In 2015, the Wireline Competition Bureau, pursuant to its delegated authority, created a standardized reporting template, as well as instructions to guide providers through the reporting process. The Commission required an officer of each provider to certify annually as to the accuracy of the data and other information submitted in the providers' Annual Reports.
In 2023, the President signed into law the Martha Wright-Reed Act, significantly expanding the Commissionâs jurisdiction over incarcerated peopleâs communications services (IPCS) and directing the Commission to âestablish a compensation plan to . . . ensure just and reasonable charges for telephone and advanced communications services in correctional and detention facilities.â In the 2024 IPCS Order, the Commission, among other things, modified the scope and content of the requirements for the annual reports and certifications to reflect the Martha Wright-Reed Actâs expansion of Commission authority over other communications services in carceral facilities to include video IPCS and certain other advanced communications services, as well as intrastate IPCS, and the providers that offer these services. The Commission also adopted new rules concerning disability access, inactive accounts, and alternate pricing plans. Further, the Commission revised and strengthened existing consumer disclosure and waiver process requirements.
Since the November 2023 submission to OMB, the Commission is reporting a program change/increase to this collection as a result of rule changes adopted in the 2024 IPCS Order. In particular, the Commission: (1) added new rules addressing disability access, alternate pricing plans, and inactive accounts (+5,900 hours); and (2) revised its rules addressing, among other things, consumer disclosure and waiver reporting (+1,760 hours). In addition, he total number of respondents has increased from 30 to 35 due to the expansion of the Commissionâs jurisdiction under the Martha Wright-Reed Act, which now includes additional video-only providers and advanced services such as video IPCS. The total number of annual responses increased from 33 to 47. Because of the increased number of IPCS providers and responses, the burden hours for the section 64.6040(c) information requirements and the annual reporting and certification information requirements have increased from 4,950 to 5,775 hours (+825 hours).
As a result of these changes, the total annual burden hours have increased from 6,690 burden hours to 15,175 burden hours (+8,485) (5,900 hours + 1,760 hours + 825 hours).
No adjustments are being reported to this collection.
$0
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Amy Goodman 202 418-1500
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.
OMBPRAcomments(33445321.3).pdf
Revised April 2025 IPCS Rules Supporting Statement_Final Version.docx
Business or other for-profit