[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 10 (Tuesday, January 17, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2616-2617]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-00643]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[OMB 3060-1081; FR ID 122614]


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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[[Page 2617]]

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 March 20, 
2023. 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: 3060-1081.
    Title: Section 1.2002, 54.201, 54.202 Telecommunications Carriers 
Eligible for Universal Service 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: 20 respondents; 20 responses.
    Estimated Time per Response: 40 hours.
    Obligation to Respond: Required to obtain or retain benefits. 
Statutory authority is contained in sections 201(b), 214(e)(6), and 
303(r) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. 201(b), 
214(e)(6), 303(r).
    Frequency of Response: Annual reporting requirement.
    Total Annual Burden: 800 hours.
    Total Annual Cost: No cost.
    Privacy Act Impact Assessment: No impact(s).
    Nature of Extent of Confidentiality: If respondents submit 
information which respondents believe is confidential, respondents may 
request confidential treatment of such information pursuant to section 
0.459 of the Commission's rules, 47 CFR 0.459.
    Needs and Uses: Designation as an ETC makes a telecommunications 
carrier eligible to receive support from the universal service high-
cost and low-income programs, which support the extension of 
telecommunications services to underserved rural communities. We note 
that information collections associated with the Lifeline-only ETC 
designations in section 54.202 are reflected in Control No. 3060-0819. 
In the absence of this information collection, the Commission's ability 
to fulfill its statutory obligation and to oversee the use of federal 
universal service funds and to combat waste, fraud, and abuse in the 
use of federal funds would be compromised. A petitioner seeking 
Commission designation as an ETC must: certify that it offers or 
intends to offer all services designated for support by the Commission 
pursuant to section 254(c) of the Act (which service must be offered on 
a common carriage basis). Sec.  54.201(d)(1); certify that it offers or 
intends to offer the supported services (as defined in Sec.  54.101, as 
``voice telephony services'') either using its own facilities or a 
combination of its own facilities and resale of another carrier's 
services. Sec.  54.201(d)(1); provide a description of how the 
petitioner advertises the availability of supported services and the 
charges therefor using media of general distribution. Sec.  
54.201(d)(2); submit a detailed description of the geographic service 
area for which the petitioner requests to be designated as an ETC. 
Sec.  54.201(d)(1); certify that it will comply with the service 
requirements applicable to the support that it receives. Sec.  
54.202(a)(1)(i), submit a five-year plan that describes with 
specificity proposed improvements or upgrades to the applicant's 
network throughout its proposed service area, with estimates of the 
area and population that will be served as a result of the 
improvements. Sec.  54.202(a)(1)(ii); demonstrate its ability to remain 
functional in emergency situations by showing that it: has a reasonable 
amount of back-up power to ensure functionality without an external 
power source; can reroute traffic around damaged facilities; can manage 
traffic spikes resulting from emergency situations. Sec.  54.202(a)(2).
    An ETC must also demonstrate that it will satisfy applicable 
consumer protection and service quality standards. A commitment by 
wireless applicants to comply with the Cellular Telecommunications and 
internet Association's Consumer Code for Wireless Service will satisfy 
this requirement. Sec.  54.202(a)(3).
    Section 1.2002(a)-(b), requires that before any ``new, modified, 
and/or renewed instrument of authorization from the Commission,'' 
including but not limited to an ETC designation, a carrier must certify 
that neither it, nor any party to the petition, is subject to a denial 
of benefits pursuant to the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988. Sec.  
1.2002(a)-(b).
    A carrier seeking ETC designation for any part of Tribal lands 
shall provide a copy of its petition to the affected tribal government 
and tribal regulatory authority, as applicable, at the time it files 
its petition with the Commission. In addition, the Commission will send 
any public notice seeking comment on any petition for designation as an 
ETC on Tribal lands, at the time it is released, to the affected tribal 
government and tribal regulatory authority, as applicable, by the most 
expeditious means available, Sec.  54.202(c). This information 
collection addresses the burdens associated with these requirements.

Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene Dortch,
Secretary, Office of the Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2023-00643 Filed 1-13-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P