[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 101 (Tuesday, May 27, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28701-28702]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-13760]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION


Notice of Public Information Collections Being Reviewed by the 
Federal Communications Commission

May 20, 1997.
SUMMARY: The Federal Communications Commission, as part of its 
continuing effort to reduce paperwork burden invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the 
following information collections, as required by the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. An agency 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 
Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) that does not display a valid control 
number. Comments are requested concerning (a) 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; (b) the accuracy of the Commission's 
burden estimate; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity 
of the information collected; and (d) 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.

DATES: Written comments should be submitted on or before June 26, 1997. 
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 comments to Judy Boley, Federal Communications 
Commissions, Room 234, 1919 M St., N.W., Washington, DC 20554 or via 
internet to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information or copies 
of the information collections contact Judy Boley at 202-418-0214 or 
via internet at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    OMB Approval No.: None (3060-XXXX).
    Title: Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service, CC Docket 
No. 96-45 (47 CFR 36.611-36.612 and 47 CFR part 54).
    Form No.: N/A.

    OMB Control No.: None.
    Respondents: Business or other for-profit entities; individuals or 
households; not-for-profit institutions; state, local or tribal 
government.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 5,565,451 respondents; 3.1 hours per 
response (avg.); 1,784,220 hours total annual burden.
    Frequency of Response: On occasion, annually, one-time 
requirements.

[[Page 28702]]



------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Hours per     Total annual 
       Rule section/title (47 CFR)           response         burden    
------------------------------------------------------------------------
a. 36.611(a) & 36.612--Submission and                                   
 Updating information to NECA...........           20             26,800
b. 54.101(c)--Demonstration of                                          
 exceptional circumstances for toll-                                    
 limitation grace period................           50                100
c. 54.201(b)(c)--Submission of                                          
 eligibility criteria...................            1              3,400
d. 54.201(d)(2)--Advertisement of                                       
 services & charges.....................           50             65,000
e. 54.205(a)--Advance notice of                                         
 relinquishment of universal service....             .5               50
f. 54.207(c)(1)--Submission of proposal                                 
 for redefining a rural service area....          125              6,250
g. 54.307(b)--Reporting of expenses &                                   
 number of lines served.................        \1\ 2.5            4,100
h. 54.401(b)(1)-(2)--Submission of                                      
 disconnection waiver request...........            2                100
i. 54.401(d)--Lifeline certification to                                 
 the Administrator......................            1              1,300
j. 54.407(c)--Lifeline recordkeeping....           80            104,000
k. 54.409(a)-(b)--Consumer qualification                                
 for Lifeline...........................        \2\ 5            440,000
l. 54.409(b)--Consumer notification of                                  
 Lifeline discontinuance................        \2\ 5             44,000
m. 54.418(b)--Link Up recordkeeping.....           80            104,000
n. 54.501(d)(4) & 54.516--Schools &                                     
 Libraries recordkeeping................       \1\ 41            372,000
o. 54.504(b)-(c), 54.507(d) & 54.509(a)--                               
 Description of services requested &                                    
 certification..........................            2            100,000
p. 54.601(b)(4) & 54.609(b)--Calculating                                
 support for health care providers......          100            340,000
q. 54.601(b)(3) & 54.619--Shared                                        
 facility recordkeeping.................       \1\ 21            160,000
r. 54.607(b)(1)-(2)--Submission of                                      
 proposed rural rate....................            3                150
s. 54.603(b)(1), 54.615(c)-(d) &                                        
 54.623(d)--Description of services                                     
 requested and certification............            1             12,000
t. 54.619(d)--Submission of rural health                                
 care report............................           40                 40
u. 54.701(f)(1) & (f)(2)--Submission of                                 
 annual report & CAM....................           40                 40
v. 54.701(g)--Submission of quarterly                                   
 report.................................           10                 40
w. 54.707--Submission of State                                          
 commission designation.................             .25             850
                                         -------------------------------
      Total Annual Burden Hours.........  ..............      1,784,220 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Average.    \2\ Minimum.                                            

    Needs and Uses: Congress directed the Commission to implement a new 
set of universal service support mechanisms that are explicit and 
sufficient to advance the universal service principles enumerated in 
Section 254 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and such other 
principles as the Commission believes are necessary and appropriate for 
the protection of the public interest, convenience and necessity, and 
are consistent with the Act. In the Report and Order issued in CC 
Docket No. 96-45, the Commission adopts rules that are designed to 
implement the universal service provisions of section 254. 
Specifically, the Order addresses: (1) universal service principles; 
(2) services eligible for support; (3) affordability; (4) carriers 
eligible for universal service support; (5) support mechanisms for 
rural, insular, and high cost areas; (6) support for low-income 
consumers; (7) support for schools, libraries, and health care 
providers; (8) interstate subscriber line charge and common line cost 
recovery; and (9) administration of support mechanisms. The reporting 
and recordkeeping requirements contained in CC Docket No. 96-45 are 
designed to implement Section 254 follow. The reporting and 
recordkeeping are necessary to ensure the integrity of the program. All 
the collections are necessary to implement the congressional mandate 
for universal service. The reporting and recordkeeping requirements are 
necessary to verify that the carriers and other respondents are 
eligible to receive universal service support.

Federal Communications Commission.
William F. Caton,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 97-13760 Filed 5-23-97; 8:45 am]
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