3060-1228 Connect America Fund - High Cost Portal Supporting Statement_7.25.19 mb_

Connect America Fund – High Cost Portal Filing 3060-1228 August 2019

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

This revised information collection is being submitted to obtain the Office of Management Budget (OMB) approval for revised information collection requirements due to recent Federal Communications Commission (Commission or FCC) orders as explained below.

The collection addresses the requirements for certain high-cost recipients to report location information where they have deployed facilities meeting their public interest obligations as well as associated certifications and quarterly reports. The collection also addresses a requirement for eligible telecommunications carriers receiving Alaska Plan support to file map data related to their middle-mile facilities.

A. Justification:

1. Circumstances that make the collection necessary. The Communications Act of 1934, as amended, (the Act) requires the “preservation and advancement of universal service.” The information collection requirements reported under this collection are the result of Commission actions to promote the Act’s universal service goals.

Pursuant to the following orders, this collection includes location reporting and related certification requirements of high-cost support recipients: Connect America Fund et al., Report and Order, Order and Order on Reconsideration, and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 31 FCC Rcd 3087 (2016) (2016 Rate-of-Return Order); Connect America Fund et al., Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 31 FCC Rcd 5949 (2016) (Phase II Auction Order); Connect America Fund et al., Order, 31 FCC Rcd 12086 (2016) (ACS Phase II Order); Connect America Fund et al., Report and Order and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 29 FCC Rcd 876 (2014) (Rural Broadband Experiments Order); Connect America Fund et al., Report and Order, 29 FCC Rcd 15644 (2014) (Price Cap Order); Technology Transitions et al., Order et al., 29 FCC Rcd 1433 (2014) (Tech Transitions Order); Connect America Fund et al., Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 31 FCC Rcd 10139 (2016) (Alaska Plan Order); Connect America Fund et al., Order, 32 FCC Rcd 968 (2017) (New York Auction Order); Connect America Fund et al., Report and Order, Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, and Order on Reconsideration, FCC 18-176 (2018) (2018 Rate-of-Return Order).

This information collection addresses the requirement that certain carriers with high-cost reporting obligations must file information about the locations to which they have deployed broadband service meeting applicable public interest requirements (location information). As directed by the Commission, the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) and the FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau created a web-based portal, the High-Cost Universal Broadband Portal (HUBB or portal), to accept this information. The Commission and USAC will use this information to monitor the deployment progress of reporting carriers and to verify the reporting carriers’ claims of service at the reported locations. Such activities help the Commission ensure that support is being used as intended. In addition, because data filed in the HUBB is publicly accessible, the reporting helps ensure public accountability and transparency.

The portal has three key functions as explained below and in further detail in the attached template. It permits recipients of high cost support to: (1) submit location information, on a rolling basis throughout the year; (2) certify compliance with build-out requirements based upon the information filed in the portal; (3) and file quarterly compliance reports in certain circumstances when they have not met their buildout requirements. The filing and certification requirements vary by carrier type (e.g., recipient of Phase II model-based support vs. a rural broadband experiment recipient). Because of these differences, the collections and burden hours associated with each carrier type also differ as described in detail below. Additionally, Alaska Plan carriers will file fiber/microwave middle-mile network maps as required in the portal.

Features of the portal:

• Online Access for Streamlined Filing – Filers submit location information and basic information such as the carrier name at the study area level, study area code(s), and holding company name and carrier contact information. To the extent this information is already known, the HUBB will prepopulate these and other components of information. The HUBB may also auto-generate carrier information data from applicants’ prior Form 481 filings as well as other information stored in USAC’s systems. Each carrier files location information for those locations to which it has deployed service meeting the Commission’s public interest obligations. Some location information, such as the latitude and longitude of each location, is identical to the information that was previously collected from recipients Phase II model-based support recipients and rural broadband experiments support recipients on Form 481. Other information that carriers must report into the HUBB, such as the speed available at the location, has not been collected on Form 481. In some circumstances, carriers also may use a USAC verification system to validate their location information prior to the annual filing deadlines. The portal provides error messages when the location data does not meet certain parameters, such as a message indicating that filed location is not within the eligible area for which the carrier is eligible to receive high cost support. Access to the HUBB and the ability to pre-file expedites the location filing and allows carriers to correct any errors in their data prior to the filing deadline. Once information is filed into the portal, carriers can check, correct, update, and delete information until the filing deadline. Carriers may also delete locations filed in any reporting year. Carriers with quarterly reporting obligations file similar information in a similar manner, as described below. Carriers must certify compliance with their reporting obligations and buildout milestones on an annual basis in the HUBB.

• Customized Applications - The HUBB has built-in logic that adapts to the type of carrier. For example, if the carrier indicates it is a rate-of-return carrier during the filing process, the HUBB may provide information about the public interest requirements (e.g., speed and build-out-requirements) particular to rate-of-return carriers.

• Integrated Instructions – Guidance for submitting the information is integrated into the system to provide filers a roadmap for completion. Wherever applicable and possible, filers are provided explanatory text regarding data submission choices and procedures, and additional text to remind them where they may have to provide additional information or meet special requirements.

In the 2018 Rate-of-Return Order, the Commission adopted reforms to support mechanisms for the rate-of-return carriers that included additional offers of model-based (A-CAM) support with increased speed obligations and revised deployment milestones. Because of the additional offers of model-based support, a greater number of rate-of-return carriers (i.e. respondents) became subject to A-CAM build-out certifications and a lesser number, to legacy support build-out certifications (i.e., CAF BLS support), thus requiring revisions to the burdens in section 12.k and section 12.l below. In addition, the Commission adopted a separate and increased budget for carriers remaining on legacy support and new and revised defined deployment obligations. Specifically, the Commission imposed defined deployment obligations and associated HUBB reporting requirements (annual location reporting and build-out certifications) on all CAF BLS support recipients. Whereas previously, it limited such obligations and requirements to CAF BLS support recipients that had not already deployed to 80% or more of their service area. The Commission also imposed new deadlines (March 1, 2024 and March 1, 2029) by which CAF BLS support recipients must certify that it offered broadband service meeting the requisite public interest obligations to the required percentage of locations by the end of the prior year. There is no change in the location reporting burdens because the original burden estimates (12.m. below) for location reporting captured all respondents.

