date of the rules published October 7, 2016. If you have any comments on the burden estimates listed below, or how the Commission can improve the collections and reduce any burdens caused thereby, please contact Nicole Ongele, Federal Communications Commission, Room 1-A620, 445 12th Street SW, Washington, DC 20554. Please include the OMB Control Number, 3060-0986, in your correspondence. The Commission will also accept your comments via email at PRA@fcc.gov. To request materials in accessible formats for people with disabilities (Braille, large print, electronic files, audio format), send an email to fcc504@fcc.gov or call the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau at (202) 418-0530 (voice), (202) 418-0432 (TTY). Synopsis As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3507), the Commission is notifying the public that it received OMB approval on July 2, 2018, for the information collection requirements contained in 47 CFR 54.313(f)(1)(i), 54.313(f)(3) and 54.313(l), published at 81 FR 69696, October 7, 2016. Under 5 CFR part 1320, an agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a current, valid OMB Control Number. No person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act that does not display a current, valid OMB Control Number. The OMB Control Number is 3060-0986. The foregoing notice is required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13, October 1, 1995, and 44 U.S.C. 3507. The total annual reporting burdens and costs for the respondents are as follows: OMB Control Number: 3060-0986. OMB Approval Date: July 2, 2018. OMB Expiration Date: July 31, 2021. Title: High-Cost Universal Service Support. Form Number: FCC Form 481, FCC Form 505, FCC Form 507, FCC Form 508, FCC Form 509 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. Total Annual Burden: 63,486 hours. Total Annual Cost: 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: 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; [[Page 33140]] 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 removed Form 505 from this collection. The Commission also moved FCC Form 507, FCC Form 508, FCC Form 509 and the accompanying instructions to information collection 3060-0233. The Commission therefore revises this information collection, as well as Form 481 and its accompanying instructions, to reflect these new or modified requirements. The Commission also implemented 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 Dortch, Secretary, Office of the Secretary. [FR Doc. 2018-15171 Filed 7-16-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6712-01-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 137 / Tuesday, July 17, 2018 / Rules and Regulations 33139
taking it without prior publication. This DATES: The amendments regarding collection of information subject to the
action will be effective September 17, §§ 54.313(f)(1)(i), 54.313(f)(3) and Paperwork Reduction Act that does not
2018 unless EPA receives adverse 54.313(l) published at 81 FR 69696, display a current, valid OMB Control
comments by August 16, 2018. If October 7, 2016, are effective July 17, Number. The OMB Control Number is
adverse comments are received within 2018. 3060–0986.
the 30-day public comment period, EPA FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
The foregoing notice is required by
will publish a timely withdrawal of this Alexander Minard, Wireline the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995,
direct final notice of partial deletion Competition Bureau at (202) 418–7400 Public Law 104–13, October 1, 1995,
before the effective date of the partial or TTY (202) 418–0484. For additional and 44 U.S.C. 3507.
deletion and it will not take effect. EPA information concerning the Paperwork The total annual reporting burdens
will prepare a response to comments Reduction Act information collection and costs for the respondents are as
and continue with the deletion process requirements contact Nicole Ongele at follows:
on the basis of the notification of intent OMB Control Number: 3060–0986.
(202) 418–2991 or via email:
to partially delete and the comments OMB Approval Date: July 2, 2018.
Nicole.Ongele@fcc.gov. OMB Expiration Date: July 31, 2021.
already received. There will be no
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Title: High-Cost Universal Service
additional opportunity to comment.
Commission submitted revised Support.
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 300 information collection requirements for Form Number: FCC Form 481, FCC
Environmental protection, Air review and approval by OMB, as Form 505, FCC Form 507, FCC Form
pollution control, Chemicals, Hazardous required by the Paperwork Reduction 508, FCC Form 509 and FCC Form 525.
waste, Hazardous substances, Act (PRA) of 1995, on May 30, 2018, Type of Review: Revision of a
Intergovernmental relations, Penalties, which were approved by OMB on July currently approved collection.
Reporting and recordkeeping 2, 2018. The information collection Respondents: Business or other for-
requirements, Superfund, Water requirements are contained in the profit, not-for-profit institutions and
pollution control, Water supply. Commission’s Connect America Fund— state, local or tribal government.
Alaska Plan Order, FCC 16–115, Number of Respondents and
Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1321(d); 42 U.S.C. published at 81 FR 69696, October 7, Responses: 1,877 respondents; 14,335
9601–9657; E.O. 13626, 77 FR 56749, 3 CFR, 2016. The OMB Control Number is responses.
2013 Comp., p. 306; E.O. 12777, 56 FR 54757,
3 CFR, 1991 Comp., p. 351; E.O. 12580, 52
3060–0986. The Commission publishes Estimated Time per Response: 0.5–15
FR 2923, 3 CFR, 1987 Comp., p. 193. this document as an announcement of hours.
the effective date of the rules published Frequency of Response: On occasion,
Dated: June 25, 2018. October 7, 2016. If you have any quarterly and annual reporting
Cathy Stepp, comments on the burden estimates requirements, recordkeeping
Regional Administrator, Region 5. listed below, or how the Commission requirement and third party disclosure
[FR Doc. 2018–15240 Filed 7–16–18; 8:45 am] can improve the collections and reduce requirement.
