📱FCC Implements Georouting Compliance for 988 Text Providers
In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) adopts rules requiring covered text providers, including wireless providers, to develop the capability to transmit georouting data in a format that is compatible with the Lifeline's platform to allow the routing of covered 988 text messages by the Lifeline Administrator to the appropriate crisis center based on the texter's general location, rather than area code; and to provide such georouting data for covered 988 text messages, when available, to the Lifeline Administrator. To protect the privacy of 988 texters, this document defines "georouting data" as location data generated from a cell- based location technology that is aggregated to a level that will not identify the precise location of the handset, but only the general area from which the text originated, thereby making local resources available while protecting texters' identities.
Learn More📡FCC Clarifies Telecommunications Outage Reporting Requirements
In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) adopts an Order on Reconsideration (Order) which grants in part, the Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions' (ATIS's) petition for reconsideration of the Second Report and Order & Further Notice Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM)--in which the Commission adopted certain rules governing Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS) activations--to clarify what the Commission expects from providers during DIRS activations. Specifically, the Order clarifies the scope of the suspension of Network Outage Reporting System (NORS) reporting obligations during DIRS activations, thereby reducing filing burdens. The Commission otherwise denies ATIS's petition.
Learn More📡FCC Proposes Deregulation of Business Data Services
In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) seeks comment on its proposed rules to eliminate rate regulation and tariffing obligations for business data services provided by incumbent local exchange carriers in light of technological and marketplace changes and recent Executive Orders and Commission initiatives. The Commission alternatively seeks comment on updates to its regulatory framework and competitive market tests to better align with current market conditions based on current data.
Learn More📡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.
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