Currently Approved Requirements in this information collection

1. Location Information for Phase II Model-Based Support Recipients (See 12.a) (no changes)

Price cap carriers that elected to receive Phase II model-based support must deploy service meeting the Commission’s public interest obligations to a set number of locations in each state where they have accepted support by specific build-out milestones. 47 C.F.R. § 54.316.

For each location (or set of locations at the same geocoordinates) to be counted towards satisfaction of a Phase II Model-based support recipient deployment obligation, that carrier must report:

1. The carrier’s name

2. Carrier holding company name

3. Contact information for the person who prepared and submitted the data

4. Study Area Code(s)

5. Type of Carrier (e.g., rate-of-return)

6. State(s) for which the carrier is making the filing

7. Location ID

8. Latitude of the location (to 6 decimal places)

9. Longitude of Location (to 6 decimal places)

10. Address of location

11. Number of units at the location

12. The bandwidth/speed available at the location

13. The date of service deployment at the location

14. Officer certification that information is true and correct

15. Certifying Official Contact Information

In some cases, some or all of fields may be auto-generated by the HUBB based on information previously filed with USAC. See Portal Template for additional details.

By March 1st of each year ending March 1, 2021, such carriers must report the locations to which it has newly deployed service meeting the Commission’s public interest obligations as of the prior calendar year

2. Build-Out Certifications for Phase II Model-Based Support Recipients (See 12.b)

Recipients of Phase II model-based support must meet certain build-out milestones and must certify their compliance with these milestones. 47 CFR. §§ 54.310(c), 54.316.

For each location to be counted towards satisfaction of a Phase II Model-based support recipient deployment obligation, that carrier must report:

1. By March 1, 2020, certify to 80 percent.

2. By March 1, 2021, certify to 100 percent.

In some cases, some or all of fields may be auto-generated by the HUBB based on information previously filed with USAC. See Portal Template for additional details.

3. Reporting Requirements and Associated Certifications for Rural Broadband Experiment Support Recipients (See 12.c) (no changes)

Recipients of rural broadband experiment (RBE) support must deploy service meeting the Commission’s public interest obligations to a set number of locations within their bid areas by specific build-out milestones at the end of their third and fifth years following the authorization of support. RBE support recipients must report the information noted below into the HUBB for each location or set of locations by March 1. See Rural Broadband Experiments Order; 29 FCC Rcd at 8794, para. 74; Wireline Competition Bureau Provides Guidance to Carriers Receiving Connect America Fund Support Regarding Their Broadband Location Reporting Obligations, Public Notice, 31 FCC Rcd 12900, 12908 (WCB 2016) (aligning the timing of RBE support recipients’ annual reports with the annual reporting requirements for Phase II recipients of model-based support and rate-of-return carriers and directing rural broadband experiment support recipients to submit their build-out certifications to the HUBB).

For each location (or set of locations at the same geocoordinates) to be counted towards satisfaction of the RBE support recipient’s deployment obligation, that carrier must report:

1. The carrier’s name

2. Carrier holding company name

3. Contact information for the person who prepared and submitted the data

4. Study Area Code(s)

5. Type of Carrier (e.g., rate-of-return)

6. State(s) for which the carrier is making the filing

7. Location ID

8. Latitude of the location (to 6 decimal places)

9. Longitude of Location (to 6 decimal places)

10. Address of location

11. Number of units at the location

12. The bandwidth/speed available at the location

13. The date of service deployment at the location

14. Officer certification that information is true and correct

15. Certifying Official Contact Information

In some cases, the HUBB may auto-generate some or all of fields based on information previously filed with USAC. See Portal Template for additional details.

On March 1, RBE support recipients must also submit into the HUBB, evidence demonstrating that it is meeting the relevant public interest obligations for the identified locations. This evidence must at least detail the pricing, offered broadband speed and data usage allowances available in the relevant geographic area. Parties submitting this information should take steps to ensure that sensitive information is not improperly submitted. Examples of such information are customer proprietary network information (47 U.S.C. § 222; 47 C.F.R. §§ 64.2001-64.2011), records covered by the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (18 U.S.C. § 2702(a)(3), (c)), or records otherwise protected by law for purposes of customer privacy (see, e.g., 47 U.S.C. § 551).

All RBE support recipients must submit into the HUBB, a certification that they offer service to at least 85 percent of their required number of locations with the required level of service by the end of their third year of support and a certification that they offer service to 100 percent of their required number of locations with the required level of service by the end of their fifth-year of support.

4. Location Information and Associated Certifications for Alaska Communications Systems (ACS) as a Phase II Frozen Support Recipient (See 12.d)

ACS elected to receive Phase II frozen support and must deploy service meeting the Commission’s tailored public interest obligations to a set number of locations in Alaska by specific build-out milestones.

For each location (or set of locations at the same geocoordinates) to be counted towards satisfaction of the ACS’s deployment obligation, it must report:

1. The carrier’s name

2. Carrier holding company name

3. Contact information for the person who prepared and submitted the data

4. Study Area Code(s)

5. Type of Carrier (e.g., rate-of-return)

6. State(s) for which the carrier is making the filing

7. Location ID

8. Whether the location is a substitute location in a partially-served or low-cost census block

9. Latitude of the location (to 6 decimal places)

10. Longitude of Location (to 6 decimal places)

11. Address of location

12. Number of units at the location

13. The bandwidth/speed available at the location

14. The date of service deployment at the location

15. Officer certification that the capital expenditure cost by ACS to build to any low-cost location was $5,000 or more

16. Officer certification that information is true and correct

17. Certifying Official Contact Information

In some cases, the HUBB may auto-generate some or all of fields based on information previously filed with USAC. See Portal Template for additional details.

Each year, ACS is required to report the locations where it is providing service meeting its public interest obligations as of the end of the prior year. Each March 1 until March 1, 2026, ACS must report location information for locations to which it newly deployed service meeting the Commission’s tailored public interest obligations in the prior calendar year. By March 1, 2026, ACS must also report the total number and geocodes of all the supported locations to which it deployed service meeting the Commission’s tailored public interest obligations.

