[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 7 (Tuesday, January 11, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1893-1894]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-468]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION


Notice of Public Information Collection(s) Being Reviewed by the 
Federal Communications Commission, Comments Requested

December 28, 2004.

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 collection(s), as required by the Paperwork 
Reduction Act (PRA) 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 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

[[Page 1894]]

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 Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) comments should be 
submitted on or before March 14, 2005. 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 Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) comments to Judith 
B. Herman, Federal Communications Commission, Room 1-C804, 445 12th 
Street, SW., Washington, DC 20554 or via the Internet to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information or copies 
of the information collection(s), contact Judith B. Herman at 202-418-
0214 or via the Internet at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    OMB Control No.: 3060-0804.
    Title: Universal Service `` Health Care Providers Universal Service 
Program.
    Form Nos.: FCC Forms 465, 466, 466-A and 467.
    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: 14,440.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 1-3 hours.
    Frequency of Response: On occasion and annual reporting 
requirements, recordkeeping requirement and third party disclosure 
requirement.
    Total Annual Burden: 17,720 hours.
    Total Annual Cost: N/A.
    Privacy Act Impact Assessment: N/A.
    Needs and Uses: The Commission implemented the rural health care 
mechanism at the direction of Congress as provided in the 
Telecommunications Act of 1996 (1996 Act). In past years of its 
operation, the rural health care mechanism has provided discounts that 
have facilitated the ability of health care providers to provide 
critical access to modern telecommunications and information services 
for medical and health maintenance purposes to rural America. 
Participation in the rural health care universal service support 
mechanism, however, has not met the Commission's projections.
    In the Second Report and Order, Order on Reconsideration, and 
Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, released on December 17, 2004, 
in FCC 04-289, the Commission modifies the definition of ``rural'' for 
purposes of the rural health care universal service support mechanism. 
The Commission also revises its policy to allow mobile rural health 
care clinics to receive discounts for telecommunications services. In 
addition, the Commission permits States and territories that are 
entirely rural to receive funding for advanced telecommunications and 
information services. The Commission also establishes a deadline for 
filing the FCC Form 466. Finally, the Commission seeks comment on 
whether support for Internet access should be increased and whether 
support should be provided for upgrades to the public switched or 
backbone telecommunications networks.

Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene H. Dortch,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 05-468 Filed 1-10-05; 8:45 am]
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