[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 57 (Thursday, March 24, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16733-16734]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-06253]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[OMB 3060-1219; FR ID 78050]


Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal 
Communications Commission Under Delegated Authority

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 May 23, 
2022. 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.
    OMB Control Number: 3060-1219.
    Title: Connect America Fund-Alternative Connect America Cost Model 
Support.
    Form Number: N/A.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents and Responses: 1,100 unique respondents; 
1,100 responses.
    Estimated Time per Response: 0.5 hours-2 hours.
    Frequency of Response: On occasion and one-time reporting 
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: 700 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 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 the 
extension of this collection. In March 2016, the Commission adopted 
significant reforms to place the universal service support program on 
solid footing for the next decade to preserve and advance voice and 
broadband service in areas served by rate-of-return carriers. Connect 
America Fund; ETC Annual Reports and Certifications; Establishing Just 
and

[[Page 16734]]

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, Report and Order, Order and Order 
on Reconsideration, and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, FCC 16-
33 (2016 Rate-of-Return Reform Order).
    As part of the Rate-of-Return Reform Order, the Commission adopted 
a voluntary path for rate-of-return carriers to receive model-based 
support in exchange for making a commitment to deploy broadband-capable 
networks meeting certain service obligations to a pre-determined number 
of eligible locations in a state. By creating a voluntary pathway to 
model-based support, the Commission will spur new broadband deployment 
in rural areas. In several subsequent orders and public notices, the 
Commission has further refined this voluntary pathway, and in the 
December 2018 Rate-of-Return Reform Order, the Commission adopted a 
second pathway for carriers that did not elect the first pathway. 
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, Report and 
Order, Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, and Order on 
Reconsideration, FCC 18-176 (December 2018 Rate-of-Return Reform 
Order).
    This information collection addresses 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 the 2016 Rate-of-Return Reform Order, the Commission also 
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.'' In the December 2018 Rate-of-Return Order, 
the Commission further modified or, in the case of the capital 
investment allowance, eliminated these requirements. Other requirements 
adopted in the Rate-of-Return Reform Order have been addressed under 
other Office of Management and Budget control numbers.

Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene Dortch,
Secretary, Office of the Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2022-06253 Filed 3-23-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P