Welcome to our monthly update on significant FCC actions and filing deadlines. The FCC’s recent proposals seek to encourage onshoring of call centers and to address illegal robocalling by changing its policies regarding access to and resale of numbers. The FCC adopted rules to strengthen its suspension and debarment rules covering USF and other programs that provide funding and to facilitate the transition of telecommunications carriers to IP networks. New and proposed rules may significantly affect your business.  Please let us know if you want additional details about compliance requirements or would like to file comments on proposed rules to protect and promote your company’s interests.

Latest Signals from the FCC

FCC March 26, 2026 Open Meeting

The following items were approved at the March Open Commission Meeting:

Improving Customer Service and Consumer Protection through Onshoring – The Commission adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that proposes a range of actions to address problems with offshore call centers, including actions to encourage and facilitate onshoring of call centers, improve customer service and security of communications, and steps to address illegal robocall scams that originate inside foreign call centers. Comments are due May 26, 2026; reply comments are due June 22, 2026. 

Combatting Illegal Robocalls Through FCC Numbering Policies – The Commission issued a NPRM that seeks comment on and evaluates whether to adopt changes to its numbering policies with respect to how assigned numbering resources are utilized, reported, and resold by service providers as part of its continuing effort to combat illegal robocalls. Comments are due 30 days after publication in the Federal Register; reply comments are due 30 days later.

Reducing Barriers to Network Improvements and Service Changes – The Commission issued a Report and Order that adopts measures to reduce regulatory barriers and costs that hinder the transition from outdated legacy networks and services to next-generation, IP-based infrastructure. Amended rules that do not require carriers to submit information are effective May 20, 2026. The Wireline Competition Bureau will announce the effective date of rules that require submission of information.

Spectrum Abundance for Weird Space Stuff – The Commission released a NPRM that seeks comment on ways to make additional spectrum available for the command and control of spacecraft supporting emergent space operations, but which do not use spectrum as part of any radiocommunications services provided to the public. Comments are due on or before May 11, 2026; reply comments are due on or before June 8, 2026.

Modernizing Suspension and Debarment Rules – The Commission adopted a Report and Order, Direct Final Rule, and FNPRM that revises the FCC’s current nonprocurement suspension and debarment rules by adopting the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) Guidance for Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension and supplemental FCC-specific rules to expand the Commission’s tools for combatting fraud, waste, and abuse, and removing bad actors from Commission programs. The new rules require FCC program participants to disclose certain types of civil judgments, criminal convictions, and indictments to the FCC and create a new enforcement remedy (Limited Denal of Participation) which would only preclude participation in FCC programs, rather than preclude participation in all government programs. The Office of General Counsel will announce the effective date of the amended rules that require submission of information. 

The Direct Rule potion includes minor revisions to the OMB’s Guidance. The FNPRM portion seeks comment on whether Commission program participants should be required to certify that they have read and complied with the amended rules and to disclose when they have credible evidence of a violation of federal law related to the award of federal funds. Comments on the Direct Rule and the FNPRM are due on or before May 11, 2026; reply comments on the FNPRM are due on or before June 8, 2026.

Rescinding Obsolete Provisions – The Commission determined as part of the Delete, Delete, Delete proceeding a Direct Final Rule that, absent adverse comments, will remove 18 rules, including 17 rule provisions impacting the Office of Economics and Analytics’ (OEA) Auction Division that are no longer in use by the Commission or govern expired events and one rule relating to the Office of International Affairs (OIA) that imposed carrier burdens under a deleted requirement. Comments are due 20 days after publication in the Federal Register. A full notice and comment process will be initiated if significant adverse comments are filed. If further comment is deemed unnecessary, the rules will be repealed 60 days after publication in the Federal Register.    

Upcoming Filing Requirements & Other Announcements

Office of Engineering and Technology Announces Waiver of Prohibitions on Certain Class I Permissive Changes to Covered Routes

• On March 23, 2026, the Office of Engineering and Technology issued a limited waiver allowing continued software and firmware updates (Class I permissive changes) for foreign produced routers newly placed on the Covered list.

• The waiver allows updates necessary to patch security vulnerabilities, maintain device functionality, and ensure compatibility with operating systems.

FCC Form 499-Q – Telecommunications Reporting Worksheet (May 1, 2026)

• Who: Telecommunications carriers and interconnected VoIP providers

• What: Reports 1Q and projected 3Q revenues from offering telecommunications and interconnected VoIP services

• How: USAC’s e-filing system

• Please note: there is a 45 day deadline from the original due date for any revisions.

FCC and Telecom: Next Transmission

On April 30, the Commission will tentatively consider the following items at its Open Meeting:

Modernizing Spectrum Sharing for Satellite Broadband – The Commission will consider a Report and Order that would promote efficient spectrum sharing between geostationary and non-geostationary satellite systems. To take account of today’s satellite technology and operations and to promote expanded services to American consumers, the item would update the decades-old framework for how non-geostationary and geostationary satellite systems share spectrum. 

Combatting Robocalls Through Enhanced Know-Your-Customer Requirements – The Commission will consider a FNPRM to enhance existing “Know-Your-Customer” (KYC) requirements by seeking comment on the information that originating providers must obtain from customers before they make calls, how providers should verify that information, and proposing to better set penalties for violations of these requirements proportionate to harm. This would fill gaps between general KYC requirements and the types of rigorous steps necessary to protect consumers from illegal calls. 

Ensuring Integrity and Security in Electronic Device Testing – The Commission will consider a Report and Order, Order on Reconsideration, and FNPRM aimed at strengthening national security and reciprocity through the equipment authorization program. The item would incentivize U.S. and allied testing and certification by creating a fast‑track review process for applications tested in Trusted Test Labs, direct updates to post‑market surveillance procedures, bolster enforcement tools, and establish confidential channels for industry to report potential violations or national security concerns. 

Protecting Against National Security Threats in Domestic Telecommunications Service – The Commission will consider a NPRM that would continue its efforts to protect the nation’s telecommunications networks by proposing to exclude entities identified on the “Covered List” from providing domestic interstate telecommunications services pursuant to blanket authority under section 214 of the Communications Act, and seek comment on other potential exclusions from blanket authority under section 214 and other related measures. 

Establishing a New E-Rate Competitive Bidding Portal – The Commission will consider a Report and Order and Order on Reconsideration that would strengthen the integrity of the E-Rate program by establishing a competitive bidding portal and adopt several proposals aimed at streamlining and simplifying E-Rate program procedures.  The portal would be used by applicants and service providers during the procurement process beginning in funding year 2028. 

Amending the Audible Crawl Rule – The Commission will consider a FNPRM to amend the Audible Crawl Rule and eliminate a technically unworkable provision while ensuring that people who are visually impaired continue receiving the critical emergency information they need. 

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