[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
