Part 68 - Connection of Terminal Equipment to the Telephone Network

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status
3060-0056 2020 Supporting Statement - Part 68_final .docx Supporting Statement A	2020-05-07

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Document Title	Status
29524	Part 68 - Connection of Terminal Equipment to the Telephone Network	Modified

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 3060-0056	ICR Reference No: 202004-3060-003
Status: Active	Previous ICR Reference No: 201712-3060-003
Agency/Subagency: FCC	Agency Tracking No: OEA/IAD
Title: Part 68 - Connection of Terminal Equipment to the Telephone Network
Type of Information Collection: Extension without change of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular
OIRA Conclusion Action: Approved without change	Conclusion Date: 06/15/2020
	Date Received in OIRA: 05/07/2020
Terms of Clearance:

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	06/30/2023	36 Months From Approved	06/30/2020
Responses	44,543	0	64,177
Time Burden (Hours)	12,870	0	22,559
Cost Burden (Dollars)	508,250	0	1,130,000

---

Abstract: The purpose of 47 CFR Part 68 is to protect the network from certain types of harm and prevent interference to subscribers. It is essential to require manufacturers or other responsible parties to provide the information required by Part 68. Part 68 requirements ensure terminal equipment (TE) complies with the criteria for protecting the network. Part 68 also ensures that consumers, providers of telecommunications, the Commission, and others can trace products to the party responsible for ensuring compliance with these criteria. Also, Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers must provide the information in Part 68 to warn their subscribers of impending disconnection of service when subscriber terminal equipment is causing telephone network harm.

---

Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 47 USC 201-205 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 151-154 Name of Law: Communications Act of 1934, as amended
  

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

---

Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

---

Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	85 FR 9768	02/20/2020
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	85 FR 27222	05/07/2020
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

---

Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 1

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
Part 68 - Connection of Terminal Equipment to the Telephone Network

---

ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Approved	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	44,543	64,177	0	0	-19,634	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	12,870	22,559	0	0	-9,689	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	508,250	1,130,000	0	0	-621,750	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Increase Due to:

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: The Commission is reporting an adjustment/decrease in the total annual responses of -19,634. This adjustment reflects the decrease in PSTN users, and the ACTA reported significant drop in TE submissions from 600 per year to 268.4. The Commission is reporting an adjustment/decrease in the total annual burden hours of -9,689 from OMB inventory. This results largely from the reduction of responses to ACTA for TE (Telecommunications Equipment) from 600 in the previous PRA submission in 2017 to 268.4 average annual responses in the last 3 years. Additionally, the significant reduction in the estimated number of PSTN subscribers from 65 million to 45 million in the last 3 years has also had a significant impact. Lastly, the Commission is reporting an adjustment/decrease in the total annual costs (O&M) of -$621,750. Again, this significant reduction aligns with the corresponding reduction in the overall total PSTN subscribers and the TE (Telecommunications Equipment) submissions.

---

Annual Cost to Federal Government: $0

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see OMB Circular No. A-130 for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see 5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3))? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? No

---

Common Form ICR:  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:

(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;

(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;

(c) It reduces burden on small entities;

(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;

(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;

(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;

(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:

(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;

(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.

(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and

(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.

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.

Certification Date: 05/07/2020

---