The subject information collection is used to determine the amount of, and eligibility for, high-cost universal service support received by incumbent and competitive ETCs. The Commission is proposing to update and modify certain rules, requirements and reporting obligations. The Commission is also proposing to use support for territories damaged due to Hurricanes Irma and Maria and has adopted accountability measures so that the support is used in which it is intended. The Commission has further adopted a rule prohibiting the use of USF support to purchase or obtain any equipment or services produced or provided by a covered company posing a national security threat to the integrity of communications networks or the communications supply chain. We are proposing USF recipients must certify that they are in compliance with this requirement. This collection is also being submitted to seek approval of certain changes to Form 481 and its instructions.
US Code:
47 USC 214
Name of Law: Communications Act of 1934, as amended
US Code:
47 USC 218 - 220
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 410
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
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 405
Name of Law: Communications Act of 1934, as amended
The Commission is reporting program changes and adjustments to this information collection as a result of new or revised requirements associated with the new Uniendo a Puerto Rico and Connect USVI Funds and the existing Connect America Phase II Auction program. Recipients of high-cost support through these programs will be required to make certifications and report information regarding their use of support, including the amount of support used for capital expenditures in the previous calendar year, and information on the community anchor institutions to which the carrier began providing access to broadband service in the preceding calendar year. All support recipients will also need to begin certifying their compliance with the Commissionâs prohibition on using universal service support for Huawei or ZTE equipment or services. These program changes resulted in an increase in the number of respondents and annual responses. However, because rate-of-return carriers participating in the CAF-BLS program will no longer need to report progress on their deployment of 10/1 Mbps or better broadband locations as part of this collection, the program changes resulted in a decrease of total annual burden hours overall. The number of respondents increased from 2,034 to 2,049 (+15); the annual responses increased from 12,729 to 14,328 (+1,599); and the annual burden hours decreased from 54,519 to 53,850 (-669).
In addition to program changes, the Commission is reporting adjustments to the information collection. Specifically, since more carriers will begin to have reporting obligations as a condition of receiving Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands Stage 2 support, there are additional respondents, responses, and burden hours for certain general requirements in this information collection. This adjustment increases the number of annual responses from 14,328 to 14,358 (+30) and the burden hours from 53,850 to 53,955 (+105).
In sum, the estimated total number of respondents and total annual responses have increased under this OMB control number, while the overall number of annual burden hours has decreased. The total number of respondents increased from 2,034 to 2,049 (+15); the total annual responses increased from 12,729 to 14,358 (+1,629); and the total annual burden hours decreased from 54,519 to 53,955 (-564).
$0
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Alexander Minard 202 418-0428
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.
Form FCC Form 525 State, Local or Tribal Government
3060-0986_SS 12.10.2020_final version .docx
Business or other for-profit