Reducing Barriers to Network Improvements and Service Changes, Accelerating Network Modernization, WC Docket Nos. 25-209, 25-208

In April 1996, the Commission issued a notice of proposed rulemaking concerning certain provisions of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (“1996 Act”), 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 LEC’s 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 Commission’s network change disclosure rules and the Commission’s 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 latest form for Reducing Barriers to Network Improvements and Service Changes, Accelerating Network Modernization, WC Docket Nos. 25-209, 25-208 expires 2029-09-30 and is listed under ICR 202607-3060-005.

View the official OMB control history on Reginfo.gov.