1028_ss_051508

3060-1028

May 2008

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

A. Justification:

The Federal Communications Commission (“Commission”) is requesting that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approve a three-year extension of the information collection, “International Signaling Point Code (ISPC),” under OMB Control No. 3060-1028 (Delegated Authority Collection). This collection reflects an adjustment in the number of annual respondents from 40 to 20 respondents as a result of a decrease in the number of requests for ISPCs by international carriers. However, the number of annual burden hours remains at a total of 7 hours. Additionally, Item #14 was revised to indicate that the annual cost to the Federal government to process ISPC applications is $2,556.00.

Background Information:

1. An ISPC is a unique, seven-digit code synonymous used to identify the signaling network of each international carrier. The ISPC has a unique format that is used at the international level for signaling message routing and identification of signaling points. The Commission receives ISPC applications from international carriers on the electronic, Internet-based International Bureau Filing System (IBFS). After receipt of the ISPC application, the Commission assigns the ISPC code to each applicant (international carrier) free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis. The collection of this information is required to assign a unique identification code to each international carrier and to facilitate communication among international carriers by their use

of the ISPC code on the shared signaling network. The Commission informs the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) of its assignment of ISPCs to international carriers on an ongoing basis.

In 1987, the Federal Communications Commission (“Commission”) assumed the responsibility as the Administrator for the U.S. of issuing ISPC's to international carriers based on an exchange of letters between the AT&T, Commission, and the International Telecommunications Union-Telecommunications Standardization (ITU-T). The ITU, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, is an international organization within the United Nations System where governments and the private sector coordinate global telecom networks and services. The ITU-T, which is one of three sectors of the ITU, has a continuing role in preparing the technical specifications for telecommunications systems, networks and services, including their operation, performance and maintenance. In addition, the ITU-T oversees the tariff principles and accounting methods used to provide international services.

We would like to continue to maintain OMB approval of the existing application, “International Signaling Point Code Filing Per Network Per Code,” that is currently available on the IBFS.

As noted on the OMB Form 83-I, this information collection does not affect individuals or households; thus, there are no impacts under the Privacy Act.

The statutory authority for this collection is contained in Sections 1, 4(i)-(j), 201-205, 211, 214, 219-220, 303(r), 309 and 403 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C §§ 151, 154(i)-(j), 201-205, 211, 214, 219-220, 303(r), and 403.

2. The information collection requirements contained in this collection facilitate the Commission's assignment of unique ISPCs to international carriers for identification purposes.

In addition, they enhance the ability of the international carriers to communicate with each other internationally through the shared signaling network.

3. As a result of the implementation of the International Electronic Filing Report and Order (R&O) (FCC 05-91), applicants for ISPC's are required to submit their applications electronically via the International Bureau Filing System (IBFS). As a result of the R&O, a total of 100 percent of applications are filed electronically in the IBFS.

4. The Commission does not impose similar information collections on the respondents.

There is no similar data available.

5. This collection of information does not significantly impact small businesses or other small entities.

6. The Commission would have not a unique identification codes (ISPC) to identify each international carrier if these collections of information were not conducted. Furthermore, the lack of ISPCs would hinder the international carriers' ability to identify other carriers and would likely result in delays in communication or miscommunication among international carriers on the shared signaling network.

7. The collection of information will not be conducted in any manner inconsistent with the guidelines of 5 CFR 1320.6.

8. On December 10, 2007, the Commission published a 60-day notice (72 FR 69682)

in the Federal Register to solicit comments from the public. No comments were received from the public with regard to the notice. A reference to the notice is included in the submission to the OMB.

9. The Commission will not provide any payment or gift to respondents.

10. There is no need for confidentiality of information contained in the applications filed with the Commission.

11. This collection of information does not contain questions of a sensitive nature.

12. The Commission receives approximately 20 ISPC applications annually from international carriers. Applications are completed by each applicant in approximately 20 minutes. There are no application fees or other costs associated with the filing of the ISPC application with the Commission. Therefore, there are no costs to respondents for the hour burdens for the collection of information.

20 responses X 0.333 (20 minutes) = 6.66 (rounded up to 7 hours)

13. There is no total annual cost burdens for respondents or recordkeepers that result from the collection of information.

14. After the ISPC forms are filed with the Commission via IBFS, they are reviewed and processed by a GS-14/Step 5 employee at the rate of $53.24 per hour. The employee spends an average of 4 hours per month reviewing and processing ISPC applications to assign ISPCs

to international carriers. The rate of $53.24 x 48 hours (4 hours per month X 12 months)

= $2,555.52 (rounded up to $2,556.00).

15. This collection reflects an adjustment in the number of annual respondents from 40 to 20 respondents as a result of a decrease in the number of requests for ISPC’s by international carriers.

16. The results of this collection of information are not going to be published for statistical use.

17. We do not seek approval to not display the expiration date for OMB approval of the information collection.

18. There are no exceptions to the certification statement.

B. Collections of Information Employing Statistical Methods.

This information collection does not anticipate the use of statistical methods.

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