FCC Reviews Routine Info Collection Paperwork Burdens
Published Date: 7/31/2026
Notice
Summary
As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, and as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following information collections. Comments are requested concerning: whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Commission, including whether the information shall have practical utility; the accuracy of the Commission's burden estimate; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology; and ways to further reduce the information collection burden on small business concerns with fewer than 25 employees. The FCC may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. No person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information subject to the PRA that does not display a valid OMB control number.
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
PRA Information-Collection Burden
The FCC is reviewing the information collection under OMB Control No. 3060-1053. The collection covers 187,170 respondents and 664,775 responses, with an estimated total annual burden of 341,067 hours and total annual cost of $54,000.
IP CTS User Registration Required
The FCC requires Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service (IP CTS) users to submit registration information to the TRS User Registration Database as a condition to obtain or retain service. This registration requirement was reaffirmed in the February 15, 2019 Report and Order and is used to verify users to reduce waste, fraud, and abuse.
Limits on Providing IP CTS Improperly
The FCC generally prohibits providing IP CTS to consumers who do not genuinely need the service, per the June 8, 2018 IP CTS Modernization Order. The rule aims to prevent improper provision and reduce waste, fraud, and abuse of the TRS Fund.
Two-Week Registration Grace Period
Per the June 30, 2022 Registration Grace Period Order, IP CTS and VRS providers may provide compensable service to a new user for up to two weeks after submitting the user's information to the TRS Database if the user's identity is verified within that period. This allows immediate service while verification is completed.
Relay Access for Incarcerated Users
The Accessible Carceral Communications Order (Sept. 30, 2022) requires inmate calling service providers to allow incarcerated TRS-eligible users to access any relay service eligible for TRS Fund support, and the FCC amended registration and verification rules to facilitate IP CTS registration in carceral facilities.
IP CTS Allowed in Emergency Shelters
The FCC permits the provision of compensable IP CTS in emergency shelters, as stated in the June 8, 2018 Order. This allows eligible users in shelters to receive IP CTS service.
Automatic Speech Recognition Approved
The FCC approved use of automatic speech recognition (ASR) to generate IP CTS captions without a communications assistant in the June 8, 2018 IP CTS Modernization Order. Providers may use ASR as an approved method to create captions.
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
2026-15601, Modernization of the Nation's Alerting Systems; Protecting the Nation's Communications Systems From Cybersecurity Threats
In the Report and Order, the Federal Communications Commission (the FCC or the Commission) seeks to preserve the public's trust in the Emergency Alert System (EAS) by requiring targeted cybersecurity improvements that will help protect against hijacking by cybercriminals and our nation's adversaries.
2026-15479, Information Collection Being Submitted for Review and Approval to Office of Management and Budget
As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or the Commission) invites the general public and other Federal Agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following information collection. Pursuant to the Small Business Paperwork Relief Act of 2002, the FCC seeks specific comment on how it can further reduce the information collection burden for small business concerns with fewer than 25 employees.
2026-15600, Wireless Emergency Alerts; The Emergency Alert System; Modernization of the Nation's Alerting Systems
In this document, the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC" or "Commission") adopted a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that seeks comment on proposed rules intended to make the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) more resilient, flexible, and useful.
2026-15598, Upper C-Band (3.98-4.2 GHz); Expanding Flexible Use of the 3.7 to 4.2 GHz Band
In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) adopted a Report and Order, Order of Proposed Modification, and Order on Reconsideration (Order), that expands the ecosystem for next-generation wireless services in the 3.7-4.2 GHz band (C-band) by making 160 megahertz of the 3.98-4.2 GHz band (Upper C- band) available for terrestrial wireless flexible use. This action is pursuant to Congress' direction in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act to complete a system of competitive bidding by July 4, 2027, for at least 100 megahertz of spectrum in the 3.98-4.2 GHz band. The Order creates a single 3.7 GHz Service that spans 3.7-4.14 GHz and adopts competitive bidding procedures for an auction. The Order largely applies the current Lower C-band licensing and operating rules to the Upper C-band, but it imposes more forward-leaning performance requirements. The Commission also generally adopts the Lower C-band technical rules for the Upper C-band, with certain modifications designed to reinforce a successful coexistence environment with adjacent band radio altimeters. The Order requires new licensees in the Upper C-band, as a condition of their licenses, to reimburse defined incumbent Fixed Satellite Service (FSS) licensees for reasonable and necessary costs associated with migrating FSS operations out of the reconfigured portion of the Upper C-band, consistent with the Commission's Emerging Technologies precedent. The Order also provides incentives to eligible space station operators that meet their clearing obligations by specified transition deadlines. Finally, new Upper C-band licensees must provide rebates for defined classes of eligible aircraft owners and operators to facilitate compliance with the FAA's radio altimeter retrofit requirements, which are designed to promote successful coexistence between Upper C-band licensees and radio altimeters in the 4.2-4.4 GHz band.
2026-15478, Information Collection Being Submitted for Review and Approval to Office of Management and Budget
As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or the Commission) invites the general public and other Federal Agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following information collection. Pursuant to the Small Business Paperwork Relief Act of 2002, the FCC seeks specific comment on how it can further reduce the information collection burden for small business concerns with fewer than 25 employees.
2026-15418, Seeking Comment on Prohibiting the Importation and Marketing of Certain Covered UAS and UAS Critical Components and Equipment Listed in Section 1709 of FY2025 NDAA.
In this document, the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau (PSHSB) and the Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) seek comment on proposing to prohibit the continued importation and marketing of certain previously authorized equipment that has been determined to pose an unacceptable risk to the national security of the United States or to the and security of United States persons. Through Public Notice, acting pursuant to section 2.939 of the Federal Communications Commission's rules, PSHSB and OET propose to apply such prohibitions to certain previously-authorized foreign-produced uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) and UAS critical components, and certain communications and video surveillance equipment listed in section 1709 of the Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY2025 NDAA), added to the Covered List in December 2025.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-15479, Information Collection Being Submitted for Review and Approval to Office of Management and Budget
As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or the Commission) invites the general public and other Federal Agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following information collection. Pursuant to the Small Business Paperwork Relief Act of 2002, the FCC seeks specific comment on how it can further reduce the information collection burden for small business concerns with fewer than 25 employees.
Next: 2026-15481, Notice of Receipt of Complaint; Solicitation of Comments Relating to the Public Interest
Notice is hereby given that the U.S. International Trade Commission has received a complaint entitled Certain Mobile Devices with Hardware and Software for Exchanging Electronic Content and Components Thereof, DN 3927; the Commission is soliciting comments on any public interest issues raised by the complaint or complainant's filing pursuant to the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure.