FCC Asks If Its Own Paperwork Actually Matters
Published Date: 12/12/2025
Notice
Summary
The FCC is checking in on some paperwork rules to make sure they’re still useful and not too much of a hassle, especially for small businesses. They want your thoughts by February 10, 2026, to help keep things clear and easy. This review won’t cost businesses extra but aims to keep the process smooth and fair for everyone involved.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Paperwork Burden on Businesses
If you are a business or other for‑profit that must respond to this FCC collection (OMB Control No. 3060-0760), the notice says there are 13 respondents and 66 responses, with each response taking about 3 to 80 hours. The collection’s total annual burden is 1,256 hours and total annual cost is $68,640, and responding is “required to obtain or retain benefits.” Comments on minimizing burden are due by February 10, 2026.
Business Data Services Pricing Changes
The document describes the FCC's Business Data Services reforms that say packet-based services, time division multiplexing (TDM) services with bandwidth greater than 45 mbps, and TDM transport services are not subject to ex ante pricing regulation. It also says a price cap local exchange carrier (LEC) is not subject to ex ante pricing regulation in counties deemed competitive or where Phase II pricing flexibility was previously obtained, and that the Commission will update the competitive market test every three years using data from FCC Form 477.
Limits on Contract Filing Requirements
The notice states the Business Data Services Order repealed section 1.774 and added section 1.776 to limit the circumstances in which price cap LECs must file business data services contracts as contract-based tariffs, and it amended section 69.701 so pricing flexibility rules no longer apply to business data services. These are changes to filing and tariff rules for affected carriers and firms.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-16995, 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.
2026-16993, 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.
2026-16997, 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.
2026-16996, Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission
The FCC is asking for public feedback on a new paperwork collection related to space launch coordination. This affects businesses, nonprofits, and governments who might spend 4 to 16 hours filling out forms. Comments are due by October 19, 2026, helping the FCC reduce hassle and improve the process without extra costs.
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
Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review (Sep. 30, 1993), requires each agency to publish a regulatory agenda (Agenda) of regulations under development or review during the next year which will be included in the Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions (Unified Agenda). 58 FR 51735 (Oct. 4, 1993). The Agenda required by Executive Order 12866 must include all regulations the agency expects to develop or review during the next 12 months, regardless of whether they may have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. Executive Order 12866 provides that agencies may combine this agenda with the regulatory flexibility agenda required under the RFA. To help keep the public informed of significant rulemaking proceedings and meet its obligations under the RFA and Executive Order 12866, the Commission has prepared Agenda entries providing a brief description and summary of each regulatory activity that is currently planned for the 12 months, subject to revision, including the objectives and legal basis for each, and the name and telephone number of an agency official who is knowledgeable about items in the agenda. The Commission's Agenda entries published in the Federal Register are only those entries for rules that are likely to have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities pursuant to the RFA. The Commission's complete list of regulatory and deregulatory actions for the Unified Agenda will be published on the internet in a searchable format at www.reginfo.gov.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-22685, Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission Under Delegated Authority
The FCC is checking in on a form used by people and businesses who want to test new communication tech. They’re asking for your thoughts on how to make the form easier and less time-consuming, especially for small businesses. You’ve got until February 10, 2026, to share your ideas and help shape the process!
Next: 2025-22687, Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review: Document Evidence Submission
The Department of Veterans Affairs is updating how veterans submit extra documents to support their claims, including a new way for those still in service to send evidence before discharge. This change helps the VA process claims faster and more accurately. Veterans and their families should share feedback by January 12, 2026, to help shape this new system.