[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 103 (Friday, May 27, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33671-33672]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-12611]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[OMB 3060-XXXX]


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 July 26, 
2016. 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.
    OMB Control Number: 3060-XXXX.
    Title: Connect America Fund-Alternative Connect America Cost Model 
Support.
    Form Number: N/A.
    Type of Review: New collection.
    Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents and Responses: 2,010 unique respondents; 
2,090 responses.
    Estimated Time per Response: 0.5 hours-2 hours.
    Frequency of Response: On occasion and annual reporting 
requirements, one-time reporting requirement and recordkeeping 
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: 1,780 hours.

[[Page 33672]]

    Total Annual Cost: No Cost.
    Privacy Act Impact Assessment: No impact(s).
    Nature and Extent of Confidentiality: We note 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.
    Needs and Uses: The Commission is requesting approval for this new 
collection. In March 2016, the Commission adopted an order reforming 
its universal service support program in areas served by rate-of-return 
carriers. Connect America Fund; ETC Annual Reports and Certifications; 
Establishing Just and Reasonable Rates for Local Exchange Carriers; 
Developing a Unified Intercarrier Compensation Regime, WC Docket Nos. 
10-90, 14-58, 07-135, 05-337, 03-109; CC Docket Nos. 01-92, 96-45, 
Report and Order, Order and Order on Reconsideration, and Further 
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, FCC 16-33 (Rate-of-Return Order).
    The Commission adopted a voluntary path for rate-of-return carriers 
to receive model-based universal service support in exchange for making 
a commitment to deploy broadband-capable networks meeting certain 
service obligation to a pre-determined number of eligible locations by 
state. The Commission addressed the requirement that carriers electing 
model-based support must notify the Commission of that election and 
their commitment to satisfy the specific service obligations associated 
with the amount of model support. In addition, the Commission adopted 
reforms to the universal service mechanisms used to determine support 
for rate-of-return carriers not electing model-based support. Among 
other such reforms, the Commission adopted an operating expense 
limitation to improve carriers' incentives to be prudent and efficient 
in their expenditures, a capital investment allowance to better target 
support to those areas with less broadband deployment, and broadband 
deployment obligations to promote ``accountability from companies 
receiving support to ensure that public investment are used wisely to 
deliver intended results.'' This information collection addresses the 
new burdens associated with those reforms.

Federal Communications Commission.
Gloria J. Miles,
Federal Register Liaison Officer, Office of the Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016-12611 Filed 5-26-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P