FCC Deletes 386 Obsolete Wireline Rules, Effective June 2026

Content

ACTION:

Direct final rule.

SUMMARY:

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (the Commission) continues its efforts to modernize its regulatory
framework by rescinding facially obsolete provisions of its rules.

DATES:

These rules are effective June 15, 2026, without further action, unless adverse comment is received by May 6, 2026. If adverse
comment is received, the Commission will publish a timely withdrawal of the rule in the
Federal Register
.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For further information, please contact, Edward Krachmer, Competition Policy Division, Wireline Competition Bureau, at Edward.Krachmer@fcc.gov or 202-418-1525.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

This is a summary of the Commission's Direct Final Rule in GN Docket No. 25-133; FCC 25-68, adopted on September 30, 2025,
and released on September 30, 2025. The full text of this document is available at the following internet address: https://www.fcc.gov/document/deleting-obsolete-and-duplicative-wireline-rules-0.

I. Introduction

1. The Direct Final Rule continues the Commission's efforts to modernize its regulatory framework by rescinding facially obsolete provisions of its
   rules. In the proceeding, the Commission has undertaken a sweeping review aimed at eliminating outdated rules, reducing unnecessary
   regulatory burdens, accelerating infrastructure deployment, promoting network modernization, and spurring innovation. The
   Commission's objective is to streamline, simplify, and smartly deregulate across multiple fronts simultaneously to better
   serve the public and support technological progress.

2. In initiating this proceeding, the Commission generally sought to identify rules that are obsolete, outdated, unlawful,
   anticompetitive, or otherwise no longer in the public interest. In the item, the Commission specifically focuses on the repeal
   of certain rules managed by the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau (CGB) and the Wireline Competition Bureau (WCB) in
   Parts 1, 6, 7, 14, 43, 51, 53, 54, 61, 64, 65, 68, and 69 for which prior notice and comment are unnecessary, but for which
   the Commission elects to provide an opportunity for input on that assessment. Absent any significant adverse comments in response
   to the Direct Final Rule, these rules will be repealed.

II. Discussion

1. Good Cause to Forgo Notice and Comment. Under the Administrative Procedure Act, when an agency for good cause finds that notice and public comment “are impracticable,
   unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest,” it need not follow notice and comment procedures before modifying or repealing
   rules. Prior notice and comment are “unnecessary” when “ `the administrative rule is a routine determination, insignificant
   in nature and impact, and inconsequential to the industry and to the public.' ”

2. The Commission has identified 89 rule provisions, including 386 rules and requirements, that plainly no longer serve the
   public interest because they regulate obsolete technology, are no longer used in practice by the Commission or carriers, or
   are otherwise outdated or unnecessary. Applying the “good cause” standard discussed in this document, the Commission concludes
   that prior notice and comment are unnecessary before repealing the rules identified in the following.

3. Direct Final Rule Process. In the Direct Final Rule, the Commission follows the processes previously outlined regarding direct final rules, which it briefly summarizes here. At
   times when the Commission has found prior notice and comment unnecessary before modifying or repealing rules, it simply adopted
   the relevant rule change without any additional process. Although the Commission reserves the right to proceed in that manner,
   it elects in this decision to proceed using what is known as a “direct final rule” process. By proceeding through a direct
   final rule, the Commission chooses to provide expanded opportunities for public comment when it is not legally required to do so under the “good cause” standard. Under a direct
   final rule process, rule changes are adopted without prior notice and comment, but are accompanied by an opportunity for the
   public to file comments—and if the Commission concludes that significant adverse comments have been filed, the relevant rule
   changes would not take effect until after a full notice and comment process.

4. In particular, the Commission will publish the item adopting direct final rules in the
   Federal Register
   , and allow for comment from interested parties within 20 days of
   Federal Register
   publication. Until 20 days after
   Federal Register
   publication, this shall be a “permit-but-disclose” proceeding for purposes of the Commission's ex parte rules. Because the comment process is directed toward the discrete objective of the direct final rule process, and to avoid
   unwarranted delay in that process, the Commission prohibits filings addressing the rule changes contemplated in the Direct Final Rule more than 20 days after
   Federal Register
   publication, absent further direction from the Commission published in the
   Federal Register
   . This both accords with the purpose of the comment process for direct final rules, and is similar (though not identical)
   to actions the Commission has taken in other contexts to provide a defined end-point for public filings to enable the Commission
   to focus its attention on the submissions already before it.

