Telecom & Technology

FCC Notice on Agency Information Collection Activities

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has issued a notice regarding its ongoing information collection activities. This notice serves to inform the public and regulated entities about the types of information the agency collects and the processes involved.

FCC Notice on Information Collection for OMB Review

The FCC has issued a notice and is requesting comments on an information collection related to Part 61, Tariff Review Plan (TRP). The agency is particularly seeking input on reducing burdens for small businesses with fewer than 25 employees.

FCC Notice on Telecommunications Reporting Worksheets and Related Collections

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has issued a notice and is requesting comments on the extension of an existing information collection, specifically FCC Forms 499-A and 499-Q. The comment period closes on May 11, 2026.

FCC Announces New Privacy Act Computer Matching Program

The FCC and USAC are initiating a new computer matching program with HUD to verify eligibility for the Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Programs. This program aims to confirm that applicants and subscribers receive Federal Public Housing Assistance. The matching program will commence on April 13, 2026, and run for 18 months.

NTIA Innovation Fund AI RAN Listening Session Announced

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced a listening session for the AI Responsible and Accountable Network (RAN) initiative. The session will be held on March 23, 2026, to gather input on AI innovation and accountability.

NASA Property Management System Analysis Notice

NASA has issued a notice regarding the collection of information on property in the custody of award recipients and an analysis of its property management system. The notice includes a public comment period ending on April 2, 2026.

NASA Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel Meeting Announced

NASA announced a public meeting for its Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel. The meeting is scheduled for March 16, 2026, and will cover topics related to aerospace safety. This notice serves to inform the public of the meeting details.

Yonder Media Mobile Inc. Settles with FCC for Unauthorized International Service

The FCC Enforcement Bureau resolved an investigation into Yonder Media Mobile Inc. for providing international communications services without the required Section 214 authorization. Under the consent decree, Yonder Media Mobile Inc. will pay a $60,000 voluntary contribution to the U.S. Treasury and implement a compliance plan with FCC oversight. The investigation stemmed from the company's operation of international switched voice services without proper authorization from the Commission.

FCC Enforcement Order Against Belthrough LLC for Illegal Robocalls

The FCC Enforcement Bureau issued a Final Determination Order against Belthrough LLC (Docket No. 22-174) on March 12, 2026, finding the company liable for originating and transmitting illegal robocalls in violation of federal telemarketing rules. The order represents the FCC's final enforcement determination in this proceeding, following an investigation into the company's robocall operations. Telecommunications companies and telemarketers should review their outbound calling practices to ensure compliance with FCC robocall rules, as this enforcement signals continued FCC scrutiny of illegal call origination.

AT&T Corp. v. FCC - Oral Argument Transcript

This document is a transcript of oral argument in AT&T Corp. v. FCC, No. 01-1485, held before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit in 2003. The FCC's General Counsel appeared in the litigation to defend an FCC order challenged by AT&T Corp. The transcript records the arguments presented during the appellate proceeding and does not contain a ruling or judgment. It was released by the FCC as a document repository item on March 13, 2026.

Verizon v. FirstEnergy - Order Denying Motion to Reopen Pole Attachment Complaint

The FCC Enforcement Bureau issued an order denying a motion to reopen a pole attachment complaint proceeding filed by Verizon Pennsylvania LLC and Verizon North LLC against Metropolitan Edison Company, Pennsylvania Electric Company, and Penn Power Company (now FirstEnergy Pennsylvania Electric Company). The order, identified as DA-26-232, resolves the complaint proceeding under Docket No. 26-44 as a final administrative determination. Parties engaged in pole attachment disputes should note that motions to reopen are subject to strict scrutiny by the Bureau, and this order signals the closure of this particular administrative proceeding.

FCC Items on Circulation

The FCC lists four proceedings currently in circulation for commissioner review as of the document date: two Media Bureau (MB) adjudicatory items (both dated 03/12/2026), a Request for Inspection of Records filed by James Chelmowski with an OGC Memorandum Opinion & Order (02/23/2026), and an Enforcement Bureau Order (12/01/2025). These items have been shared with commissioners for review and deliberation and may be voted on outside of a monthly Open Meeting. The document provides no additional detail on the substance of these proceedings.

