[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 170 (Tuesday, September 5, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60677-60678]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-19068]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[OMB 3060-XXXX; FR ID 168285]


Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal 
Communications Commission

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, 
and as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, the 
Federal Communications Commission (FCC or the Commission) invites the 
general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to 
comment on the following information collection. Comments are requested 
concerning: 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; the 
accuracy of the Commission's burden estimate; ways to enhance the 
quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; 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; and ways to further reduce the 
information collection burden on small business concerns with fewer 
than 25 employees.

DATES: Written PRA comments should be submitted on or before November 
6, 2023. 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 PRA comments to Nicole Ongele, FCC, via email 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c595978485a3a6a6eba2aab3"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="cc9c9e8d8caaafafe2aba3ba">[email protected]</span></a> and to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e38d8a808c8f86cd8c8d84868f86a3858080cd848c95"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="89e7e0eae6e5eca7e6e7eeece5ecc9efeaeaa7eee6ff">[email protected]</span></a>.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information about the 
information collection, contact Nicole Ongele, (202) 418-2991.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FCC 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 PRA that does not 
display a valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number.
    OMB Control Number: 3060-XXXX.
    Title: Enhanced A-CAM Cybersecurity and Supply Chain Risk 
Management Plan Requirements.
    Form Number: N/A.
    Type of Review: New information collection.
    Respondents: Business or other for-profit entities and State, local 
or Tribal governments.
    Number of Respondents and Responses: 450 respondents; 900 
responses.
    Estimated Time per Response: 10-50 hours.
    Frequency of Response: One-time and on occasion reporting 
requirements.
    Obligation to Respond: Required to obtain or retain benefits. 
Statutory authority for this information collection is contained in 47 
U.S.C. 154(i), 214, 218-220, 254, 303(r), and 403. Total Annual Burden: 
27,000 hours. Total Annual Cost: No Cost.
    Needs and Uses: On July 24, 2023, the Commission released the 
Enhanced A-CAM Order (Order), 88 FR 55918, August 17, 2023, WC Docket 
No. 10-90 et al., FCC 23-60, which adopted a voluntary path for 
supporting the widespread deployment of 100/20 Mbps broadband service 
throughout the rural areas served by carriers currently receiving 
Alternative Connect America Cost Model (A-CAM) support and in areas 
served by rate-of-return carriers eligible to receive legacy support by 
the end of 2028. The Commission extended by 10 years beyond the 
remaining five years, for a total of 15 years, the term of support for 
electing carriers and set a methodology for determining support amounts 
for locations without 100/20

[[Page 60678]]

Mbps broadband service within a potential budget of no more than $1.27 
billion annually, or no more than $1.33 billion annually if certain 
conditions are met, using an updated version of the A-CAM. By adopting 
this program, the Commission furthered its long-standing goals by 
promoting the universal availability of voice and broadband networks, 
while also taking measures to minimize the burden on the nation's 
ratepayers. The Commission also adopted requirements for the Enhanced 
A-CAM program to complement existing federal, state, and local funding 
programs, so that broadband funding can be used efficiently to maximize 
the deployment of high-quality broadband service across the United 
States.
    To ensure that the Enhanced A-CAM program does not deprive rural 
consumers in high-cost areas of broadband service that is as secure as 
the service deployed pursuant to other federal funding initiatives, the 
Commission required Enhanced A-CAM carriers to implement operational 
cybersecurity and supply chain risk management plans by January 1, 
2024--the start of the Enhanced A-CAM support term. Enhanced A-CAM 
carriers must submit such plans to the Universal Service Administrative 
Company (USAC) and certify they have done so, by January 2, 2024 or 
within 30 days of approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act, whichever 
is later. Failure to submit the plans and make the certification shall 
result in 25% of monthly support being withheld until the carrier comes 
into compliance. If a carrier makes a substantive modification to its 
cybersecurity or supply chain risk management plan, the Commission 
requires that the carrier submit its updated plan to USAC within 30 
days of making that modification.
    The purpose of this information collection is to collect the 
operational cybersecurity and supply chain risk management plans 
required of the Enhanced A-CAM carriers by the start of the Enhanced A-
CAM support term and address the burdens associated with that 
requirement.

Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene Dortch,
Secretary, Office of the Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2023-19068 Filed 9-1-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P


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