5. The direct final rules will be effective 60 days after
   Federal Register
   publication. To the extent that the Commission receives comments on these direct final rules, it will evaluate whether they
   are significant adverse comments that warrant further procedures before changing the rules. In the Commission's assessment,
   it plans to be guided by the Administrative Conference of the United States's recommendation that “[a]n agency should consider
   any comment received during direct final rulemaking to be a significant adverse comment if the comment explains why: a. The
   [direct final] rule would be inappropriate, including challenges to the rule's underlying premise or approach; or b. The [direct
   final] rule would be ineffective or unacceptable without a change.”

6. In the event that the Commission concludes that significant adverse comments have been filed, WCB and/or CGB will publish
   a timely withdrawal in the
   Federal Register
   so that this Direct Final Rule does not become effective until any appropriate additional procedures have been followed. If significant adverse comments
   are filed only with respect to particular amendments within this Direct Final Rule, WCB and/or the CGB, as appropriate, will withdraw the amendatory instructions that were subject to significant adverse comments.
   For example, if a significant adverse comment is filed regarding a single amendatory instruction within a direct final rule
   that contains multiple amendatory instructions, the Commission will publish a withdrawal addressing only that instruction.

7. In the event that no comments are filed in response to this Direct Final Rule, the Commission does not anticipate publishing a confirmation of the effective date in the
   Federal Register
   , but simply will allow the rule changes to take effect as originally specified. Where comments are filed but none of the
   comments are significant adverse comments, where warranted by the record WCB and/or the CGB will issue a Public Notice that
   will briefly explain why any comments filed were not determined to be significant adverse comments.

III. Procedural Matters

A. Paperwork Reduction Act

1. This document does not contain new or modified information collections subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), 44 U.S.C. 3501-3521. In addition, therefore, it does not contain any new or modified information collection burden for small business concerns with fewer than 25 employees, pursuant to the Small Business Paperwork Relief Act of 2002, 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(4).

B. Congressional Review Act

1. The Commission has determined, and the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget concurs, that this rule is “non-major” under the Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 804(2). The Commission will send a copy of this Direct Final Rule to Congress and the Government Accountability Office pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A).

C. Filing Requirements

1. Interested parties may file comments on or before the date indicated on the first page of this document. Comments may be filed using the Commission's Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS).

• Electronic Filers: Comments may be filed electronically using the internet by accessing the ECFS: https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/.

• Paper Filers: Parties who choose to file by paper must file an original and one copy of each filing.

○ Filings can be sent by hand or messenger delivery, by commercial courier, or by the U.S. Postal Service. All filings must
be addressed to the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission.

○ Hand-delivered or messenger-delivered paper filings for the Commission's Secretary are accepted between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00
p.m. by the FCC's mailing contractor at 9050 Junction Drive, Annapolis Junction, MD 20701. All hand deliveries must be held
together with rubber bands or fasteners. Any envelopes and boxes must be disposed of before entering the building.

○ Commercial overnight mail (other than U.S. Postal Service Express Mail and Priority Mail) must be sent to 9050 Junction
Drive, Annapolis Junction, MD 20701.

○ Filings sent by U.S. Postal Service First-Class Mail, Priority Mail, and Priority Mail Express must be sent to 45 L Street
NE, Washington, DC 20554.

• People with Disabilities. To request materials in accessible formats for people with disabilities (braille, large print, electronic files, audio format),
send an email to fcc504@fcc.gov or call CGB at (202) 418-0530 or TTY: 202-418-0432.

IV. Ordering Clauses

1. Accordingly, it is ordered that, pursuant to sections 4(i), 4(j), and 303(r) of the Communications Act, 47 U.S.C. 154(i), 154(j), and 303(r), the Direct Final Rule is adopted. Except as specified in paragraph 8, the Direct Final Rule shall be effective upon
   Federal Register
   publication of the rule changes set forth in the following, which shall also serve as the date of public notice of that action.

