FCC Asks the Public to Weigh In on Paperwork
Published Date: 11/12/2026
Notice
Summary
The FCC is asking for public feedback on its paperwork rules to make things easier, especially for small businesses with fewer than 25 employees. They want your thoughts by December 14, 2026, to help reduce the hassle and keep things running smoothly. This review could save time and money for many folks dealing with FCC forms.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.
Paperwork burden and costs for applicants
The FCC says this information collection covers 4,171 respondents and 4,223 responses, with a total annual burden of 37,129 hours and an annual cost burden of $7,159,040. Individual responses take between 0.5 and 78 hours each.
Streamlined rules for earth station licenses
A Second Report and Order (released August 8, 2025) changes Part 25 rules so earth station operators may get a baseline license without naming a specific satellite point, can more easily add or remove points of communication, have more license modifications that do not require prior authorization, do not have to retain paper copies of applications, and get a 30-day shot clock for earth station renewal applications. It also changes ex parte status to "permit-but-disclose" and expands timeframes for certain renewals and replacement applications.
New coordination/certification for NGSO applicants
A Report and Order dated May 1, 2026 replaces the Equivalent Power Flux Density framework with performance-based geostationary orbit protection criteria. As part of that change, a non-geostationary orbit fixed-satellite service (NGSO FSS) applicant must either certify it has completed coordination with any operational co-frequency geostationary satellite network or submit a compatibility showing using a degraded throughput methodology.
Removal and addition of information requirements
The FCC states this revised information collection removes some previously required items that are no longer necessary and adds new information requirements to ensure applicants meet rules when they modify systems without prior approval and to provide accurate public information about system operations.
Opportunity for very small businesses to request relief
Under the Small Business Paperwork Relief Act, the FCC specifically seeks comment on how to further reduce information collection burden for small business concerns with fewer than 25 employees; comments must be submitted by December 14, 2026.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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