Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission
Published Date: 2/3/2026
Notice
Summary
The FCC is checking in on a paperwork process that helps protect national security and wants your thoughts on making it easier and clearer. This affects about 3,500 businesses who fill out forms once or twice a year, with some taking up to 12 hours. You’ve got until April 6, 2026, to share your ideas, so the FCC can keep things smooth without wasting anyone’s time or money.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 1 mixed.
Paperwork burden on ~3,500 businesses
About 3,500 businesses must fill out FCC Form 5640, producing 6,584 responses per year. Each response takes between 0.5 and 12 hours; the collection totals 20,236 hours and about $472,500 in annual costs across respondents.
Reimbursement Program: compliance to get funds
The Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program gives funding to advanced communications providers to remove and replace covered equipment, but compliance with the FCC's information collection is required to obtain or retain that funding. Participation in the Program is voluntary, but applicants must submit applications and reporting for eligibility and disbursement decisions.
Detailed spending reports now required
As of a 2023 update, FCC Form 5640 now requires program participants to describe in detail how Reimbursement Program funds were spent, including accounting for covered equipment removed and disposed of and the replacement equipment or services obtained.
Ownership-change notification requirement
A Wireline Competition Bureau procedure adopted on August 3, 2021 requires Reimbursement Program participants to notify the FCC of changes in ownership so the Commission has accurate participant information.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-11653 — Information Collection Being Submitted for Review and Approval to Office of Management and Budget
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