FCC Audits Paperwork for Rural Internet Funding Fairness
Published Date: 11/21/2025
Notice
Summary
The FCC is checking in on some info they collect to make sure it’s useful and not too much work for folks like businesses, nonprofits, and regular people. They want your thoughts on how to make this process easier, especially for small businesses with fewer than 25 employees. If you want to share your ideas, send them in by January 20, 2026—no extra fees or penalties involved!
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
A-CAM Fabric-Based Downward Adjustments
The FCC will add information collection requirements for a voluntary A-CAM location adjustment process for Revised A-CAM I and A-CAM II carriers using the Broadband Serviceable Location Fabric version used for the Broadband Data Collection as of June 30, 2026. Carriers will have a one-time window shortly after that Fabric is released to request a downward adjustment; the Wireline Competition Bureau may reduce funded locations and associated funding.
RDOF Unreasonable-Locations Process Launched
For certain Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) carriers, the FCC will let carriers seek removal of locations deemed 'unreasonable to serve' after the Bureau publishes revised location totals in 2027. Carriers will have six months after that announcement to submit requests that identify Fabric Location IDs and evidence; WCB may request more information and will deny claims lacking requested evidence.
Estimated Respondent Burden and Timing
The FCC estimates this information collection will involve 115 respondents and 115 responses, with an estimated time per response of 5–40 hours and a total annual burden of 4,075 hours; responses are voluntary and total annual cost is listed as 'No Cost.'
Comment Window for Small Businesses
The FCC invites public comments on its information collections and asks for ideas to reduce burden on small businesses with fewer than 25 employees. Comments must be submitted on or before January 20, 2026.
ELAP Information Collection Eliminated
The Commission proposes to eliminate the information collection requirements related to the Eligible Locations Adjustment Process (ELAP) now that ELAP has ended. ELAP previously facilitated post-auction review of certain Connect America Fund Phase II Auction recipients' deployment obligations.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-17858, Information Collections Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission Under Delegated Authority
As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, and as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following information collections. Comments are requested concerning: whether the proposed 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.
2026-17859, Information Collections Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission
As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, and as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following information collections. Comments are requested concerning: whether the proposed 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.
2026-17765, Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission
As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, and as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following information collections. Comments are requested concerning: whether the proposed 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.
2026-17766, Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission Under Delegated Authority
As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, and as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following information collections. Comments are requested concerning: whether the proposed 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.
2026-17763, Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission Under Delegated Authority
As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, and as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following information collections. Comments are requested concerning: whether the proposed 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.
2026-17761, Maximizing Efficiencies in Universal Service Administration
In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) seeks to improve the administration of the Universal Service Fund (USF or Fund) by seeking comment on four areas related to USF administration: current USF administration processes, i.e., the processes used by Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) to administer the USF and the Commission's oversight of those processes; the structure of USF administration, that is, USAC's role and responsibilities related to USF administration; operating costs associated with USF administration; and the impact of USAC's Board of Directors on USF administration.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-20624, Center for Scientific Review; Notice of Closed Meetings
The Center for Scientific Review is holding a closed virtual meeting on December 15-16, 2025, to review important grant applications about delivering nucleic acid therapies. These meetings are private to protect secret research ideas and personal info. Scientists applying for grants and the NIH community are the main players, with no new costs or changes in timing announced.
Next: 2025-20626, Center for Scientific Review; Notice of Closed Meetings
The Center for Scientific Review is holding a closed virtual meeting on December 16, 2025, to review important grant applications for biomedical research. These meetings are private to protect secret ideas and personal info. Scientists and research groups applying for grants will be affected, but no new costs or deadlines are introduced.