Notice2025-09527
Information Collection Being Submitted for Review and Approval to Office of Management and Budget
Primary source
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Published
May 28, 2025
Issuing agencies
Federal Communications Commission
Abstract
As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, 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. Pursuant to the Small Business Paperwork Relief Act of 2002, the FCC seeks specific comment on how it might "further reduce the information collection burden for small business concerns with fewer than 25 employees." The Commission may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 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 OMB control number.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 101 (Wednesday, May 28, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 101 (Wednesday, May 28, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22477-22479]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-09527]
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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
[OMB 3060-0986; FR ID 294031]
Information Collection Being Submitted for Review and Approval to
Office of Management and Budget
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,
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. Pursuant to the Small Business
Paperwork Relief Act of 2002, the FCC seeks specific comment on how it
might ``further reduce the information collection burden for small
business concerns with fewer than 25 employees.'' The Commission may
not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a
currently valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 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 OMB control number.
DATES: Written comments and recommendations for the proposed
information collection should be submitted on or before June 27, 2025.
ADDRESSES: Comments should be sent to <a href="http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain">www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain</a>. Find this particular information collection by selecting
``Currently under 30-day Review--Open for Public Comments'' or by using
the search function. Your comment must be submitted into
<a href="http://www.reginfo.gov">www.reginfo.gov</a> per the above instructions for it to be considered. In
addition to submitting in <a href="http://www.reginfo.gov">www.reginfo.gov</a> also send a copy of your
comment on the proposed information collection to Nicole Ongele, FCC,
via email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#8cdcdecdcceaefefa2ebe3fa"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="560604171630353578313920">[email protected]</span></a> and to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e0ae89838f8c85ceaf8e87858c85a0868383ce878f96"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f9b7909a96959cd7b6979e9c959cb99f9a9ad79e968f">[email protected]</span></a>. Include in the
comments the OMB control number as shown in the SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION below.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information or copies
of the information collection, contact Nicole Ongele at (202) 418-2991.
To view a copy of this information collection request (ICR) submitted
to OMB: (1) go to the web page <a href="http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain">http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain</a>, (2) look for the section of the web page called ``Currently
Under Review,'' (3) click on the downward-pointing arrow in the
``Select Agency'' box below the ``Currently Under Review'' heading, (4)
select ``Federal Communications Commission'' from the list of agencies
presented in the ``Select Agency'' box, (5) click the ``Submit'' button
to the right of the ``Select Agency'' box, (6) when the list of FCC
ICRs currently under review appears, look for the Title of this ICR and
then click on the ICR Reference Number. A copy of the FCC submission to
OMB will be displayed.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: As part of its continuing effort to reduce
paperwork burdens, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of
1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520), the FCC invited the general public and
other Federal
[[Page 22478]]
Agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following
information collection. 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 estimates; (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 collection techniques or
other forms of information technology. Pursuant to the Small Business
Paperwork Relief Act of 2002, Public Law 107-198, see 44 U.S.C.
3506(c)(4), the FCC seeks specific comment on how it might ``further
reduce the information collection burden for small business concerns
with fewer than 25 employees.''
OMB Control Number: 3060-0986.
Title: High-Cost Universal Service Support.
Form Number: FCC Form 481 and FCC Form 525.
Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.
Respondents: Business or other for-profit, not-for-profit
institutions and State, local or Tribal government.
Number of Respondents and Responses: 2,229 respondents; 14,172
responses.
Estimated Time per Response: 0.1-15 hours.
Frequency of Response: On occasion, quarterly and annual reporting
requirements, recordkeeping requirement and third-party disclosure
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: 51,573 hours.
Total Annual Cost: No Cost.
