📡FCC's Proposed Changes to Disaster Information Reporting System
In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) commences a thorough review of the Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS) and proposes changes to ensure the system is collecting information useful to disaster response without imposing unreasonable burdens on stakeholders. To reduce these burdens, this document proposes replacing the different DIRS worksheets with a single, dynamic form and introduces a "one-click" option for indicating there is "no change" from the preceding day's DIRS report. Further, this document proposes eliminating or modifying information fields that are duplicative or that may not request information that offers significant value for disaster response. The document further proposes reducing burdens by removing the requirement for mandatory DIRS filers to submit a final report within 24 hours of DIRS deactivation, and eliminating the reporting obligations for non- facilities-based providers. Other modernization proposals include suspending Network Outage Reporting System (NORS) reporting requirements for providers that timely report in DIRS Lite and removing barriers to outage information sharing for state agencies.
Learn More📞FCC Updates to Telemarketing Consent Rules Impacting Businesses
In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) conforms the Commission's rules to a court decision nullifying the first full paragraph of the revised prior express written consent rule adopted in the Second Text Blocking Report and Order. The court issued its mandate on April 30, 2025, which vacated, as of that date, the rule change for the first full paragraph of the Prior Express Written Consent Requirements section that the Commission adopted in 2023 in Targeting and Eliminating Unlawful Text Messages; Rules and Regulations Implementing of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991; Advanced Methods to Target and Eliminate Unlawful Robocalls, and Second Report and Order, Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, and Waiver Order.
Learn More📡FCC Proposes Rules to Enhance Network Improvements and Safety
In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that seeks comment on deregulatory options to encourage providers to build, maintain, and upgrade their networks such that all consumers and businesses can benefit from technological strides in the communications marketplace, while safeguarding consumers' access to critical emergency services such as 911. These actions propose to reduce regulatory barriers that prevent much-needed investment in and deployment of broadband and thus hinder the transition to all-IP networks offering a plethora of advanced communications services, and seek comment on ways to further fast-track the delivery of services to consumers through modernized networks while protecting public safety.
Learn More📞FCC Proposes Elimination of ASCII Requirement for Relay Services
In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) proposes to modify the Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) rules to delete the requirement that traditional, Text Telephone (TTY)-based TRS be capable of communicating with the American Standard Code for Information Interexchange (ASCII) format. The record indicates that this format is outdated and rarely used today. Deleting the rule would reduce TRS costs, eliminate an outdated regulatory requirement, and update the Commission's standards to be more consistent with current usage of TTY-based relay service.
Learn More📞FCC Proposes Changes to Slamming and Billing Regulations
In this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), the Commission seeks comment on whether the current slamming and truth-in-billing rules remain necessary today to protect consumers. The Commission proposes changes to modernize and simplify these rules to reflect the evolution of the telecommunications marketplace, retain core consumer protections against unauthorized carriers switches and charges, and reduce regulatory burdens. The Commission seeks comment on whether the slamming rules remain necessary, and if such rules are necessary, the document proposes to modernize and streamline the current rules consistent with the statutory requirements of section 258 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (the Act). The Commission seeks comment on whether the truth-in-billing rules remain necessary and if such rules are necessary, the Commission seeks comment on streamlining them.
Learn More📞FCC Caller ID Authentication Compliance Requirements
In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) adopts rules that strengthen the Commission's caller ID authentication requirements by establishing clear practices for providers that rely on third parties to fulfill their STIR/SHAKEN implementation obligations. The rules authorize providers with a STIR/ SHAKEN implementation obligation to engage third parties to perform the technological act of digitally "signing" calls consistent with the requirements of the STIR/SHAKEN technical standards so long as: the provider with the implementation obligation makes the "attestation- level" decisions for authenticating caller ID information; and all calls are signed using the certificate of the provider with the implementation obligation--not the certificate of a third party. The rules also explicitly require all providers with a STIR/SHAKEN implementation obligation to obtain a Service Provider Code (SPC) token from the STIR/SHAKEN Policy Administrator and present that token to a STIR/SHAKEN Certificate Authority to obtain a digital certificate. Additionally, the rules include recordkeeping requirements for third- party authentication arrangements to enable the Commission to monitor compliance with and enforce Commission rules.
Learn More📶FCC Rule Amendments Affecting Telecommunications Compliance
In this document, the Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) of the Federal Communication Commission (Commission) conforms certain rule parts in the Code of Federal Regulations to reflect the rules that are actually in effect as a result of the Ohio Telecom and Iowa Utilities Board II decisions.
Learn More📡FCC's Initiative to Remove Obsolete Regulations for Businesses
In this document, the Federal Communications Commission acts to eliminate certain outdated, obsolete, and unnecessary rules.
Learn More📶Competitive Bidding Rules for AWS-3 Licenses
In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission or FCC) adopts final rules that update the eligibility criteria for designated entity bidding credits in auctions for licenses in the 1695-1710 MHz, 1755-1780 MHz, and 2155-2180 MHz (AWS-3) bands. The Commission also updates its general competitive bidding rules for categorizing an entity as a small business concern.
Learn More📡Proposed Rule on Foreign Ownership Policies for Broadcast Licensees
In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission or FCC) adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), in which it seeks comment on or proposes updates to set clear expectations about the Commission's review in both common carrier and broadcast licensees and on other updates that apply only to broadcast licensees. With regard to common carrier licensees, the NPRM seeks comment on or proposes to amend the rules to codify existing policy regarding which entity is the controlling U.S. parent; codify the Commission's advance approval policy regarding certain deemed voting interests; require identification of trusts and trustees; extend the remedial procedures and methodology to privately held companies; add requirements regarding the contents of remedial petitions; require the filing of amendments as a complete restatement to petitions for declaratory ruling; and clarify U.S. residency requirements. For broadcast licensees only, the NPRM seeks comment on how the Commission should process applications filed by a broadcast licensee during the pendency of a remedial petition for declaratory ruling; and other foreign ownership considerations related to processing applications for NCE and LPFM stations. The NPRM proposes to make it easier for entities to understand and navigate the FCC's foreign ownership rules. The FCC believes that this proceeding will avoid inconsistent outcomes; reduce costs; and facilitate the Commission's public interest analysis.
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