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.
$4,630
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
John Emmett 202 418-0386 john.emmett@fcc.gov
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.