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 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. The Commission further adopted reporting requirements in the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund. This collection is being submitted to seek approval of certain changes to Form 481 and its instructions.
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 214
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 an adjustment to this information collection as a result of the new Rural Digital Opportunity Fund program. More carriers will begin to have reporting obligations and recordkeeping requirements applicable to all recipients of high-cost universal service support as a condition of receiving Rural Digital Opportunity Fund support. This adjustment is associated with an increase in respondents from 2,049 to 2,229 (+180), an increase in responses from 14,358 to 14,718 (+360), and an increase in annual burden hours from 53,955 to 55,215 (+1,260).
The Commission is also reporting program changes as a result of revised requirements associated with the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund. Several requirements already applicable to recipients of CAF Phase II auction, Uniendo a Puerto Rico Stage 2, Connect USVI Fund Stage 2 support have increased in scope to include the new RDOF support recipients. Additionally, pursuant to the 2020 Supply Chain Order, all support recipients will need to begin certifying their compliance with the Commissionâs prohibition on using universal service support for equipment and services on the Covered List, in addition to their existing certifications regarding compliance with the Commissionâs prohibition on using universal service support for Huawei or ZTE equipment or services. However, the removal of the rate floor reporting obligations greatly decreases the overall number of responses and burden hours in this collection. These program changes thus decrease the number of responses from 14,718 to 13,804 (-914) and annual burden hours from 55,215 to 50,857 (-4,358).
Together, the adjustments and program changes resulted in an increase in the number of respondents but a decrease in annual responses and total annual burden hours. The number of respondents increased from 2,049 to 2,229 (+180); the annual responses decreased from 14,358 to 13,804 (-554); and the annual burden hours decreased from 53,955 to 50,857 (-3,098).
$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.
3060-0986 SS_final version_6.2022.docx
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