2. It is further ordered that the amendments of the Commission's rules as set forth in the following shall be effective 60 days after
   Federal Register
   publication. In the event that significant adverse comments are filed, WCB and/or the CGB shall publish a timely document
   in the
   Federal Register
   withdrawing the rule so that the rule change does not become effective until any additional procedures have been followed.
   In the event that significant adverse comments are filed with respect to only particular amendments, the Commission directs
   WCB and/or CGB, as appropriate, to publish a timely document in the
   Federal Register
   withdrawing only such amendatory instructions, so that those amendments do not become effective until any additional procedures
   have been followed.

List of Subjects

Administrative practice and procedure, Civil rights, Claims, Communications, Communications common carrier, Communications
equipment, Cuba, Drug abuse, Environmental impact statements, Equal access to justice, Equal employment opportunity, Federal
buildings and facilities, Government employees, Historic preservation, Income taxes, Indemnity payments, Individuals with
disabilities, internet, Investigations, Lawyers, Metric system, Organization and function (Government agencies), Penalties,
Radio, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Satellites, Security measures, Telecommunications, Telephone, Television,
Wages.

Communications equipment, Individuals with disabilities, Telecommunications.

Communications, Individuals with disabilities, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

Communications common carriers, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

Communications, Communications common carrier, Telecommunications, Telephone.

Accounting, Communications common carriers, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Telephone.

Communications common carriers, Health facilities, Infants and children, Internet, Libraries, Puerto Rico, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Schools, Telecommunications, Telephone, Virgin Islands.

Communications common carriers, Radio, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Telegraph, Telephone.

Communications, Communications common carriers, Communications equipment, Computer technology, Individuals with disabilities,
Prisoners, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Security measures,

Telecommunications, Telephone, Waivers.

Administrative practice and procedure, Communications common carriers, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Telephone.

Administrative practice and procedure, Communications common carriers, Communications equipment, Labeling, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Telecommunications, Telephone.

Communications common carriers, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Telephone.

Federal Communications Commission.

Marlene Dortch, Secretary.

Final Rules

For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Federal Communications Commission amends 47 CFR parts 1, 6, 7, 14, 43, 51,
53, 54, 61, 64, 65, 68, and 69 as follows:

PART 1—PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE

Regulatory Text 1. The authority citation for part 1 continues to read as follows:

Authority:

47 U.S.C. chs. 2, 5, 9, 13; 28 U.S.C. 2461 note; 47 U.S.C. 1754, unless otherwise noted.

Subpart E—Complaints, Applications, Tariffs, and Reports Involving Common Carriers

§ 1.785 [Amended] Regulatory Text 2. Section 1.785 is amended by removing and reserving paragraphs (a) and (b).

PART 6—ACCESS TO TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICE, TELECOMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT AND CUSTOMER PREMISES EQUIPMENT BY PERSONS WITH

DISABILITIES

Regulatory Text 3. The authority citation for part 6 continues to read as follows:

Authority:

47 U.S.C. 151-154, 208, 255, and 303(r).

Subpart D—[Removed and Reserved]

Regulatory Text 4. Remove and reserve subpart D, consisting of §§ 6.15 and 6.16.

PART 7—ACCESS TO VOICEMAIL AND INTERACTIVE MENU SERVICES AND EQUIPMENT BY PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

Regulatory Text 5. The authority citation for part 7 continues to read as follows:

Authority:

47 U.S.C. 151-154, 208, 255, and 303(r).

Subpart D—[Removed and Reserved]

Regulatory Text 6. Remove and reserve subpart D, consisting of §§ 7.15 and 7.16.

PART 14—ACCESS TO ADVANCED COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES AND EQUIPMENT BY PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

Regulatory Text 7. The authority citation for part 14 continues to read as follows:

Authority:

47 U.S.C. 151-154, 255, 303, 403, 503, 617, 618, 619 unless otherwise noted.

Subpart A—Scope

Regulatory Text 8. Revise § 14.1 to read as follows:

§ 14.1 Applicability.

