Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2017/05/16/2017-09891/information-collections-being-reviewed-by-the-federal-communications-commission
Timestamp: 2017-09-22 07:33:28
Document Index: 611386788

Matched Legal Cases: ['§\u200954', '§\u200954', '§\u200954', '§\u200954', '§\u20096403', '§\u20096403']

82 FR 22542
OMB 3060-1081, 3060-1223
2017-09891
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2017-09891 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2017-09891
Title: Section 54.202, 54.209, 54.307, 54.313, 54.314, and 54.809, Telecommunications Carriers Eligible for Universal Service Support.
Obligation to Respond: Required to obtain or retain benefits. Statutory authority for this information collection is contained in 47 U.S.C. 201(b), 214(e)(6), 303(r)
Needs and Uses: Designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC) makes a telecommunications carrier eligible to participate in the Universal Service Fund's high-cost program, which support the extension of telecommunications services to underserved rural communities. In the absence of this information collection, the Commission's ability to oversee the use of Federal universal service funds and to combat waste, fraud, and abuse in the use of Federal funds would be compromised. Section 54.202 of the Commission's rules requires carriers seeking designation from the Commission to submit an application that certifies that the carrier will comply with the service requirement applicable to the support that it receives, 47 CFR 54.202(a)(1)(i); applicants must submit a five year plan that describes with specificity proposed improvements or upgrades to the applicant's network throughout its proposed service area, with estimates of the area and population that will be served as a result of the improvements, § 54.202(a)(1)(ii); an applicant must demonstrate its ability to remain functional in emergency situations, including a demonstration that it has a reasonable amount of back-up power to ensure functionality without an external power source, is able to reroute traffic around damaged facilities, and is capable of managing traffic spikes resulting from emergency situations, § 54.202(a)(2); demonstrate that it will satisfy applicable consumer protection and service quality standards, § 54.202(a)(3). If the common carrier is seeking designation as an eligible telecommunications carrier under section 214(e)(6) for any part of Tribal lands shall provide a copy of its petition to the affected tribal government and tribal regulatory authority, as applicable, at the time it files its petition with the Federal Communications Commission. In addition, the Commission shall send any public notice seeking comment on any petition for designation as an eligible telecommunications carrier on Tribal lands, at the time it is released, the affected tribal government and tribal regulatory authority, as applicable, by the most expeditious means available, § 54.202(c).
Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.Start Printed Page 22543
Number of Respondents and Responses: 1,000 respondents; 2,000 responses.
Obligation to Respond: Required to obtain or retain benefits. Statutory authority for this information collection is contained in the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012, Public Law 112-96 (Spectrum Act) § 6403(b)(4)(A).
Needs and Uses: This collection was approved under the emergency processing provision of the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), 5 CFR 1320.13. The Commission is now requesting OMB approval for this information collection for a full three year term. The Spectrum Act requires the Commission to reimburse broadcast television licensees for costs “reasonably incurred” in relocating to new channels assigned in the repacking process and Multichannel Video Programming Distributors (MVPDs) for costs reasonably incurred in order to continue to carry the signals of stations relocating to new channels as a result of the repacking process or a winning reverse auction bid.[1]
The Commission decided through notice-and-comment rulemaking that it will issue all eligible broadcasters and MVPDs an initial allocation of funds based on estimated costs, which will be available for draw down (from individual accounts in the U.S. Treasury) as the entities incur expenses, followed by a subsequent allocation to the extent necessary. The reason for allowing eligible entities to draw down funds as they incur expenses is to reduce the chance that entities will be unable to finance necessary relocation changes.[2]
The information collection for which we are requesting approval is necessary for eligible entities to instruct the Commission on how to pay the amounts the entities draw down, and for the entities to make certifications that reduce the risk of waste, fraud, abuse and improper payments.
1. Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012, Public Law 112-96 (Spectrum Act) § 6403(b)(4)(A)(i), (ii).
2. Expanding the Economic and Innovation Opportunities of Spectrum Through Incentive Auctions, GN Docket No. 12-268, Report and Order, 29 FCC Rcd 6567 (2014) (“Incentive Auction R&O”) at 609.
[FR Doc. 2017-09891 Filed 5-15-17; 8:45 am]