The Commission also adopted build-out milestones for ACS as a recipient of Phase II frozen support and required ACS to certify its compliance with these milestones. In the HUBB, ACS must certify by specific deadlines that, by the end of the prior calendar year, the funding recipient offered broadband service meeting the requisite public interest requirements to a certain percentage of the total number of locations that ACS is required to serve, as described below:

1. By March 1, 2020, certify to 40 percent.

2. By March 1, 2021, certify to 50 percent.

3. By March 1, 2022, certify to 60 percent.

4. By March 1, 2023, certify to 70 percent.

5. By March 1, 2024, certify to 80 percent.

6. By March 1, 2025, certify to 90 percent.

7. By March 1, 2026, certify to 100 percent.

In addition, ACS must certify that any deployment to a non-high-cost census block was, in fact, high cost. ACS must also certify that the capital expenditure ACS incurred to build to each non-high-cost location within a qualifying “low-cost” census block was at least $5,000 per location. The Commission also requires ACS to certify that the capital expenditure cost of build-out to any “low-cost” location was $5,000 or more.

5. Location Information for Phase II Auction Support Recipients and Recipients of Phase II Support Allocated in Partnership with New York’s New NY Broadband Program (See 12.e) (no change)

Phase II Auction Support Recipients and recipients of Phase II support allocated in partnership with New York’s program (New York recipients) must deploy service meeting the Commission’s public interest obligations to a set number of locations in each area by specific buildout milestones.

For each location (or set of locations at the same geocoordinates) to be counted towards satisfaction of its deployment obligation, the New York recipient must report:

1. The carrier’s name

2. Carrier holding company name

3. Contact information for the person who prepared and submitted the data

4. Study Area Code(s)

5. Type of Carrier (e.g., rate-of-return)

6. State(s) for which the carrier is making the filing

7. Location ID

8. Latitude of the location (to 6 decimal places)

9. Longitude of Location (to 6 decimal places)

10. Address of location

11. Number of units at the location

12. The bandwidth/speed available at the location

13. The date of service deployment at the location

14. Officer certification that information is true and correct

15. Certifying Official Contact Information

16. Technology used (e.g., fiber, copper) to provide service

In some cases, the HUBB may auto-generate some or all of fields based on information previously filed with USAC. See Portal Template for additional details.

The first location list will be due by the last business day of the second calendar month following the one-year anniversary of support authorization and must reflect the number and list of geocoded locations (if any) where the recipient already was offering service meeting the Commission’s requirements and all new locations (if any) where the recipient was offering service meeting the requisite requirements by the end of the first year. For the following five years, by the last business day of the second calendar month following the anniversary of support authorization, auction winners and New York recipients must file a list of geocoded locations newly served during the prior year.

6. Build-Out Certifications for Phase II Auction Support Recipients and Recipients of Phase II Support Allocated in Partnership with New York’s New NY Broadband Program (See 12.f) (no change)

The Commission required Phase II auction support recipients and New York recipients to certify compliance with build-out milestones in the HUBB. 47 C.F.R. §§ 54.310(c), 54.316; New York Auction Order, FCC 17-2, at 21, 26, paras. 53, 69. For each state where the recipient is receiving support, it must submit to the portal, by the last business day of the second calendar month following each service milestone specified by the Commission, a certification that they are offering broadband meeting the requisite public interest obligations to the required percentage of their supported locations in the state. Specifically, these recipients must provide:

1. By the last business day of the second calendar month following the third year of support, a certification that, by the end of third year of support, the carrier completed deployment to 40 percent of the supported locations.

2. By the last business day of the second calendar month following the fourth year of support, a certification that the carrier completed deployment to 60 percent of the supported locations.

3. By the last business day of the second calendar month following the fifth year of support, a certification that the carrier completed deployment to 80 percent of the supported locations.

4. By the last business day of the second calendar month following the sixth year of support, a certification that the carrier was offering broadband meeting the requisite public interest obligations to 100 percent of the supported locations.

7. Non-Compliance Reports for Phase II Model-Based Support Recipients, ACS as a recipient of Phase II Frozen Support, Phase II Auction Support Recipients, Recipients of Phase II Support Allocated in Partnership with New York’s New NY Broadband Program, Rate of Return Carriers, and Alaska Plan Carriers (See 12.g) (no change)

Phase II Model-Based Support recipients, ACS (as a recipient of Phase II Frozen Support), Phase II Auction Support Recipients, New York recipients, certain Rate of Return carriers, and Alaska Plan carriers that do not meet their build-out milestones may be required to report, on a quarterly basis, location information for all locations to which the ETC has newly deployed broadband service meeting the requisite requirements using Connect America support received during the previous quarter. 47 C.F.R. § 54.320(d). Such a requirement is triggered when a funding recipient has a compliance gap of at least five percent of the requisite number of locations necessary to meet the milestone (and in some cases, less, if the compliance gap has occurred for multiple years). The recipient must file these reports until the Bureau issues a letter stating that the recipient has sufficiently reduced its compliance gap to warrant discontinuance of quarterly reporting. The quarterly reporting requirements enable the Commission to closely monitor the recipient’s progress in meeting missed milestones.

Non-Compliance requirements for CAF BLS recipients will be determined on a case-by-case basis and are currently approved pursuant to OMB Control No. 3060-0986. Therefore, they are not included in the burden estimates below.

For each kind of support recipient noted above, the content of the non-compliance reports is substantially the same as the content that it must report to satisfy the location reporting requirement, except that the recipient must indicate that the report is a non-compliance report and not a location report.

8. Location Information for Rate-of-Return Alaska Plan Participants (See 12.h) (no change)

Rate-of-Return Alaska Plan carriers must deploy/upgrade service meeting the Commission’s public interest obligations to a specific number of locations in accordance with the carrier’s individualized plan.

For each location (or set of locations at the same geocoordinates) to be counted towards satisfaction of its deployment obligation, rate-of-return Alaska Plan participants must report:

1. The carrier’s name

2. Carrier holding company name

3. Contact information for the person who prepared and submitted the data

4. Study Area Code(s)

5. Type of Carrier (e.g., rate-of-return, Alaska Plan)

6. State(s) of carrier

7. Location ID

8. Latitude of the location (to 6 decimal places)

9. Longitude of Location (to 6 decimal places)

10. Address of Location

11. Number of units at the location

12. The bandwidth/speed/backhaul available at the location

13. The date of service deployment at the location

14. Officer certification that information is true and correct

15. Certifying Official Contact Information

In some cases, the HUBB may auto-generate some or all of fields based on information previously filed with USAC. See Portal Template for additional details.