Needs and Uses: The Commission is requesting the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) approval for this revised information
collection. On November 18, 2011, the Commission adopted an order
reforming its high-cost universal service support mechanisms. Connect
America Fund; A National Broadband Plan for Our Future; Establish Just
and Reasonable Rates for Local Exchange Carriers; High-Cost Universal
Service Support; Developing a Unified Intercarrier Compensation Regime;
Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service; Lifeline and Link-Up;
Universal Service Reform--Mobility Fund, WC Docket Nos. 10-90, 07-135,
05-337, 03-109; GN Docket No. 09-51; CC Docket Nos. 01-92, 96-45; WT
Docket No. 10-208, Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 26
FCC Rcd 17663 (2011) (USF/ICC Transformation Order). The Commission and
Wireline Competition Bureau (WCB or the Bureau) have since adopted a
number of orders that implement the USF/ICC Transformation Order; see
also Connect America Fund et al., WC Docket No. 10-90 et al., Third
Order on Reconsideration, 27 FCC Rcd 5622 (2012); Connect America Fund
et al., WC Docket No. 10-90 et al., Order, 27 FCC Rcd 605 (WCB 2012);
Connect America Fund et al., WC Docket No. 10-90 et al., Fifth Order on
Reconsideration, 27 FCC Rcd 14549 (2012); Connect America Fund et al.,
WC Docket No. 10-90 et al., Order, 28 FCC Rcd 2051 (WCB 2013); Connect
America Fund et al., WC Docket No. 10-90 et al., Order, 28 FCC Rcd 7227
(WCB 2013); Connect America Fund, WC Docket No. 10-90, Report and
Order, 28 FCC Rcd 7766 (WCB 2013); Connect America Fund, WC Docket No.
10-90, Report and Order, 28 FCC Rcd 7211 (WCB 2013); Connect America
Fund, WC Docket No. 10-90, Report and Order, 28 FCC Rcd 10488 (WCB
2013); Connect America Fund et al., WC Docket No. 10-90 et al., Report
and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 29 FCC Rcd 8769
(2014); Connect America Fund et al., WC Docket No. 10-90 et al., Report
and Order, Order and Order on Reconsideration and Further Notice of
Proposed Rulemaking, 31 FCC Rcd 3087 (2016); Connect America Fund, et
al., WC Docket No. 10-90, et al., Report and Order and Further Notice
of Proposed Rulemaking, 31 FCC Rcd 5949 (2016); Connect America Fund et
al., WC Docket Nos. 10-90, 16-271; WT Docket No. 10-208, Report and
Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 31 FCC Rcd 10139
(2016); Connect America Fund; ETC Annual Reports and Certifications, WC
Docket Nos. 10-90, 14-58, Order, 32 FCC Rcd 968 (2017); Connect America
Fund et al., WC Docket No. 10-90 et al., Report and Order, Further
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, and Order on Reconsideration, 33 FCC Rcd
11893 (2018); Connect America Fund; ETC Annual Reports and
Certifications, WC Docket Nos. 10-90, 14-58, Report and Order, 32 FCC
Rcd 5944 (2017).
In 2019, the Commission adopted an order establishing the Uniendo a
Puerto Rico Fund (PR Fund) and the Connect USVI Fund, a separate,
parallel high-cost program for the U.S. territories suffering extensive
infrastructure damage due to Hurricanes Irma and Maria. The Uniendo a
Puerto Rico Fund and the Connect USVI Fund, et al., WC Docket No. 18-
143, et al., Report and Order and Order on Reconsideration, 34 FCC Rcd
9109 (2019) (Puerto Rico and USVI Stage 2 Order). Also, in the 2019
Supply Chain Order, the Commission adopted a rule prohibiting the use
of Universal Service Fund (USF) support, including high-cost universal
service support, to purchase or obtain any equipment or services
produced or provided by a covered company posing a national security
threat to the integrity of communications networks or the
communications supply chain. Protecting Against National Security
Threats to the Communications Supply Chain Through FCC Programs, WC
Docket No. 18-89, Report and Order, Further Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking, and Order, 34 FCC Rcd 11423, 11433, para. 26 (WCB 2019).
See also 47 CFR 54.9.
On January 30, 2020, the Commission adopted an order establishing
the framework for the RDOF, building on the successful CAF Phase II
auction. Rural Digital Opportunity Fund; Connect America Fund, WC
Docket Nos. 19-126 and 10-90, Report and Order, 35 FCC Rcd 686 (2020)
(RDOF Order). Later that year, the Commission adopted two additional
supply chain rules associated with newly required certifications.
