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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 239 (Thursday, December 12, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 100489-100490]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-29297]

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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[OMB 3060-1219; FR ID 267681]

Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal 
Communications Commission Under Delegated Authority

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

[[Page 100490]]

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. 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.

DATES: Written PRA comments should be submitted on or before February 
10, 2025. 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 
[email protected] and to [email protected].

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    OMB Control Number: 3060-1219.
    Title: Connect America Fund-Alternative Connect America Cost Model 
Support.
    Form Number: N/A.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents and Responses: 1,100 unique respondents; 
1,100 responses.
    Estimated Time per Response: 0.5 hours-2 hours.
    Frequency of Response: On occasion and one-time reporting 
requirement.
    Obligation to Respond: Required to obtain or retain benefits. 
Statutory authority for this information collection is contained in 47 
U.S.C. 151-154, 155, 201-206, 214, 218-220, 251, 252, 254, 256, 303(r), 
332, 403, 405, 410, and 1302.
    Total Annual Burden: 700 hours.
    Total Annual Cost: No Cost.
    Needs and Uses: The Commission is requesting approval for the 
extension of this collection. In March 2016, the Commission adopted 
significant reforms to place the universal service support program on 
solid footing for the next decade to preserve and advance voice and 
broadband service in areas served by rate-of-return carriers. Connect 
America Fund; ETC Annual Reports and Certifications; Establishing Just 
and Reasonable Rates for Local Exchange Carriers; Developing a Unified 
Intercarrier Compensation Regime, WC Docket Nos. 10-90, 14-58, 07-135, 
05-337, 03-109; CC Docket Nos. 01-92, Report and Order, Order and Order 
on Reconsideration, and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, FCC 16-
33 (2016 Rate-of-Return Reform Order).
    As part of the Rate-of-Return Reform Order, the Commission adopted 
a voluntary path for rate-of-return carriers to receive model-based 
support in exchange for making a commitment to deploy broadband-capable 
networks meeting certain service obligations to a pre-determined number 
of eligible locations in a state. By creating a voluntary pathway to 
model-based support, the Commission will spur new broadband deployment 
in rural areas. In several subsequent orders and public notices, the 
Commission has further refined this voluntary pathway, and in the 
December 2018 Rate-of-Return Reform Order, the Commission adopted a 
second pathway for carriers that did not elect the first pathway. 
Connect America Fund; ETC Annual Reports and Certifications; 
Establishing Just and Reasonable Rates for Local Exchange Carriers; 
Developing a Unified Intercarrier Compensation Regime, WC Docket Nos. 
10-90, 14-58, 07-135, 05-337, 03-109; CC Docket Nos. 01-92, Report and 
Order, Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, and Order on 
Reconsideration, FCC 18-176 (December 2018 Rate-of-Return Reform 
Order).
    This information collection addresses the requirement that carriers 
electing model-based support must notify the Commission of that 
election and their commitment to satisfy the specific service 
obligations associated with the amount of model support.
    In the 2016 Rate-of-Return Reform Order, the Commission also 
adopted reforms to the universal service mechanisms used to determine 
support for rate-of-return carriers not electing model-based support. 
Among other such reforms, the Commission adopted an operating expense 
limitation to improve carriers' incentives to be prudent and efficient 
in their expenditures, a capital investment allowance to better target 
support to those areas with less broadband deployment, and broadband 
deployment obligations to promote ``accountability from companies 
receiving support to ensure that public investment are used wisely to 
deliver intended results.'' In the December 2018 Rate-of-Return Order, 
the Commission further modified or, in the case of the capital 
investment allowance, eliminated these requirements. Other requirements 
adopted in the Rate-of-Return Reform Order have been addressed under 
other Office of Management and Budget control numbers. We therefore 
propose to extend this information collection.

Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene Dortch,
Secretary, Office of the Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2024-29297 Filed 12-11-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P
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