**DA 05-1585**

**Released: June 3, 2005**

**FCC ANNOUNCES ELECTRONIC POSTING OF OMB-APPROVED FORM 477**

**FOR THE SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 FILING**

**AND**

**DATA COLLECTION WORKSHOP TO BE HELD ON JUNE 29, 2005**

***Information from More Providers Will Assist Commission's Efforts to
Determine State of Broadband Deployment and Evaluate Telecommunications
Regulations***

On November 9, 2004, the Commission decided to eliminate reporting
thresholds from its semi-annual Form 477 data collection and to make
certain modifications to the form. *Local Telephone Competition and
Broadband Reporting*, Report and Order, WC Docket No. 04-141, FCC 04-266
(rel. Nov. 12, 2004).

On May 26, 2005, the Office of Management and Budget granted the
Commission's request for approval of the modified information collection
(OMB Control Number: 3060-0816).

**How to obtain FCC Form 477**

The form is available from the Commission's web site at
[www.fcc.gov/formpage.html#477](http://www.fcc.gov/formpage.html#477).

**Data collection workshop**

The Commission will hold a workshop to assist the entities that are
required to complete and file the modified Form 477, including a variety
of entities that previously were excused from filing because they have
relatively few subscribers.

**Date and Time: Wednesday, June 29, 2005**

**1:00 p.m. -- 3:00 p.m.**

**(Sign-in via 12th Street lobby from 12:30 p.m.)**

**Location: Federal Communications Commission**

**Commission Meeting Room**

> **445 12th Street, SW**
>
> **Washington, DC**

Representatives of entities and industry associations who will attend
the workshop in person are requested to notify Suzanne Mendez at the
Wireline Competition Bureau's Industry Analysis and Technology Division,
<Suzanne.Mendez@fcc.gov>, (202) 418-0941.

**Webcast and Video**

Audio/Video coverage of the workshop will be broadcast live over the
Internet from the FCC's Audio/Video Events web page at
[www.fcc.gov/realaudio](http://www.fcc.gov/realaudio). The Commission's
media server will support 200 simultaneous Internet users; associations
with bridging capabilities may want to use them.

**Reasonable Accommodations**

Open captioning will be provided for this event. Other reasonable
accommodations for people with disabilities are available upon request.
Include a description of the accommodation you will need including as
much detail as you can. Also include a way we can contact you if we need
more information. Make your request as early as possible; please allow
at least five (5) days advance notice. Last minute requests will be
accepted, but may be impossible to fill. Send an e-mail to
<fcc504@fcc.gov> or call the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at
202-418-0530 (voice), 202-418-0432 (TTY).

**Further Information**

> Event contact: Suzanne Mendez, (202) 418-0941,
> <Suzanne.Mendez@fcc.gov>, (202) 418-0941. News media contact: Mark
> Wigfield, <Mark.Wigfield@fcc.gov>, (202) 418-0253.
>
> Form 477 contacts: James Eisner, (202) 418-7302,
> <James.Eisner@fcc.gov> or Ellen Burton, (202) 418-0958,
> <Ellen.Burton@fcc.gov>.
>
> \- FCC -

**FORM 477 SUMMARY**

**[Overall reporting]{.underline}**

-   There are no exemptions from reporting based on the number of
    connections, lines, or subscribers.

-   Filings are due twice each year: on March 1 and on September 1.

-   Reporting of connections, lines, or subscribers is on a
    state-by-state basis and not by ZIP Code.

-   Data are reported in electronic format (on an Excel spreadsheet) and
    may be delivered via e-mail.

    **[Confidentiality of Form 477 data]{.underline}**

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-   Filers may request confidential treatment of reported data by simply
    checking a box on the form; a separate, redacted version of the form
    is no longer required.

-   Filers requesting confidential treatment of reported data will have
    all of the procedural protections that are afforded by the
    Commission's existing confidentiality rules.

-   The Commission generally commits to release only aggregated
    (non-company specific) data.

    **[Reporting broadband connections]{.underline}**

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-   Facilities-based providers of broadband connections to end user
    premises (on a retail or non-retail basis) report the connections.

-   For this data collection, "broadband" is faster than 200 kbps in at
    least one direction.

    **[Reporting local telephone information]{.underline}**

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-   Incumbent and competitive local exchange carriers (both
    facilities-based and resellers) report.

-   Facilities-based mobile telephony carriers (but not mobile telephony
    resellers) report.

    **[What's changed in the data collection]{.underline}**

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-   Reporting thresholds have been eliminated.

-   There is more detailed reporting about broadband connection speeds.

-   There is more detailed reporting about where the different broadband
    technologies are in use.

-   Cable systems and incumbent local exchange carriers will report
    their broadband availability.

-   Some local telephone competition questions have been eliminated or
    revised

-   Local exchange carriers will report their status as default
    interstate long distance carriers.