Notice of Public Information Collection(s) Submitted to OMB for Review and Approval

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

Notice of Public Information Collection(s) Submitted to OMB for

Review and Approval

October 17, 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 collection(s), 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 November 24,

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

Commission, 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 collection(s) contact Judy Boley at 202-418-0214 or

via internet at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

OMB Approval Number: 3060-0370.

Title: Part 32, Uniform System of Accounts for Telecommunications

Companies.

Form Number: N/A.

Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.

Respondents: Business or other for-profit.

Number of Respondents: 239.

Estimated Time Per Response: 12,685 hours per recordkeeper/

response.

Cost to Respondents: N/A.

Total Annual Burden: 3,028,768 hours.

Needs and Uses: The Uniform System of Accounts is a historical

financial accounting system which reports the results of operational

and financial events in a manner which enables both management and

regulators to assess these results within a specified accounting

period. Subject respondents are telecommunications companies. Entities

having annual revenues from regulated telecommunications operations of

less than $100 million are designated as Class B companies and are

subject to a less detailed accounting system than those designated as

Class A companies. Part 32 imposes essentially recordkeeping

requirements. The

[[Page 55251]]

reporting requirements contained in the rulepart are sporadic or

initiated by the carriers. Part 32 has been revised. For example, in

the Report and Order in CC Docket 95-60, the Commission raised the

expense limit in Section 32.2000(a)(4) from $500 to $200, with one

exception related to personal computers recorded in Account 2121,

General purpose computers. This will reduce the Continuing Property

Records required to be maintained by the carriers. By eliminating the

requirement for detailed property records for certain items costing

less than the new $2,000 threshold amount, the Commission has provided

the carriers with substantial relief from the administrative cost

previously proposed. Also, in the Report and Order, the Commission

adopted a five-year amortization period during which incumbent local

exchange carriers (ILECs) may recover the undepreciated portion of

embedded assets affected by this rule change. The parties comments and

replies were carefully considered in the formulation of the final rule.

Federal Communications Commission.

Shirley S. Suggs,

Chief, Publications Branch.

[FR Doc. 97-28089 Filed 10-22-97; 8:45 am]

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