[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 147 (Monday, August 1, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50498-50499]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-18094]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[OMB 3060-XXXX]


Information Collections Being Submitted for Review and Approval 
to the Office of Management and Budget

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 Commission) 
invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this 
opportunity to comment on the following information collections. 
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 Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) 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 OMB control number.

DATES: Written comments should be submitted on or before August 31, 
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 contacts below as soon as possible.

ADDRESSES: Direct all PRA comments to Nicholas A. Fraser, OMB, via 
email [email protected]; and to Nicole Ongele, FCC, via 
email [email protected] and to [email protected]. Include in the comments 
the OMB control number as shown in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION 
section below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information or copies 
of the information collection, contact Nicole Ongele at (202) 418-2991. 
To view a copy of this information collection request (ICR) submitted 
to OMB: (1) Go to the Web page <http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain>, (2) look for the section of the Web page called ``Currently 
Under Review,'' (3) click on the downward-pointing arrow in the 
``Select Agency'' box below the ``Currently Under Review'' heading, (4) 
select ``Federal Communications Commission'' from the list of agencies 
presented in the ``Select Agency'' box, (5) click the ``Submit'' button 
to the right of the ``Select Agency'' box, (6) when the list of FCC 
ICRs currently under review appears, look for the OMB control number of 
this ICR and then click on the ICR Reference Number. A copy of the FCC 
submission to OMB will be displayed.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    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.
    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

[[Page 50499]]

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.
Marlene H. Dortch,
Secretary, Office of the Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016-18094 Filed 7-29-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6712-01-P