FCC's Hilarious Rule Purge: Delete, Delete, Delete!
Published Date: 1/14/2026
Rule
Summary
The FCC is cleaning house by deleting 21 outdated rules that no longer help anyone, covering old tech and expired events.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.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
FCC Deletes 21 Outdated Rules
The FCC will repeal approximately 21 rule provisions totaling 2,927 words (about 7 CFR pages) that the agency says are sun‑set, govern expired events, or regulate obsolete technology. The deletions take effect March 16, 2026 unless significant adverse comments are filed by February 3, 2026. The Commission says there is no change to fees or payments — this is a cleanup to simplify the rulebook.
Expired Compliance Deadlines Removed
The rule repeals specific provisions that set compliance deadlines which have passed, including 47 CFR 9.20 (sunset September 1, 2025), 4.17(e) (compliance deadline May 1, 2024), and 9.19(d)(1) (initial 911 reliability certifications deadline October 15, 2014), among others in parts 10 and 11. These repeals become effective March 16, 2026 unless significant adverse comment is received by February 3, 2026.
Obsolete-Technology Rules Deleted
The FCC removes provisions that regulate obsolete technologies, for example section 9.10(n) (dispatch service routing option for CMRS providers the Commission believes no longer exists), section 11.16 (priority-based processing procedures tied to an alert code deleted in 2012), and section 90.20(d)(28) (frequencies reserved for an air-to-ground radio service in Puerto Rico/Virgin Islands that no longer exists). These deletions take effect March 16, 2026 unless significant adverse comment is received by February 3, 2026.
Unused EAS Procedures and Reports Removed
The Commission deletes codified but unused Emergency Alert System (EAS) procedures and one‑time reporting requirements—examples include removing 11.11(e), 11.43, 11.47, and parts of 11.21 that describe an FCC "Mapbook" never developed and reporting deadlines that have passed or were never triggered. These changes are effective March 16, 2026 unless significant adverse comment is received by February 3, 2026.
Annual 911 Provider Certification Date
The revised rule text requires that on October 15 of each year, a certifying official of every covered 911 service provider must submit a certification to the Commission (see revised 47 CFR 9.19(c)). This requirement is part of the rule package that becomes effective March 16, 2026 unless significant adverse comment is received by February 3, 2026.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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