Connect America Fund – High Cost Portal Filing 3060-1228 October 2021
SUPPORTING STATEMENT
This 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 proposed revisions address the new high-cost requirements for fixed carriers receiving Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund (Bringing Puerto Rico Together Fund) and Connect USVI Fund Stage 2 support and carriers receiving Rural Digital Opportunity Fund support to report location information where they have deployed facilities meeting their public interest obligations as well as associated certifications and reports. The proposed revisions also address the new requirements for mobile carriers receiving Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and Connect USVI Fund Stage 2 support to report network coverage meeting their public interest obligations and associated certifications, as well as map and cost data related to their use of support. This submission also revises the Rate-of-Return A-CAM support recipient filing requirements by allowing support recipients to identify the type of technology used to provide service.
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, 33 FCC Rcd 11-893 (2018) (2018 Rate-of-Return Order); Uniendo a Puerto Rico and Connect USVI Fund et al., Report and Order and Order on Reconsideration, 34 FCC Rcd 9109 (2019) (PR-USVI Stage 2 Order); Rural Digital Opportunity Fund et al., Report and Order,35 FCC Rcd 686 (2020) (2020 Rural Digital Opportunity Fund 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). A web-based portal, the High-Cost Universal Broadband Portal (HUBB or portal), is used to accept this information. The Commission and the Universal Service Administrative Company (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 broadband deployment location, speed and latency 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 broadband program 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.
Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and Connect USVI Fund Stage 2 mobile support recipients will also file network coverage and other data as required by the Commission’s orders. The Commission and USAC will use this information to monitor the deployment progress of mobile carriers and to verify that carriers meet the public interest obligations for 4G LTE and 5G mobile broadband and voice services in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Instead of filing in the HUBB portal, these mobile support recipients will submit their reports electronically as part of a web form accessed via the Commission’s Form 477 portal (477 Portal) and the Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS). This collection mechanism is being used to reduce the technological burden on respondents, as they are familiar with both of these systems. The Commission’s Wireline Competition Bureau (WCB) will specify the filing process by which Stage 2 mobile support recipients must file their reports in the 477 Portal prior to the filing deadlines.
Features of the portal:
Online Access for Streamlined Filing – Filers submit broadband 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 prepopulates 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. Other information that carriers must report into the HUBB, such as the speed and latency available at the location, has not been collected on Form 481. In some circumstances, carriers also may use the system to validate their location information prior to the annual filing deadlines. The HUBB 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, as well as and the ability to pre-file and complete bulk uploads, 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 and modify the month and day of a previously reported location. 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 (e.g., locations reported through the end of the year are certified by March 1st of the following year).
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.
Carriers receiving support in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands are subject to specific public interest obligations related to speed, usage, latency, and price as well as certain deployment milestones. Specifically, the Commission imposed defined deployment obligations and associated HUBB reporting requirements (annual location reporting and build-out certifications) for all Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and Connect USVI Fund Stage 2 fixed support recipients as well as annual reporting and certification requirements for all Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and Connect USVI Fund Stage 2 mobile support recipients. These revisions increase the burdens as noted in sections 12.a-12.c below.
In the 2020 Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Order, the Commission adopted a support mechanism to provide funding through a competitive auction to connect rural homes and businesses to high-speed broadband networks. The Commission established specific public interest obligations and deployment milestones for all carriers receiving this support. Specifically, the Commission imposed defined deployment obligations and associated HUBB reporting requirements (annual location reporting and build-out certifications) for all support recipients. These revisions increase the burdens in sections 12.d and 12.e below.
New requirements for which we are seeking OMB approval:
Location Information for Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and Connect USVI Fund Stage 2 Fixed Support Recipients (See 12.a):
Carriers receiving Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and Connect USVI Fund Stage 2 fixed support must deploy service meeting the Commission’s public interest obligations to all locations in the geographic areas where they have received support by specific build-out milestones. 47 CFR §§ 54.313, 54.316, 54.1506, 54.1507, 54.1508.
