Notice of Public Information Collections Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

Notice of Public Information Collections Being Reviewed by the

Federal Communications Commission

May 20, 1997.

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 collections, as required by the Paperwork

Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. An agency 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 valid control

number. 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; and (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.

DATES: Written comments should be submitted on or before June 26, 1997.

If you anticipate that you will be submitting comments, but find it

difficult to do so within the period of time allowed by this notice,

you should advise the contact listed below as soon as possible.

ADDRESSES: Direct all comments to Judy Boley, Federal Communications

Commissions, Room 234, 1919 M St., N.W., Washington, DC 20554 or via

internet to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information or copies

of the information collections contact Judy Boley at 202-418-0214 or

via internet at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

OMB Approval No.: None (3060-XXXX).

Title: Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service, CC Docket

No. 96-45 (47 CFR 36.611-36.612 and 47 CFR part 54).

Form No.: N/A.

OMB Control No.: None.

Respondents: Business or other for-profit entities; individuals or

households; not-for-profit institutions; state, local or tribal

government.

Estimated Annual Burden: 5,565,451 respondents; 3.1 hours per

response (avg.); 1,784,220 hours total annual burden.

Frequency of Response: On occasion, annually, one-time

requirements.

[[Page 28702]]

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Hours per Total annual

Rule section/title (47 CFR) response burden

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a. 36.611(a) & 36.612--Submission and

Updating information to NECA........... 20 26,800

b. 54.101(c)--Demonstration of

exceptional circumstances for toll-

limitation grace period................ 50 100

c. 54.201(b)(c)--Submission of

eligibility criteria................... 1 3,400

d. 54.201(d)(2)--Advertisement of

services & charges..................... 50 65,000

e. 54.205(a)--Advance notice of

relinquishment of universal service.... .5 50

f. 54.207(c)(1)--Submission of proposal

for redefining a rural service area.... 125 6,250

g. 54.307(b)--Reporting of expenses &

number of lines served................. \1\ 2.5 4,100

h. 54.401(b)(1)-(2)--Submission of

disconnection waiver request........... 2 100

i. 54.401(d)--Lifeline certification to

the Administrator...................... 1 1,300

j. 54.407(c)--Lifeline recordkeeping.... 80 104,000

k. 54.409(a)-(b)--Consumer qualification

for Lifeline........................... \2\ 5 440,000

l. 54.409(b)--Consumer notification of

Lifeline discontinuance................ \2\ 5 44,000

m. 54.418(b)--Link Up recordkeeping..... 80 104,000

n. 54.501(d)(4) & 54.516--Schools &

Libraries recordkeeping................ \1\ 41 372,000

o. 54.504(b)-(c), 54.507(d) & 54.509(a)--

Description of services requested &

certification.......................... 2 100,000

p. 54.601(b)(4) & 54.609(b)--Calculating

support for health care providers...... 100 340,000

q. 54.601(b)(3) & 54.619--Shared

facility recordkeeping................. \1\ 21 160,000

r. 54.607(b)(1)-(2)--Submission of

proposed rural rate.................... 3 150

s. 54.603(b)(1), 54.615(c)-(d) &

54.623(d)--Description of services

requested and certification............ 1 12,000

t. 54.619(d)--Submission of rural health

care report............................ 40 40

u. 54.701(f)(1) & (f)(2)--Submission of

annual report & CAM.................... 40 40

v. 54.701(g)--Submission of quarterly

report................................. 10 40

w. 54.707--Submission of State

commission designation................. .25 850

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Total Annual Burden Hours......... .............. 1,784,220

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\1\ Average. \2\ Minimum.

Needs and Uses: Congress directed the Commission to implement a new

set of universal service support mechanisms that are explicit and

sufficient to advance the universal service principles enumerated in

Section 254 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and such other

principles as the Commission believes are necessary and appropriate for

the protection of the public interest, convenience and necessity, and

are consistent with the Act. In the Report and Order issued in CC

Docket No. 96-45, the Commission adopts rules that are designed to

implement the universal service provisions of section 254.

Specifically, the Order addresses: (1) universal service principles;

(2) services eligible for support; (3) affordability; (4) carriers

eligible for universal service support; (5) support mechanisms for

rural, insular, and high cost areas; (6) support for low-income

consumers; (7) support for schools, libraries, and health care

providers; (8) interstate subscriber line charge and common line cost

recovery; and (9) administration of support mechanisms. The reporting

and recordkeeping requirements contained in CC Docket No. 96-45 are

designed to implement Section 254 follow. The reporting and

recordkeeping are necessary to ensure the integrity of the program. All

the collections are necessary to implement the congressional mandate

for universal service. The reporting and recordkeeping requirements are

necessary to verify that the carriers and other respondents are

eligible to receive universal service support.

Federal Communications Commission.

William F. Caton,

Acting Secretary.

[FR Doc. 97-13760 Filed 5-23-97; 8:45 am]

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