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P any burdens caused thereby, please Obligation to Respond: Required to
contact Nicole Ongele, Federal obtain or retain benefits. Statutory
Communications Commission, Room authority for this information collection
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS 1–A620, 445 12th Street SW, is contained in 47 U.S.C. 151–154, 155,
COMMISSION Washington, DC 20554. Please include 201–206, 214, 218–220, 251, 252, 254,
the OMB Control Number, 3060–0986, 256, 303(r), 332, 403, 405, 410, and
47 CFR Part 54 in your correspondence. The 1302.
Commission will also accept your Total Annual Burden: 63,486 hours.
[WC Docket No. 10–90, 16–271; FCC 16– Total Annual Cost: No Cost.
115] comments via email at PRA@fcc.gov.
To request materials in accessible Privacy Act Impact Assessment: No
Connect America Fund, Connect formats for people with disabilities impact(s).
America Fund—Alaska Plan (Braille, large print, electronic files, Nature and Extent of Confidentiality:
audio format), send an email to fcc504@ The Commission notes that USAC must
AGENCY: Federal Communications fcc.gov or call the Consumer and preserve the confidentiality of all data
Commission. Governmental Affairs Bureau at (202) obtained from respondents; must not
ACTION: Final rule; announcement of 418–0530 (voice), (202) 418–0432 use the data except for purposes of
effective date. (TTY). administering the universal service
programs; and must not disclose data in
SUMMARY: In this document, the Federal Synopsis company-specific form unless directed
Communications Commission As required by the Paperwork to do so by the Commission. Privately-
(Commission) announces that the Office Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3507), held rate-of-return carriers may file the
of Management and Budget (OMB) has the Commission is notifying the public financial information they disclose in
approved, for a period of three years, an that it received OMB approval on July FCC Form 481 pursuant to a protective
information collection associated with 2, 2018, for the information collection order.
the rules for the Connect America Fund requirements contained in 47 CFR Needs and Uses: On November 18,
contained in the Commission’s Connect 54.313(f)(1)(i), 54.313(f)(3) and 2011, the Commission adopted an order
America Fund—Alaska Plan Order, FCC 54.313(l), published at 81 FR 69696, reforming its high-cost universal service
16–115. This document is consistent support mechanisms. Connect America
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with RULES
October 7, 2016. Under 5 CFR part 1320,
with the Connect America Fund— an agency may not conduct or sponsor Fund; A National Broadband Plan for
Alaska Plan Order, which stated that a collection of information unless it Our Future; Establish Just and
the Commission would publish a displays a current, valid OMB Control Reasonable Rates for Local Exchange
document in the Federal Register Number. Carriers; High-Cost Universal Service
announcing the effective date of the new No person shall be subject to any Support; Developing a Unified
information collection requirements. penalty for failing to comply with a Intercarrier Compensation Regime;
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![33140 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 137 / Tuesday, July 17, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
Federal-State Joint Board on Universal must comply with the Commission’s SUMMARY: In this document, the
Service; Lifeline and Link-Up; Universal existing high-cost reporting and Commission takes measures to
Service Reform—Mobility Fund, WC oversight mechanisms, with certain strengthen our rules to protect
Docket Nos. 10–90, 07–135, 05–337, 03– exceptions and modifications. consumers from slamming and
109; GN Docket No. 09–51; CC Docket On July 7, 2017, the Commission cramming by codifying rules against
Nos. 01–92, 96–45; WT Docket No. 10– adopted the ETC Reporting Streamlining sales call misrepresentations and
208, Order and Further Notice of Order. See Connect America Fund; ETC cramming and revising rules to improve
Proposed Rulemaking, 26 FCC Rcd Annual Reports and Certifications, WC the effectiveness of the third-party
17663 (2011) (USF/ICC Transformation Docket Nos. 10–90, 14–58, Report and verification (TPV) process. Slamming is
Order), and the Commission and Order, 32 FCC Rcd 5944 (2017) (ETC an unauthorized change in a consumers’
Wireline Competition Bureau have since Reporting Streamlining Order). In that telephone provider and cramming is the
adopted a number of orders that order, the Commission streamlined the placement of an unauthorized charge on
implement the USF/ICC Transformation annual reporting requirements for ETCs the consumers’ telephone bill.
Order; see also Connect America Fund by eliminating rules duplicative of other DATES: Effective August 16, 2018.
et al., WC Docket No. 10–90 et al., Third reporting requirements or that are no FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Order on Reconsideration, 27 FCC Rcd longer necessary. Richard D. Smith, Consumer and
5622 (2012); Connect America Fund et Further, since the previous filing Governmental Affairs Bureau (717) 338–
al., WC Docket No. 10–90 et al., Order, deadline associated with this collection, 2797, email Richard.Smith@fcc.gov.