In the 2019 PR-USVI Stage 2 Order, the Commission adopted reporting and certification obligations and defined deployment obligations for all support recipients. Accordingly, all recipients must report location information in the HUBB. For each location (or set of locations at the same geocoordinates) to be counted towards satisfaction of its deployment obligation, each support recipient must report:
The carrier’s name
Carrier holding company name
Contact information for the person who prepared and submitted the data
Study Area Code(s)
Municipio or Geographic Area of support
Type of Carrier (e.g., rate-of-return)
State(s) for which the carrier is making the filing
Location ID
Latitude of the location (to 6 decimal places)
Longitude of Location (to 6 decimal places)
Address of location
Number of units at the location
The bandwidth/speed available at the location
Officer certification that information is true and correct
Certifying Official Contact Information
Technology used to provide service
By March 1 and annually for each year in which support is received, beginning the first year after receipt of support, all support recipients will be required to report in the HUBB all locations to which they have deployed service meeting the Commission’s public interest obligations. This documentation must at least detail the pricing, roundtrip latency for the network providing broadband and voice at the locations, and offered broadband speed and data usage allowances available in the relevant geographic area. Parties submitting this information should take steps to prevent submission of sensitive information. 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).
While the reports are due by March 1 of each year, support recipients should report the information on a rolling basis, and as a best practice, these carriers should report within 30 days of offering service at the location.
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.
Build-Out Certifications for Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and Connect USVI Fund Stage 2 Fixed Support Recipients (See 12.b):
Recipients of Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and Connect USVI Fund Stage 2 Fixed Support must meet certain build-out milestones and must certify their compliance with these milestones. 47 CFR §§ 54.316, 54.1506. For each geographic area where the recipient is receiving support, it must submit to the portal, following each service milestone specified by the Commission, a certification that it is offering broadband meeting the requisite public interest obligations to the required percentage of its supported locations in the geographic area. 47 CFR §§ 54.1506, 54.1507. The annual certification shall quantify the carrier’s progress toward or completion of deployment in accordance with the resilience and redundancy commitments in accordance with its detailed network plan. 47 CFR § 54.316. Specifically, these recipients must provide a certification that:
By the end of third milestone year, the carrier completed deployment to 40 percent of the supported locations.
By the end of the fourth milestone year, the carrier completed deployment to 60 percent of the supported locations.
By the end of the fifth milestone year, the carrier completed deployment to 80 percent of the supported locations.
By the end of the sixth milestone year, the carrier completed deployment to 100 percent of the supported locations.
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.
Reporting Requirements and Certifications for Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and Connect USVI Fund Stage 2 Mobile Support Recipients (See 12.c):
The Commission requires recipients of Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and Connect USVI Fund Stage 2 mobile support to certify compliance with all requirements to continue receiving disbursements. 47 CFR § 54.313(o).
Support recipients must report and certify that their mobile network coverage meets certain milestone obliga tions, that voice and data transmissions meet certain speed requirements, that they have met the requisite public interest obligations, have undertaken certain network hardening activities, and provide certain cost information. 47 CFR §§ 54.1513 and 54.1514. Specifically, these recipients must provide:
By 30 days following the end of the calendar year, a report and certification that, by the end of the second 12-month period of support, the carrier’s mobile network coverage is equal to or greater than 66 percent of its pre-hurricane coverage as of June 30, 2017.
By 30 days following the end of the calendar year, a report and certification that, by the end of the third 12-month period of support, the carrier’s mobile network coverage is equal to or greater than 100 percent of its pre-hurricane coverage as of June 30, 2017.
By 30 days following the end of the calendar year, a report and certifications that, by the end of the third 12-month period of support, mobile transmissions supporting voice and data to and from the network meets or exceeds the following:
For 4G LTE service, outdoor data transmission rates of at least 10 Mbps download/1 Mbps upload, at least one service plan that includes a data allowance of at least 5 GB that is offered to consumers at a rate that is reasonably comparable to similar service plans offered by mobile wireless providers in urban areas, and latency of 100 milliseconds or less round trip; and
For 5G service, outdoor data transmission rates of at least 35 Mbps download/3 Mbps upload and a plan offered to consumers at a rate that is reasonably comparable to similar service plans offered by mobile wireless providers in urban areas.
