88 FR 25 pgs. 7973-7974 - Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission
Type: NOTICEVolume: 88Number: 25Pages: 7973 - 7974
Pages: 7973, 7974Docket number: [OMB 3060-XXXX; FR ID 126104]
FR document: [FR Doc. 2023-02486 Filed 2-6-23; 8:45 am]
Agency: Federal Communications Commission
Official PDF Version: PDF Version
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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
[OMB 3060-XXXX; FR ID 126104]
Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission
AGENCY:
Federal Communications Commission.
ACTION:
Notice and request for comments.
SUMMARY:
As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, and as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), 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 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 Office of Management and Budget (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.
DATES:
[top] Written PRA comments should be submitted on or before April 10, 2023. If you anticipate that you will be submitting comments but find it difficult to do so within the period of time allowed by this notice, you should
ADDRESSES:
Direct all PRA comments to Cathy Williams, FCC, via email to PRA@fcc.gov and to Cathy.Williams@fcc.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
For additional information about the information collection, contact Cathy Williams at (202) 418-2918.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
OMB Control Number: 3060-XXXX.
Title: Empowering Broadband Consumers Through Transparency, Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, CG Docket No. 22-2, FCC 22-86 ( Broadband Label Order ).
Form Number: N/A.
Type of Review: New information collection.
Respondents: Business or other for-profit entities.
Number of Respondents: 6,010 respondents; 30,050 responses.
Estimated Time per Response: 0.5 (30 minutes) to 9 hours.
Frequency of Response: On-occasion reporting requirement and recordkeeping requirement.
Obligation to Respond: Required to obtain or retain benefits. The statutory authority for the information collection requirements is contained in sections 4(i), 4(j), 13, 201(b), 254, 257, 301, 303, 316, and 332 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. 154(i), 154(j), 163, 201(b), 254, 257, 301, 303, 316, 332, section 60504 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Public Law 117-58, 135 Stat. 429 (2021), and section 904 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, Public Law 116-260, 134 Stat. 1182 (2020), as amended.
Total Annual Burden: 117,271 hours.
Total Annual Cost: No cost.
Needs and Uses: This notice and request for comments seeks to establish a new information collection as it pertains to Empowering Broadband Consumers Through Transparency, Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, published at 87 FR 76959 (Dec. 16, 2022) ( Broadband Label Order ). The information will be used to implement section 60504(a) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Infrastructure Act). The Infrastructure Act, in relevant part, directed the Commission "[n]ot later than 1 year after the date of enactment of th[e] Act, to promulgate regulations to require the display of broadband consumer labels, as described in the Public Notice of the Commission issued on April 4, 2016 (DA 16-357), to disclose to consumers information regarding broadband internet access service plans." Further, the Infrastructure Act required that the label "include information regarding whether the offered price is an introductory rate and, if so, the price the consumer will be required to pay following the introductory period."
On January 27, 2022, the Commission released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, published at 87 FR 6827 (Feb. 7, 2022), initiating a proceeding to implement section 60504 of the Infrastructure Act. Specifically, the Commission proposed to require that broadband internet access service providers (ISPs or providers) display, at the point of sale, labels that disclose to consumers certain information about prices, introductory rates, data allowances, broadband speeds, and management practices, among other things.
On November 14, 2022, the Commission adopted the Broadband Label Order requiring ISPs to display a new broadband label to help consumers comparison shop among broadband services, thereby implementing section 60504 of the Infrastructure Act. Specifically, the Commission required ISPs to display, at the point of sale, a broadband consumer label containing critical information about the provider's service offerings, including information about pricing, introductory rates, data allowances, performance metrics, and whether the provider participates in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The Commission required that ISPs display the label for each stand-alone broadband internet access service they currently offer for purchase, and that the label link to other important information such as network management practices, privacy policies, and other educational materials. Consistent with the Infrastructure Act, the label adopted for fixed and mobile broadband internet access service is similar to the two voluntary labels the Commission approved in 2016, with certain modifications. The label resembles the well-known nutrition labels that consumers have come to rely on when shopping for food products.
In addition to label content, the Commission adopted requirements for the label's format and display location to ensure consumers can make side-by-side comparisons of various service offerings from an individual provider or from alternative providers-something essential for making informed decisions. Labels must be displayed on providers' websites and at alternate sales channels such as retail locations and over the phone. The label must be accessible for people with disabilities and for non-English speakers. Labels must also be available via a customer's online account portal. ISPs shall maintain an archive of all labels for a period of no less than two years from the time the service plan reflected in the label is no longer available for purchase by a new subscriber and the provider has removed the label from its website or alternate sales channels. In addition, third parties will be able to easily analyze information contained in the labels and help consumers with their purchase decisions, as providers are required to make the label content available in a machine-readable format on their websites. Finally, the Commission adopted a label template that all ISPs are required to display at the point of sale. This label establishes the formatting and content of all requirements adopted in the Broadband Label Order.
Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene Dortch,
Secretary, Office of the Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2023-02486 Filed 2-6-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P