Except as provided in §§ 14.2, 14.3, and 14.5 of this chapter, the rules in this part apply to:

(a) Any manufacturer of equipment used for advanced communications services, including end user equipment, network equipment,
and software, that such manufacturer offers for sale or otherwise distributes in interstate commerce; and

(b) Any provider of advanced communications services that such provider offers in or affecting interstate commerce.

§ 14.4 [Removed and Reserved] Regulatory Text 9. Remove and reserve § 14.4.

PART 43—REPORTS OF COMMUNICATION COMMON CARRIERS, PROVIDERS OF INTERNATIONAL SERVICES AND CERTAIN AFFILIATES

Regulatory Text 10. The authority citation for part 43 continues to read as follows:

Authority:

47 U.S.C. 35-39, 154, 211, 219, 220; sec. 402(b)(2)(B), (c), Pub. L. 104-104, 110 Stat. 129.

1. Amend § 43.01 by revising paragraph (c) to read as follows:

§ 43.01 Applicability

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(c) Carriers becoming subject to the provisions of §§ 43.21 and 43.43 for the first time, because their annual operating revenues
equal or exceed the indexed revenue threshold for a given year, shall begin collecting data pursuant to such provisions in
the calendar year following the publication of that indexed revenue threshold in the
Federal Register
. With respect to such initial filing of reports by any carrier, pursuant to the provisions of § 43.21(e) the carrier is to
begin filing data for the calendar year following the publication of that indexed revenue threshold in the
Federal Register
by April 1 of the second calendar year following publication of that indexed revenue threshold in the
Federal Register
.

§ 43.21 [Amended] Regulatory Text 12. Section 43.21 is amended by removing and reserving paragraphs (a) through (d), (e)(2) and (3), and (f) through (k).

PART 51—INTERCONNECTION

Regulatory Text 13. The authority citation for part 51 continues to read as follows:

Authority:

47 U.S.C. 151-55, 201-05, 207-09, 218, 225-27, 251-52, 271, 332 unless otherwise noted.

Subpart F—Pricing of Elements

Regulatory Text 14. Amend § 51.505 by revising paragraph (d)(2) to read as follows:

§ 51.505 Forward-looking economic cost.

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(d) * * *

(2) Retail costs. Retail costs include the costs of marketing, billing, collection, and other costs associated with offering retail telecommunications
services to subscribers who are not telecommunications carriers;

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Subpart G—Resale

§§ 51.605 through 51.609 [Removed and Reserved] Regulatory Text 15. Remove and reserve §§ 51.605 through 51.609.

§§ 51.613 and 51.615 [Removed and Reserved] Regulatory Text 16. Remove and reserve §§ 51.613 and 51.615.

Subpart H—Reciprocal Compensation for Transport and Termination of Telecommunications Traffic

§ 51.705 [Amended] Regulatory Text 17. Section 51.705 is amended by removing and reserving paragraphs (c)(1) through (3).

Subpart J—Transitional Access Service Pricing

§ 51.911 [Amended] Regulatory Text 18. Section 51.911 is amended by removing and reserving paragraph (b).

PART 53—[REMOVED AND RESERVED]

Regulatory Text 19. Under the authority of Sections 4(i), 4(j), and 303(r) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. 154(i),
154(j), 303(r), remove and reserve part 53, consisting of §§ 53.1 through 53.501.

PART 54—UNIVERSAL SERVICE

Regulatory Text 20. The authority citation for part 54 continues to read as follows:

Authority:

47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 155, 201, 205, 214, 219, 220, 229, 254, 303(r), 403, 1004, 1302, 1601-1609, and 1752, unless otherwise
noted.

Subpart D—Universal Service Support for High Cost Areas

§ 54.303 [Amended] Regulatory Text 21. Section 54.303 is amended by removing and reserving paragraph (a)(6):

§ 54.304 [Amended] Regulatory Text 22. Section 54.304 is amended by removing and reserving paragraph (c).

§ 54.307 [Amended] Regulatory Text 23. Amend § 54.307 by:

a. Removing and reserving paragraph (a); and

b. Revising paragraphs (e) introductory text and (e)(5).

