[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 59 (Thursday, March 27, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17149-17150]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-06773]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION


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

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Notice; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burden 
and as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 
3501-3520), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) invites the 
general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to 
comment on the following information collection(s). 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 further ways to reduce the 
information burden for 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 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 (PRA) that does 
not display a valid Control Number.

DATES: Written Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) comments should be 
submitted on or before May 27, 2014. 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 FCC contact 
listed below as soon as possible.

ADDRESSES: Submit your PRA comments to Leslie F. Smith, Office of 
Managing Director (OMD), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), via 
the Internet at [email protected]. To submit your PRA comments by 
email, send them to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information, contact 
Leslie F. Smith at (202) 418-0217, or via the Internet at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    OMB Control Number: 3060-1081.
    Title: Telecommunications Carriers Eligible to Receive Universal 
Service Support.
    Form Number: N/A.
    Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents and Responses: 20 respondents; 20 responses.
    Estimated Time per Response: 40 hours.
    Obligation to Respond: Required to obtain or retain benefits, 47 
CFR 54.202, 54.209.
    Frequency of Response: Annually.
    Total Annual Burden: 800 hours.
    Total Annual Cost: No cost.
    Privacy Act Impact Assessment: No impact(s).
    Nature of Extent of Confidentiality: If respondents submit 
information which respondents believe is confidential, respondents may 
request confidential treatment of such information pursuant to section 
0.459 of the Commission's rules, 47 CFR 0.459.
    Needs and Uses: Designation as an Eligible Telecommunications 
Carrier (ETC) makes a telecommunications carrier eligible to 
participate in the Universal Service Fund's high-cost and low-income 
programs, which support the extension of telecommunications services to 
underserved rural and low-income communities. In the absence of this 
information collection, the Commission's ability to oversee the use of 
Federal universal service funds and to combat waste, fraud, and abuse 
in the use of Federal funds would be compromised. Section 54.202 of the 
Commission's rules requires carriers seeking designation from the 
Commission to submit an application that certifies that the carrier 
will comply with the service requirement applicable to the support that 
it receives, 47 CFR 54.202(a)(1)(i), applicants must submit a five year 
plan that describes with specificity proposed improvements or upgrades 
to the applicant's network throughout its proposed service area, with 
estimates of the area and population that will be served as a result of 
the improvements, Sec.  54.202(a)(1)(ii), an applicant must

[[Page 17150]]

demonstrate its ability to remain functional in emergency situations, 
including a demonstration that it has a reasonable amount of back-up 
power to ensure functionality without an external power source, is able 
to reroute traffic around damaged facilities, and is capable of 
managing traffic spikes resulting from emergency situations, Sec.  
54.202(a)(2), demonstrate that it will satisfy applicable consumer 
protection and service quality standards, Sec.  54.202(a)(3), A common 
carrier seeking designation as an ETC for purposes of receiving support 
only under subpart E of Part 54 of the Commission's rules (Universal 
Service Support for Low-Income Consumers) must demonstrate that it is 
financially and technically capable of providing the Lifeline service 
in compliance with subpart E, Sec.  54.202(a)(4), applicants must 
submit information describing the terms and conditions of any voice 
telephony service plans offered to Lifeline subscribers, including 
details on the number of minutes provided as part of the plan, 
additional charges, if any, for toll calls, and rates for each such 
plan, Sec.  54.202(a)(5). If the common carrier is seeking designation 
as an eligible telecommunications carrier under section 214(e)(6) for 
any part of Tribal lands shall provide a copy of its petition to the 
affected tribal government and tribal regulatory authority, as 
applicable, at the time it files its petition with the Federal 
Communications Commission. In addition, the Commission shall send any 
public notice seeking comment on any petition for designation as an 
eligible telecommunications carrier on Tribal lands, at the time it is 
released, the affected tribal government and tribal regulatory 
authority, as applicable, by the most expeditious means available, 
Sec.  54.202(c).

Federal Communications Commission.
Gloria J. Miles,
Federal Register Liaison, Office of the Secretary, Office of Managing 
Director.
[FR Doc. 2014-06773 Filed 3-26-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P