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

November 10, 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, 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

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collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

DATES: Written comments should be submitted on or before December 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

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

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

the Internet at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

OMB Approval Number: 3060-0774.

Title: Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service, CC Doc. No.

96-45 (47 C.F.R. Secs. 36.611-36.612 and 47 C.F.R. Part 54).

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Respondents: Businesses or other for-profit entities; Individuals

or households; Not-for-profit institutions; and State, Local or Tribal

Government.

Number of Respondents: 5,565,451.

Estimated Time per Response: 5 mins. up to 100 hours (0.3 hours on

avg.).

Frequency of Response: Recordkeeping; On occasion reporting

requirements; Third party disclosure.

Total Annual Burden: 1,785,570 hours.

Total Annual Cost: None.

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. 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.

Magalie Roman Salas,

Secretary.

[FR Doc. 98-31277 Filed 11-23-98; 8:45 am]

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