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

August 18, 1998.

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, 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 information techniques or other forms of information

technology.

DATES: Written comments should be submitted on or before September 24,

1998. 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 Les Smith, Federal Communications,

Room 234, 1919 M St., NW., Washington, DC 20554 or via internet to

[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information or copies

of the information collections contact Les Smith at 202-418-0217 or via

internet at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

OMB Approval Number: 3060-0819.

Title: 47 CFR 54.400--54.417, Lifeline Assistance (Lifeline)

Connection Assistance (Link Up) Reporting Worksheet and Instructions.

Form Number: FCC 497.

Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.

Respondents: Business and other for-profit entities.

Number of Respondents: 1,500.

Estimated Time Per Response: 3 hours.

Frequency of Response: Monthly; Quarterly; Semi-annually; and On

Occasion reporting requirements.

Total Annual Burden: 42,000 hours.

Cost to Respondents: $0.

Needs and Uses: The Telecommunications Act of 1996 directed the FCC

to initiate a rulemaking to reform our system of universal service so

that universal service is preserved and advanced as markets move toward

competition. On May 8, 1997, the Commission released a Report and Order

on Universal Service (Universal Service Order) in CC Docket 96-45 that

established new federal universal service support mechanisms consistent

with Section 254. In the Universal Service Order, the Commission

expanded and made competitively neutral its programs for low-income

consumers, Lifeline and Link Up. On December 30, 1997, the Commission

released a Fourth Order on Reconsideration that amended some of the

Lifeline and Link Up rules. The following describes the universal

service support reimbursement available to eligible telecommunications

carriers for providing Lifeline and Link Up programs to qualifying low-

income customers: Eligible telecommunications carriers are permitted to

receive universal service support reimbursement for offering Lifeline

service to qualifying low-income customers; eligible telecommunications

carriers may receive universal service support reimbursement for the

revenue they forego in reducing their customary charge for commencing

telecommunications service and for providing a deferred schedule for

payment of the charges assessed for commencing service for which the

consumer does no pay interest, in conformity with 47 CFR 54.411;

eligible telecommunications carriers providing toll-limitation services

(TLS) for qualifying low-income subscribers will be compensated from

universal service mechanisms for the incremental cost of providing

either toll blocking or toll control; and eligible telecommunications

carriers that service qualifying low-income consumers who have toll

blocking shall receive universal service support reimbursement for

waiving the Presubscribed Interexchange Carriers Charge (PICC) for

Lifeline customers. FCC Form 497 implements the Lifeline and Link Up

reimbursement programs. This information is necessary in order for

eligible telecommunications carriers to receive universal service

support reimbursement for providing Lifeline and Link Up.

Federal Communications Commission

Magalie Roman Salas,

Secretary.

[FR Doc. 98-22688 Filed 8-24-98; 8:45 am]

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