FCC Caps Prison Phone Rates to Ease Family Connection Burdens
Published Date: 9/19/2025
Rule
Summary
The FCC just got the green light to collect info from companies that provide phone services to people in jail, making sure calls stay fair and affordable. This affects inmates, their families, and the phone companies, with new rules kicking in soon and lasting for three years. It’s all about keeping communication open without breaking the bank or the rules!
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Phone Providers Must File Annual IPCS Reports
If you run a company that provides phone services to people in jail (an incarcerated people's communications services provider), you must comply with a new information collection tied to amendments to 47 CFR 64.6060 and submit annual reports and certifications as required by the 2025 IPCS Annual Reports Order. The Office of Management and Budget approved this information collection on September 8, 2025, for a period of three years.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-16740, Information Collection Being Submitted to the Office of Management and Budget for Emergency Review and Approval
As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, and as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following information collection. Comments are requested concerning: Whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Commission, including whether the information shall have practical utility; the accuracy of the Commission's burden estimate; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology; and ways to further reduce the information collection burden on small business concerns with fewer than 25 employees. The Commission may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid control number. No person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information subject to the PRA that does not display a valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number.
2026-16615, Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions-2026
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2026-16590, FCC To Review E-Rate Program To Ensure Congress's Vision
In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) seeks comment on measures the Commission can take to better protect children when using E-Rate-funded networks, the Commission's progress in ensuring affordable access to high-speed broadband to and within schools and libraries, and whether the Commission's current interpretation of the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) is the best reading of the statute. The Commission also proposes actions to strengthen E-Rate program integrity and streamline program administration.
2026-16503, Empowering Broadband Consumers Through Transparency
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