[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 162 (Monday, August 23, 1999)] [Notices] [Pages 45966-45968] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 99-21809] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION Public Information Collections Approved by Office of Management and Budget August 13, 1999. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has received Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval for the following public information collections pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. An agency may not conduct or sponsor and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid control number. For further information contact Shoko B. Hair, Federal Communications Commission, (202) 418- 1379. Federal Communications Commission OMB Control No.: 3060-0855. Expiration Date: 01/31/2000. Title: Telecommunications Reporting Worksheet and Associated Requirements--CC Docket No. 98-171. Form No.: FCC Forms 499-A and 499-S. Respondents: Business or other for-profit. Estimated Annual Burden: 5500 respondents; 7.27 hours per response (avg.); 40,000 total annual burden hours for all collections. Estimated Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping Cost Burden: $9,000,000. Frequency of Response: Annually; Semi-annually; On occasion; Third Party Disclosure; Recordkeeping. Description: In a Report and Order issued in CC Docket No. 98-171, released July 14, 1999, the Commission simplified and consolidated four Commission reporting requirements so that carriers need only file one worksheet to satisfy the contributor reporting requirements associated with: the universal service support mechanisms; telecommunications relay services; cost recovery mechanism for numbering administration; and cost recovery mechanism for shared costs of long-term number portability. Reporting Requirement: All contributors to the Federal telecommunications relay service, numbering administration, long-term portability, and universal service support mechanisms (except certain non-common carrier telecommunications service providers meeting the universal service de minimis exemption) must file the April version of the Telecommunications Reporting Worksheet, FCC Form 499-A on April 1 of each year. (No. of respondents: 3500; hours per response: 8 hours; total annual burden: 28,000 hours). All contributors to the universal service support mechanisms, except those that fall within the Commission's de minimis exemption, must file a streamlined version of the Telecommunications Reporting Worksheet (FCC Form 499-S) on September 1 of each year. The first filing of the FCC Form 499-S is due September 1, 1999. (No. of respondents: 2000; hours per response: 5.5 hours; total annual burden: 11,000 hours). The forms (i.e., FCC Form 499-A and 499-S) and instructions may be downloaded from the Commission's Forms Web Page (www.fcc.gov/formpage.html). Copies also may be obtained by calling the fax-on-demand line at (202) 481-2830. The retrieval number for the FCC 499-A form is 004992; the retrieval number for the FCC 499-S form is 004991. Copies of the forms may also obtained from USAC at (973) 560-4400. Recordkeeping Requirements: Small common carriers and small pay telephone providers must complete the table contained in Figure 2 of FCC Form 499 to determine whether they meet the de minimis standard and need not file the form on September 1. Small shared tenant service providers and small private carriers should complete the table in Figure 2 to determine whether they meet the de minimis standard and need not file the worksheet on either September 1 or April 1. Telecommunications providers that do not file because they are de minimis should retain figure 2 and documentation of their contribution base revenues for 3 calendar years after the date each worksheet is due. Carriers that provide carriers' carrier services must have documented procedures to ensure that it reports as revenues from resellers only revenues from entities that reasonably would be expected to contribute to support universal service. These procedures include, but are not limited to, maintaining the following information on resellers: Legal name; address; name of a contact person; and phone number of the contact person. (No. of respondents: 2000; annual burden per respondent: .25 hours; total annual burden: 500 hours). Third Party Disclosure: If a reseller qualified for the de minimis exemption, it must notify its underlying carriers that it is not contributing directly to universal service. (Number of respondents: 2000; annual burden per respondent: .25 hours; total annual burden: 500 hours). The information will be used by the Commission and the administrators to calculate contributions to the universal service support mechanisms, the telecommunications relay services support mechanism, the cost recovery for numbering administration, and the cost recovery for the shared costs of long-term local number portability. Without this collection, the information requested in the Worksheet would not be otherwise available. The Commission could not determine contributions to the above-mentioned, Congressionally-mandated support and cost recovery mechanisms and, therefore, could