At its 5/20/26 Open Meeting, the FCC addressed four issues of importance to the ILEC industry. The following provides a summary of these actions taken by the Commission:
The Commission adopted a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM) aimed at enhancing the STIR/SHAKEN process to combat Illegal Robocalls. The FNPRM proposes steps to ensure that all voice providers, at all points in the call path, are accountable and actively working to protect consumers from illegal calls. The Ruling proposes to: (1) improve know-your-upstream-provider (KYUP) requirements and STIR/SHAKEN oversight by requiring all voice service providers to comply with enhanced information collection and due diligence efforts to verify authenticity and includes improved Governance Authority regarding the issuance of Service Provider Code (SPC) tokens; (2) raise the standards to make attestations more trustworthy by codifying the attestation levels established in the ATIS standards; and (3) close certain STIR/SHAKEN loopholes. The FNPRM also seeks comment on how the proposals would serve to deter illegal calls that enter the U.S. from abroad and whether the Commission should take further actions related to KYUP to combat problematic foreign-originated calls.
The FCC took steps to streamline the Broadband Data Collection (BDC) process. The Commission adopted a Report and Order (Order) and FNPRM addressing several steps to streamline audits and verifications, improve the challenge processes, and reduce regulatory burdens that add costs without a corresponding benefit, while ensuring the accuracy of the National Broadband Map. The Order: (1) aligns reporting requirements for broadband availability and subscription data; (2) streamlines the Fabric challenge process by eliminating the requirement that providers be notified of and allowed to respond to Fabric challenges during the Fabric development cycle; (3) streamlines verification and audit processes by having the BDC system automatically remove areas or locations that fail a verification or audit without requiring a provider to update its data; and (4) makes certain ministerial changes to the BDC rules to increase clarity. The FNPRM seeks comment on a number of enhancements including enhancements to simplify the coverage restoration process, voluntary best practices for BDC data retention, challenge process improvements, and provisions related to data confidentiality.
The Commission adopted a Third Report and Order (Order) addressing the Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS). The Order adopts changes to DIRS to ensure the system is collecting necessary and useful information for disaster response without imposing unreasonable burdens on providers and other stakeholders. The Order enhances DIRS’ capabilities while eliminating unnecessary burdens on service providers allowing them to focus on service restoration instead of redundant paperwork. Specifically, the Order reduces reporting burdens, establishes a “one-click” option for manual filers to indicate there is no change from the previous day’s report, simplifies reporting by eliminating data fields that offer no value to safety stakeholders, eliminates the requirement for DIRS filers to submit a final report, and limits DIRS reporting obligations to facilities based providers. The Order also establishes mandatory DIRS reporting for public safety voice and broadband network operators on the status of public safety network infrastructure and customer impact.
The final issue addressed by the Commission at its 5/20/26 Open Meeting is one of critical importance to the ILEC industry. The Commission adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) seeking comment on updating the FCC’s High Cost Program to ensure that USF resources are spent efficiently to deliver high-speed broadband service in the areas where it is most needed. The NPRM seeks comment on updating the FCC’s legacy high-cost mechanisms, namely, Connect America Broadband Loop Support (CAF BLS) and High Cost Loop Support (HCLS), and also seeks comment on what steps, if any, should be taken with respect to the areas served by the sunsetting Alternative Connect America Cost Model (A-CAM) I, Revised A-CAM I, and A-CAM II mechanisms. Regarding legacy support and the sunsetting A-CAM support mechanisms the NPRM seeks comment on the following:
* Three potential paths forward for legacy and the sunsetting A-CAM mechanisms: (1) updating these mechanisms to align with the current landscape; (2) establishing a new fixed-support mechanism; or (3) maintaining the status quo for legacy support and allowing the A-CAM support mechanisms to sunset.
* The types of support that are necessary in areas where the carrier already provides service or where a competitor provides or will provide service pursuant to an enforceable commitment.
* On how the emergence of low-Earth satellite service will affect the establishment of a new high-cost mechanism.
* On deployment obligations for USF support and on what level of support would be appropriate for carriers currently receiving legacy and sunsetting A-CAM support.
* On adopting a short-term A-CAM I extension from the end of 2026 through the end of 2028, thereby aligning the terms of the three sunsetting A-CAM programs to all conclude at the end of 2028.
* On what role the USF can play in encouraging the transition to IP networks.
As mentioned above, all of the FCC actions discussed above are important to the ILEC industry but none more so than the NPRM on the High Cost Program. It should be noted that the NPRM is not seeking comment on the Enhanced A-CAM (EA-CAM) program. Carriers that elected to participate in EA-CAM are subject to defined support amounts (thru December 2038) and deployment obligations that must be met by December, 2028.
As of this writing, the comment/reply comment dates have not yet been published. We will continue to follow the issues discussed above and will provide updates as more information becomes available.
