April 2026

FCC Adopts Rules to Enhance the Integrity of the E-Rate Program

The Federal Communications Commission adopted rules to enhance the integrity of the E-Rate program by amending its rules and establishing a new competitive bidding portal and document repository. This action will assist E-Rate applicants with program compliance and decrease the risk of waste, fraud, and abuse in the E-Rate program. The FCC is also taking actions to simplify and streamline the E-Rate processes and procedures, while giving greater flexibility for both applicants and service providers.

FCC Modernizes Satellite Spectrum Sharing Rules to Boost Broadband

The Federal Communications Commission voted to modernize its satellite spectrum-sharing rules. This is a major step toward enhancing the satellite broadband experience for millions of Americans by enabling faster speeds, lower costs, and greater reliability. This change could also unlock more than $2 billion in economic benefits for the American people and up to seven-fold more capacity for space-based broadband services.

FCC Targets 'Covered List' Entities' Blanket Sec. 214 Authorizations

The Federal Communications Commission voted to launch a proceeding to block entities on the agency’s Covered List from receiving automatic authorization to provide domestic interstate telecommunications services in America and ask more broadly what other regulatory actions should be considered to further protect our nation’s telecommunications networks from entities that pose an unacceptable national security risk.

FCC Targets Device Test Labs in Nations Without Reciprocal Agreements

The Federal Communications Commission voted to launch a rulemaking which proposes prohibiting the recognition of electronic device test labs and certification bodies in foreign countries that have not signed reciprocity agreements to recognize American test labs and certification bodies. The FCC also adopted new rules streamlining the approval process for devices that are tested in U.S. labs or labs in reciprocal countries.

FCC Proposes Strengthening 'Know-Your-Customer' Rules

The Federal Communications Commission adopted an item seeking to strengthen its “Know-Your-Customer” rules for voice service providers. By screening new and renewing customers, originating voice service providers are in the best position to prevent scammers and other bad actors from flooding telecommunications networks with illegal calls. Stopping illegal calls is the FCC’s top consumer protection priority, and the agency is taking a holistic approach by attacking them at every point in their lifecycle.