[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 59 (Thursday, March 27, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17149-17150]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-06773]
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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
Notice of Public Information Collection(s) Being Reviewed by the
Federal Communications Commission, Comments Requested
AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.
ACTION: Notice; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burden
and as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 (44 U.S.C.
3501-3520), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) invites the
general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to
comment on the following information collection(s). 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 further ways to reduce the
information burden for 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 OMB Control Number. No person
shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection
of information subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) that does
not display a valid Control Number.
DATES: Written Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) comments should be
submitted on or before May 27, 2014. 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 FCC contact
listed below as soon as possible.
ADDRESSES: Submit your PRA comments to Leslie F. Smith, Office of
Managing Director (OMD), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), via
the Internet at [email protected]. To submit your PRA comments by
email, send them to [email protected].
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information, contact
Leslie F. Smith at (202) 418-0217, or via the Internet at [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
OMB Control Number: 3060-1081.
Title: Telecommunications Carriers Eligible to Receive Universal
Service Support.
Form Number: N/A.
Type of Review: Revision 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, 47
CFR 54.202, 54.209.
Frequency of Response: Annually.
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 Eligible Telecommunications
Carrier (ETC) makes a telecommunications carrier eligible to
participate in the Universal Service Fund's high-cost and low-income
programs, which support the extension of telecommunications services to
underserved rural and low-income communities. In the absence of this
information collection, the Commission's ability 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. Section 54.202 of the
Commission's rules requires carriers seeking designation from the
Commission to submit an application that certifies that the carrier
will comply with the service requirement applicable to the support that
it receives, 47 CFR 54.202(a)(1)(i), applicants must 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), an applicant must
[[Page 17150]]
demonstrate its ability to remain functional in emergency situations,
including a demonstration that it has a reasonable amount of back-up
power to ensure functionality without an external power source, is able
to reroute traffic around damaged facilities, and is capable of
managing traffic spikes resulting from emergency situations, Sec.
54.202(a)(2), demonstrate that it will satisfy applicable consumer
protection and service quality standards, Sec. 54.202(a)(3), A common
carrier seeking designation as an ETC for purposes of receiving support
only under subpart E of Part 54 of the Commission's rules (Universal
Service Support for Low-Income Consumers) must demonstrate that it is
financially and technically capable of providing the Lifeline service
in compliance with subpart E, Sec. 54.202(a)(4), applicants must
submit information describing the terms and conditions of any voice
telephony service plans offered to Lifeline subscribers, including
details on the number of minutes provided as part of the plan,
additional charges, if any, for toll calls, and rates for each such
plan, Sec. 54.202(a)(5). If the common carrier is seeking designation
as an eligible telecommunications carrier under section 214(e)(6) 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 Federal
Communications Commission. In addition, the Commission shall send any
public notice seeking comment on any petition for designation as an
eligible telecommunications carrier on Tribal lands, at the time it is
released, the affected tribal government and tribal regulatory
authority, as applicable, by the most expeditious means available,
Sec. 54.202(c).
Federal Communications Commission.
Gloria J. Miles,
Federal Register Liaison, Office of the Secretary, Office of Managing
Director.
[FR Doc. 2014-06773 Filed 3-26-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P