The Commission requires all incumbent
local exchange carriers (ILECs) to file shapfile maps of their
service territories in a state (study area). State commissions can
also submit these data voluntarily for ILECs in their state.
Shapefiles are a commonly used, digitized, geographic information
system (GIS) format. Accurate and accessible maps are essential to
the legitimate distribution of universal service support to rural,
high cost carriers. After the shapefiles are uploaded into a web
interface provided by the Commission, each ILEC (or state) must
certify the accuracy of its study area maps. Filers must also
submit updated shapefile maps if their study area boundaries
change, and must recertify the accuracy of the map every two
years.
US Code:
47
USC 254(b) Name of Law: Communications Act of 1934, as
amended
The Commission is reporting
adjustments/decreases to this information collection. Since the
last submission to OMB, the total number of respondents and
responses decreased from 76 to 36 (-40), the total annual burden
hours consequently decreased to 576 from 1,297 (-721), and, the
total annual costs decreased to $10,714 from $20,072 (-$9,358).
These adjustments accurately reflect a decrease in burden hours due
to a decrease in the number of ILECs modifying their study area
boundaries in recent years. The extent to which Study Area
Boundaries are modified over time can be affected by other
regulatory initiatives. When such an initiative creates an
incentive for ILECs to change their boundaries, as several
initiatives have in recent years, revisions will increase thus
increasing the burden. All ILECs are required to recertify their
study area boundaries every two years, but we have determined that
this task to be a normal business activity and of negligible
burden. There are no program changes.
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.