FCC Asks: Can We Make Telecom Paperwork Less Painful?
Published Date: 11/28/2025
Notice
Summary
The FCC is reviewing its paperwork rules for telecom companies that get universal service support to make sure the info they collect is useful and not too much of a hassle. They want your thoughts on how to make the process easier, especially for small businesses with fewer than 25 employees. If you want to share your ideas, send them in by January 27, 2026—this could save time and money for everyone involved!
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
FCC Seeks Paperwork-Reduction Ideas
The FCC is asking the public for comments on its paperwork requirements to reduce burden and make filings more useful. It specifically asks for ideas to further reduce the information-collection burden on small businesses with fewer than 25 employees and requests comments by January 27, 2026.
New Relinquishment Notice Timing Requirement
If an eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) intends to relinquish its ETC designation, it must provide advance notice to the state commission and to the FCC, and must notify the FCC of the state authority’s decision within 10 days of that decision. These filings must be submitted whether or not the ETC is currently receiving federal support (Administrative Order dated October 20, 2023).
Current Information-Collection Burden: Hours Reported
The FCC reports this information collection (OMB Control No. 3060-1081) covers 24 respondents with 28 responses, an estimated 1 to 40 hours per response, a total annual burden of 808 hours, and is a one-time reporting requirement. Responding is required to obtain or retain universal-service-related benefits.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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