Search Results for keywords:"Federal Communications Commission"

Found 207 results
Skip to main content

Search Results: keywords:"Federal Communications Commission"

  • Type:Rule
    Citation:90 FR 11804
    Reading Time:about 56 minutes

    The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has issued new instructions and forms for annual reports from companies providing communication services to incarcerated individuals. These revisions stem from the Martha Wright-Reed Act, aiming to ensure fair pricing and better communication access. The changes reduce some reporting burdens for companies while maintaining the FCC's ability to monitor pricing and trends. Additionally, the 2025 report deadline has been extended to June 2, 2025, to give service providers additional time to adjust to the new requirements.

    Simple Explanation

    The FCC wants to help keep phone calls for people in jail fair and affordable, and they're giving companies extra time to learn new rules by 2025, but they have to make sure everything is reported correctly.

  • Type:Notice
    Citation:89 FR 99869
    Reading Time:about 3 minutes

    The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is asking for public comments on an information collection effort as part of their work to ease paperwork burdens, required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This collection concerns rules around how entities can get reimbursed for costs relating to the relocation of TV broadcasters due to the repacking process and reverse auction, as outlined by laws like the Spectrum Act and RAY BAUM'S Act. Interested parties should submit their comments by February 10, 2025. This process is intended to prevent financial strain on entities by allowing them to draw funds as they incur expenses, ensuring accountability and minimizing fraud.

    Simple Explanation

    The FCC is asking people to share their thoughts about how they collect information to help TV stations get money back when they need to move places. This is to make sure it's fair and doesn't cost too much for everyone.

  • Type:Rule
    Citation:90 FR 12462
    Reading Time:about 35 minutes

    The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has revised its rules for Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA). The new rules allow alert originators, like state emergency services, to send "silent alerts" that don't make noise or vibrate devices. This change is meant to help make alerts less intrusive and more effective in certain situations, such as during active shooter incidents or when quiet alerts are more appropriate. Additionally, devices sold as "WEA-capable" must meet specific technical requirements, ensuring they can manage all types of emergency alerts, including silent ones. These changes will gradually take effect, with full compliance required by March 2028.

    Simple Explanation

    The FCC has made a new rule that lets emergency alerts be sent as "silent messages" so your phone won't make noise or buzz. They want to make sure phones that can do this are easy for everyone to use and make the changes happen smoothly by 2028.

  • Type:Rule
    Citation:86 FR 9299
    Reading Time:about 8 minutes

    The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has decided that state and local government contractors, along with local governments, are considered "persons" under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and must follow its rules. This means they must obtain consent before making certain automated or prerecorded calls. However, state governments themselves, when conducting official business, are not considered "persons" and are therefore exempt. The FCC's ruling aims to clarify who must comply with TCPA restrictions and protect consumer privacy while allowing necessary exceptions, such as emergency calls during situations like the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Simple Explanation

    The government decided that when a local town or city, or someone working for them, wants to call people with a machine or recorded message, they have to ask for permission first. But if a state government is calling, they don't need to ask because they're special.

  • Type:Notice
    Citation:86 FR 11768
    Reading Time:about 5 minutes

    The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is seeking public and agency comments on its proposed information collections under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The FCC aims to alleviate paperwork burdens and improve the collection of information, particularly for small businesses. The comments will assess the necessity, utility, and accuracy of the information collected, and suggest ways to optimize this process. The submission deadline for written comments is April 27, 2021, and comments can be emailed to Cathy Williams at the FCC.

    Simple Explanation

    The FCC wants people's thoughts on how they gather information and fill out forms so it's easier, especially for small businesses. They want to make sure the forms are useful and not too tricky.

  • Type:Proposed Rule
    Citation:90 FR 12243
    Reading Time:about 117 minutes

    The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has proposed changes to rules for managing spectrum bands with the aim of promoting Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS). This proposed rule covers three main areas: opening the 450 MHz band for broader aeronautical operations and spectrum flexibility, allowing enhanced UAS detection in the 24.45-24.65 GHz band, and updating power rules for Commercial Aviation Air-Ground Systems in the 849-851 MHz and 894-896 MHz bands. The FCC seeks public comments by April 16, 2025, to further refine these proposals aimed at improving wireless communications and supporting emerging aviation technologies.

    Simple Explanation

    The FCC wants to change some rules about how we use airwaves so new flying machines, like drones, can work better. This includes letting them use new parts of the airwaves and updating old rules, but some people are worried it might not be fair or could make things more expensive for others.

  • Type:Notice
    Citation:89 FR 95211
    Reading Time:about 3 minutes

    The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is seeking public and federal agency comments on their information collection efforts as part of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The FCC aims to determine if collecting this information is necessary, accurate, and clear, and to find ways to reduce the burden of information collection, especially for small businesses. Written comments are due by January 31, 2025. A recent update to the FCC's rules involves the Allocation and Service Rules for certain frequency bands, aiming to improve access and minimize interference.

    Simple Explanation

    The FCC wants to collect information and wants people's ideas on if it's necessary and easy to do. They're trying to lessen the hassle, especially for small companies, and are looking for feedback by the end of January next year.

  • Type:Rule
    Citation:89 FR 96124
    Reading Time:about 5 minutes

    The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approved a new information collection for rules that allow space station and earth station applicants to provide supplemental coverage from space. This approval, part of the SCS Report and Order, is effective from December 5, 2024, and focuses on enabling satellite and terrestrial services to work together for better connectivity. With an OMB Control Number of 3060-0678, the collection is intended to support policy changes made earlier in 2024 and requires detailed applications and certifications from operators wanting to offer new satellite communication services. These standards aim to ensure that operators provide services effectively while minimizing interference.

    Simple Explanation

    The FCC made new rules so that companies can work together to make our phones and devices talk to each other better using satellites and ground towers. This means better connections, and the rules will start working on December 5, 2024.

  • Type:Notice
    Citation:90 FR 3210
    Reading Time:about 5 minutes

    The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is seeking public comments to help reduce the paperwork burden associated with its information collection processes, as part of efforts required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This request is particularly focused on lessening the burden on small businesses with fewer than 25 employees. The FCC has outlined new requirements related to Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), including a voluntary system for reporting false alerts to keep track of these incidents. Comments are due by February 13, 2025, and can be submitted through the specified online portal.

    Simple Explanation

    The FCC is asking people to help them find ways to use less paper and make things easier for small businesses, especially those with less than 25 workers. They also want to know if there's a better way to report mistakes in emergency alerts.

  • Type:Proposed Rule
    Citation:86 FR 1909
    Reading Time:about 33 minutes

    The Federal Communications Commission has proposed a rule change to allow FM broadcasters to use booster stations for geo-targeted content like local news and ads. This change would let these stations broadcast different content to specific parts of their normal service area without interference. The proposal, backed by GeoBroadcast, aims to benefit small and minority-owned stations and boost local advertisements, while also addressing potential technical and regulatory challenges. Public comments on this proposal are encouraged before the final decision is made.

    Simple Explanation

    The Federal Communications Commission wants to let radio stations use extra tools to send special messages, like local news or ads, to different areas. This could help smaller stations, but some people are worried it might be hard or costly to do.