2010-12327. Notice of Public Information Collection(s) Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission, Comments Requested

May 14, 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 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 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 23, 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: 3060-0806.

Title: Universal Service - Schools and Libraries Universal Service Program.

Form Nos.: FCC Forms 470 and 471.

Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.

Respondents: Business or other for-profit, not-for-profit institutions and state, local or tribal government.

Number of Respondents and Responses: 45,000 respondents, 160,000 responses.

Estimated Time Per Response: 3 - 4 hours.

Frequency of Response: On occasion and annual reporting requirements, recordkeeping requirement and third party disclosure requirement.

Obligation to Respond: Required to obtain or retain benefits. Statutory authority for this information collection is contained in 47 U.S.C. section 254 and Pub. L. No. 107-110, Leave No Child Behind Act of 2002.

Total Annual Burden: 325,000 hours.

Total Annual Cost: N/A.

Privacy Act Impact Assessment: N/A.

Nature and Extent of Confidentiality: There is no need for confidentiality.

Needs and Uses: The Commission will submit this revised information collection to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) after this comment period to obtain the full three year clearance from them. The Commission has reduced the annual burden hours by 200,003 hours (78,573 hours program change reduction and 121,430 hours adjusted due to recalculations of the burden estimates).

The Commission is revising this collection in an effort to streamline the application process for the federal universal service schools and libraries support mechanism (also referred to as the “E-Rate” program) and to remove outdated and unneeded questions. We propose revising the forms by removing questions that were originally intended to assist service providers but are no longer useful; and by removing questions that are outside the scope of the information needed for the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), the administrator of the federal universal service fund and to process E-Rate applications. We further proposed limiting data collection to information that is not already available through other USAC forms or review processes. Finally, applicants will be required to include their FCC Registration Numbers (FRNs) and consultants must provide their contact information, when applicable, on FCC Forms 470 and 471.

Federal Communications Commission.

Marlene H. Dortch,

Secretary, Office of the Secretary, Office of Managing Director.