By 30 days following the end of each calendar year, an annual map reporting the network hardening activities undertaken during the prior calendar year, including a detailed narrative description of the hardening activities and how the carrier made use of the support to facilitate those hardening activities.
By 30 days following the end of each 12-month period of support, each recipient that elects to receive support for the deployment of 5G technological networks, an annual report and certification of the total cost incurred and total amount of support spent related to the deployment of 5G technology during the preceding 12-month period. Each recipient must describe in detail how it used the support for deployment of 5G technology, the total cost incurred, and total amount of Stage 2 support spent related to the deployment of 5G technology during the preceding 12-month period of support.
A mobile support recipient shall submit with its annual report documentation in support of its milestone obligations, including:
Electronic shapefiles site coverage plots illustrating the area reached by mobile services;
A list of all census blocks in the Territories reached by mobile services; and
Data received or used from drive, drone and/or scattered site tests, analyzing network coverage for mobile services
Location Information for Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Support Recipients (See 12.d):
Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Support 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 recipient must report:
The carrier’s name
Carrier holding company name
Contact information for the person who prepared and submitted the data
Study Area Code(s)
Type of Carrier (e.g., rate-of-return)
State(s) for which the carrier is making the filing
Location ID
Latitude of the location (to 6 decimal places)
Longitude of Location (to 6 decimal places)
Address of location
Number of units at the location
The bandwidth/speed available at the location
The date of service deployment at the location
Officer certification that information is true and correct
Certifying Official Contact Information
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 March 1st after the first full calendar year following 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 support recipient was offering service meeting the requisite requirements by the end of the first year. For the following five years, by March 1st, support recipients must file a list of geocoded locations newly served during the prior year.
Build-Out Certifications for Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Support Recipients (See 12.e):
Rural Digital Opportunity Fund support recipients must certify compliance with build-out milestones in the HUBB. 47 C.F.R. §§ 54.313, 54.316, 54.802, Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Report and Order, 35 FCC Rcd at 709-712, paras. 45-55. For each state where the recipient is receiving support, it must submit to the portal, by March 1st 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. The number of supported locations for milestone years three through six is based on the number of locations calculated by the Connect America Cost model (CAM). In areas where updated location counts are more than the CAM-calculated number of locations, recipients will be required to offer service to 100 percent of the new location count by milestone year eight. In addition, support recipients are required to offer service upon reasonable request to newly built locations by milestone year eight. Specifically, these recipients must provide:
By March 1st following the third calendar year after support authorization, a certification that the carrier completed deployment to 40 percent of supported the locations.
By March 1st following the fourth calendar year after support authorization, a certification that the carrier completed deployment to 60 percent of the supported locations.
By March 1st following the fifth calendar year after support authorization, a certification that the carrier completed deployment to 80 percent of the supported locations.
By March 1st following the sixth calendar year after support authorization, a certification that the carrier was offering broadband meeting the requisite public interest obligations to 100 percent of the supported locations.
By March 1st following the eighth calendar year after support authorization, a certification that the carrier was offering broadband meeting the requisite public interest obligations to 100 percent of new locations and newly built locations, if any
Location Information for Rate-of-Return Support Recipients (See 12.f):
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.
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:
The carrier’s name
Carrier holding company name
Contact information for the person who prepared and submitted the data
Study Area Code(s)
Type of Carrier (e.g., rate-of-return)
State(s) for which the carrier is making the filing
Location ID
Latitude of the location (to 6 decimal places)
Longitude of Location (to 6 decimal places)
Address of location
Number of units at the location
The bandwidth/speed available at the location
The date of service deployment at the location
Officer certification that information is true and correct
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.
This requirement is being revised to require all rate-of-return carriers to report, annually by March 1, all locations to which they have deployed service meeting the Commission’s public interest obligations. A-CAM carriers are able to provide whether they are using a non-terrestrial technology to serve the location. Certain locations, i.e., capped locations served by a non-terrestrial technology, are subject to different latency standards. See Connect America Fund, et al., WC Docket No. 10-90, et al., Report and Order, Order on Reconsideration, Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 31 FCC Rcd 3087, 3099-3100, para. 28 (2016), and Connect America Fund, et al., WC Docket No. 10-90, et al., Report and Order, Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Order on Reconsideration, 33 FCC Rcd 11893, 11914, para. 66 (2018). With this information, the Commission will be able to know which locations are subject to the different latency standards.