not fulfill its statutory responsibilities in accordance with the Communications Act of 1934, as amended. In addition, the information collection will be used by carriers to satisfy their obligation under section 413 of the Act of file information concerning their designated agent for service of process. Obligation to comply: Mandatory. OMB Control No.: 3060-0894. Expiration Date: 08/31/2002. Title: Notification to High Cost Subscribers and Certification Letter Accounting for Receipt of Federal Support--CC Docket Nos. 96-45 and 96-262 (Proposals). Form No.: N/A. Respondents: Business or other for-profit. Estimated Annual Burden: 81 respondents; 15.2 hours per response (avg.); 1233 total annual burden hours for all collections. Estimated Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping Cost Burden: $0. Frequency of Response: Monthly; Annually. Description: The Commission will adopt a framework to be used in estimating costs and computing federal support to enable reasonable comparability of rates for non-rural [[Page 45967]] carriers. In a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM) issued in CC Docket Nos. 96-45 and 96-262, released May 28, 1999, the Commission provided an additional opportunity for interested parties to comment on specific universal service support implementation issues now that they are able to work with the cost model. Although the Commission has the responsibility to ensure that support is sufficient to enable reasonable comparability of rates, the states possess jurisdiction over specific rate levels. In the FNPRM, the Commission tentatively concluded that making support available as part of the state rate- setting process would empower state regulators to achieve reasonable comparability of rates within their states. The Commission proposed that carriers should be required to notify high-cost subscribers that their lines have been identified as high-cost lines and that federal high-cost support is being provided to the carrier to assist in keeping rates affordable in those subscribers' area. In addition, the Joint Board recommended that the Commission require carriers to certify that they will apply federal high-cost support in accordance with the statute. The Joint Board also recommended that the Commission should not require states to provide any certification as a ``condition'' for carriers in the state to receive high cost support, but the Commission should instead permit states to certify that, in order to receive federal universal service support, a carrier must use such funds in a manner consistent with 47 USC Section 254. Because some states may lack either the authority or the desire to impose conditions on the use of high-cost support, the Commission tentatively concluded that such state oversight, while valuable and potentially sufficient, may not in every case ensure that section 254(e)'s goals are met. Therefore, the Commission proposed to condition the receipt of federal universal service high-cost support on any state action, including adjustments to local rate schedules reflecting federal support. The Commission believes that denying support to states that lack the regulatory authority to ensure that federal funds are used appropriately would penalize those states and would not be consistent with section 254's mandates. The Commission proposed that even states that lack this authority should be able to certify to the Commission that a carrier within the state had accounted for its receipt of federal support in its rates or otherwise used the support for the ``provision, maintenance, and upgrading of facilities and services for which the support is intended'' in accordance with section 254(e). Proposed Information Collections: a. Each non-rural company that receives high cost support should notify high-cost subscribers that their lines have been identified as high-cost lines and that federal high-cost support is being provided to the carrier to assist in keeping rates affordable in those subscribers' area. (Note: in the FNPRM, the Commission seeks comment on this issue therefore the frequency of responses may decrease if the notification only occurs annually instead of monthly). (No. of respondents: 30; hours per response: 36 hours; total annual burden: 1,080 hours). b. Each state commission must file a letter with the Commission certifying that a carrier within the state had accounted for its receipt of federal support in its rates or otherwise used the support for the ``provision, maintenance, and upgrading of facilities and services for which the support is intended'' in accordance with section 254(e). (No. of respondents: 51; hours per response: 3 hours; total annual burden: 153 hours). If adopted, the information will be used to show that federal high-cost support is being provided to the carrier to assist in keeping rates affordable in those subscribers' area. Further, the collection of information will be used to verify that the carriers have accounted for its receipt of federal support in its rates or otherwise used the support for the ``provision, maintenance, and upgrading of facilities and services for which the support is intended'' in accordance with section 254(e). Obligation