To implement certain reforms to universal service support, the Commission’s Wireline Competition Bureau and the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau in this Order adopt the form and content for a survey of urban rates for fixed voice and fixed broadband residential services. The information collected in this survey will be used to ensure that eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs) receiving high-cost loop support (HCLS) or frozen high-cost support must offer fixed voice and broadband services at reasonably comparable rates to those in urban areas.
US Code:
47 USC 154(i)
Name of Law: Communications Act of 1934, as amended
US Code:
47 USC 155
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 303(r)
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 151
Name of Law: Communications Act of 1934, as amended
US Code:
47 USC 152
Name of Law: Communications Act of 1934, as amended
The Commission is reporting adjustments/increases and decreases for this information collection. We are increasing the number of responses we expect to receive in this annual collection from 1,000 to 2,285 (or by 1,275 responses). Further, we are decreasing the time burden per response from 3.5 to 3.0 hours (or by 0.5 hours). The annual net effect from the increase in responses and decrease in time per response is an increase in the total burden hours from 3,500 to 6,825 hours (or by 3,325 hours).
The adjustment to the number of responses is due to changes in the sample design of survey samples we conduct as part of the information collection. In our sample of broadband service providers and Internet prices, growth in the variety of Internet service plans providers offer along with higher price variability necessitate adding more subgroups of Internet plans to the sample design and increasing sample size by 1,500 respondents to maintain sampling precision. Further, we are adding a non-response factor to the sample design which lowers responses by 325, for a net increase of 1,275 responses.
The adjustment in time burden per response (decrease of 0.5 hours) results from re-estimations of two steps that entities follow in responding to our information collection. First, we are lowering the average time for respondents to review instructions by 0.22 hours, to account for the likelihood that respondents who file more than one response spend less time reviewing each additional response. Second, we are eliminating the step requiring respondents to match a census tract code to the geographic location being sampled and, instead, will provide the location, reducing time per response by 0.28 hours.
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.
2020 Urban Rate Study Statistical Methodology Part B.docx
Survey of Urban Rates for Fixed Voice and Vixed Broadband Residential Services