Information Collections Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission
Published Date: 2/10/2026
Notice
Summary
The FCC is asking the public and businesses to review and comment on some paperwork they collect, especially forms about submarine cable licenses. They want to make these forms easier to understand and less of a hassle, especially for small businesses. Comments are due by April 13, 2026, so don’t miss your chance to help shape the rules and save time and money!
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 2 mixed.
Revised Submarine Cable Application Forms
The FCC will revise submarine cable application forms and add new forms including a Foreign Adversary Annual Report, One-Time Covered List Certification, and One-Time Cybersecurity and Physical Security Certification. The docket estimates 429 respondents with 472 responses, an estimated total annual burden of 14,180 hours and total annual cost of $4,354,490 for these collections.
Foreign-Adversary Ownership Restrictions
The FCC adopted definitions and presumptions that preclude applications from applicants owned by, controlled by, or subject to direction of a foreign adversary and will presume denial where an applicant seeks to land a cable in a foreign adversary country. The rules also bar certain IRU or capacity lease arrangements that would let a foreign-adversary-controlled entity install, own, or manage Submarine Line Terminal Equipment (SLTE) on a U.S. landing.
Changes to Annual Capacity Reporting
The FCC replaced the Cable Operator Report with a single Capacity Holder Report and requires Filing Entities to report domestic cable capacity, identify sales/leases/purchases of fiber pairs or spectrum (including U.S. and foreign landing points and the entity that manages them), and provide certain SLTE information. The collection estimates 133 respondents, 266 responses, total annual burden of 2,793 hours, and total annual cost of $12,000.
Opportunity to Comment by April 13, 2026
The FCC is asking the public and businesses to comment on its information collections; written comments must be submitted on or before April 13, 2026. If you are a business or other stakeholder, this is your chance to suggest ways to reduce paperwork burdens and shape the revised forms and reporting rules.
ICFS Cloud Transition and Interim Requirements
The FCC transitioned its International Communications Filing System (ICFS) to a new cloud-based platform in June 2025 and will submit revised electronic forms to OMB for approval; until those new forms are approved, submarine cable applicants must file current forms and provide additional information as an attachment in ICFS. This may impose interim extra filing steps for applicants and licensees.
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
2026-20590, Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission
The FCC is asking for your thoughts on how it collects info about radiofrequency safety rules. This affects individuals, businesses, and governments who must report or share info sometimes. They want to make the process easier and clearer, especially for small businesses, and need your comments by December 7, 2026.
2026-20681, Information Collection Being Submitted for Review and Approval to Office of Management and Budget
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is asking the public and other agencies to comment on a paperwork update aimed at making things easier, especially for small businesses with fewer than 25 employees. They want your thoughts by November 9, 2026, to help reduce the hassle and keep everything running smoothly. This is part of a government effort to cut down on unnecessary forms and save time and money.
2026-20607, Information Collections Being Submitted for Review and Approval to Office of Management and Budget
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is asking the public and other agencies to review and comment on their paperwork plans to make things easier, especially for small businesses with fewer than 25 employees. They want feedback by November 9, 2026, to help reduce the time and hassle of filling out forms. This is part of a government effort to cut down on unnecessary paperwork and save everyone time and money.
2026-20591, Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission Under Delegated Authority
The FCC is checking in on its paperwork rules for TV stations using Next Gen TV technology to make sure they're not too tricky or time-consuming. Businesses, governments, and nonprofits involved with local TV broadcasts might need to share info, but the FCC wants to keep it simple and clear. If you have thoughts, speak up by December 7, 2026, so the FCC can keep things smooth and fair without extra costs or hassle.
2026-20676, Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission Under Delegated Authority
The FCC is checking in on its paperwork rules for cable companies and local governments to make sure the info they collect is useful and not too much work. They want your thoughts on how to make the process easier, especially for small businesses with fewer than 25 employees. If you want to share your ideas, send them in by December 7, 2026—this helps keep things fair and smooth for everyone involved.
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.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-02544, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; Notice of Closed Meeting
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) is holding a private meeting from June 8-10, 2026, to review the skills and work of its researchers. This closed meeting affects NIAID staff and helps ensure top-notch science without sharing personal details publicly. No money changes are involved, but the meeting keeps research quality sharp and on track.
Next: 2026-02546, Aerial Lifts Standard; Extension of the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) Approval of Information Collection (Paperwork) Requirements
OSHA is asking for public feedback to keep the paperwork rules for aerial lifts going strong. This affects employers who use aerial lifts, making sure they keep up with safety info collection without extra hassle. Comments are open until April 13, 2026, and there’s no new cost or big changes—just a smooth extension of current rules.