2010-11422. Notice of Public Information Collection(s) Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission for Extension Under Delegated Authority, Comments Requested

May 6, 2010.

SUMMARY:

The Federal Communications Commission, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burden invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following information collection(s), as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3501 - 3520. 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 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 currently valid OMB control number.

DATES:

Written Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) comments should be submitted on or before [July 12, 2010]. 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 Nicholas A. Fraser, Office of Management and Budget, via fax at 202-395-5167 or via the Internet at [e-mail] and to the Federal Communications Commission via email to [e-mail].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Judith B. Herman, Office of Managing Director, [phone]. For additional information, contact Judith B. Herman, OMD, 202-418-0214 or email [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

OMB Control Number: 3060-0894.

Title: Sections 54.313 and 54.316, Certification Letter Accounting for Receipt of Federal Support and Rate Comparability Review and Certification.

Form No.: N/A.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Respondents: State, local or tribal government.

Number of Respondents and Responses: 52 respondents; 103 responses.

Estimated Time Per Response: 3 - 5 hours.

Frequency of Response: On occasion and annual reporting requirements.

Obligation to Respond: Required to obtain or retain benefits. Statutory authority for this information collection is contained in 47 U.S.C. 254.

Total Annual Burden: 310 hours.

Total Annual Cost: N/A.

Privacy Act Impact Assessment: N/A.

Nature and Extent of Confidentiality: The Commission is not requesting that respondents submit confidential information to the Commission. If the Commission does request applicants to submit information that the respondents believe is confidential, respondents may request confidential treatment of such information under 47 CFR 0.459 of the Commission's rules.

Needs and Uses: The Commission will submit this expiring information collection to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) after this comment period to obtain the full three year clearance from them. There is no change in the reporting requirements. There is no change in the Commission's burden estimates.

The Commission requires that each state that desires non-rural carriers within the state to receive federal high-cost universal service support to certify that all federal high-cost universal service support provided to such carriers within the state will be used only for the intended purposes. The Commission also requires states to certify that rates in rural areas served by non-rural carriers are reasonably comparable to urban rates nationwide and explain the basis for its conclusion, as well as its proposed remedies if rates are not reasonably comparable.

The information is used to verify that the carriers have accounted for 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) of the Act. Further, the information is used to show that rates in rural areas served by non-rural carriers are reasonably comparable to urban rates nationwide.

Federal Communications Commission.

Marlene H. Dortch,

Secretary,

Office of the Secretary,

Office of Managing Director.