to respond: Mandatory. OMB Control No.: 3060-0895. Expiration Date: 08/31/2002. Title: Numbering Resource Optimization--CC Docket No. 99-200 (Proposed Rule). Form No.: N/A. Respondents: Business or other for-profit. Estimated Annual Burden: 3,000 respondents; 52 hours per response (avg.); 156,000 total annual burden hours for all collections. Estimated Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping Cost Burden: $0. Frequency of Response: On occasion; Quarterly. Description: In a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Notice) issued in CC Docket No. 99-200, released June 2, 1999, the Commission examined a variety of measures intended to increase the efficiency with which telecommunications carriers use telephone numbering resources in order to slow the rate of number exhaust in this country. The Notice sought public comment on how best to create national standards for numbering resource optimization. Specifically, the Notice examined the existing mechanisms for the administration and allocation of numbering resources, which are governed by industry-developed Central Office Code Guidelines. The guidelines have not been effective in constraining the ability of carriers to obtain and carry excessively large inventories of numbering resources for which they have no immediate need. The Notice sought comment on measures that would tie the allocation of new numbering resources to a showing of need by the carrier, increase carrier accountability for number utilization through enhanced data reporting and audit requirements, and speed the return of unused numbering resources. The Notice specifically sought comment on the possibility of requiring carriers to meet number utilization thresholds before they can obtain additional numbering resources. These measures would not require implementation of new systems or technologies, and could likely be implemented in a relatively short time period at minimal cost. The Notice proposed certain verification measures designed to prevent carriers from obtaining numbering resources that they do not need in the near term. Proposed Information Collections: a. Quarterly Reporting: The Commission proposes to collect utilization and forecast data information from all telecommunications carriers that use numbering resources. The Notice tentatively concludes that carriers should report utilization and forecast data on a quarterly basis and that the Commission should mandate that all users of numbering resources must supply utilization and forecast data to the NANPA. (No. of respondents: 3,000; hours per response 48 hours; total annual burden: 144,000 hours). b. Initial Codes: With respect to an applicant's ability to obtain initial codes, the Notice sought comment on what type of showing would be appropriate. The Notice sought comment on whether applicants should be required to make a particular showing regarding the equipment they intend to use to provide service, the state of readiness of their network or switches, or their progress with their business plans, prior to obtaining initial codes, or whether any other type of showing should be required. The Notice sought comment on whether applicants should be required to submit evidence of their license/certificate with their [[Page 45968]] applications for initial codes, or conversely, whether the NANPA should be required to check the status of an applicant's license or certification with the relevant state commission prior to issuing the requested initial code. (No. of respondents: 3,000; hours per response: 1 hour; total annual burden: 3,000 hours). c. Growth Codes: Applicants for NXX codes currently are required to complete a Months-to-Exhaust Worksheet prior to applying for growth codes. The Notice sought comment on whether requiring applicants to submit the Months-to-Exhaust Worksheet with an application for growth codes would be an adequate demonstration of need for additional numbering resources. Alternatively, the Notice sought comment on whether carriers should be required to demonstrate that they have achieved a specified level of numbering utilization (or fill rate) in the area in question before they may receive additional numbering resources. (No. of respondents: 3,000; hours per response: 3 hours; total annual burden: 9,000 hours). If adopted, all of the proposed collections will be used to prevent the premature exhaustion of numbering resources. Obligation to comply: Mandatory. OMB Control No.: 3060-0793. Expiration Date: 08/31/2002. Title: Procedures for States Regarding Lifeline Consents, Adoption of Intrastate Discount Matrix for Schools and Libraries, and Designation of Eligible Telecommunications Carriers. Form No.: N/A. Respondents: Business or other for-profit. Estimated Annual Burden: 260 respondents; .58 hours per response (avg.); 155 total annual burden hours for all collections. Estimated Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping Cost Burden: $0. Frequency of Response: On occasion; annually. Description: In a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM) issued in CC Docket Nos. 96-45 and 97-60, released May 28, 1999, the Commission proposed to change the way in which local exchange carriers file rural