FCC Seeks Data on Jail Phone Call Pricing Again
Published Date: 6/17/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The FCC wants to collect new info in 2026 about phone and video calls for people in jail to help set fair prices. This affects companies that provide these services and aims to make reporting easier for them. Comments on the plan are open until mid-July, so everyone can share their thoughts before any changes happen.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.
Mandatory 2026 IPCS Data Collection
The FCC proposes a mandatory 2026 data collection that would require incarcerated people's communications services (IPCS) providers to submit company-level and facility-level data so the Commission can set permanent audio and video IPCS rate caps. Providers would have to file their responses within 90 days of an order approving the collection.
Measure-Based Safety and Security Reporting
The FCC proposes a measure-based approach for safety and security reporting that would require providers to identify each discrete safety/security measure they offer, attribute it to one or more of seven Commission categories, and allocate investments and expenses for each measure among audio IPCS, video IPCS, and other services. The goal is more granular data while reducing some categorical allocation burdens.
Streamlined Reporting to Reduce Burden
The FCC proposes to streamline the 2026 collection by cutting or simplifying items such as separate ancillary service cost reporting, most site-commission reporting, facility cost reporting, and some operational breakdowns, and by limiting the reporting period to calendar year 2025. The stated goal is to reduce reporting burdens, including for small providers with fewer than 25 employees.
Payment-Processing Cost Reporting Required
The FCC proposes that IPCS providers report company-wide data on IPCS-related payment processing services, defined to include third-party processing fees (but excluding chargeback amounts). Providers would be required to identify the third-party processors used and the total amount paid to each.
Report Provider Payments to Facilities
The FCC seeks comment on requiring IPCS providers to report total monetary and in-kind payments they made to correctional facilities for 'used and useful' IPCS costs during the reporting period, to help consider structuring permanent rate additives. The FCC notes an interim facility cost rate additive of up to $0.02 per minute that currently applies industry-wide.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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