FCC Checks Business Forms: Ease Burden on Small Firms
Published Date: 1/27/2026
Notice
Summary
The FCC is checking in on some paperwork rules that affect about 200 businesses, mostly to make sure the info they collect is useful and not too much work. They want your thoughts by March 30, 2026, especially on how to make things easier for small businesses. This review won’t cost extra money but aims to keep things clear and fair for everyone involved.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Paperwork burden on 200 businesses
About 200 for-profit businesses must respond to this FCC information collection. Each response is estimated at 15 hours, for a total annual burden of 3,000 hours and total annual cost of $180,000; responding is required to obtain or retain benefits (licenses).
700 MHz construction coverage rules
700 MHz licensees must file construction notifications within 15 days after benchmark expirations and certify coverage levels. For some Blocks (A, B, E) licensees must show at least 35% geographic coverage by June 12, 2013 (or the 4th anniversary of grant) and 70% by the end of the license term; for Blocks C and C2 they must show 40% of the population by June 12, 2013 and 75% by the end of the term; other blocks where auctions did not meet reserve require 40% population and 75% at term end; relicensed unserved areas must show 100% geographic coverage within one year.
Interim reporting deadlines for licensees
Certain 700 MHz licensees must file interim reports on their efforts to meet construction benchmarks. Deadlines cited include: first interim report no later than June 12, 2011 (no sooner than 30 days prior); second interim report by June 12, 2016 if benchmarks met, or by June 12, 2015 if not met, with some deadlines extended by the 700 MHz Interoperability Order to December 13, 2016, March 7, 2017, and March 7, 2019 for specified blocks.
Request for comments to help small businesses
The FCC requests public comments by March 30, 2026 on this information collection and specifically asks for suggestions to minimize burden on small businesses with fewer than 25 employees. The notice invites ideas to reduce paperwork and improve clarity and utility of the collected information.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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