Protecting Against National Security Threats to the Communications
Supply Chain Through FCC Programs, WC Docket No. 18-89, Second Report
and Order, 35 FCC Rcd 14284 (2020) (2020 Supply Chain Order).
Through several orders, the Commission has reconfigured and
extended certain high-cost programs, adding obligations applicable to
these particular programs, and has changed, modified, and eliminated
certain other obligations for high-cost support. These changes are
outlined below:
In 2018, the Bureau announced that, as of March 1, 2018, and
continuing with annual reports due March 1 in subsequent years,
recipients of Rural Broadband Experiments (RBE) support would no longer
submit location information and associated evidence with their annual
FCC Form 481, as previously required, but would instead submit this
information using the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC or
the Administrator)'s High-Cost Universal Broadband (HUBB) portal. See
Wireline Competition Bureau Provides Guidance to Carriers Receiving
Connect America Fund Support Regarding their Broadband
[[Page 22479]]
Location Reporting Obligations, Public Notice, 31 FCC Rcd 12900, 12908
(WCB 2016). OMB approved the collection of this location information
through the HUBB in OMB Control No. 3060-1228, Connect America Fund--
High Cost Portal Filing. This collection now reflects that this
obligation is being collected under OMB Control No. 3060-1228.
On July 23, 2023, the Commission established the Enhanced
Alternative Connect America Cost Model (A-CAM) program, the next
iteration of the A-CAM programs. See Connect America Fund: A National
Broadband Plan for Our Future High-Cost Universal Service Support et
al., WC Docket No. 10-90 et al., Report and Order, Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking, and Notice of Inquiry, FCC 23-60 (rel. July 24, 2023)
(Enhanced A-CAM Order). Under the Enhanced A-CAM program, carriers
electing to receive Enhanced A-CAM support will receive such support
for a term ending in 2038, for broadband deployment with speeds of at
least 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload, and will be subject to
reporting and certification obligations associated with Enhanced A-CAM
support. See Enhanced A-CAM Order at 24-27, paras. 52-59. On October
30, 2023, the Bureau announced that 368 carriers electing Enhanced A-
CAM will receive $18.28 billion in total over the 15-year term. See
Wireline Competition Bureau Authorizes 368 Companies in 44 States to
Receive Enhanced Alternative Connect America Cost Model Support to
Expand Rural Broadband, WC Docket No. 10-90, Public Notice, DA 23-1025
(WCB 2023).
On October 20, 2023, the Commission adopted an order, that among
other things, modified and clarified certain requirements associated
with FCC Form 481 and similar filings. See Connect America Fund et al.,
WC Docket No. 10-90 et al., Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Report
and Order, FCC 23-87 (rel. Oct. 20, 2023) (Administrative Order). The
Administrative Order updated the rules to properly state that duplicate
copies of the annual high-cost reports and certifications, i.e., the
FCC Form 481, as described in Sec. Sec. 54.313 and 54.314 of the
Commission's rules, need not be filed with more than one entity;
carriers must now only file the FCC Form 481 with USAC. See
Administrative Order at 60-62, paras. 133-34; 47 CFR 54.313-14. See
also Connect America Fund; ETC Annual Reports and Certifications, WC
Docket Nos. 10-90, 14-58, Report and Order, 32 FCC Rcd 5944, 5948,
para. 15 (2017) (ETC Reporting Streamlining Order) (``[C]ontingent upon
USAC's completion of the rollout of an online portal for recipients of
high cost services, we will no longer require ETCs to file duplicate
copies of Form 481 with the FCC and with states, U.S. Territories, and/
or Tribal governments beginning in 2018.''). The Administrative Order
also made explicit that the required certification of compliance with
voice and broadband benchmarks in FCC Form 481 covers the calendar year
preceding the date that the FCC Form 481 is due, and is based on
benchmarks released by the Commission before that calendar year (two
years before the year that the FCC Form 481 is due to be submitted).
See Administrative Order at 67, para. 150.
The Commission therefore proposes to revise this information
collection, as well as the Form 481 and its accompanying instructions,
to reflect these new and modified requirements.
Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene Dortch,
Secretary, Office of the Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2025-09527 Filed 5-27-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P
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