Beginning March 1, 2019, certain rate-of-return Alaska Plan carriers must report location information for locations to which the carrier deployed broadband service meeting the commitments in the carrier’s plan in the prior calendar year.

While the reports are due March 1 of each year, we expect that Alaska Plan participants will report the information on a rolling basis, and recommend as a best practice, that these carriers report within 30 days of offering service at the location.

9. Build-Out Certifications for Rate-of-Return and Mobile Wireless CETC Alaska Plan Participants (See 12.i) (no change)

The Commission adopted five- and ten-year build-out milestones for rate-of-return carriers and mobile wireless CETCs that elect Alaska Plan support. Such carriers must certify their compliance with these milestones.

Specifically, pursuant to 47 C.F.R. § 54.316(b)(6), each rate-of-return Alaska Plan participant must provide:

1. No later than March 1, 2022 a certification that it fulfilled the deployment obligations and is offering service meeting the requisite public interest obligations to the required number of locations as of December 31, 2021.

2. No later than March 1, 2027 a certification that it fulfilled the deployment obligations and is offering service meeting the requisite public interest obligations to the required number of locations as of December 31, 2026.

Each mobile wireless CETC must provide no later than 60 days after the end of each participating carrier’s first five-year term of support and second five-year term of support, a certification that it has met the obligations contained in the approved performance plan. See 47 C.F.R. § 54.321.

By requiring rate-of-return and mobile wireless Alaska Plan participants to make these certifications, the Commission will have a mechanism to aid carrier accountability of Alaska Plan carriers to ensure that they are deploying to and covering the reported locations and populations consistent with their obligations and commitments.

10. Fiber/Microwave Network Middle-Mile Maps for Alaska Plan Carriers (See 12.j)

The Commission requires Alaska Plan participants to submit fiber/microwave network maps covering eligible areas and to update such maps if the recipients have deployed middle-mile facilities in the prior calendar year that are or will be used to support their service in eligible areas. See 47 CFR § 54.316(a)(6). By collecting maps of existing and then newly deployed terrestrial middle-mile facilities, the Commission can monitor those areas with newly deployed middle-mile facilities and ensure that those areas receive adequate broadband access, based on the infrastructure available. Moreover, with the fiber/microwave network maps, the Commission will have data available to guide future decisions regarding universal service support in areas of Alaska served under the Alaska Plan.

In the Alaska Plan Order, the Commission delegated responsibility to the Wireline Competition Bureau and the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau to determine the format of the maps. The Bureaus, working together, reviewed and evaluated the software and systems that the Commission uses or has used to collect maps of middle-mile facilities. As an example, the Bureaus reviewed the Commission’s special access (business data services) proceeding (WC Docket No. 05-250).

11. Build-Out Certifications for Rate-of-Return Carriers Electing A-CAM Support (revisions to reflect revised timeframes for deployment obligations and increase in respondents) (See 12.k)

The Commission adopted build-out milestones for rate-of-return carriers that elect A-CAM support and required each company making an election to certify their compliance with these milestones. 47 C.F.R. § 54.311 and 47 C.F.R. § 54.316. Specifically, for each state where a company elects to receive A-CAM support, it must submit into the HUBB a certification that, by the end of the prior calendar year, the carrier offered broadband service meeting the requisite public interest requirements to a percentage of supported locations in the state. Because companies must elect A-CAM at the state level, some companies that previously had multiple CAF BLS reporting obligations per state now will have only one A-CAM reporting obligation per state. The certification timeline depends on which A-CAM offer the carrier accepted. The Commissions terms the offer as A-CAM I, Revised A-CAM I, and A-CAM II:

A-CAM I and Revised A-CAM I must certify meeting deployment of 10/1 Mbps as follows:

1. By March 1, 2021, certify to 40 percent.

2. By March 1, 2022, certify to 50 percent.

3. By March 1, 2023, certify to 60 percent.

4. By March 1, 2024, certify to 70 percent.

5. By March 1, 2025, certify to 80 percent.

6. By March 1, 2026, certify to 90 percent.

7. By March 1, 2027, certify to 100 percent.

Revised A-CAM I and A-CAM II must certify meeting deployment of at least 25/3 Mbps as follows:

(a) By March 1, 2023, certify to 40 percent.

(b) By March 1, 2024, certify to 50 percent.

(c) By March 1, 2025, certify to 60 percent.

(d) By March 1, 2026, certify to 70 percent.

(e) By March 1, 2027, certify to 80 percent.

(f) By March 1, 2028, certify to 90 percent.

(g) By March 1, 2029, certify to 100 percent.

By requiring rate-of-return carriers electing A-CAM support to submit these certifications, the Commission will be able to monitor use of A-CAM support as they build out their networks to ensure that the support is being used for its intended purposes.

12. Build-Out Certifications for Rate-of-Return Carriers electing CAF BLS Support (revisions to reflect revised timeframe for deployment obligations and decrease in respondents) (See 12.l)

In the 2018 Rate-of-Return Order, the Commission revised the build-out milestones for rate-of-return carriers that remain on legacy support (CAF BLS) and required to the carriers certify their compliance with these milestones. In addition, the Commission mandated defined deployment obligations for all legacy carriers, which means now they all will be required to make these certifications. 47 C.F.R.§ 54.308 and 47 C.F.R. §54.316. Specifically, for each study area where each carrier is receiving CAF BLS support, it must submit into the HUBB:

By March 1, 2024 and March 1, 2029, a certification that the recipient offered broadband service meeting the requisite public interest obligations to the required percentage of locations by the end of the prior year.

By requiring rate-of-return carriers receiving CAF BLS support to submit these certifications, the Commission will be able to monitor carriers’ use of CAF BLS support as they build out their networks to ensure that the support is being used for its intended purposes.

13. Location Information for Rate-of-Return Support Recipients (revisions to reflect changes in respondents’ elections; no change in total number of respondents; no change in burden calculation) (See 12.m)

Rate-of-Return carriers must deploy service meeting the Commission’s public interest obligations to a set number of locations in each state where they have accepted support by specific build-out milestones.

