FCC Seeks Comments on Telecom Paperwork Burden
Published Date: 10/1/2026
Notice
Summary
The FCC is asking the public and businesses to review and comment on some paperwork they collect to make sure it’s useful and not too much of a hassle. They want to reduce the burden, especially for small businesses, and are updating forms related to international telecom authorizations. Comments are due by November 30, 2026, so don’t miss your chance to weigh in and help shape the process!
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 1 mixed.
New Submarine Cable License Conditions and SLTE Licensing
If you apply for or hold a submarine cable landing license, the FCC adopted new routine conditions, a licensing requirement for owners/operators of submarine line terminal equipment (SLTE), and ten national-security standards that applicants may agree to follow to bypass Executive Branch review and speed up approval. The SCL collection covers 551 respondents, a total annual burden of 19,952 hours, and a total annual cost of $6,135,395; time per response is 1 to 180 hours.
New Section 310(b) Petition Forms and Standard Questions
Applicants filing Section 310(b) petitions for declaratory ruling (broadcast, common carrier, or aeronautical radio licensees) must use new ISP-PDR forms and answer the updated standard national-security questions and a Personally Identifiable Information (PII) supplement where applicable. The collection shows 6 respondents, 6 responses, a total annual burden of 254 hours, an annual cost of $84,375, and time per response from 1 to 120 hours.
Revised International 214 Forms and Questions
If your company files international Section 214 authorizations, the FCC is revising the ITC-214 family of forms and adding or updating standard national-security questions. The collection covers 186 respondents, 311 responses, an estimated total annual burden of 2,066 hours, an annual cost burden of $784,550, and time per response ranging from 1 to 120 hours.
Expanded Annual Submarine Circuit Capacity Reporting
Owners or operators of submarine line terminal equipment (SLTE) are now required to comply with annual submarine cable circuit capacity reports under 47 CFR 43.82 as a condition of the blanket submarine cable license. The annual circuit capacity collection lists 3,269 respondents, 6,538 responses, a total annual burden of 68,649 hours, and total annual cost of $281,400, with each response taking about 1 to 20 hours.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-20157, Information Collection Being Submitted for Review and Approval to Office of Management and Budget
The FCC is asking the public and small businesses to help reduce paperwork by commenting on a new information collection plan. If you have fewer than 25 employees, your input is especially welcome! Comments are due by November 2, 2026, so don’t miss your chance to shape how the FCC collects info and possibly save time and money.
Next: 2026-20159, Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Order, Finding, or Suspended Investigation; Advance Notification of Sunset Review
Every five years, the U.S. checks if certain import taxes (called antidumping or countervailing duties) should continue or end. In November 2026, reviews will start for products like mobile access equipment from China and polyester yarn from several countries. These reviews affect importers and manufacturers, and decisions could change costs or trade rules soon.