[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 134 (Tuesday, July 14, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Page 41041]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-17187]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[OMB 3060-0824]


Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal 
Communications Commission

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: As part of its continuing effort to reduce 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 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 September 
14, 2015. 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: 
    OMB Control Number: 3060-0824.
    Title: Service Provider and Billed Entity Identification Number and 
Contact Information Form.
    Form Number: FCC Form 498.
    Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Respondents: Business or other for-profit and not-for-profit 
institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 26,000 respondents; 26,000 responses.
    Estimated Time per Response: 0.75 hours.
    Frequency of Response: On occasion reporting requirements and third 
party disclosure requirements.
    Obligation to Respond: Required to obtain or retain benefits. 
Statutory authority for this information collection is contained in 47 
U.S.C. 151-154 and 254 the Communications Act of 1934, as amended.
    Total Annual Burden: 19,500 hours.
    Total Annual Cost: No cost.
    Privacy Impact Assessment: No impact(s).
    Nature and Extent of Confidentiality: The Commission notes that the 
Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) who administers the 
universal service program must preserve the confidentiality of all data 
obtained from respondents and contributors to the universal service 
programs, 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. With respect 
to the FCC Form 498, USAC shall publish each participant's name, SPIN, 
and contact information via USAC's Web site. All other information, 
including financial institution account numbers or routing information, 
shall remain confidential.
    Needs and Uses: One of the functions of the Universal Service 
Administrative Company (USAC) is to provide a means for the billing, 
collection and disbursement of funds for the universal service support 
mechanisms. On October 1998, the OMB approved FCC Form 498, the 
``Service Provider Information Form'' to enable USAC to collect service 
provider name and address, telephone number, Federal Employer 
Identification Number (EIN), contact names, contact telephone numbers, 
and remittance information. FCC Form 498 enables participants to 
request a Service Provider Identification Number (SPIN) and provides 
the official record for participation in the universal service support 
mechanisms. The remittance information provided by participants on FCC 
Form 498 enables USAC to make payments to participants in the universal 
service support mechanisms.
    The following proposed revisions have been made to the FCC Form 498 
for which we seek OMB approval:
     Form name changed to ``Service Provider and Billed Entity 
Identification Number and Contact Information Form'';
     Added an additional field in block 3 for a company's 
Federal Registration Number (FRN);
     Added a column for the Study Area Code Company Name in 
block 8;
     Added the ability for a carrier to designate an alternate 
bank account for the payment of BEAR funds in block 11;
     Added a box in block 1 and a supplemental information 
sheet to allow respondents to include information about affiliates;
     Updated the Principal Communications Types in block 14 to 
include additional business types as listed on the FCC Form 499-A; and
     Added a box after every program on the form that will 
allow service providers to cease participation in the associated 
program without having to deactivate their entire SPIN.
    Corresponding adjustments were made to the instructions to reflect 
the proposed changes to the FCC Form 498. The information collected on 
the FCC Form 498 is used by USAC to disburse federal universal service 
support consistent with the specifications of eligible participants in 
the universal service programs. FCC Form 498 submissions also provide 
USAC with updated contact information so that USAC can contact 
universal service fund participants when necessary. Without such 
information, USAC would not be able to distribute support to the proper 
entities and this would prevent the Commission from fulfilling its 
statutory responsibilities under the Act to preserve and advance 
universal service.

Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene H. Dortch,
Secretary, Office of the Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2015-17187 Filed 7-13-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6712-01-P