In the 2018 Rate-of-Return Order, the Commission adopted defined deployment obligations for all legacy carriers, which means that all rate-of-return carrier must report location information in the HUBB, whereas before, legacy carriers that had already deployed to 80% or more of the locations in their study area did not. As explained in 11 and 12 above, the total number of respondents will remain the same, due to the decrease in reporting obligations for new A-CAM carriers, although new carriers will have new CAF BLS reporting obligations. Because the burden estimate for location information included all rate-of-return support recipients (all legacy support recipients and all ACAM support recipients), there is no change in the burden as a result of the changes to location information reporting requirements.

For each location (or set of locations at the same geocoordinates) to be counted towards satisfaction of its deployment obligation, rate-of-return carriers must report:

1. The carrier’s name

2. Carrier holding company name

3. Contact information for the person who prepared and submitted the data

4. Study Area Code(s)

5. Type of Carrier (e.g., rate-of-return)

6. State(s) for which the carrier is making the filing

7. Location ID

8. Latitude of the location (to 6 decimal places)

9. Longitude of Location (to 6 decimal places)

10. Address of location

11. Number of units at the location

12. The bandwidth/speed available at the location

13. The date of service deployment at the location

14. Officer certification that information is true and correct

15. Certifying Official Contact Information

In some cases, some or all of the fields below may be auto-generated by the portal based on information previously filed with USAC. See Portal Template for additional details.

By March 1 annually, all rate-of-return carriers will be required to report all locations to which they have deployed service meet the Commission’s public interest obligations. CAF BLS carriers that did not previously have to report in the HUBB will certify 25/3 Mbps or higher locations deployed to since March 21, 2019 (the effective date of the 2018 Rate-of-Return Order).

14. Updates to Location Information (no impact on burden calculation)

Carriers with defined deployment obligations and that must submit location information into the reporting portal on an annual basis have a continuing obligation to correct or amend such information. Improvements to the HUBB will allow for corrections and updates to previously reported and certified location information, including bulk uploads of modifications and deletions. Carriers must make these updates on a case-by-case basis. The burden of updating such information is not materially different from, nor does it substantially increase, the annual reporting obligation reflected in the burden calculations.

Carriers may modify fields for individual locations or modify multiple locations with a bulk upload.

Carriers already have the option to delete and replace filing year data until they certify their annual report. Once certified, carriers will be able to delete locations on an annual basis prior to March 1^st of each year. Whether deleting an individual location or deleting multiple locations with a bulk upload, carriers must indicate the reason for each deletion by selecting one of several codes to describe the reason for the deletion.

Statutory authority for this information collection is contained in 47 U.S.C. sections 151-154, 155, 201-206, 214, 218-220, 251, 252, 254, 256, 303(r), 332, 403, 405, 410, and 1302.

This information collection does not affect individuals or households; thus, there are no impacts under the Privacy Act

2. Use of information. The Commission will use the information collections to ensure that Connect America funds are spent in accordance with the rules of the program and to monitor each high-cost support carrier’s compliance with their broadband deployment obligations.

3. Technology collection techniques. Respondents make submissions through an online interface on the USAC website. The online portal interface differs in non-material respects from the template provided with this submission. The online portal permits applicants to be able to input data in required fields and have data auto-populated where applicable. To reduce carrier confusion, the electronic filing process utilizes progressive disclosure where possible, so that a carrier will be asked to provide only information relevant to its application (e.g., rate-of-return carriers will not be asked to provide information that would only be applicable to the mobile competitive eligible telecommunications carriers). The interface is designed to provide online storage of applications and related materials for carriers, with the potential to ease compliance with recordkeeping requirements and possible audits. Furthermore, where possible, information already provided by carriers can be carried forward to filings in later funding years (i.e. pre-populated data), to further reduce the filing burden.

4. Efforts to identify duplication. In OMB Control No. 3060-0986, participants in the CAF BLS program that do not have a reporting obligation in the HUBB must report in FCC Form 481 the number of newly built locations with access to broadband speeds of at least 10/1 Mbps but less than 25/3 Mbps and the number of newly built locations with access to broadband speeds of 25/3 Mbps or higher. In the 2018 Rate-of-Return Order, the Commission adopted defined deployment obligations for all CAF BLS carriers, which means all of them must report in the HUBB portal by March 1, 2019 and none of them will report in OMB Control No. 3060-0986. The Commission will soon eliminate the FCC Form 481 location filing requirements in OMB Control No. 3060-0986 and revise the associated burden hours.

5. Impact on small entities. The collection of information may affect small entities as well as large entities. The process has been designed to limit the burden as much as possible on small entities. Filing guidance and training is available to assist small entities in understanding what type of information should be submitted and in what format.

6. Consequences if information is not collected. The information collected is used to determine compliance with the rules and eligibility for high-cost universal service support. These requirements were put in place, in part, as a response to Government Accountability Office recommendations to increase the transparency and accountability of high cost program funding. Without the requested information, USAC will not be able to determine whether a carrier is entitled to all of the support which it seeks or is complying with its service obligations. Failure to file the necessary location information may result in partial or complete denial of high-cost universal service support for the carrier.

7. Special circumstances. We do not foresee any special circumstances with this information collection.

8. Federal Register notice; efforts to consult with persons outside the Commission. A 60-day notice was published in the Federal Register pursuant to 5 C.F.R. § 1320.8(d) on June 4, 2019. See 84 FR 25806. No comments were received from the public.

9. Payments or gifts to respondents. The Commission does not anticipate providing any payment or gifts to respondents.

10. Assurances of confidentiality. Except for the middle-mile maps for Alaska Plan carriers, the Commission is not requesting respondents to submit confidential information to the Commission. We note that USAC must preserve the confidentiality of all data obtained from respondents and contributors to the universal service support program mechanism; must not use the data except for purposes of administering the universal service support program; and must not disclose data in company-specific form unless directed to do so by the Commission. Also, respondents may request materials or information submitted to the Commission or to the Administrator believed confidential to be withheld from public inspection under 47 C.F.R. § 0.459 of the FCC’s rules.

11. Questions of a sensitive nature. There are no questions of a sensitive nature with respect to the information collection requirements described herein.

