[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 107 (Tuesday, June 4, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25806-25807]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-11534]


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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 of 1995 (PRA), 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 PRA comments should be submitted on or before August 5,

[[Page 25807]]

2019. 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, (202) 418-2991.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    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; 
3,730 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 
(2016 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). 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). 
Also, in December 2018, the Commission adopted reforms that included 
additional offers of model-based support and increased broadband 
deployment obligations. Connect America Fund et al., WC Docket No. 10-
90 et al., Report and Order, Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and 
Order on Reconsideration, FCC 18-176 (2018 Rate-of-Return Order).
    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 2016 
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 2016 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, Alaska Plan Order, 
and New York Auction Order require carriers 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. The Alaska Plan Order also made portal reporting requirements 
for carriers to submit fiber/microwave middle-mile network maps. This 
information collection also addresses the new additional offers of 
model-based support and increased broadband deployment obligations, and 
other improvements to the portal. With the new additional offers, there 
will be more carriers subject to the model-based deployment milestones 
and fewer carriers remaining on legacy support.

Federal Communications Commission.

Marlene Dortch,
Secretary, Office of the Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2019-11534 Filed 6-3-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6712-01-P