To implement certain reforms to
universal service support, the Commission’s Wireline Competition
Bureau and the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau in this Order
adopt the form and content for a survey of urban rates for fixed
voice and fixed broadband residential services. The information
collected in this survey will be used to ensure that eligible
telecommunications carriers (ETCs) receiving high-cost loop support
(HCLS) or frozen high-cost support must offer fixed voice and
broadband services at reasonably comparable rates to those in urban
areas.
US Code:
47
USC 154(i) Name of Law: Communications Act of 1934, as
amended
US Code: 47
USC 155 Name of Law: Communications Act of 1934, as amended
US Code: 47
USC 254 Name of Law: Communications Act of 1934, as amended
US Code: 47
USC 303(r) Name of Law: Communications Act of 1934, as
amended
US Code: 47
USC 201-205 Name of Law: Communications Act of 1934, as
amended
US Code: 47
USC 403 Name of Law: Communications Act of 1934, as amended
US Code: 47
USC 151 Name of Law: Communications Act of 1934, as amended
US Code: 47
USC 152 Name of Law: Communications Act of 1934, as amended
The Commission is reporting
adjustments/increases and decreases for this information
collection. We are increasing the number of responses we expect to
receive in this annual collection from 1,000 to 2,285 (or by 1,275
responses). Further, we are decreasing the time burden per response
from 3.5 to 3.0 hours (or by 0.5 hours). The annual net effect from
the increase in responses and decrease in time per response is an
increase in the total burden hours from 3,500 to 6,825 hours (or by
3,325 hours). The adjustment to the number of responses is due to
changes in the sample design of survey samples we conduct as part
of the information collection. In our sample of broadband service
providers and Internet prices, growth in the variety of Internet
service plans providers offer along with higher price variability
necessitate adding more subgroups of Internet plans to the sample
design and increasing sample size by 1,500 respondents to maintain
sampling precision. Further, we are adding a non-response factor to
the sample design which lowers responses by 325, for a net increase
of 1,275 responses. The adjustment in time burden per response
(decrease of 0.5 hours) results from re-estimations of two steps
that entities follow in responding to our information collection.
First, we are lowering the average time for respondents to review
instructions by 0.22 hours, to account for the likelihood that
respondents who file more than one response spend less time
reviewing each additional response. Second, we are eliminating the
step requiring respondents to match a census tract code to the
geographic location being sampled and, instead, will provide the
location, reducing time per response by 0.28 hours. There are no
program changes.
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.
2020 Urban Rate Study Statistical Methodology Part B.docx
Survey of Urban Rates for Fixed Voice and Vixed Broadband Residential Services