The FCC has
permission to revise its rules regarding establishing and
supporting depreciation rates in accordance with Section 43.43 of
its rules. OMB notes the controversial nature of the rulemaking and
its proposals regarding depreciation accounting. The FCC must make
the decision whether to continue to regulate depreciation rates.
OMB recommends that the FCC try to balance economic regulation
against the burden imposed on regulated firms that have to meet the
reporting and recordkeeping requirements contained in these
rules.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
12/31/2001
12/31/2001
12/31/1999
11
0
12
66,000
0
78,000
0
0
0
In the notice of proposed rulemaking,
the Commission proposes to reduce or streamline further its
depreciation prescription process by permitting summary filings and
eliminating the prescription of depreciation rates for incumbent
LECS, provided that the carrier uses depreciation factors that are
within the ranges adopted by the Commission, expanding the
prescribed range for the digital switching plants account, and
eliminating salvage from the depreciation process. It also seeks
comment on whether carriers should be allowed to set their own
depreciation rates.
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.