12. Estimates of the hour burden of the collection to respondents. The following represents the hour burden on the collections of information:

a. Location Information for Phase II Model-Based Support Recipients (no revisions)

(1) Number of respondents: Approximately 9. Only price cap carriers that elect to receive Phase II model-based support must report this data.

(2) Frequency of response: Annually. Each recipient of Phase II model-based support must file the reports annually after accepting support.

(3) Total number of responses per respondent: Approximately 1.

(4) Estimated time per response: 30 hours.

(5) Total annual hour burden: 270 hours.

30 hours per respondent for 9 carriers filing on an annual basis. Total annual hour burden is calculated as follows:

9 respondents x 1 report per respondent = 9 responses x 30 hours = 270 total annual hours.

(6) Total estimate of in-house cost to respondents: $10,800 (270 hours x $40/hr.).

(7) Explanation of calculation: We estimate that each Phase II model-based support recipient will take 30 hours to gather and submit the geocoded locations information. 9 (responses) x 30 (hours to prepare report) x $40/hr. = $10,800.

b. Build-Out Certifications for Phase II Model-Based Support Recipients (no revisions)

(1) Number of respondents: Approximately 9. Only price cap carriers that elect to receive Phase II model-based support must make this certification.

(2) Frequency of response: Annually. Carriers accepting Phase II model-based support will be required to file this certification annually starting in their reports due in 2018.

(3) Total number of responses per respondent: Approximately 1.

(4) Estimated time per response: 10 hours.

(5) Total annual hour burden: 90 hours.

10 hours per respondent for 9 carriers filing on an annual basis. Total annual hour burden is calculated as follows:

9 respondents x 1 report per respondent = 9 responses x 10 hours = 90 total annual hours.

(6) Total estimate of in-house cost to respondents: $3,600 (90 hours x $40/hour).

(7) Explanation of calculation: We estimate that each recipient of Phase II Model-based support will take 10 hours to certify their compliance with their build-out requirements. 9 (responses) x 10 (hours to prepare report) x $40/hr. = $3,600.

c. Reporting Requirements and Associated Certifications for Rural Broadband Experiment Support Recipients (no revisions)

(1) Number of respondents: Approximately 16. Only RBE support recipients must report this data.

(2) Frequency of response: Annually and occasionally. Each RBE support recipient must file the data every year following the authorization of support as well as at their 3 and 5 year build out milestones. Recipients electing to receive upfront support must also file data within 15 months of their first disbursement. Reporting will continue until the end of the recipient’s project. The average number of certifications RBE support recipients will submit each reporting period is two.

(3) Total number of responses per respondent: Approximately 2.

(4) Estimated time per response: 30 hours.

(5) Total annual hour burden: 960 hours.

30 hours per respondent for 16 carriers filing on an annual and occasional basis. Total annual hour burden is calculated as follows:

16 respondents x 2 reports per respondent = 32 responses x 30 hours = 960 total annual hours.

(6) Total estimate of in-house cost to respondents: $38,400 (960 hours x $40/hr.).

(7) Explanation of calculation: We estimate that each RBE support recipient will take 30 hours to gather and submit the location data and required certifications: 32 (responses) x 30 (hours to prepare report) x $40/hr. = $38,400.

d. Location Information and Associated Certifications ACS as a Phase II Frozen Support Recipient (no revisions)

(1) Number of respondents: 1. These requirements only apply to ACS.

(2) Frequency of response: Annually. ACS must file the reports annually after accepting support.

(3) Total number of responses per respondent: Approximately 1.

(4) Estimated time per response: 41 hours.

(5) Total annual hour burden: 41 hours.

41 hours per respondent for 1 carrier filing on an annual basis. Total annual hour burden is calculated as follows:

1 respondent x 1 certification per respondent = 1 response x 41 hours = 41 total annual hours.

(6) Total estimate of in-house cost to respondents: $1,640 (41 hours x $40/hr.).

(7) Explanation of calculation: We estimate that it will take ACS 41 hours to gather and submit the geocoded locations information and make the required certifications.

1 (responses) x 41 (hours to prepare certifications) x $40/hr. = $1,640.

e. Location Information for Phase II Auction Support Recipients and Recipients of Phase II Support Allocated in Partnership with New York’s New NY Broadband Program (no revisions)

(1) Number of respondents: Approximately 550.

(2) Frequency of response: Annually.

(3) Total number of responses per respondent: Approximately 1.

(4) Estimated time per response: 30 hours.

(5) Total annual hour burden: 16,500 hours.

30 hours per respondent for 550 carriers filing on an annual basis. Total annual hour burden is calculated as follows:

550 responses x 1 report per respondent = 550 responses x 30 hours = 16,500 total annual hours.

(6) Total estimate of in-house cost to respondents: $660,000 (16,500 hours x $40/hr.).

(7) Explanation of calculation: We estimate that each Phase II Auction Support recipient and New York recipient will take 30 hours to gather and submit the geocoded locations information. 550 (responses) x 30 (hours to prepare report) x $40/hr. = $660,000.

f. Build-Out Certifications for Phase II Auction Support Recipients and Recipients of Phase II Support Allocated in Partnership with New York’s New NY Broadband Program (no revisions)

(1) Number of respondents: Approximately 550.

(2) Frequency of response: Annually. Phase II Auction Support recipient will be required to file this certification annually starting the last business day of the second calendar month following the third year of support.

(3) Total number of responses per respondent: Approximately 1.

(4) Estimated time per response: 10 hours.

(5) Total annual hour burden: 5,500 hours.

10 hours per respondent for 550 carriers filing on an annual basis. Total annual hour burden is calculated as follows:

500 respondents x 1 report per respondent = 550 responses x 10 hours = 5,500 total annual hours.

(6) Total estimate of in-house cost to respondents: $220,000 (550 hours x $40/hour).

(7) Explanation of calculation: We estimate that each Phase II Auction Support recipient and New York recipient will take 10 hours to certify their compliance with their build-out requirements. 550 (responses) x 10 (hours to prepare report) x $40/hr. = $220,000.

g. Non-Compliance Reports for Phase II Model-Based Support Recipients, ACS as a Recipient of Phase II Frozen Support, Phase II Auction Support Recipients, Recipients of Phase II Support Allocated in Partnership with New York’s New NY Broadband Program, Rate of Return Carriers, and Alaska Plan Carriers (no revisions)

(1) Number of respondents: Approximately 140. Only carriers that do not meet build-out milestones by a certain percentage will be required to file these reports.