The revisions read as follows:

§ 54.307 Support to a competitive eligible telecommunications carrier.

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(e) Support beginning January 1, 2012. Competitive eligible telecommunications carriers will, beginning January 1, 2012, receive support based on the methodology
described in this paragraph (e).

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(5) Eligibility for interim support before 5G Fund Phase I auction. Beginning the first day of the month following December 28, 2020, a competitive eligible telecommunications carrier that receives
support pursuant to paragraph (e)(2) of this section shall no longer receive such support and shall instead receive support
as described in this paragraph (e)(5).

(i) A competitive eligible telecommunications carrier that is not a mobile competitive eligible telecommunications carrier,
as that term is defined in § 54.5, shall no longer receive monthly baseline support.

(ii) Until the first day of the month following the release of the first public notice by the Office of Economics and Analytics
and Wireline Competition Bureau announcing the authorization of support for any area eligible for support in the 5G Fund Phase
I auction as described in paragraph (e)(6) of this section, a mobile competitive eligible telecommunications carrier that
receives support pursuant to paragraph (e)(2) of this section shall receive support at the same level described in paragraph
(e)(2)(iii) of this section.

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§ 54.309 [Amended] Regulatory Text 24. Section 54.309 is amended by removing and reserving paragraph (a)(1).

§ 54.312 [Removed and Reserved] Regulatory Text 25. Remove and reserve § 54.312.

1. Amend § 54.313 by:

a. Removing and reserving paragraph (b); and

b. Revising paragraphs (c) and (m).

The revisions read as follows:

§ 54.313 Annual reporting requirements and quarterly performance reporting for high-cost recipients.

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(c) In addition to the information and certifications in paragraph (a) of this section, price cap carriers that receive frozen
high-cost support shall provide a certification that all frozen-high cost support the company received in the previous year
was used to build and operate broadband-capable networks used to offer the provider's own retail broadband service in areas
substantially unserved by an unsubsidized competitor. Recipients of frozen high-cost support under § 54.1504(b), for annual
reports due July 1, 2024, 2025, and 2026, shall certify that such support received after June 1, 2023, was used for resiliency
and redundancy measures and to maintain their network footprint for voice and broadband services as of June 1, 2023.

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(m) Any price cap carrier or fixed competitive eligible telecommunications carrier that elects to continue receiving support
pursuant to § 54.307(e)(2)(iii), shall provide certifications, starting July 1, 2020, and for each subsequent year they receive
such support, that all such support the company received in the previous year was used to provide voice service throughout
the high-cost and extremely high-cost census blocks where they continue to have the federal high-cost eligible telecommunications
carrier obligation to provide voice service pursuant to § 54.201(d) at rates that are reasonably comparable to comparable
offerings in urban areas. Any price cap carrier or fixed competitive eligible telecommunications carrier that solely receives
support pursuant to § 54.307(e)(2)(iii) in its designated service area shall not be subject to reporting requirements in any
other paragraphs in this section for such support.

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§ 54.315 [Amended] Regulatory Text 27. Section 54.315 is amended by removing and reserving paragraphs (a) and (b).

§ 54.316 [Amended] Regulatory Text 28. Section 54.316 is amended by removing and reserving paragraph (b)(1).

§ 54.317 [Amended] Regulatory Text 29. Section 54.317 is amended by removing and reserving paragraph (h).

§ 54.322 [Amended] Regulatory Text 30. Section 54.322 is amended by removing and reserving paragraphs (c)(1), (2), and (4).

Subpart F—Universal Service Support for Schools and Libraries

§ 54.502 [Amended] Regulatory Text 31. Section 54.502 is amended by removing and reserving paragraphs (b) and (c).

1. Amend § 54.505 by:

a. Revising paragraph (c); and

b. Removing and reserving paragraph (d).

The revision reads as follows:

§ 54.505 Discounts.

