Supporting Statement OMB 3060-1028 March 2021

OMB Control No. 3060-1028

International Signaling Point Code (ISPC)

May 2021

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

A. Justification:

1. The Federal Communications Commission (“Commission”) is requesting that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approve an extension of the information collection, “International Signaling Point Code (ISPC),” under OMB Control No. 3060-1028 (Delegated Authority Collection).

Background Information:

An ISPC is a unique, seven-digit code used to identify the signaling network of each international carrier. The ISPC has a unique format that is used at the international level for signaling message routing and identification of signaling points in Signaling System 7 networks. The Commission receives ISPC applications from international carriers on the electronic, Internet-based International Bureau Filing System (IBFS). After receipt of the ISPC application, the Commission assigns the ISPC code to each applicant (international carrier) free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis. The collection of this information is required to assign a unique identification code to each international carrier and to facilitate communication among international carriers by their use of the ISPC code on the shared signaling network. The Commission informs the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) of its assignment of ISPCs to international carriers on an ongoing basis.

In 1987, the Federal Communications Commission (“Commission”) assumed the responsibility as the Administrator for the U.S. of issuing ISPCs to international carriers based on an exchange of letters between AT&T, the Commission, and the International Telecommunications Union-Telecommunications Standardization (ITU-T). The ITU allocates a specific amount of ISPCs to member countries for assignment to carriers. ITU-T Recommendation Q.708 includes a list of criteria for assignment of signaling point codes.

The ITU, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, is an international organization within the United Nations System where governments and the private sector coordinate global telecom networks and services. The ITU-T, which is one of three sectors of the ITU, has a continuing role in preparing the technical specifications for telecommunications systems, networks and services, including their operation, performance and maintenance. In addition, the ITU-T oversees the tariff principles and accounting methods used to provide international services.

We would like to continue to maintain OMB approval of the existing application, “International Signaling Point Code Filing Per Network Per Code,” that is currently available on the IBFS.

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

The statutory authority for this collection is contained in Sections 1, 4(i)-(j), 201-205, 211, 214, 219-220, 303(r), 309 and 403 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C §§ 151, 154(i)-(j), 201-205, 211, 214, 219-220, 303(r), and 403.

2. The information collection requirements contained in this collection facilitate the Commission's assignment of unique ISPCs to international carriers for identification purposes.

In addition, they enhance the ability of the international carriers to communicate with each other internationally through the shared signaling network. Since ISPCs are a limited resource, the information collection assists the Commission in reclaiming ISPCs that are not being used.

3. As a result of the implementation of the International Electronic Filing Report and Order (R&O) (FCC 05-91), applicants for ISPCs are required to submit their applications electronically via the International Bureau Filing System (IBFS). As a result of the R&O, a total of 100 percent of applications are filed electronically in the IBFS.

4. The Commission does not impose similar information collections on the respondents.

There is no similar data available.

5. This collection of information does not significantly impact small businesses or other small entities.

6. The Commission would not have unique identification codes (ISPC) to identify each international carrier if these collections of information were not conducted. Furthermore, the lack of ISPCs would hinder the international carriers' ability to identify other carriers and would likely result in delays in communication or miscommunication among international carriers on the shared signaling network.

7. The collection of information will not be conducted in any manner inconsistent with the guidelines of 5 CFR 1320.

8. On March 5, 2021, the Commission published a 60-day notice in the Federal Register (86 FR 13899) to request comments from the public. No comments were received from the public in response to the notice.

9. The Commission will not provide any payment or gift to respondents.

10. There is no need for confidentiality of information contained in the ISPC applications filed with the Commission.

11. This collection of information does not contain questions of a sensitive nature.

12. The Commission receives approximately 5 ISPC applications annually from international carriers.¹ Applications are completed by each applicant in approximately 20 minutes. There are currently no application fees or other costs associated with the filing of the ISPC application with the Commission.²

5 responses X 0.333 (20 minutes) = 1.665 (rounded up to 2 hours)

We estimate that the loaded hourly rate for respondents’ in-house staff to complete the information collection requirements contained in this collection is $60 per hour. Accordingly,

2 hours per year x $60 per hour = $120 (In-house cost)

13. There are no total annual cost burdens for respondents or recordkeepers that result from the collection of information.

14. After the ISPC forms are filed with the Commission via IBFS, they are reviewed and processed by a GS-13/Step 5 employee at the rate of $56.31 per hour.  The employee spends an average of 4 hours per year reviewing and processing ISPC applications to assign ISPCs to international carriers.  The rate of $56.31 X 20 hours (4 hours per application X 5 applications per year) = $1,126.20. Therefore, the cost to the Federal Government is $1,126.20.

15. There are no program changes to this information collection. The information collection was adjusted to reflect an increase (adjustment) in the number of annual respondents and responses from 3 to 5 (+2) and an increase (adjustment) to the annual burden hours from 1 to 2 hours (+1 hour).

16. The results of this collection of information will not be published for statistical use.

17. We do not seek approval to not display the expiration date for OMB approval of the information collection.

18. There are no exceptions to the Certification Statement.

Part B. Collections of Information Employing Statistical Methods.

This information collection does not anticipate the use of statistical methods.

1 This collection of information continues to need OMB approval because they make up the majority of their universe of respondents.

2 The Commission has proposed adopting rules requiring fees for ISPC applications in a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking released on August 26, 2020. See 85 FR 65566-01.

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