Part 63, Reducing Barriers to Network Improvements and Service Changes, Accelerating Network Modernization, WC Docket Nos. 25-208, 25-209, FCC 26-19

Section 214 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, requires that the FCC review the establishment, acquisition, operation, and extension of lines, and the discontinuance of service by interstate common carriers. This OMB collection pertains primarily to section 63.71 and other related sections of the Commission's rules, which govern the application process for receiving authority for discontinuance, impairment or reduction in service. The discontinuance obligations that apply to domestic non-dominant telecommunications carriers have been extended to providers of interconnected VoIP service. In July, 2016, the Commission revised its discontinuance procedures to require that technology transition discontinuance applicants seeking streamlined treatment meet the "adequate replacement test." In June 2018, the Commission further modified the rules applicable to section 214(a) discontinuance applications. First, all carriers, whether dominant or non-dominant, that seek approval to grandfather data services below speeds of 25 Mbps download speed and 3 Mbps upload speed are now subject to a uniform reduced public comment period of 10 days and an automatic grant period of 25 days. Second, all carriers, whether dominant or non-dominant, seeking authorization to discontinue data services below speeds of 25 Mbps download speed and 3 Mbps upload speed that have previously been grandfathered for a period of at least 180 days are subject to a uniform reduced public comment period of 10 days and an automatic grant period of 31 days, provided they submit a statement as part of their discontinuance application that they have received Commission authority to grandfather the services at issue at least 180 days prior to the filing of the discontinuance application. This statement must reference the file number of the prior Commission authorization to grandfather the services the carrier now seeks to permanently discontinue. Third, carriers are no longer required to file an application to discontinue, reduce, or impair any service for which it has had no customers and no request for service for at least a 30-day period immediately preceding the discontinuance. Fourth, all carriers, whether dominant or non-dominant, that seek approval to discontinue legacy voice service can obtain further streamlined processing with a public comment period of 15 days and an automatic grant period of 31 days, provided (1) they offer a stand-alone interconnected VoIP service throughout the service area, and (2) at least one alternative stand-alone, facilities-based voice service is available from an unaffiliated provider throughout the affected service area (the “alternative options test”). Finally, all carriers, whether dominant or non-dominant, that seek approval to grandfather legacy voice service are now subject to a uniform reduced public comment period of 10 days and an automatic grant period of 25 days.

The latest form for Part 63, Reducing Barriers to Network Improvements and Service Changes, Accelerating Network Modernization, WC Docket Nos. 25-208, 25-209, FCC 26-19 expires 2027-09-30 and is listed under ICR 202408-3060-015.