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).
Currently approved requirements in this information collection (no changes to requirements):
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.g):
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 Phase II Auction recipients and the New York recipients must report:
The carrier’s name
Carrier holding company name
Contact information for the person who prepared and submitted the data
Study Area Code(s)
Type of Carrier (e.g., rate-of-return)
State(s) for which the carrier is making the filing
Location ID
Latitude of the location (to 6 decimal places)
Longitude of Location (to 6 decimal places)
Address of location
Number of units at the location
The bandwidth/speed available at the location
The date of service deployment at the location
Officer certification that information is true and correct
Certifying Official Contact Information
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 March 1st following 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 March 1st, auction winners and New York recipients must file a list of geocoded locations newly served during the prior year.
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.h):
Phase II auction support recipients and New York recipients are required to certify compliance with build-out milestones in the HUBB. 47 C.F.R. §§ 54.310(c), 54.316; New York Auction Order, 32 FCC Rcd 968, at 988, 993, paras. 53, 69. For each state where the recipient is receiving support, it must submit to the portal, by March 1st 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:
By March 1st following the end of the third calendar year after support authorization, a certification that, by the end of third milestone year, the carrier completed deployment to 40 percent of the supported locations.
By March 1st following the end of the fourth calendar year after support authorization, a certification that the carrier completed deployment to 60 percent of the supported locations.
By March 1st following the end of the fifth calendar year after support authorization, a certification that the carrier completed deployment to 80 percent of the supported locations.
By March 1st following the end of the sixth calendar year after support authorization, a certification that the carrier was offering broadband meeting the requisite public interest obligations to 100 percent of the supported locations.
Location Information for Phase II Model-Based Support Recipients (See 12.i):
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:
The carrier’s name
Carrier holding company name
Contact information for the person who prepared and submitted the data
Study Area Code(s)
Type of Carrier (e.g., rate-of-return)
State(s) for which the carrier is making the filing
Location ID
Latitude of the location (to 6 decimal places)
Longitude of Location (to 6 decimal places)
Address of location
Number of units at the location
The bandwidth/speed available at the location
The date of service deployment at the location
Officer certification that information is true and correct
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.
Build-Out Certifications for Phase II Model-Based Support Recipients (See 12.j):
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:
By March 1, 2020, certify to 80 percent.
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.
Reporting Requirements and Associated Certifications for Rural Broadband Experiment Support Recipients (See 12.k):
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:
The carrier’s name
Carrier holding company name
Contact information for the person who prepared and submitted the data
Study Area Code(s)
Type of Carrier (e.g., rate-of-return)
State(s) for which the carrier is making the filing
Location ID
Latitude of the location (to 6 decimal places)
Longitude of Location (to 6 decimal places)
Address of location
Number of units at the location
The bandwidth/speed available at the location
The date of service deployment at the location
Officer certification that information is true and correct
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.
Annually by March 1st, 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.
Location Information and Associated Certifications for Alaska Communications Systems (ACS) as a Phase II Frozen Support Recipient (See 12.l):
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:
The carrier’s name
Carrier holding company name
Contact information for the person who prepared and submitted the data
Study Area Code(s)
Type of Carrier (e.g., rate-of-return)
State(s) for which the carrier is making the filing
Location ID
Whether the location is a substitute location in a partially-served or low-cost census block
Latitude of the location (to 6 decimal places)
Longitude of Location (to 6 decimal places)
Address of location
Number of units at the location
The bandwidth/speed available at the location
The date of service deployment at the location
Officer certification that the capital expenditure cost by ACS to build to any low-cost location was $5,000 or more
Officer certification that information is true and correct
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:
By March 1, 2022, certify to 60 percent.
By March 1, 2023, certify to 70 percent.
By March 1, 2024, certify to 80 percent.
By March 1, 2025, certify to 90 percent.
