FCC Corrects the Calendar for Its Network Modernization Rules
Published Date: 11/2/2026
Rule
Summary
The FCC fixed a mix-up about when new rules for updating phone and internet networks take effect. These rules help companies switch from old systems to faster, modern ones more easily, starting October 15, 2026. This update mainly affects phone and internet providers and aims to speed up network improvements without extra costs or delays.
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Faster approvals for discontinuances (31 days)
The Commission applies a 31-day automatic grant period to all discontinuance applications and adopts a consolidated rule making technology-transition discontinuance applications eligible for streamlined processing if the applicant certifies that one or more specified replacement services is available throughout the affected area.
Network-change rule effective dates set
The FCC announced that amendatory instruction 7 (47 CFR 63.62) is effective on November 2, 2026 and is applicable as of October 15, 2026. The Bureau also withdrew amendatory instructions that were inadvertently included in the October 1, 2026 Federal Register notice.
Approved one-time reporting burden
OMB approved the information collection for Part 63 (OMB Control Number 3060-0149) on September 21, 2026 (expiration September 30, 2029). The collection covers 78 respondents and 90 responses as a one-time reporting and third-party disclosure requirement, with an estimated 6–10 hours per response and a total annual burden of 648 hours; the Commission lists Total Annual Cost: No Cost.
Blanket grandfathering authority for carriers
The Report and Order grants blanket section 214(a) authority allowing carriers to grandfather legacy voice services, lower-speed data services (below 25/3 Mbps), and interconnected VoIP provisioned over copper, eliminating the need for carriers to file a section 214(a) application when grandfathering those services.
Conditional forbearance for resellers
The Commission grants conditional forbearance from section 214(a) discontinuance requirements for resellers that discontinue resold services when their wholesale provider is engaging in a technology transitions discontinuance, provided the discontinuing resellers give reasonable notice to their customers.
90-day 911 coordination and notice requirement
Carriers seeking authority to discontinue a service that supports interconnection trunks or exchange of traffic must include a statement that at least 90 days prior to the planned discontinuance filing they provided a designated point of contact to 911 Authorities, 911 service providers, and directly interconnecting local exchange providers, and must list the providers that received notice and the date(s) of coordination.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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