[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 105 (Thursday, June 3, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29774-29775]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-11677]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[OMB 3060-0824; FRS 29219]


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 2, 
2021. 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: 3060-0824.

[[Page 29775]]

    Title: Service Provider and Billed Entity Identification Number and 
Contact Information Form.
    Form Number: FCC Form 498.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Respondents: Business or other for-profit and Not-for-profit 
institutions.
    Number of Respondents and Responses: 26,000 respondents; 26,000 
responses.
    Estimated Time per Response: 0.75 hours.
    Frequency of Response: On occasion reporting 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 Act 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 website. 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.
    Pursuant to 47 CFR 54.202, 54.301, 54.303, 54.307, 54.309, 54.311, 
54.504, 54.407, 54.422, 54.514, 54.515, 54.679, 54.702, 54.802, and 
54.902, USAC collects service provider name, phone numbers, other 
contact information, and remittance information for all four of the 
universal service support mechanisms--Schools and Libraries, Rural 
Health Care, High-Cost and Low-Income (commonly referred to as 
Lifeline). On July 23, 2014, the Commission released an Order and FNPRM 
(WC Docket No. 13-184, FCC 14-99; 79 FR 49160, August 19, 2014) (E-rate 
Modernization Order) modernizing the E-rate program. Specifically, the 
E-rate Modernization Order revised the Commission rules to allow an 
applicant that pays the full cost of the Schools and Libraries (E-rate) 
supported services to a service provider to receive direct 
reimbursement from USAC.
    The Digital Accountability and Transparency Act (DATA Act) directs 
Federal agencies to report financial obligations and standardize the 
information that recipients of federal funds report to government 
agencies. To comply with the DATA Act, the DATA Act Business Type is 
reported on FCC Form 498. When completing or updating this form, 
service providers and billed entities are required to select up to 
three business types that best describes the organization.

Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene Dortch,
Secretary, Office of the Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2021-11677 Filed 6-2-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P