certification letters. The Commission proposed that carriers who serve under 100,000 access lines should not have to file the annual rural certification letter unless their status has changed since their last filing. In addition, the Commission proposes that once it has clarified the meaning of ``local exchange operating entity'' and ``communities of more than 50,000'' in section 153(37), it should require carriers with more than 100,000 access lines that seek rural status to file certifications for the period beginning January 1, 2000, consistent with the Commission's interpretation of the ``rural telephone company'' definition. (No. of respondents: 5; hours per response: 1 hour; total annual burden: 5 hours). For carriers with more than 100,000 access lines, that seek rural status, the Commission sought comment on whether it should require these carriers to re- certify each year (after the filing of January 1, 2000) or, in the alternative, whether they should be required to re-certify only if their status has changed. (No. of respondents: 20; hours per response: 1 hour; total annual burden: 20 hours). Note that the FNPRM does not propose to modify several collections of information previously approved by OMB under this control number. Submission of eligibility criteria: States must designate common carriers as eligible telecommunications carriers for service areas designated by the state commission in accordance collection with 47 U.S.C. Section 214(e). (No. of respondents: 25; hours per response: 1; total annual burden: 25 hours). Notification of change in status as rural telephone company. If a local exchange carrier's status as a rural telephone company changes so that it becomes ineligible for certification as a rural carrier, that carrier must inform the Commission and the Administrator within one month of the change. (No. of respondents: 210; hours per response: .5 total annual burden: 105 hours.) If the proposed collections are adopted, the information will be used to determine which rural and non- rural LECs will receive universal service support. All the requirements are necessary to implement the congressional mandate for universal service. These reporting requirements are necessary to verify that particular carriers and other respondents are eligible to receive universal service support. Obligation to comply: Required to obtain or retain benefits. OMB Control No.: 3060-0814. Expiration Date: 09/30/2001. Title: Section 54.301, Local Switching Support and Local Switching Support Data Collection Form and Instructions. Form No.: N/A. Respondents: Business or other for-profit. Estimated Annual Burden: 192 respondents; 21.55 hours per response (avg.); 4138 total annual burden hours for all collections. Estimated Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping Cost Burden: $0. Frequency of Response: On occasion; Annually. Description: Pursuant to 47 CFR 54.301(a) through (e), each incumbent local exchange carrier that is not a member of the NECA common line tariff, that has been designated an eligible telecommunications carrier, and that serves a study area with 50,000 or fewer access lines shall, for each study area, provide the Administrator with the projected total unseparated dollar amount assigned to each account in section 54.301(b). (No. of respondents: 172; hours per response: 24; total annual burden: 4128 hours.) Pursuant to 47 CFR 54.301(f)-(e), each incumbent local exchange carrier that is not a member of the NECA common line tariff, that is an average schedule company, that has been designated an eligible telecommunications carrier, and that serves a study area with 50,000 or fewer access lines shall, for each study area, provide the Administrator with their total number of access lines, total number of central offices, and projected access minutes. This information is necessary so that the universal service administrator may comply with section 54.301(f) of the Commission's rules. Section 54.301(f) provides that, consistent with the Commission's treatment of average schedule companies, the universal service administrator should develop ``a formula that simulates the disbursements that would be received pursuant to this section by a company that is representative of average schedule companies.'' 47 CFR 54.301(f). (No. of respondents: 20; hours per response: .5 hours; total annual burden: 10 hours.) The universal service administrator, USAC, has developed a form to collect the information specified in the Commission's rules. This data request is necessary to calculate the average unseparated local switching revenue requirement. This revenue requirement calculation is necessary to calculate the amount of local switching support that carriers will receive. Obligation to Comply: Mandatory. Public reporting burden for the collections of information is as noted above. Send comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of the collections of information, including suggestions for reducing the burden to Performance Evaluation and Records Management, Washington, DC 20554. Federal Communications Commission. Magalie Roman Salas, Secretary. [FR Doc. 99-21809 Filed 8-20-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6712-01-P