In this edition of the ICORE Blog we discuss recent actions taken by the FCC including several items adopted at the Commission’s April 30, 2026 Open Meeting. Please note the following:
- At the April Open Meeting, the Commission adopted a FNPRM addressing unlawful Robocalls. The FNPRM states that combatting illegal calls is the Commission’s top consumer protection priority and posits that the most effective way to prevent illegal calls is by ensuring they never enter the network. This proceeding seeks comment on proposed enhancements to the existing Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements regarding information originating providers must obtain from customers and how providers should verify that information before they make calls. Specifically, the FNPRM seeks comment on (1) customer identification requirements for new and renewing customers; (2) requirements for originating providers to verify, retain, and re-verify customer information; (3) requiring more information from certain customers including high-volume customers; (4) how any new KYC requirements can complement call branding and caller name requirements the Commission may adopt; and the FNPRM proposes that originating voice service providers including traditional voice service, CMRS, and interconnected VoIP service providers be assessed penalties on a per call basis for violations of the KYC rules. Comments and Reply Comments in this proceeding are due 30 and 60 days respectively after publication in the Federal Register.
- Also, at the April Open Meeting the Commission adopted a Report and Order (Order) and Order on Reconsideration related to the E-Rate Program. These actions amend the E-Rate Program rules to strengthen program integrity, assist E-Rate applicants with program compliance, prevent improper payments, simplify program rules, and decrease the risk of fraud in the E-Rate Program. Specifically, the Order creates and implements a competitive bidding portal and repository for the funding year 2028 competitive bidding cycle, beginning July 1, 2027. Prospective service providers will be required to submit bids responding to applicants’ requests for services (FCC Form 470) to the portal and require applicants to upload all competitive bidding documentation, including bid evaluation and vendor selection documentation and contracts, to the portal. The proposed E-Rate Program changes would reduce the need for applicants to respond to documentation requests from the Commission and USAC and further simplifies E-Rate procedures for applicants and service providers related to applicants transitioning service providers, by providing guidance on cost allocation rules, and clarifying competitive bidding rules. Finally, the Order eliminates the service confirmation form (Form 486) and gives applicants and service providers greater flexibility in requesting additional time to refile rejected requests for reimbursement.
- The Commission adopted a NPRM intended to protect the nation’s telecommunications networks by proposing to exclude certain entities from providing domestic interstate telecommunications services pursuant to blanket authority under Section 214 of the Communications Act. The entities to be excluded would be those identified on the Covered List established pursuant to the Secure Networks Act, which have been determined to pose an unacceptable risk to national security. In addition, the NPRM seeks comments on other potential exclusions from blanket authority and related measures under Section 214. Comments and Reply Comments in this proceeding are due 30 and 60 days respectively after publication in the federal Register.
- In addition to the items discussed above, the Commission also addressed items related to the Equipment Authorization Program and Trusted Test Labs, a FNPRM addressing the provision of critical emergency information for the visually impaired, and a Report and Order on Modernizing Spectrum Sharing for Satellite Broadband.
In addition to the actions discussed above from the April 30, 2026 Open Meeting, the FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau issued a Public Notice on April 30, 2026 announcing that the FCC will host an industry workshop on July 15 and July 16, 2026 to discuss the proposed reforms to IP interconnection, intercarrier compensation, and related legacy USF issues. In regard to IP interconnection, the FCC issued an NPRM in October, 2025 to address the interconnection requirements imposed on ILECs under Section 251 of the Communications Act. Comments and Reply comments have now been filed in this proceeding (see ICORE Blogs dated 2/6/26 and 3/19/26). Regarding intercarrier compensation, at its February, 2026 Open Meeting the FCC adopted a NPRM proposing significant changes to the existing intercarrier compensation processes (see ICORE Blog dated 2/20/26). Comments in this proceeding are due 5/26/26. The Public Notice invites industry experts and stakeholders to participate in the workshop to examine the most significant issues the industry may face during the IP transition, identify potential obstacles, and develop potential solutions to support the Commission’s goal of a smooth IP transition. We anticipate that there will be significant industry participation in the workshop to address these critical issues.
We will continue to monitor the important issues discussed above and will provide timely updates as more information becomes available.
