FCC Reviews Info Collections: Comments Welcome from Businesses
Published Date: 10/6/2026
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. This review affects companies, nonprofits, and government groups, especially small businesses with fewer than 25 employees. Comments are due by December 7, 2026, and the FCC aims to keep things clear, quick, and fair without costing too much time or money.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 1 mixed.
Large paperwork burden and compliance costs estimated
The FCC estimates this revised information collection for the Upper C‑band Clearinghouse will involve 16,512 respondents and 34,871 responses, with per‑response time between 0.5 and 64 hours, an estimated total annual burden of 123,465 hours, and total annual costs of $10,705,353. The collection covers business, nonprofit, and state/local/tribal government respondents and the FCC specifically seeks ways to reduce burden on small businesses with fewer than 25 employees.
Upper C‑band licensees must pay relocation and rebate costs
If you are a new Upper C‑band licensee (3.98–4.14 GHz), you will be required to reimburse eligible space station operators and incumbent earth station operators for their reasonable and necessary relocation costs and to provide rebates to defined classes of eligible aircraft owners and operators to help pay for FAA radio altimeter retrofits. Incumbent earth station operators may elect a lump‑sum reimbursement option in lieu of actual cost reimbursement. The auction of Upper C‑band licenses must be completed by July 4, 2027, and incumbent FSS operations must clear 4.0–4.16 GHz by December 30, 2030 or June 30, 2031.
Eligible space station operators must report, certify, notify
Eligible space station operators must file quarterly status reports (beginning March 31, 2027), submit a Certification of Completion once they finish required clearing actions (no later than the relevant Transition Deadline), and notify the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau within seven days of discovering any incumbent earth station transition delays with supporting documentation. Operators that meet Transition Deadlines become eligible for incentive payments.
3.7 GHz licensees must keep agreements and deliver engineering analyses
3.7 GHz Service licensees that enter agreements with FSS C‑band earth station operators must keep a copy of the agreement in their station files and disclose it on request to prospective assignees, transferees, spectrum lessees, or the Commission. In addition, any 3.7 GHz Service licensee with base stations within the coordination distance must provide an engineering analysis upon request to the TT&C operator demonstrating compliance with the -6 dB I/N criteria.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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Previous: 2026-20485, Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission Under Delegated Authority
The FCC is checking in on its paperwork rules to make sure they’re easy and useful for businesses and nonprofits. They want your thoughts on how to keep things clear, cut down on hassle, and help small businesses with fewer than 25 employees. If you want to share your ideas, send them in by December 7, 2026—this helps the FCC keep things running smoothly without wasting time or money.
Next: 2026-20487, Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission
The FCC is checking in on its paperwork rules to make sure they're helpful and not too much work, especially for small businesses. They want your thoughts on how to keep stopping illegal text messages while making the process easier and clearer. If you have ideas or concerns, send them in by December 7, 2026—this affects businesses and local governments who report on unwanted texts.