Overview
Title
Information Collection Requirement Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission Under Delegated Authority
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The FCC is asking people to help them figure out how to make collecting information easier and less troublesome, especially for small businesses. They want to know if collecting this information is useful and how to make it better.
Summary AI
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is seeking public comments on an information collection as part of its efforts to reduce paperwork burdens, following the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The comments should address the necessity and utility of the information, accuracy in burden estimates, ways to enhance information quality and minimize the burden on respondents, especially small businesses with fewer than 25 employees. The FCC requires feedback before it continues collecting information related to Mobility Fund Phase I support, which helps deploy mobile broadband in underserved areas. People can send their comments by April 28, 2025.
Abstract
As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, and as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or the Commission) invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following information collection. Comments are requested concerning: whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Commission, including whether the information shall have practical utility; the accuracy of the Commission's burden estimate; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology; and ways to further reduce the information collection burden on small business concerns with fewer than 25 employees. The FCC may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid control number. No person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information subject to the PRA that does not display a valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number.
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Sources
AnalysisAI
The notice from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) seeks public comments on its ongoing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, as mandated by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. Specifically, the FCC is focusing on collecting feedback about the effectiveness and necessity of a particular information collection related to Mobility Fund Phase I Support, which aims to enhance mobile broadband services in underserved areas.
Overview of the FCC Notice
This document provides an opportunity for the public and other federal agencies to comment on whether the information collection is necessary for the Commission's functions and its practical utility. The notice points out specific areas of concern, such as the accuracy of the burden estimate, intentions to improve the quality and clarity of the collected information, and strategies to lessen the impact on respondents, particularly small businesses with fewer than 25 employees.
Significant Issues and Concerns
While the document outlines its purpose and requests public input, it lacks clarity regarding the specific nature of the information being collected. This could cause confusion for individuals or entities attempting to understand their role or stake in this initiative. The technical jargon and legislative references, such as parts of the Communications Act of 1934, might present comprehension challenges for readers who do not have a legal or technical background.
Furthermore, the document's guidance on how to submit comments is not comprehensive, potentially hindering public engagement. Concerns are also raised about the section's complexity regarding statutory and procedural details, which may alienate non-specialist audiences. Another area of potential concern is the ten-year requirement for record retention, which may impose an excessive burden on organizations if the retained information holds no future relevance.
Potential Impacts on the Public
The request for comments by the FCC is a critical step in engaging the public in regulatory processes that impact mobile broadband deployment. By soliciting feedback, the FCC aims to ensure its information collection efforts are appropriate and not overly burdensome. The broad public, particularly individuals in underserved areas, may benefit from improved mobile broadband services as a result of these efforts. However, without explicit guidance on how to submit feedback, there may be a low level of participation, constraining the quality of collected opinions.
Impacts on Specific Stakeholders
For small businesses and organizations with fewer than 25 employees, this initiative could have tangible impacts. The FCC is particularly focused on minimizing the reporting burden for these entities. Yet, the lack of clear instructions on employing automated collection methods means that organizations wanting to streamline their processes may not have the necessary guidance to do so effectively.
In closing, while this notice is crucial in shaping responsive and efficient regulatory processes, its lack of clarity in certain areas may hinder stakeholder engagement and the utility of the feedback received. The FCC has the opportunity to refine its approach by providing clearer instructions and potentially simplifying technical content, ensuring a broad and effective public response.
Financial Assessment
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), as outlined in the Federal Register document, discusses financial allocations aimed at enhancing mobile broadband services in unserved or underserved areas. The allocations are part of the agency's broader objective to modernize the high-cost program within the universal service fund.
Financial Summary
Mobility Fund Phase I (MF-I): The Commission provided up to $300 million in one-time universal service support payments. This allocation is intended to rapidly accelerate the deployment of mobile broadband services in areas that currently lack sufficient coverage. This financial support comes with the requirement for recipients to adhere to annual reporting and record-keeping obligations, ensuring that the funds are utilized as intended.
Tribal Mobility Fund Phase I (TMF-I): An additional, separate fund of up to $50 million was allocated specifically to Tribal Areas, including remote regions in Alaska. This initiative is designed to improve mobile broadband availability in these particularly underserved areas. The allocation of such funds underscores a targeted approach to digital inclusivity, specifically addressing the unique challenges faced by Tribal communities.
Financial Allocations and Identified Issues
Clarity of Allocations: The document discusses specific amounts allocated to the Mobility Fund and the Tribal Mobility Fund but lacks a detailed breakdown of what specific activities or elements these funds will support within the reporting framework. This oversight might contribute to the issue identified regarding the ambiguity of what specific information is being collected, as recipients must report on their use of these funds but might not have clear guidance or examples on the scope of eligible spending.
Burden Evaluation: The document estimates the burdens on respondents but does not appear to reconsider whether the amounts allocated could be adjusted in light of technological advancements or the efficiency of fund usage. This relates to the issue of document retention requirements, as the necessity of such long-term obligations may be worth reevaluating if the funds and resulting services no longer hold significant future value. Moreover, discussions about cost-free aspects could benefit from suggestions on how to effectively utilize funds, particularly by leveraging technology.
Automation Potential: Although automation and technology adoption are suggested as ways to reduce the documentation burden, there is no direct financial allocation or incentive specified for employing such techniques. This presents a missed opportunity to align the financial resources available with potential cost-reduction strategies through technology, as highlighted by the document's note on enhancing utility and clarity in collected information.
In summary, the FCC's financial allocations to both the Mobility Fund Phase I and the Tribal Mobility Fund reflect significant efforts to expand broadband access. However, there is an opportunity to enhance understanding of these financial commitments by explicitly linking funds to specific reporting requirements and potential reductions through automated processes, which could alleviate some of the burden faced by funding recipients.
Issues
• The summary section of the document explains the purpose and requirements of the information collection but does not specify what specific information is being collected, which may lead to ambiguity for some readers.
• The section 'Supplementary Information' contains technical details related to statutory authority, estimated burden hours, and costs but does not explain in layman's terms what the annual report for Mobility Fund Phase I Support entails, which could make it difficult for the general public to understand.
• Although the document provides contact information for further inquiries, it does not offer a practical method or step-by-step guide for how to submit comments, which may deter public participation.
• The complexity in legal and technical references like '47 U.S.C. 154, 254 and 303(r) of the Communications Act of 1934' and references to multiple FCC orders without sufficient explanation might be difficult for non-specialists to understand.
• The requirement to retain documents for ten years seems extensive and may represent an unnecessary burden, especially if the information has no significant future utility.
• The document does not clearly address what automated collection techniques are encouraged, thereby missing an opportunity to guide organizations on how to reduce the reporting burden through technology.