2011-11380. Information Collection Being Submitted for Review by the Federal Communications Commission

AGENCY:

Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION:

Notice and Request for comments.

SUMMARY:

As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burden and as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, the Federal Communications Commission invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on the following information collection. Comments are requested concerning: (a) 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; (b) the accuracy of the Commission's burden estimate; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; (d) 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 (e) ways to further reduce the information collection 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 OMB control number.

DATES:

Written Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) comments should be submitted on or before July 11, 2011. If you anticipate that you will be submitting PRA 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:

Direct all PRA comments to the Federal Communications Commission. To submit your PRA comments by e-mail send them to: [e-mail].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Paul Laurenzano, Office of Managing Director, [phone] or via Internet at [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

OMB Control Number: 3060-0410.

Title: ARMIS Forecast of Investment Usage Report, FCC Report 495A; and the ARMIS Actual Usage of Investment Report FCC Reports 495B.

Report Numbers: FCC Reports 495-A and 495-B.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Respondents: Business or other for-profit.

Number of Respondents and Responses: 70 respondents; 140 responses.

Estimated Time per Response: 40 hours.

Obligation to Respond: Mandatory—The Automated Reporting Management Information System (ARMIS) reporting requirements were established by the Commission in 1987 to facilitate the timely and efficient analysis of carrier operating costs and rates of return, to provide an improved basis for audits and other oversight functions, and to enhance the Commission's ability to quantify the effects of alternative policy proposals. Additional ARMIS Reports were added in 1991 and 1992. Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers (LECs) must submit the ARMIS reports to the Commission annually on or before April 1. See Reporting Requirements of Certain Class A and Tier I Telephone Companies (Parts 31, 43, 67 and 69 of the FCC's Rules), Order, 2 FCC Rcd 5770 (1987), modified on recon, 3 FCC Rcd 6375 (1988) (ARMIS Order). Also, see 47 CFR part 43, Section 43.21. The statutory authority for this collection is contained in Sections 11,219(b), and 220 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. 161, 219(b), and 220.

Frequency of Response: Annual reporting requirement.

Total Annual Burden: 5,600 hours.

Total Annual Cost: No cost.

Privacy Act Impact Assessment: No impacts.

Nature of Extent of Confidentiality: This collection addresses information of a confidential nature. Respondents have requested and filed for confidential treatment of information they believe should be withheld from public inspection under 47 CFR Section 0.459 of the Commission's rules.

Needs and Uses: The 495A Report provides the forecast and resulting investment allocation incorporated in a carrier's cost support for its access tariff. The 495B Report enables the Commission's staff to monitor actual and forecasted investment use. These reports help ensure that the regulated operations of the carriers do not subsidize the nonregulated operations of those same carriers. This information is also a part of the data necessary to support the Commission's audit and other oversight functions. The data provide the necessary detail to enable the Commission to fulfill it regulatory responsibility. There are no changes to the ARMIS Reports 495A and 495B.

Federal Communications Commission.

Gloria Miles,

Federal Register Liaison, Office of the Secretary, Office of Managing Director.