Under section 10 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, telecommunications carriers (comprising of fixed local service providers, wireless telephony providers and interexchange carriers) may petition the Commission to forbear from applying to a telecommunications carrier any statutory provision or Commission regulation. When a carrier petitions the Commission for forbearance, section 10 requires the Commission to make three determinations with regard to the need for the challenged provision or regulation. If the Commission fails to act within one year (extended by three months, if necessary) the petition is "deemed granted" by operation of law. These determinations require complex, fact-intensive analysis, e.g., "whether forbearance from enforcing the provision or regulation will promote competitive market conditions."
US Code:
47 USC 10
Name of Law: Communications Act of 1934, as amended
US Code:
47 USC 151, 154, 155
Name of Law: Communications Act of 1934, as amended
US Code:
47 USC 160
Name of Law: Communications Act of 1934, as amended
US Code:
47 USC 201
Name of Law: Communications Act of 1934, as amended
US Code:
47 USC 303
Name of Law: Communications Act of 1934, as amended
The Commission adopted a Report and Order, FCC 09-56, which requires tht petitions for forebearance must be "complete as filed" and explain in detail what must be included in a forbearance petition. The Commission also incorporates by reference its rule, 47 CFR 1.49, which states that the Commission's standard "specifications as to pleadings and documents."
$0
No
No
Uncollected
Uncollected
No
Uncollected
Jon Reel 202 418-1580
No
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.