FCC Begs for Ideas to Slim Down Government Forms
Published Date: 3/2/2026
Notice
Summary
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is asking the public and small businesses to share their thoughts on how to make government paperwork easier and less time-consuming. They’re reviewing some information collections and want feedback by April 1, 2026. This effort aims to cut down on hassle without costing extra money or time for those involved.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Payphone Reporting Burden on Providers
If you operate payphone services or are a local exchange carrier involved in payphone compensation processes, you are subject to information collection under Part 64. The FCC reports 400 respondents, 16,820 responses, an average 2.66 hours per response, a total annual burden of 44,700 hours, and total annual cost of $832,000.
Paperwork for Telephone Equipment Makers
If you make or are responsible for telephone terminal equipment, you must provide information under 47 CFR part 68 to show the equipment won’t harm the telephone network. The FCC reports 41,403 respondents with 44,423 responses, estimated time per response of 0.25–40 hours, a total annual burden of 12,869 hours, and total annual cost of $508,250.
New Pole-Attachment Notice and Timeline Rules
The FCC revised pole-attachment rules (Order rel. July 25, 2025) requiring attachers to give written advance notice for large orders (e.g., orders over 300 poles or 0.5% of a utility’s poles up to the lesser of 3,000 poles or 5% of poles; larger thresholds up to the lesser of 6,000 poles or 10% of poles). The Order also sets new timelines (utilities must notify within 15 days if they cannot meet certain deadlines), requires a meet-and-confer for very large orders, adds a self-help remedy for make-ready estimates under safeguards, prohibits utility-imposed application-size limits, and requires utilities to respond to contractor-addition requests within 30 days. The FCC lists 1,359 respondents, 185,584 responses, estimated time per response 0.25–5 hours, total annual burden 146,264 hours, and total annual cost $1,800.
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