[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 170 (Tuesday, September 5, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60678-60679]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-19069]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[OMB 3060-0723; FR ID 168421]


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 November 
6, 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.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    OMB Control Number: 3060-0723.
    Title: 47 U.S.C. 276, Public Disclosure of Network Information by 
Bell Operating Companies (BOCs).
    Form Number: N/A.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents and Responses: 3 respondents; 3 responses.
    Estimated Time per Response: 20 hours.
    Frequency of Response: On occasion reporting requirement and third 
party disclosure requirement.
    Obligation to Respond: Mandatory. Statutory authority for this 
information collection is contained in 47 U.S.C. 276 of the 
Telecommunications Act of 1996.
    Total Annual Burden: 60 hours.
    Total Annual Cost: No cost.
    Needs and Uses: Under 47 U.S.C. 276(b)(1)(C), the Bell Operating 
Companies (BOCs) are required to publicly disclose changes in their 
networks or new network services. Section 276(b)(1)(C) directs the 
Commission to ``prescribe a set of nonstructural safeguards for BOC 
payphone service to implement the provisions of paragraphs (1) and (2) 
of subsection (a), which safeguards shall, at a minimum, include the 
nonstructural safeguards equal to those adopted in the Computer 
Inquiry-III (CC Docket No. 90-623) proceeding.'' The Computer Inquiry-
III network information disclosure requirements specifically state that 
the disclosure would occur at two different points in time. First, 
disclosure would occur at the make/buy point: when a BOC decides to 
make for itself, or procure from an unaffiliated entity, any product 
whose design affects or relies on the network interface. Second, a BOC 
would publicly disclose technical information about a new service 12 
months before it is introduced. If the BOC can introduce the service 
within 12 months of the make/buy point, it would make a public 
disclosure at the make/buy point. In no event, however, would the 
public disclosure occur less than six months before the introduction of 
the service. While the scope and applicability of the Computer III 
safeguards have changed with the Commission's 2015 decision regarding 
forbearance from enforcement of the Computer III requirements (Petition 
of USTelecom for Forbearance Pursuant to 47 U.S.C. 160(c) from 
Enforcement of Obsolete ILEC Regulations that Inhibit Deployment of 
Next Generation Networks, Memorandum Opinion and Order, FCC 15-166 
(2015)), these are minimum requirements under section 276(b)(1)(C) of 
the Act. Without information

[[Page 60679]]

disclosures, the industry would be unable to ascertain whether the BOCs 
are designing new network services or changing network technical 
specifications to the advantage of their own payphones, or in a manner 
that might disadvantage BOC payphone competitors. These requirements 
ensure that BOCs comply with their obligations under the 
Telecommunications Act of 1996.

Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene Dortch,
Secretary, Office of the Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2023-19069 Filed 9-1-23; 8:45 am]
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