FCC Daily Digest Calendar for 2026

The FCC EDOCS system publishes a Daily Digest Calendar for 2026 listing available dates across all twelve months. The calendar provides clickable links to archived Daily Digest documents for specific dates, organized by month. This is a navigation interface for accessing FCC regulatory filings and releases, with dates spanning January through December 2026.

FCC Most Active Rulemaking Proceedings

The FCC Most Active Proceedings page lists rulemaking proceedings with comments filed in the last 30 days, covering topics in telecommunications, broadcast, and satellite regulation. The top proceeding by volume is CPNI Compliance Certification Annual Filing (06-36) with 1,754 filings, followed by Sports Broadcasting Practices (26-45) at 102 filings and Next Gen Broadcasting Television Standard (16-142) at 83 filings.

FCC EDOCS Document Search and Filter Interface

The FCC's Electronic Document Management System (EDOCS) search interface provides a filtered list of Commission documents across all bureaus, offices, and document types. The page offers advanced search capabilities including filtering by bureau (e.g., Enforcement, Engineering & Technology, Wireless Telecommunications), document type (e.g., Report and Order, NAL, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking), and filing date. No documents were returned for the query parameters submitted.

FCC Announces CSRIC IX Meeting March 24, 2026

The FCC announces that the Communications Security, Reliability, and Interoperability Council IX (CSRIC IX) will hold its seventh meeting on Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. The meeting will take place at FCC headquarters and via video conference call, and is open to the public. DA/FCC #: DA-26-231.

FCC Webinar on 96 Telecom Act Anniversary

The FCC's Office of Commissioner Gomez hosted a webinar to commemorate the anniversary of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. The event focused on the Act's impact and legacy.

FCC Recognizes National Consumer Protection Week With Consumer Protection Posts

The FCC Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau released a series of consumer protection posts and new resources recognizing National Consumer Protection Week. The initiative aims to equip the public with tools to stay safe, informed, and connected. This is an informational resource release and does not create new compliance obligations for regulated entities.

FCC Cuts Off Belthrough LLC for Robocall Rule Violations

The FCC has issued a final determination and order against Belthrough LLC, cutting off the company's ability to connect with U.S. telecommunications networks for violating robocall rules. The enforcement action, released March 12, 2026, immediately prevents the provider from operating in the U.S. market. This represents one of the FCC's most significant enforcement tools against robocall violators—complete disconnection from network access.

FCC Announces Tentative Agenda for March Open Meeting

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr announced the tentative agenda items for the March Open Commission Meeting scheduled for Thursday, March 26, 2026. The meeting will address call center onshoring for consumer protection, combatting illegal robocalls through FCC numbering policies, modernizing networks and communication services, spectrum management including 'Weird Space Stuff,' suspension and debarment rules, amendments to broadcast station rules (Parts 1, 73, 74, and 76), and rescinding obsolete provisions. Full details are available in attached PDFs for each agenda item.

Lululemon Fined $702,900 for Spam Email Violations

Clothing retailer Lululemon Athletica Australia Pty Ltd has paid a $702,900 civil penalty to the ACMA after an investigation found the company sent more than 370,000 commercial emails between 1 December 2024 and 5 January 2025 that lacked a functional unsubscribe mechanism. The ACMA found that Lululemon mischaracterised service emails—including shipping updates and order confirmations—as non-commercial even though they contained promotional links and sales material. In addition to the financial penalty, Lululemon has entered into a court-enforceable undertaking requiring an independent compliance review and regular reporting to the ACMA. This is the fifth ACMA spam enforcement action in 18 months, during which businesses have paid over $6.7 million in total penalties.

