Content of this
ICR is acceptable but this collection has a history of predictable
emergency extensions. If this ICR is submitted again as an
emergency submission in the future, thorough examination is
recommended to determine if it truly qualifies as an emergency
submission based on the criteria in 5 CFR 1320.13.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
09/30/2010
36 Months From Approved
10/31/2007
3
0
1,313
600
0
262,600
108,000
0
47,268,000
The Report and Order implements
bidding credits for federally-recognized tribal areas that have a
telephone service penetration rate below seventy percent
(qualifying tribal land). The Commission adopted the R&O to
encourage deployment of wireless services to tribal lands. The 1990
Census indicates that communities on tribal lands have historically
had less access to telecommunications services than any other
segment of the population. Later, the Commission extended the time
period during which winning bidders can negotiate with relevant
tribes to obtain the certification needed to obtain the bidding
credit in a particular market from 90 days to 180 days. Further,
the 2nd R&O clarified various administrative matters involved
in implementing the bidding credit. Finally, the 3rd R&O raised
the wireline telephone penetration rate at which tribal lands are
eligible for a bidding credit from 90% or less, to 85% or less, and
increased the amount of the bidding credit.
The Commission is seeking no
change in reporting or recordkeeping requirements for this ICR.
However, since the last submission to the OMB, the Commission has
modified the number of respondents/responses, burden hours and
annual costs. This is due to the changing number of licenses
estimated to be auctioned during a given year. In spite of the few
applications that are actually affected, the number of potential
participants is in the hundreds, perhaps thousands. In other words,
while few applicants have actually attempted to take part in the
Tribal Lands Bidding Credit (TLBC) program, almost all applicants
in any auction where TLBC's are available could take part in the
program. Because so many could possibly take part, the FCC needs
continued OMB approval for this collection.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
0950_ss_080607.doc
Bidding Credits for Tribal Lands; WT Docket No. 99-266