27 FCC Rcd 605 (Wireline Comp. Bur. changing circumstances have made SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a
2012); Connect America Fund et al., WC filing certain information no longer summary of the Commission’s Report
Docket No. 10–90 et al., Fifth Order on necessary or required under the rules. and Order, document FCC 18–78,
Reconsideration, 27 FCC Rcd 14549 For instance, the final Connect America adopted on June 7, 2018, and released
(2012); Connect America Fund et al., Phase I incremental support deployment on June 8, 2018, in CG Docket No. 17–
WC Docket No. 10–90 et al., Order, 28 deadlines were in early 2017, so there 169. The full text of document FCC 18–
FCC Rcd 2051 (Wireline Comp. Bur. are no longer any reporting obligations 78 will be available for public
2013); Connect America Fund et al., WC associated with that support. inspection and copying via the
Docket No. 10–90 et al., Order, 28 FCC Moreover, because the Connect Commission’s Electronic Comment
Rcd 7227 (Wireline Comp. Bur. 2013); America Phase II challenge process has Filing System (ECFS), and during
Connect America Fund, WC Docket No. ended, the Commission removed Form regular business hours at the FCC
10–90, Report and Order, 28 FCC Rcd 505 from this collection. The Reference Information Center, Portals II,
7766 (Wireline Comp. Bur. 2013); Commission also moved FCC Form 507, 445 12th Street SW, Room CY–A257,
Connect America Fund, WC Docket No. FCC Form 508, FCC Form 509 and the Washington, DC 20554. To request
10–90, Report and Order, 28 FCC Rcd accompanying instructions to materials in accessible formats for
7211 (Wireline Comp. Bur. 2013); information collection 3060–0233. people with disabilities (Braille, large
Connect America Fund, WC Docket No. The Commission therefore revises this print, electronic files, audio format),
10–90, Report and Order, 28 FCC Rcd information collection, as well as Form send an email to fcc504@fcc.gov or call
10488 (Wireline Comp. Bur. 2013); 481 and its accompanying instructions, the Consumer and Governmental Affairs
Connect America Fund et al., WC to reflect these new or modified Bureau at (202) 418–0530 (voice), (844)
Docket No. 10–90 et al., Report and requirements. The Commission also 432–2272 (videophone), or (202) 418–
Order, Order and Order on implemented a number of non- 0432 (TTY).
Reconsideration and Further Notice of substantive changes to the Form 481
Proposed Rulemaking, 31 FCC Rcd 3087 and accompanying instructions. Any Congressional Review Act
(2016). The Commission has received increased burdens for particular The Commission will send a copy of
OMB approval for most of the reporting requirements are associated document FCC 18–78 to Congress and
information collections required by with ETCs newly subject to those the Government Accountability Office
these orders. At a later date, the requirements as a condition of receiving pursuant to the Congressional Review
Commission plans to submit additional high-cost support. Act, see 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A).
revisions for OMB review to address Federal Communications Commission.
other reforms adopted in the orders Final Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
Marlene Dortch, Analysis
(e.g., 47 CFR 54.313(a)(6)).
Secretary, Office of the Secretary.
More recently, on August 23, 2016, The Report and Order does not
[FR Doc. 2018–15171 Filed 7–16–18; 8:45 am] contain any new or modified
the Commission adopted the Alaska
Plan Order. See Connect America Fund
BILLING CODE 6712–01–P information collection requirements
et al., WC Docket Nos. 10–90, 16–271; subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act
WT Docket No. 10–208, Report and of 1995, Public Law 104–13. In addition,
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS therefore, it does not contain any new
Order and Further Notice of Proposed COMMISSION
Rulemaking, 31 FCC Rcd 10139 (2016) or modified information collection
(Alaska Plan Order). In that order, the 47 CFR Part 64 burden for small business concerns with
Commission adopted a plan for fewer than 25 employees, pursuant to
providing Alaskan rate-of-return carriers [CG Docket No. 17–169; FCC 18–78] the Small Business Paperwork Relief
and competitive eligible Act of 2002, Public Law 107–198, see 44
telecommunications carriers (ETCs) the Protecting Consumers From U.S.C. 3506(c)(4).
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with RULES
option to obtain a fixed level of funding Unauthorized Carrier Changes and
Synopsis
for a defined term in exchange for Related Unauthorized Charges
committing to deployment obligations Misrepresentations on Sales Calls
AGENCY: Federal Communications
that are tailored to each Alaskan Commission. 1. The Commission’s recent
carrier’s circumstances. ETCs receiving enforcement actions reveal that
ACTION: Final rule.
support pursuant to the Alaska Plan misrepresentations on sales calls are a
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Document Created: 2018-07-17 01:39:48
Document Modified: 2018-07-17 01:39:48
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Rules and Regulations | |
| Action | Final rule; announcement of effective date. | |
| Dates | The amendments regarding Sec. Sec. 54.313(f)(1)(i), 54.313(f)(3) and 54.313(l) published at 81 FR 69696, October 7, 2016, are effective July 17, 2018. | |
| Contact | Alexander Minard, Wireline Competition Bureau at (202) 418-7400 or TTY (202) 418-0484. For additional information concerning the Paperwork Reduction Act information collection requirements contact Nicole Ongele at (202) 418-2991 or via email: [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 33139 |
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