BEREC Chair Reaffirms Commitment to EU Telecom Policy at Mobile World Congress

BEREC Chair Marko Mišmaš addressed the GSMA-BEREC roundtable at the Mobile World Congress 2026 in Barcelona, reaffirming BEREC's commitment to active engagement in the EU legislative process. The Chair highlighted ongoing challenges including uneven fibre take-up, standalone 5G deployment lagging behind leading economies, and varying investment incentives across Member States. The remarks emphasised 'smart simplification' as the guiding approach—reducing unnecessary regulatory complexity while preserving competition, consumer protection, regulatory predictability, and technological neutrality.

BEREC Public Debriefing on Expert Work 2026

BEREC will host its first online public debriefing of 2026 on Thursday, 19 March at 14:00 CET, livestreamed via its website. BEREC Chair Marko Mišmaš (AKOS, Slovenia) and Working Group Co-Chairs will present documents adopted at the 66th ordinary meetings, while incoming Chair Alejandra de Iturriaga (CNMC, Spain) will announce the call for early stakeholder input on the BEREC Work Programme 2027. The session will also launch public consultations on roaming, connectivity, competition, and emerging challenges related to virtual environments and next-generation internet. Stakeholders are invited to register and submit questions in advance via the registration form.

EU Commission Launches €75 Million EURO-3C Project for Telco-Edge-Cloud

The European Commission has announced EURO-3C, a €75 million project to develop Europe's first large-scale federated Telco-Edge-Cloud infrastructure, unveiled at Mobile World Congress 2026. The project brings together 87 consortium members including telecom operators, cloud service providers, software developers, equipment manufacturers, and research institutions. Aligned with the proposed Digital Networks Act, EURO-3C aims to strengthen Europe's single telecom market and increase technological sovereignty by reducing reliance on third-country providers.

Second Draft Code of Practice on AI Content Marking Published for Comment

The European Commission has published the second draft of the voluntary Code of Practice on marking and labelling AI-generated content under Article 50 of the EU AI Act. This revision streamlines and simplifies the first draft, reducing compliance burden and introducing greater flexibility for signatories through optional fingerprinting, revised watermarking protocols, and simplified labelling requirements for deployers. The code incorporates stakeholder feedback gathered through an EU survey, workshops, and input from Member States and Members of the European Parliament. Comments on the second draft will be accepted until 30 March 2026, with finalisation expected by early June 2026, ahead of the 2 August 2026 applicability date for transparency rules.

2026 Healthcare and Life Sciences Trends: AI Delivery, Medical Device Cybersecurity, and Digital Therapeutics

IEEE Standards Association published a trends analysis identifying three key healthcare technology shifts for 2026: AI-driven virtual triage expanding at first patient contact due to workforce shortages; cybersecurity risks growing as connected medical devices and hybrid care models broaden the attack surface, with older devices running outdated software being most vulnerable; and the medical-grade digital therapeutics landscape dividing into general wellness versus clinically oriented apps, with hundreds of thousands of medical apps globally creating evaluation challenges. IEEE SA highlighted its Medical Device Cybersecurity Certification Program aligned to IEEE 2621 and its Global Medical Mobile App Assessment Registry evaluating apps on 140 criteria across clinical efficacy, technical soundness, and ethical design.

AI, 5G, Cybersecurity, Data Interoperability Trends Shaping Connectivity in 2026

The IEEE Standards Association (IEEE SA) published a blog post identifying five key trends reshaping global connectivity infrastructure in 2026: AI moving inside networks, 5G convergence with satellite networks, Open RAN operational maturity, cybersecurity and digital sovereignty challenges, and data interoperability as a next frontier. The article discusses how these trends are transforming networks from traditional communications systems into intelligent, software-driven infrastructure requiring new standards frameworks for trust, interoperability, and security. IEEE SA describes its role in developing frameworks for AI-enabled network trust, hybrid terrestrial-satellite interoperability, and data governance models.

