FCC Aligns U.S. Radio Rules with 2015 World Conference Acts
Published Date: 1/14/2026
Rule
Summary
The FCC is updating U.S. radio frequency rules to match international agreements from the 2015 World Radiocommunication Conference. These changes help amateur radio operators, satellite services, and broadcast stations use the airwaves more efficiently starting February 13, 2026. This update affects businesses and hobbyists but won’t cause big costs or paperwork headaches.
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Satellite-Based Global Flight Tracking Allowed
The FCC allocated 1087.7–1092.3 MHz for aeronautical mobile-satellite (route) Earth-to-space use to allow space stations to receive ADS-B broadcasts from aircraft and added a new licensing paragraph to permit space stations that can receive ADS-B. These changes take effect February 13, 2026 and will allow reception of aircraft ADS-B signals beyond terrestrial line-of-sight.
Search-and-Rescue Satellites Protected
The FCC added footnote US265 and changed rules to protect search-and-rescue satellites that receive in the 406–406.1 MHz band. New fixed and mobile frequency assignments are prohibited in the adjacent 405.9–406.0 MHz and 406.1–406.2 MHz bands, and the rule also prevents new assignments at 406.1250 MHz and 406.1750 MHz after the rule's effective date of February 13, 2026; existing stations on those frequencies may continue to operate indefinitely.
410–420 MHz Opened for Space Research (Non‑Federal)
The FCC allocated 410–420 MHz to the space research service (space-to-space) on a secondary basis for non-Federal use, limited to communications links with an orbiting, manned space vehicle, and added a power flux-density (PFD) limit at Earth's surface of −153 to −148 dBw/m² in a 4 kHz bandwidth depending on angle of arrival to protect existing services. These changes are effective February 13, 2026.
Earth‑Observation Bands Expanded for Satellites
The FCC allocated the 9.2–9.3 GHz and 9.9–10.4 GHz bands to the Earth exploration‑satellite service (active) on a primary basis for Federal use and on a secondary basis for non‑Federal use, subject to specific footnotes and mitigation requirements. The Commission declined to raise the non‑Federal allocations to primary status. These rules take effect February 13, 2026.
New 60‑Meter Amateur Band Adopted
The FCC allocated 5351.5–5366.5 kHz to the amateur radio service on a secondary basis and modified footnote US23 and part 97 to implement the new band. The Commission also retained the four existing discrete amateur channels at 5332, 5348, 5373, and 5405 kHz for continued amateur use and decided not to limit those four channels to disaster-response operations. These changes are effective February 13, 2026.
Broadcast Auxiliary and Fixed Station Frequency Updates
The FCC updated service rules and frequencies for aural broadcast auxiliary stations, television broadcast auxiliary stations, cable television relay service, and fixed microwave services, including replacing certain 12 frequency pairs with 5‑megahertz channels and updating which frequencies are available to applicants. These revisions are effective February 13, 2026.
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
2026-18585, Notice of Debarment; Federal E-Rate Program
The Enforcement Bureau (the "Bureau") debars Donatus Anyanwu from the schools and libraries universal service support mechanism (or E-Rate Program) and all federal universal service support mechanisms for three years.
2026-18582, Notice of Debarment; Federal E-Rate Program
The Enforcement Bureau (the "Bureau") debars Shawn Clemmons from the schools and libraries universal service support mechanism (or E-Rate Program) and all federal universal service support mechanisms for three years.
2026-18591, Notice of Debarment; Federal E-Rate Program
The Enforcement Bureau (the "Bureau") debars Donna Woods from the schools and libraries universal service support mechanism (or E-Rate Program) and all federal universal service support mechanisms for three years.
2026-18581, Notice of Debarment; Federal E-Rate Program
The Enforcement Bureau (the "Bureau") debars John Comito from the schools and libraries universal service support mechanism (or E-Rate Program) and all federal universal service support mechanisms for three years.
2026-18535, Protecting Against National Security Threats to the Communications Supply Chain Through the Equipment Authorization Program
In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission or FCC) takes further steps to strengthen its equipment authorization program against national security risks to the communications supply chain. The Commission closes a component-part loophole by prohibiting authorization of devices that incorporate logic-bearing hardware components produced by an entity identified on the Commission's Covered List, where the device would itself be prohibited from authorization had the Covered List entity produced the entire device. The Commission also requires that any modification or permissive change to equipment by an entity identified on the Covered List undergo full certification, clarifies that its marketing rules reach any entity (including online marketplaces) that markets unauthorized equipment, and requires online marketplaces, subject to limited exceptions, to display a device's FCC ID at the online point of sale. Finally, the Commission amends its definition of "critical infrastructure," as used on the Covered List, and corrects two administrative errors in its rules.
2026-18411, 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.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-00585, Extension of Import Restrictions on Archaeological Material of Costa Rica
The U.S. is extending import restrictions on certain archaeological items from Costa Rica until January 15, 2031. This means collectors, museums, and importers need to keep following the rules to protect Costa Rica’s cultural treasures. The new rule kicks in on January 15, 2026, and helps stop illegal digging and trading of ancient artifacts.
Next: 2026-00612, Delete, Delete, Delete
The FCC is cleaning house by deleting 21 outdated rules that no longer help anyone, covering old tech and expired events. This change affects FCC licensees and the public, making regulations simpler and clearer starting March 16, 2026—unless someone objects by February 3. No money changes hands, just a smoother, smarter rulebook for everyone.