FCC Asks Public: Please Help Us Reduce Our Paperwork
Published Date: 12/15/2025
Notice
Summary
The FCC is checking in on some paperwork rules to make sure they’re still useful and not too much work, especially for small businesses. They want your thoughts by February 13, 2026, to help keep things clear and easy. This review affects over 4,000 businesses and involves about 24,600 hours of work yearly, but it won’t cost anyone extra money.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Paperwork Burden on ~4,100 Businesses
The FCC is reviewing an information collection (OMB 3060-0548) that currently covers 4,103 business respondents and 49,236 responses. The collection is estimated to cause 24,618 total annual burden hours and a total annual cost of no cost; the FCC seeks comments by February 13, 2026 on ways to reduce this paperwork burden, including impacts on small businesses with fewer than 25 employees.
Customer-Service Collection Burden on Operators/Governments
The FCC is also reviewing a separate collection (OMB 3060-0652) that lists 540 respondents and 1,102,100 responses, with an estimated 34,650 total annual burden hours and no total annual cost. The agency requests comments by February 13, 2026 on reducing burden and improving clarity, including for small entities.
Cable Subscribers Get Must-Carry Info & Notices
Cable systems must keep a public file listing all broadcast TV stations they carry and must respond in writing within 30 days to any written request for identification of signals carried. Operators must notify subscribers by June 2, 1993 and annually thereafter, and to each new subscriber at installation, about stations that cannot be viewed without a converter box and offer to sell or lease a converter box.
Required Customer Service Notices and Billing Rules
Cable operators must provide written information at installation, at least annually, and on request about products, prices, installation and maintenance policies, channel positions, and billing and complaint procedures. Operators must give subscribers at least 30 days' advance written notice of rate or service changes (or as soon as possible if outside the operator's control) that includes the precise amount and an explanation, and must respond to written billing disputes within 30 days. Local franchise authorities must give affected cable operators 90 days' written notice before enforcing customer service standards.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-20485, Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission Under Delegated Authority
The FCC is checking in on its paperwork rules to make sure they’re easy and useful for businesses and nonprofits. They want your thoughts on how to keep things clear, cut down on hassle, and help small businesses with fewer than 25 employees. If you want to share your ideas, send them in by December 7, 2026—this helps the FCC keep things running smoothly without wasting time or money.
2026-20464, Radio Broadcasting Services; Selmer, Tennessee
The FCC is removing a vacant FM radio channel (288A) in Selmer, Tennessee, because it’s too close to another station and breaks spacing rules. This change affects radio broadcasters and helps keep the airwaves clear and fair. The rule takes effect on November 12, 2026, with no costs involved for the public.
2026-20487, Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission
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2026-20486, Information Collections Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission
The FCC is asking the public and businesses to review and comment on some paperwork they collect to make sure it’s useful and not too much of a hassle. This review affects companies, nonprofits, and government groups, especially small businesses with fewer than 25 employees. Comments are due by December 7, 2026, and the FCC aims to keep things clear, quick, and fair without costing too much time or money.
2026-20362, Wireline Competition Bureau and Office of Economics and Analytics Adopt 2026 Mandatory Data Collection for Incarcerated People's Communications Services
The FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau and Office of Economics and Analytics are rolling out new rules for companies that provide phone and communication services to people in jail. Starting in 2026, these providers must submit detailed data using special forms by December 21, 2026. This helps keep communication fair and transparent, affecting all service providers and potentially impacting costs and service quality.
2026-20192, [WC Docket Nos. 25-208, 25-209; FCC 26-19; FR ID 370342] Reducing Barriers to Network Improvements and Service Changes, Accelerating Network Modernization
The FCC is making it easier and faster for phone and internet companies to upgrade old networks to new, faster technology. These changes affect companies that provide phone and internet services and will start on October 15, 2026. This update cuts red tape and helps bring better service to customers sooner, without extra costs slowing things down.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-22713, Information Collections Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission Delegated Authority
The FCC is checking in on some paperwork rules to make sure they’re easy and useful for businesses and nonprofits, especially small ones. They want your thoughts on how to keep these forms clear and not too time-consuming. If you have ideas or concerns, speak up by February 13, 2026, so the FCC can keep things running smoothly without costing too much time or money.
Next: 2025-22715, Arms Sales Notification
The U.S. Department of Defense is letting everyone know about a big arms sale to Spain, including helicopters, missiles, and high-tech gear. This deal updates a previous sale from 2022 and involves millions in national funds. Spain gets upgraded military tech soon, keeping the partnership strong and ready for action!