CRTC Approves Bell Canada Feature Withdrawal for Small Business Service

The CRTC approved Bell Canada's application to withdraw three features—Soft Client (marketed as "Chat"), Mobile Application (marketed as "Presence Status"), and Call Dashboard (marketed as "File Transfer")—from its Bell Total Connect for Small Business service. The withdrawal was approved because the equipment supporting these features has reached end of life and will no longer be supported by the vendor after 30 September 2025, and no customers requested continuation or extension of these features. Bell Canada notified affected customers on 18 July 2025. Commissioner Bram Abramson issued a dissenting opinion arguing the Commission should have considered forbearance from regulation given competitive market alternatives rather than approving the withdrawal.

CRTC Prohibits Activation, Modification, and Early Cancellation Fees for Cellphone and Internet Plans

The CRTC has amended the Wireless Code and Internet Code to prohibit activation fees, modification fees, and early cancellation fees (when no subsidized device is provided) that act as barriers to Canadians switching cellphone and Internet service providers. The amendments, implementing sections 27.04 and 27.05 of the Telecommunications Act, will take effect on 12 June 2026. Service providers subject to the Codes must comply by that date, with the CCTS administering complaints and the Commission empowered to issue notices of violation and impose administrative monetary penalties for non-compliance.

CRTC Extends CCTS Fee Structure Consultation Deadlines

The CRTC has granted procedural requests to extend three deadlines in the proceeding on the CCTS fee structure and fee dispute mechanism. The revised deadlines are: CCTS response to request for information by 7 April 2026; intervention submissions by 21 April 2026; and reply submissions by 26 May 2026. The extensions were requested by CCTS, supported by TELUS and PIAC, to allow sufficient time for coordination and review of stakeholder proposals.

Gatekeepers Submit Updated DMA Compliance Reports

Six designated gatekeepers—Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, ByteDance, Meta, and Microsoft—have submitted updated compliance reports under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), detailing the changes implemented and measures taken during the past year. The reports were filed by the gatekeepers originally designated on 6 September 2023. This marks the second cycle of DMA compliance reporting since the regulation came into effect.

DSA Transparency Reports Bring Harmonised Standards for Content Moderation Practices

The first round of harmonised transparency reports under the Digital Services Act was published last week by providers of intermediary services. The reports use a new machine-readable template standardised by the EU Commission's Implementing Regulation on Transparency Reporting, adopted in July 2025, which replaced the previously varying reporting formats across platforms. The harmonised template enables researchers, journalists, and citizens to compare content moderation decisions across platforms in areas including cyber violence, protection of minors, and scams and frauds, and aligns categories with the DSA Transparency Database for consistency checks at scale.

PIAC Awarded $1,885 in CRTC Outage Rule Proceeding Costs

The CRTC has awarded the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) $1,885 in costs for its participation in a proceeding reviewing whether the Commission failed to consider the scope of impact of new notification and reporting requirements for major telecommunications service outages. PIAC claimed 2.75 days of in-house counsel work at $600 per day and one day of articling student work at $235 per day. The Commission determined that Rogers Communications Canada Inc. is the sole costs respondent responsible for the full amount, based on telecommunications operating revenues.

Broadband Fund payment approved for February 2026 claims

Broadband Fund payment approved for February 2026 claims

CRTC Approves Broadband Fund Holdback Reports

The CRTC issued Telecom Order 2026-40 approving holdback reports from five broadband funding recipients, releasing withheld funds after verifying one year of compliant network operation. The recipients are ATG Arrow Technology Group Limited Partnership (two orders), Columbia Basin Broadband Corporation (two orders), and Nexicom Inc. The Commission directed the Central Fund Administrator to distribute the associated payments.

CRTC Approves Northwestel Tariff Applications for Digital Satellite Circuits and Service Withdrawal

The CRTC approved two tariff applications from Northwestel Inc.: Tariff Notice 1266 for the introduction of Digital Satellite Circuits (effective March 4, 2026) and Tariff Notice 1265 for the withdrawal of the Digital Direct-CommunityTM Satellite Service (effective March 31, 2026). No interventions were received from other parties regarding either application. Northwestel is required to issue revised tariff pages within 10 calendar days of this order without needing a separate description page or approval request.