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. ACS is also required to certify that the capital expenditure cost of build-out to any “low-cost” location was $5,000 or more.
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.m):
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.
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.
Location Information for Rate-of-Return Alaska Plan Participants (See 12.n):
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:
The carrier’s name
Carrier holding company name
Contact information for the person who prepared and submitted the data
Study Area Code(s)
Type of Carrier (e.g., rate-of-return, Alaska Plan)
State(s) of carrier
Location ID
Latitude of the location (to 6 decimal places)
Longitude of Location (to 6 decimal places)
Address of Location
Number of units at the location
The bandwidth/speed/backhaul available at the location
The date of service deployment at the location
Officer certification that information is true and correct
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.
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, Alaska Plan participants are expected to report the information on a rolling basis, and it recommend as a best practice that these carriers report within 30 days of offering service at the location.
Build-Out Certifications for Rate-of-Return and Mobile Wireless CETC Alaska Plan Participants (See 12.o):
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:
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.
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.
Fiber/Microwave Network Middle-Mile Maps for Alaska Plan Carriers (See 12.p):
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.
Build-Out Certifications for Rate-of-Return Carriers Electing A-CAM Support (See 12.q):
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:
By March 1, 2022, certify to 50 percent.
By March 1, 2023, certify to 60 percent.
By March 1, 2024, certify to 70 percent.
By March 1, 2025, certify to 80 percent.
By March 1, 2026, certify to 90 percent.
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.
Build-Out Certifications for Rate-of-Return Carriers electing CAF BLS Support (See 12.r):
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 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.
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. 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 1st 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 the Commission’s Form 477 portal, the Commission’s Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS), and through an online interface on the USAC website (the HUBB). The HUBB 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.
There will be
no duplication of information. The information sought is unique to
each carrier or respondent and similar information is not already
available.
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 August 11, 2021. See 86 FR 44019. 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, and the coverage maps and information for Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and Connect USVI Fund Stage 2 mobile support recipients, 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 Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and Connect USVI Fund Stage 2 Fixed Support Recipients (new requirement):
(1) Number of respondents: Approximately 3. Only recipients of Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and Connect USVI Fund Stage 2 fixed support must file these reports.
(2) Frequency of response: Annually and occasionally. Each fixed support recipient of the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund or Connect USVI Fund must file reports and data annually beginning the year following authorization. Reporting will continue until the end of the tenth year of support or until support ends. The average number of certifications support recipients will submit each reporting period is two.
(3) Total number of responses per respondent: Approximately 1.
(4) Estimated
time per response:
30 hours.
(5) Total annual hour burden: 90 hours.
30 hours per respondent for 3 carriers filing on an annual basis. Total annual hour burden is calculated as follows:
3 respondents x 1 report per respondent = 3 responses x 30 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 rate-of-return support recipient will take 30 hours to gather and submit the geocoded location information. 3 (responses) x 30 (hours to prepare report) x $40/hour = $3,600.
b. Build-Out Certifications for Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and Connect USVI Fund Stage 2 Fixed Support Recipients (new requirement):
(1) Number of respondents: Approximately 3. Only recipients of Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and Connect USVI Fund Stage 2 fixed support must file these reports.
(2) Frequency of response: Annually. Each fixed support recipient of the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund or Connect USVI Fund must report their deployment progress annually, beginning the year following the 3rd year of support and then after the 4th, 5th, and 6th year of support.
(3) Total number of responses per respondent: Approximately 1.
(4) Estimated
time per response:
10 hours.
(5) Total annual hour burden: 30 hours.
10 hours per respondent for 3 carriers filing on an annual basis. Total annual hour burden is calculated as follows:
3 respondents x 1 report per respondent = 3 responses x 10 hours = 30 total annual hours.
(6) Total estimate of in-house cost to respondents: $1,200 (30 hours x $40/hour).
(7) Explanation of calculation: We estimate that each support recipient will take 10 hours to gather the information and submit the certification. 3 (responses) x 10 (hours to prepare report) x $40/hour = $1,200.
c. Reporting Requirements and Associated Certifications for Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and Connect USVI Fund Stage 2 Mobile Support Recipients (new requirement):
(1) Number of respondents: Approximately 6. Only recipients of Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and Connect USVI Fund Stage 2 mobile support must file these reports.