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(c) Matrices. Except as provided in paragraphs (f) and (g) of this section, the Administrator shall use the following matrices to set discount
rates to be applied to eligible category one and category two services purchased by eligible schools, school districts, libraries,
or consortia based on the institution's level of poverty and location in an “urban” or “rural” area.

| % of students eligible for national school lunch program | Category one
schools and libraries discount matrix | Discount level | Urban discount | Rural discount | Category two
schools and libraries discount matrix | Discount level | Urban discount | Rural discount |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Discount level | Discount level |
| <1 | 20 | 25 | 20 | 25 |
| 1-19 | 40 | 50 | 40 | 50 |
| 20-34 | 50 | 60 | 50 | 60 |
| 35-49 | 60 | 70 | 60 | 70 |
| 50-74 | 80 | 80 | 80 | 80 |
| 75-100 | 90 | 90 | 85 | 85 |

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Subpart J—Rural Digital Opportunity Fund

§ 54.801 [Removed and Reserved] Regulatory Text 33. Remove and reserve § 54.801.

§ 54.804 [Amended] Regulatory Text 34. Section 54.804 is amended by removing and reserving paragraphs (a) and (b).

Subpart O—Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and Connect USVI Fund

§ 54.1502 [Removed and Reserved] Regulatory Text 35. Remove and reserve § 54.1502.

§ 54.1503 [Amended] Regulatory Text 36. Section 54.1503 is amended by removing and reserving paragraphs (a) and (b).

§ 54.1505 [Removed and Reserved] Regulatory Text 37. Remove and reserve § 54.1505.

§§ 54.1509 and 54.1510 [Removed and Reserved] Regulatory Text 38. Remove and reserve §§ 54.1509 and 54.1510.

1. Amend § 54.1516 by revising paragraphs (b) and (d) to read as follows:

§ 54.1516 Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and the Connect USVI Fund—Transitional support for mobile service.

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(b) Election of support. Facilities-based mobile carriers that are recipients of mobile support from Stage 2 of the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and
the Connect USVI Fund as of May 1, 2023, shall have a one-time option to elect to receive transitional mobile support from
the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and the Connect USVI Fund for the eligible service area. To participate, an eligible carrier
must submit an election to participate within 15 days following publication in the
Federal Register
of the order adopting transitional mobile support of the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and the Connect USVI Fund. Each carrier
must submit its election to receive transitional support to the Commission through the Commission's Electronic Comment Filing
System as well as by emailing a copy of its election to ConnectAmerica@fcc.gov.

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(d) Return of unused support. Each eligible mobile carrier that elects to receive transitional support from the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund or the USVI Connect
Fund will receive monthly installments of its pro rata share of mobile support over the support period provided in paragraphs
(a) and (c) of this section. A mobile carrier that fails to use all its eligible transitional mobile support within one year
of the end of the support term shall return an amount equal to the unused amount of transitional support to the Administrator
within 30 days following the end of the term of support under paragraph (a) of this section.

§ 54.1517 [Removed and Reserved] Regulatory Text 40. Remove and reserve § 54.1517.

PART 61—TARIFFS

Regulatory Text 41. The authority citation for part 61 continues to read as follows:

Authority:

47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 154(j), 201-205, 403, unless otherwise noted.

Subpart E—General Rules for Dominant Carriers

Regulatory Text 42. Amend § 61.48 by:

a. Removing and reserving paragraph (l); and

b. Revising paragraphs (m)(1)(ii)(A) and (B).

The revisions read as follows:

§ 61.48 Transition rules for price cap formula calculations.

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(m) * * *

(1) * * *

(ii) * * *

(A) For a price cap holding company's predominantly non-rural filing entities (i.e., filing entities within which more than 50% of all lines are operated by telephone companies other than those that as of December
31, 1999 were certified to the Commission as rural telephone companies), the amount of the additional reductions to Average
Traffic Sensitive Charge rates, to the extent such reductions exceed 25% of the Local Switching element revenues (measured
in terms of June 30, 2000 rates times 1999 base period demand); and

(B) For a price cap holding company's predominantly rural filing entities (i.e., filing entities with greater than 50% of lines operated by telephone companies that as of December 31, 1999 were certified
to the Commission as rural telephone companies), the amount of the additional reductions to Average Traffic Sensitive Charge
rates.

