[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 185 (Tuesday, September 26, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44785-44786]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-20549]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[OMB 3060-1228]


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, 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 November 
27, 2017. 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: 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

[[Page 44786]]

information technology; and ways to further reduce the information 
collection burden on small business concerns with fewer than 25 
employees.
    OMB Control Number: 3060-1228.
    Title: Connect America Fund--High Cost Portal Filing.
    Form Number: N/A.
    Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Respondents: Business or other for-profit, not-for-profit 
institutions.
    Number of Respondents and Responses: 1,599 unique respondents; 
3,731 responses.
    Estimated Time per Response: 8 hours-60 hours.
    Frequency of Response: On occasion, quarterly reporting 
requirements, 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: 68,607 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 certain data obtained from respondents; 
must not use the data except for purposes of administering the 
universal service programs or other purposes specified by the 
Commission; and must not disclose data in company-specific form unless 
directed to do so by the Commission. Respondents may request materials 
or information submitted to the Commission or the Administrator 
believed confidential to be withheld from public inspection under 47 
CFR 0.459 of the FCC's rules.
    Needs and Uses: The Commission is requesting approval for this 
revised information 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 et al., WC 
Docket Nos. 10-90 et al., Report and Order, Order and Order on 
Reconsideration, and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, FCC 16-33 
(Rate-of-Return Order). In May 2016, the Commission adopted rules to 
implement a competitive bidding process for Phase II of the Connect 
America Fund. Connect America Fund et al., WC Docket Nos. 10-90 et al., 
Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, FCC 16-64 
(Phase II Auction Order). In August 2016, the Commission adopted a plan 
tailored to certain carriers, both fixed and mobile, serving Alaska. 
Connect America Fund et al., WC Docket No. 10-90 et al., Report and 
Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, FCC 16-115 (Alaska 
Plan Order). Also, in January 2017 the Commission adopted an order 
which granted New York State waiver of the Connect America Phase II 
auction program rules, subject to certain conditions. Connect America 
Fund et al., WC Docket Nos. 10-90 et al., FCC 17-2 (New York Auction 
Order). The Commission made up to $170.4 million in Connect America 
Phase II support available to applicants selected in New York's New NY 
Broadband Program in accordance with the framework adopted in the 
order. New York winning bidders that are ultimately authorized to 
receive Connect America Phase II support will be subject to the same 
location reporting, build-out milestone certifications, and non-
compliance measures as Connect America Phase II auction recipients.
    This information collection addresses the requirement that certain 
carriers with high cost reporting obligations must file information 
about their locations which meet their broadband deployment public 
interest obligations via an electronic portal (``portal''). The Rate-
of-Return Order required that the Universal Service Administrative 
Company (USAC) establish the portal so that carriers could file their 
location data with the portal starting in 2017. The Rate-of-Return 
Order required all recipients of Phase II model-based support and rate-
of-return carriers to submit geocoded location data and related 
certifications to the portal. Recipients of Phase II model-based 
support had been required to file such information in their annual 
reports due by July 1. The Phase II Auction Order requires auction 
winners to build-out networks capable of meeting their public interest 
obligations and report, to an online portal, locations to which auction 
winners had deployed such networks. This information collection also 
addresses the new portal reporting requirements for carriers receiving 
Alaska Plan support, including their submission of fiber/microwave 
middle-mile network maps, and recipients of Phase II support that is 
awarded in partnership with New York's New NY Broadband Program.

Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene H. Dortch,
Secretary, Office of the Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2017-20549 Filed 9-25-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6712-01-P