2010-23938. Notice of Public Information Collection(s) Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission for Extension Under Delegated Authority, Comments Requested

[month day, year].

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 November 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:

Benish Shah, Office of Managing Director, [phone]. For additional information, contact Benish Shah, OMD, 418-7866, [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

OMB Control Number: 3060-0384.

Title: Sections 64.901, 64.904 and 64.905, Auditor's Attestation and Certification.

Form Number: N/A.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Respondents: Business or other for-profit entities.

Number of Respondents and Responses: 1 respondent, 1 response.

Estimated Time per Response: 35-250 hours.

Obligation to Respond: Required to obtain or retain benefits. Statutory authority is contained in Sections 1, 4, 201-205, 215, and 218-220 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. Sections 151, 154, 201-205, 215, and 218-220.

Frequency of Response: On-occasion, biennial, and annual reporting requirements.

Total Annual Burden: 255 hours.

Total Annual Cost: $1,200,000.

Privacy Act Impact Assessment: N/A.

Nature of Extent of Confidentiality: This collection does not address information of a confidential nature.

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 three year clearance from them. There is no change to the reporting requirements. The Commission is reporting a 1,280 hourly burden reduction. This reduction is due to fewer respondents and therefore the total annual burden hours have been reduced.

Section 64.904(a) requires each incumbent LEC required to file a cost allocation manual is required to either have an attest engagement performed by an independent auditor every two years, covering the prior two year period, or have a financial audit performed by an independent auditor biennially. In either case, the initial engagement shall be performed in the calendar year after the carrier is first required to file a cost allocation manual. See Section 64.904(a)-(c). Instead of requiring mid-sized carriers to incur the expense of a biennial attestation engagement, they now file a certification with the Commission stating that they are in compliance with 47 CFR 64.901 of the Commission's rules. The certification must be signed, under oath, by an officer of the incumbent LEC, and filed with the Commission on an annual basis. Such certification of compliance represents a less costly means of enforcing compliance with our cost allocation rules. See 47 CFR 64.905 of the Commission's rules.

The requirements are imposed to ensure that the carriers are properly complying with Commission rules. They serve as an important aid in the Commission's monitoring program.

Federal Communications Commission.

Marlene H. Dortch,

Secretary,

Office of the Secretary,

Office of Managing Director.