(2) Frequency of response: Annually and occasionally. Each mobile support recipient of the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund or Connect USVI Fund must file the reports, certifications and coverage data annually beginning the year following authorization of support as well as a public interest certification after the 2nd and 3rd 12-month period of support. Reporting will continue until support disbursements end.
(3) Total number of responses per respondent: Approximately 2.
(4) Estimated
time per response:
30 hours
(5) Total annual hour burden: 360 hours.
60 hours per respondent for 6 carriers filing on an annual basis. Total annual hour burden is calculated as follows:
6 respondents x 2 report per respondent = 12 responses x 30 hours = 360 total annual hours.
(6) Total estimate of in-house cost to respondents: $14,400 (360 hours x $40/hour).
(7) Explanation of calculation: We estimate that each rate-of-return support recipient will take 30 hours to gather the information and submit the reports and certification. 12 (responses) x 30 (hours to prepare report) x $40/hour = $14,400 total annual cost.
d. Location Information for Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Support Recipients (new requirement):
(1) Number of respondents: Approximately 416.
(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: 12,480 hours.
30 hours per respondent for 416 carriers filing on an annual basis. Total annual hour burden is calculated as follows:
416 responses x 1 report per respondent = 416 responses x 30 hours = 12,480 total annual hours.
(6) Total estimate of in-house cost to respondents: $499,200 (12,480 hours x $40/hour).
(7) Explanation of calculation: We estimate that each Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Support recipient will take 30 hours to gather and submit the geocoded locations information. 416 (responses) x 30 (hours to prepare report) x $40/hour = $499,200.
e. Build-Out Certifications for Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Support Recipients (new requirement):
(1) Number of respondents: Approximately 416.
(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: 4,160 hours.
10 hours per respondent for 416 carriers filing on an annual basis. Total annual hour burden is calculated as follows:
416 respondents x 1 report per respondent = 416 responses x 10 hours = 4,160 total annual hours.
(6) Total estimate of in-house cost to respondents: $166,400 (4,160 hours x $40/hour).
(7) Explanation of calculation: We estimate that each Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Support recipient will take 10 hours to certify their compliance with their build-out requirements. 416 (responses) x 10 (hours to prepare report) x $40/hour = $166,400.
f. Location Information for Rate-of-Return Support Recipients (revisions to reflect information filed by A-CAM respondents):
(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:
31 hours.
(5) Total annual hour burden: 31,000 hours.
31 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 31 hours = 31,000 total annual hours.
(6) Total estimate of in-house cost to respondents: $1,240,000 (31,000 hours x $40/hour).
(7) Explanation of calculation: We estimate that each rate-of-return support recipient will take 31 hours to gather and submit the geocoded location information. 1,000 (responses) x 31 (hours to prepare report) x $40/hour = $1,2400,000.
g. 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/hour).
(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/hour = $660,000.
h. 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:
550 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/hour = $220,000.
i. 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/hour).
(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/hour = $10,800.
j. 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/hour = $3,600.
k. 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/hour).
(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/hour = $38,400.
l. Location Information and Associated Certifications for 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/hour).
(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 (response) x 41 (hours to prepare certifications) x $40/hour = $1,640.
m. 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/hour = $179,200.
n. Location Information for Rate-of-Return Alaska Plan Participants (no revisions):
Number of respondents: 15.
Frequency of response: Annually. Each Rate-of-Return carrier receiving Alaska Plan support must file the reports annually starting on March 1, 2018.
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/hour).
(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/hour = $18,000.
o. 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/hour = $9,200. $9,200/5 years = $1,840.
p. 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/hour).
(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/hour = $108,000. $108,000/10 years = $10,800.
q. Build-Out Certifications for Rate-of-Return Carriers electing A-CAM Support (no revisions):
(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/hour = $320,000.
r. Build-Out Certifications for Rate-of-Return Carriers Electing CAF BLS Support (no revisions):
(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:
200 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/hour = $80,000.
