Overview
Title
Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The FCC wants to know what people think about the forms they ask them to fill out, which help them keep track of who owns parts of phone and internet companies. They're trying to make it easier, especially for tiny businesses, and want ideas on how to make these forms better and less of a hassle to fill out.
Summary AI
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is seeking comments from the public and other federal agencies as part of its effort to minimize paperwork burdens, a requirement under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. Comments are invited on the necessity and utility of the FCC's information collection, the accuracy of the burden estimates, and suggestions for improving the clarity and reducing the burden on respondents, particularly small businesses. The FCC's current information collection, known as FCC Form 602, involves gathering data regarding ownership interests in wireless telecommunications services, with an annual burden of 5,217 hours and an annual cost of $762,300. Comments are due by July 7, 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 Commission) invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following information collections. 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 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 OMB 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 OMB control number.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document, issued by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), is a notice and request for comments regarding the collection of information as related to the agency's ongoing effort to reduce paperwork burdens as mandated by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995. The FCC is specifically seeking feedback on whether the collection of information is necessary for its functions, its practical utility, and the accuracy of the burden estimate. The agency is also looking for ways to improve the quality and clarity of the collected information, and how to reduce the burden of this collection, particularly for small businesses.
General Summary
The FCC uses FCC Form 602 to gather information about ownership interests in wireless telecommunications services, with the aim of identifying entities or individuals with significant control or interest. The collected data is intended to inform the FCC's regulatory responsibilities. The submission processes for these forms amount to a total annual burden of 5,217 hours with an annual cost of $762,300. The deadline for public comments on this matter is July 7, 2025.
Significant Issues and Concerns
One notable issue with the document is its repetitive mention of the statutory authority for the collection of information. This redundancy could be streamlined to improve clarity. Additionally, the document lacks detail on the specific costs associated with the annual burden, which could help stakeholders understand if there is any wasteful spending involved.
Though the document encourages feedback, it does not provide specific criteria or focus areas for comments, which could result in feedback that is not as constructive as it might otherwise be. The language used in the document, particularly phrases like "practical utility" and "burden estimate," could be better explained for those not familiar with such regulatory terms. Furthermore, the document's mention of benefits tied to the obligation to respond lacks clarification on what those benefits are, potentially causing confusion for stakeholders.
Impact on the Public
The document's emphasis on reducing paperwork burdens is aligned with providing a more streamlined regulatory process, which could benefit the general public by facilitating more efficient communication and information processing within federal agencies. By seeking public comments, the FCC is taking a participatory approach to regulation, inviting the public to play a role in shaping how information is collected and managed.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For businesses and organizations, particularly small businesses with fewer than 25 employees, the potential reduction in paperwork burdens could lead to significant time and cost savings. However, the lack of specific measures aimed at minimizing these burdens can be viewed as a shortcoming. Engaging small businesses in the feedback process could be crucial in addressing their unique challenges.
The use of automated processes to collect information is an implicit acknowledgment of the growing role of technology in regulatory compliance. For stakeholders who are already tech-savvy, this presents an opportunity to engage with the FCC's processes more efficiently. Conversely, businesses lacking the necessary technological infrastructure may find the transition to automated systems burdensome without adequate support from the FCC.
In conclusion, while the document indicates the FCC’s commitment to reducing paperwork and increasing efficiency, further specificity and clarity are needed to truly address the concerns of those affected by these information collection requirements.
Financial Assessment
The document indicates that the total annual cost associated with the information collection reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is $762,300. This figure is important as it represents the financial burden of collecting the necessary data for compliance with the FCC's requirements related to ownership disclosure in the wireless telecommunications services sector.
Summary of Financial Considerations
The $762,300 annual cost highlights the financial implications of the FCC's information-collection process. However, the document does not provide a detailed breakdown or explanation of the components contributing to this overall cost. As a result, the specific reasons for such financial expenditure remain ambiguous to the readers and may impede their ability to evaluate potential areas of expenditure that could be optimized or adjusted to reduce costs.
Relation to Identified Issues
Lack of Cost Breakdown: One of the issues identified in the document is the absence of a detailed explanation of what contributes to the total annual cost. This lack of specificity makes it difficult for stakeholders to assess whether there might be opportunities to reduce costs and minimize wasteful spending.
Repetitive Information: The document contains repetitive statements concerning statutory authority but fails to provide additional insights into how these statutory mandates influence financial allocations. A clearer explanation might highlight whether costs are tied to specific statutory requirements, aiding in understanding the financial commitments inherent in fulfilling these legal obligations.
Potential Burden on Small Businesses: While the document acknowledges the burden on respondents, including small businesses with fewer than 25 employees, it does not address how the financial costs might disproportionately affect these smaller entities. Without detailed insights into how funds are utilized, it becomes challenging to devise strategies that mitigate financial strain on such organizations.
Need for Comments: The FCC's request for public comments presents an opportunity to gather more information about how stakeholders perceive these financial burdens. However, without specific criteria or focus areas for comments, the utility of feedback in addressing financial inefficiencies might be limited. Establishing clear lines of inquiry regarding the financial costs and their impacts could potentially enrich the feedback quality, leading to more informed and practical solutions.
In summary, while the document states a significant figure for the ongoing costs related to information collection, the lack of detailed explanation regarding this spending poses challenges in addressing and potentially optimizing financial commitments. A more structured approach in eliciting public feedback, particularly on financial aspects, could provide valuable insights into improving the cost-efficiency of the FCC's processes.
Issues
• The document contains repetitive information regarding the statutory authority for the collection of information; the sentence about the statutory authority appears twice.
• The document does not specify what measures, if any, will be taken to ensure that the burden of information collection is minimized for small businesses and organizations with fewer than 25 employees.
• While the document mentions the total annual cost of the collection, it does not provide specific details on what contributes to this cost, which may be useful for assessing wasteful spending.
• The language around the practical utility and burden estimate could be made clearer for readers who are not familiar with the technical terms used, such as 'practical utility' and 'burden estimate.'
• The document states an obligation to respond as 'Required to obtain or retain benefits' without clarifying what specific benefits these are, which can be ambiguous.
• The document mentions a need for comments but does not outline any specific criteria or focus areas for these comments, potentially leading to unfocused feedback.