Reducing Barriers to Network Improvements and Service Changes, Accelerating Network Modernization, WC Docket Nos. 25-209, 25-208
Revision of a currently approved collection
No
Regular
07/17/2026
table that charts list comparision
Requested
Previously Approved
36 Months From Approved
10/31/2027
450,838
471,548
452,623
473,068
0
0
In April 1996, the Commission issued a notice of proposed rulemaking concerning certain provisions of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (â1996 Actâ), including section 251, which is designed to accelerate private sector development and deployment of telecommunications technologies and services by spurring competition. The Commission adopted rules and regulations designed to implement certain provisions of section 251, and to eliminate operational barriers to competition in the telecommunications services market. In November 2017, the Commission adopted new rules concerning certain information collection requirements implemented under section 251(c)(5) of the Act, pertaining to network change disclosures. Most of the changes to those rules applied specifically to a certain subset of network change disclosures, namely notices of planned copper retirements. In addition, the changes removed a rule that prohibits incumbent LECs from engaging in useful advanced coordination with entities affected by network changes. one of rules pertaining to network change disclosures to include appropriate titles for public notices of copper retirement. In June 2018, the Commission revised its network change disclosure rules to (1) revise the types of network changes that trigger an incumbent LECâs public notice obligation, and (2) extend the force majeure provisions applicable to copper retirements to all types of network changes. On March 26, 2026, the Commission adopted a Report and Order that modified certain recordkeeping or recording requirements that relate to the obligations of ILECs planning to retire copper communications facilities or make other changes to their networks that might impact interoperability. Specifically, the Commission: 1) eliminated all filing requirements in the Commissionâs network change disclosure rules and the Commissionâs process of issuing public notices for short-term network changes and copper retirements and the associated objection process for interconnected service providers, (2) required that the method of notice the incumbent LEC uses be publicly accessible, and (3) expanded the direct notice requirement for copper retirements and short-term network changes to include 911 service providers and directly interconnecting LECs that support essential functions within 911 networks, including providers delivering 911 traffic to selective routers for transmission to public safety answering points.
The Commission notes the following program changes:
There is a decrease in the total number of respondents from 4,688 to 4,452, (-236), a decrease in the total annual responses from 471,548 to 450,838, (-20,710), and a decrease in the total annual burden hours from 473,068 to 452,623, (-20,445). The reductions in the total annual burden hours are due to (1) the decrease in the pool of respondents (ILECs and CLECs), as reflected in the Commissionâs Form 499 database, and (2) the elimination of the network change disclosure filing requirements and objection procedures. The annual burdens thus are decreased despite the assumption that the number of network change notices will increase as a result of the program changes, and a change in the number of hours ILECs will need to comply with the new information collection requirements regarding short-term network change and copper retirement notices adopted pursuant to the Network and Services Modernization Order will also increase.
There are no adjustments.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.