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 |
|
a. Location Information for Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and Connect USVI Fund Stage 2 Fixed Support Recipients |
3 |
1 |
30 |
90 |
$3,600 |
b. Build-Out Certifications for Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and Connect USVI Fund Stage 2 Fixed Support Recipients |
3 |
1 |
10 |
30 |
$1,200 |
c. Reporting Requirements and Certifications for Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and Connect USVI Fund Stage 2 Mobile Support Recipients |
6 |
2 |
30 |
360 |
$14,400 |
d. Location Information for Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Support Recipients |
416 |
1 |
30 |
12,480 |
$499,200 |
e. Build-Out Certifications for Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Support Recipients |
416 |
1 |
10 |
4,160 |
$166,400 |
f. Location Information for Rate-of-Return Support Recipients |
1,000 |
1 |
31 |
31,000 |
$1,240,000 |
g. 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 |
1 |
30 |
16,500 |
$660,000 |
h. 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 |
1 |
10 |
5,500 |
$220,000 |
i. Location Information for Phase II Model-Based Support Recipients |
9 |
1 |
30 |
270 |
$10,800 |
j. Build-Out Certifications for Phase II Model-Based Support Recipients |
9 |
1 |
10 |
90 |
$3,600 |
k. Reporting Requirements and Associated Certifications for Rural Broadband Experiment Support Recipients |
16 |
2 |
30 |
960 |
$38,400 |
l. Location Information and Associated Certifications for ACS as Phase II Frozen Support Recipient |
1 |
1 |
41 |
41 |
$1,640 |
m. 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 |
4 |
8 |
4,480 |
$179,200 |
n. Location Information for Rate-of-Return Alaska Plan Participants |
15 |
1 |
30 |
450 |
$18,000 |
o. Build-Out Certifications for Rate-of-Return and Mobile Wireless CETC Alaska Plan Participants |
23 |
13 |
10 |
46 |
$1,840 |
p. Fiber/Microwave Network Middle-Mile Maps for Alaska Plan Carriers |
15 |
3 |
60 |
270 |
$10,800 |
q. Build-Out Certifications for Rate-of-Return Carriers Electing A-CAM Support |
800 |
1 |
10 |
8,000 |
$320,000 |
r. Build-Out Certifications for Rate-of-Return Carriers Electing CAF BLS Support |
200 |
1 |
10 |
2,000 |
$80,000 |
Total Number of Respondents: 2,024 unique respondents filing multiple times.
Total Number of Responses Annually: 4,580 unique responses.
Total Annual Hourly Burden for requirements (a) – (r): 86,727
Total Annual In-house Costs to respondents: $3,469,080
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 program changes to this collection resulting from the addition of the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund (fixed and mobile), the Connect USVI Fund (fixed and mobile), and the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund support reporting obligations and deployment milestones. The Commission is also reporting an adjustment to reflect the increase in burden hours for Rate-of-Return carriers electing A-CAM support resulting from the clarification that a carrier may report whether a location is being served by non-terrestrial technology. These program changes result in an increase in the number of carriers subject to reporting and a corresponding increase in annual responses and annual burden hours. The adjustment corresponds to an increase in annual burden hours. The number of respondents increased from 1,599 to 2,024; the annual responses increased from 3,730 to 4,580; and the annual burden hours increased from 68,607 to 86,727. These changes do not affect the respondents subject to reporting requirements in the other categories. Overall, the program changes reflect a total increase in respondents of 425; a total increase in the annual responses of 850; and a total increase in burden hours of 17,120. The adjustment reflects a total increase in burden hours of 1,000. Additionally, the Commission is reporting an adjustment to the annual responses and correcting its previous estimates of 64 responses from the last submission to OMB from 3,730 to 3,794 responses.
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.
When the 60/30 day notices were published in the Federal Register on August 11, 2021 and October 19, 2021 (86 FR 44010 and 86 FR 57828), respectively, the Commission incorrectly stated the total annual responses as 4,644. The total annual responses are 4,580 and this correction is reflected in this submission to OMB. There are no other 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.
| File Type | application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document |
| Author | Alexander.Minard |
| File Modified | 0000-00-00 |
| File Created | 2021-10-21 |