FCC Reviews Telecom Paperwork Burden—Comment Now!
Published Date: 2/24/2025
Notice
Summary
The FCC is checking in on a paperwork rule that affects nearly 3,000 businesses, mostly phone and internet companies. They want your thoughts on how to make the process easier and less time-consuming, especially for small businesses. Comments are due by April 25, 2025, so don’t miss your chance to help shape the rules and maybe save some time and hassle!
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Paperwork burden on ~2,989 carriers
The FCC's information collection (OMB Control No. 3060-1084) applies to 2,989 business respondents and produces 665,248 responses. Responses average from 1 minute to 20 minutes each, with total annual recordkeeping and reporting burden of 54,900 hours and total annual cost reported as "No cost."
Carrier obligations to exchange customer data
Under the underlying CARE rules cited, local exchange carriers (LECs) must supply customer account information to interexchange carriers (IXCs) in these situations: (1) when the LEC places or removes an end user on an IXC's network; (2) when a presubscribed end user makes certain account changes via the LEC; (3) when an IXC requests billing name and address for an end user with usage on the IXC's network but no existing account; and (4) when a LEC rejects an IXC-initiated PIC order. IXCs must also notify LECs when an IXC customer directly informs the IXC of a desire to change IXCs.
FCC solicits relief ideas for small firms
The FCC specifically requests comments on ways to minimize the information-collection burden on small business concerns with fewer than 25 employees. Comments must be submitted by April 25, 2025.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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