FCC Double-Checks Paperwork Pain for Businesses Again
Published Date: 9/22/2026
Notice
Summary
The FCC is checking in on its paperwork rules to make sure they’re not too tricky or time-consuming for businesses, governments, and nonprofits. They want your thoughts on how to keep things clear, useful, and easy, especially for small businesses. If you want to share your ideas, you’ve got until November 23, 2026, so don’t miss out!
Analyzed Economic Effects
8 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 7 costs, 1 mixed.
Detailed Renewal Showing Requirement
600 MHz licensees must include a detailed renewal showing as a condition of each license renewal (per 47 CFR 27.14(t)(6)). The showing must describe level and quality of service, date service commenced, outages, service to rural areas, coverage of qualifying tribal land, and other service factors.
TV STL/Relay Must Vacate 600 MHz Band
All TV STL, TV relay station, and TV translator relay station licensees must modify or cancel their authorizations and vacate the 600 MHz band no later than the end of the post‑auction transition period defined in 47 CFR 27.4 (per 47 CFR 74.602(h)(5)(iii)).
Paperwork Burden Extension & Metrics
The FCC seeks to extend OMB Control No. 3060-1180 for three years and invites comments by November 23, 2026. The collection covers 407 respondents and 2,599 responses, with an estimated 0.5 to 2 hours per response and a total annual burden of 5,198 hours; the FCC asks for ways to reduce burden on small businesses with fewer than 25 employees.
15‑Day Construction Notice Rule
If you hold a 600 MHz license, you must file a construction notification with the FCC within 15 days of the applicable performance benchmark (per 47 CFR 27.14(k)). This is a paperwork step that takes from 0.5 to 2 hours per response under the FCC's burden estimate.
10‑Day Discontinuance Notice
If a 600 MHz licensee permanently discontinues service, the licensee must notify the FCC within 10 days by filing FCC Form 601 or 605 and requesting license cancellation (per 47 CFR 27.17(c)).
VLBA Coordination Within 25 km
600 MHz licensees with base or fixed stations within 25 kilometers of Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) observatories must coordinate with the National Science Foundation before starting operations (per 47 CFR 27.1321(b)).
Green Bank and Arecibo Compliance
600 MHz licensees planning to operate near the Green Bank, WV or Arecibo, PR radio astronomy sites must comply with the provisions of 47 CFR 1.924 (per 47 CFR 27.1321(c)).
30‑Day Certified Mail Interference Notice
A 600 MHz wireless licensee must notify the licensee of a studio‑transmitter link (TV STL), TV relay station, or TV translator relay station by certified mail at least 30 days before beginning operations, warning of likely harmful interference (per 47 CFR 74.602(h)(5)(ii)).
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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