(2) Frequency of response: Quarterly. Carriers that have failed to meet their build-out milestones by a certain percentage will be required to file quarterly reports.

(3) Total number of responses per respondent: Approximately 4.

(4) Estimated time per response: 8 hours.

(5) Total annual hour burden per respondent: 4,480 hours.

8 hours per respondent for 140 carriers filing on a quarterly basis. Total annual hour burden is calculated as follows:

140 respondents x 4 reports per respondent = 560 responses x 8 hours = 4,480 total annual hours.

(6) Total estimate of in-house cost to respondents: $179,200 (4,480 hours x $40/hour).

(7) Explanation of calculation: We estimate that each carrier that has failed to meet its build-out milestones will take 8 hours to collect and report location data for each quarter. 560 (responses) x 8 (hours to prepare report) x $40/hr. = $179,200.

h. Location Information for Rate-of-Return Alaska Plan Participants (no revisions)

1. Number of respondents: 15.

2. Frequency of response: Annually. Each Rate-of-Return carrier receiving Alaska Plan support must file the reports annually starting on March 1, 2018.

3. Total number of responses per respondent: Approximately 1.

(4) Estimated time per response: 30 hours.

(5) Total annual hour burden: 450 hours.

30 hours per respondent for 15 carriers filing on an annual basis. Total annual hour burden is calculated as follows:

15 respondents x 1 report per respondent = 15 responses x 30 hours = 450 total annual hours.

(6) Total estimate of in-house cost to respondents: $18,000 (450 hours x $40/hr.).

(7) Explanation of calculation: We estimate that each rate-of return Alaska Plan recipient will take 30 hours to gather and submit the geocoded locations information. 15 (responses) x 30 (hours to prepare report) x $40/hr. = $18,000.

i. Build-Out Certifications for Rate-of-Return and Mobile Wireless CETC Alaska Plan Participants (no revisions)

(1) Number of respondents: 23.

(2) Frequency of response: Alaska Plan participants will be required to file this certification twice, once to show the carrier met the 5-year benchmark and once to show the carrier met the 10-year benchmark

(3) Total number of responses per respondent: 1 total response (in 2022).¹

(4) Estimated time per response: 10 hours.

(5) Total annual hour burden: 46 hours.

10 hours per response for 23 carriers filing. Total annual hour burden is calculated as follows:

23 respondents x 1 reports per respondent = 23 responses x 10 hours = 230 total hours. 230 total hours/5 years = 46 total annual hours.

(6) Total estimate of in-house cost to respondents: $1,840 (46 hours x $40/hour).

(7) Explanation of calculation: We estimate that each recipient of Alaska Plan support will take 10 hours to certify their compliance with their build-out requirements. 23 (responses) x 10 (hours to prepare report) x $40/hr. = $9,200. $9,200/5 years = $1,840.

j. Fiber/Microwave Network Middle-Mile Maps for Alaska Plan Carriers (no revisions)

1. Number of respondents: 15²

2. Frequency of response: Initially once, then occasionally. All Alaska Plan recipients will submit an initial fiber/microwave network map of their middle-mile facilities. Carriers are then required to update that map as their middle-mile facilities change.

3. Total number of responses per respondent: At least 1 and then once a year but only if there are new middle-mile facilities to report.

4. Estimated time per response: 60 hours.

5. Total annual hour burden: 270 hours.

Each carrier will submit an initial map, and we estimate that each carrier will update its map twice over the 10-year term of the Alaska Plan.

60 hours per respondent for 15 carriers filing 3 times over the 10-year term of the Alaska Plan. Total annual hour burden is calculated as follows:

15 respondents x 3 reports per respondent = 45 responses x 60 hours = 2,700 total hours.

2,700 hours/10 years = 270 total annual hours

6. Total estimate of in-house cost to respondents: $10,800 (270 hours x $40/hr.).

7. Explanation of calculation: We estimate that each Alaska Plan recipient will take 60 hours to prepare its fiber/microwave network map filing and will make one initial filing and two filings updating their maps. 45 (responses) x 60 (hours to prepare filing) x $40/hr. = $108,000. $108,000/10 years = $10,800.

k. Build-Out Certifications for Rate-of-Return Carriers electing A-CAM Support (revisions to reflect revised timeframes for deployment obligations and increase in respondents)

(1) Number of respondents: Approximately 800. Estimated that out of approximately 1,000 rate-of-return carriers, 800 carriers will elect A-CAM support.

(2) Frequency of response: Annually. Carriers electing will be required to file this certification annually starting in 2021.

(3) Total number of responses per respondent: Approximately 1.

(4) Estimated time per response: 10 hours.

(5) Total annual hour burden: 8,000 hours.

10 hours per respondent for 800 carriers filing on an annual basis. Total annual hour burden is calculated as follows:

800 respondents x 1 report per respondent = 800 responses x 10 hours = 8,000 total annual hours.

(6) Total estimate of in-house cost to respondents: $320,000 (8,000 hours x $40/hour).

(7) Explanation of calculation: We estimate that each recipient A-CAM support will take 10 hours to certify their compliance with their build-out requirements.

800 (responses) x 10 (hours to prepare report) x $40/hr. = $320,000.

l. Build-Out Certifications for Rate-of-Return Carriers Electing CAF BLS Support (revisions to revised timeframe for deployment obligations and decrease in respondents)

(1) Number of respondents: Approximately 200. Estimated that out of the approximately 1,000 rate-of-return carriers, 200 carriers will not elect A-CAM support and will remain on CAF BLS support.

(2) Frequency of response: Annually. Carriers on CAF BLS support will be required to file this certification every five years starting in 2022.

(3) Total number of responses per respondent: Approximately 1.

(4) Estimated time per response: 10 hours.

(5) Total annual hour burden: 2,000 hours.

10 hours per respondent for 200 carriers filing on an annual basis. Total annual hour burden is calculated as follows:

726 respondents x 1 report per respondent = 200 responses x 10 hours = 2,000 total annual hours.

(6) Total estimate of in-house cost to respondents: $80,000 (2,000 hours x $40/hour).

(7) Explanation of calculation: We estimate that each recipient CAF BLS support will take 10 hours to certify their compliance with their build-out requirements. 200 (number of responses) x 10 (hours to prepare report) x $40/hr. = $80,000.

m. Location Information for Rate-of-Return Support Recipients (revision to reflect changes in respondents’ elections; no change in total number of respondents; no change in burden calculation)

(1) Number of respondents: Approximately 1,000.

(2) Frequency of response: Annually.

(3) Total number of responses per respondent: Approximately 1.

(4) Estimated time per response: 30 hours.

(5) Total annual hour burden: 30,000 hours.

30 hours per respondent for 1,000 carriers filing on an annual basis. Total annual hour burden is calculated as follows:

1,000 respondents x 1 report per respondent = 1,000 responses x 30 hours = 30,000 total annual hours.

(6) Total estimate of in-house cost to respondents: $1,200,000 (30,000 hours x $40/hr.).

(7) Explanation of calculation: We estimate that each rate-of-return support recipient will take 30 hours to gather and submit the geocoded location information. 1,000 (responses) x 30 (hours to prepare report) x $40/hr. = $1,200,000.

The estimated respondents and responses and burden hours are listed below:

Information Collection Requirements	Number of Respondents	Number of Responses Per Year	Estimated Time per Response (hours)	Total Burden Hours	In-house Cost to Respondents
a. Location Information for Phase II Model-Based Support Recipients	9	9	30	270	$10,800
b. Build-Out Certifications for Phase II Model-Based Support Recipients	9	9	10	90	$3,600
c. Reporting Requirements and Associated Certifications for Rural Broadband Experiment Support Recipients	16	32	30	960	$38,400
d. Location Information and Associated Certifications for ACS as Phase II Frozen Support Recipient	1	1	41	41	$1,640
e. Location Information for Phase II Auction Support Recipients and Recipients of Phase II Support Allocated in Partnership with New York’s New NY Broadband Program	550	550	30	16,500	$660,000
f. Build-Out Certifications for Phase II Auction Support Recipients and Recipients of Phase II Support Allocated in Partnership with New York’s New NY Broadband Program	550	550	10	5,500	$220,000
g. Non-Compliance Reports for Phase II Model-Based Support Recipients, ACS as a Recipient of Phase II Frozen Support, Phase II Auction Support Recipients, Recipients of Phase II Support Allocated in Partnership with New York’s New NY Broadband Program, Rate of Return Carriers, and Alaska Plan Carriers	140	560	8	4,480	$179,200
h. Location Information for Rate-of-Return Alaska Plan Recipients	15	15	30	450	$18,000
i. Build-Out Certifications for Rate-of-Return and Mobile Wireless CETC Alaska Plan Participants	23	13	10	46	1,840
j. Fiber/Microwave Network Middle-Mile Maps for Alaska Plan Carriers	15	3	60	270	$10,800
k. Build-Out Certifications for Rate-of-Return Carriers Electing A-CAM Support	800	800	10	8,000	$320,000
l. Build-Out Certifications for Rate-of-Return Carriers Electing CAF BLS Support	200	200	10	2,000	$80,000
m. Location Information for Rate-of-Return Support Recipients	1,000	1,000	30	30,000	$1,200,000

Total Number of Respondents: 1,599 unique respondents filing multiple times.

Total Number of Responses Annually: 3,730 unique responses.

Total Annual Hourly Burden for requirements (a) – (m): 68,607

Total Annual In-house Costs to respondents: $2,744,280

13. Estimates for the cost burden of the collection to respondents. There are no outside contracting costs for this information collection. See the last column in the chart in item 12 above for the estimated in-house costs.

14. Estimates of the cost burden to the Commission. There will be few, if any, costs to the Commission because ensuring proper use of universal service support is already part of Commission duties. Furthermore, no new systems or programs will be acquired or developed to process the information collection.

15. Program changes or adjustments. The Commission is reporting adjustments and program changes to this collection resulting from the increased number of rate-of-return carriers subject to A-CAM deployment milestones and an additional offer of model-base (A-CAM) support. These changes result in an increase in the number of respondents subject to A-CAM deployment milestones and a corresponding increase in annual responses and annual burden hours. These changes also resulted in a corresponding decrease in the number of respondents subject to legacy support reporting requirements and a corresponding decrease in annual responses and annual burden hours. Lastly, there is a decrease in responses for the Alaska Plan participants to update filing requirement burdens that will be accounted for in 2027. Accordingly, there was no net change in the total number of respondents and the total annual burden hours. The total number of annual responses decreased from 3,731 to 3,730 (-1). The HUBB is being updated to allow carriers to more easily correct any errors in their data set, including deletions of information filed in prior years.

16. Collections of information whose results will be published. The Commission plans to make a subset of the information filed by carriers publicly available.

17. Display of expiration date for OMB approval of information collection. There is no paper form associated with this information collection; it is collected electronically through the portal described above. The Commission seeks approval to not display the expiration date for OMB approval of this information collection. The Commission will use an edition date in lieu of the OMB expiration date. This will prevent the Commission from having to repeatedly update the expiration date on the portal each time this collection is submitted to OMB for review and approval. The Commission publishes a list of all OMB-approved information collections in 47 C.F.R. § 0.408 of the Commission’s rules. The Commission publishes a list of all OMB-approved information collections in 47 C.F.R. § 0.408 of the Commission’s rules.

18. Exceptions to certification statement for Paperwork Reduction Act submissions.

There are no exceptions to the Certification Statement.

B. Collections of Information Employing Statistical Methods:

The Commission does not anticipate that the collection of information will employ statistical methods.

1 The Commission previously received OMB approval for Section 54.316(b)(6). The updated filing requirement burdens for the Alaskan plan participants will be accounted for in 2027.

2 There are 8 mobile wireless carriers participating in the Alaska Plan, and each of those carriers is affiliated with a rate-of-return carrier participating in the plan. As the companies are affiliates and serve the same area, they share middle-mile facilities to serve customers in those areas. Accordingly, 15 rate-of-return carriers may file on behalf of the 8 mobile wireless carriers.

3 The Commission previously received OMB approval for Section 54.316(b)(6). The updated filing requirement burdens for the Alaskan plan participants will be accounted for in 2027.

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