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§ 61.50 [Amended] Regulatory Text 43. Section 61.50 is amended by removing and reserving paragraphs (l)(1) and (2).

Subpart K—Detariffing of Business Data Services

§ 61.201 [Amended] Regulatory Text 44. Section 61.201 is amended by removing and reserving paragraph (b).

§ 61.203 [Amended] Regulatory Text 45. Section 61.203 is amended by removing and reserving paragraph (b).

PART 64—MISCELLANEOUS RULES RELATING TO COMMON CARRIERS

Regulatory Text 46. The authority citation for part 64 continues to read as follows:

Authority:

47 U.S.C. 151, 152, 154, 201, 202, 217, 218, 220, 222, 225, 226, 227, 227b, 228, 251(a), 251(e), 254(k), 255, 262, 276, 403(b)(2)(B),
(c), 616, 620, 716, 1401-1473, unless otherwise noted; Pub. L. 115-141, Div.

P, sec. 503, 132 Stat. 348, 1091; Pub. L. 117-338, 136 Stat. 6156.

Subpart F—Telecommunications Relay Services and Related Customer Premises Equipment for Persons With Disabilities

§ 64.607 through 64.610 [Removed and Reserved] Regulatory Text 47. Remove and reserve §§ 64.607 through 64.610.

Subpart G—Furnishing of Enhanced Services and Customer-Premises Equipment by Bell Operating Companies; Telephone Operator

Services

§ 64.702 [Removed and Reserved] Regulatory Text 48. Remove and reserve § 64.702.

Subpart H—[Removed and Reserved]

Regulatory Text 49. Remove and reserve subpart H, consisting of §§ 64.801 through 64.804.

Subpart O—Interstate Pay-Per-Call and Other Information Services

§ 64.1508 [Amended] Regulatory Text 50. Section 64.1508 is amended by removing and reserving paragraph (a)(1).

Subpart P—Calling Party Telephone Number; Privacy

§ 64.1603 [Removed and Reserved] Regulatory Text 51. Remove and reserve § 64.1603.

§ 64.1605 [Removed and Reserved] Regulatory Text 52. Remove and reserve § 64.1605.

Subpart T—[Removed and Reserved]

Regulatory Text 53. Remove and reserve subpart T, consisting of §§ 64.1901 through 64.1903.

Subpart V—Rural Call Completion

§ 64.2103 [Removed and Reserved] Regulatory Text 54. Remove and reserve § 64.2103.

§ 64.2107 [Removed and Reserved] Regulatory Text 55. Remove and reserve § 64.2107.

PART 65—INTERSTATE RATE OF RETURN PRESCRIPTION, PROCEDURES, AND METHODOLOGIES

Regulatory Text 56. The authority citation for part 65 continues to read as follows:

Authority:

47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 155, 201, 205, 214, 219, 220, 254, 303(r), 403, and 1302 unless otherwise noted.

Subpart A—General

§ 65.1 [Amended] Regulatory Text 57. Amend § 65.1 by removing and reserving paragraph (b)(2).

Subpart D—[Removed and Reserved]

Regulatory Text 58. Remove and reserve subpart D, consisting of § 65.500.

Subpart E—Rate of Return Reports

§ 65.600 [Amended] Regulatory Text 59. Section 65.600 is amended by removing and reserving paragraphs (c) and (d).

PART 68—CONNECTION OF TERMINAL EQUIPMENT TO THE TELEPHONE NETWORK

Regulatory Text 60. The authority citation for part 68 continues to read as follows:

Authority:

47 U.S.C. 154, 303, 610.

Subpart A—General

Regulatory Text 61. Amend § 68.2 by revising paragraph (a) to read as follows:

§ 68.2 Scope.

(a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, and excluding subpart F of this part, which applies only
to ACS telephonic CPE, the rules and regulations of this part apply to direct connection of all terminal equipment to the
public switched telephone network for use in conjunction with all services other than party line services. Sections 68.4,
68.5, 68.6, 68.160, 68.162, 68.316, and 68.317, and other sections to the extent they are made applicable by subpart F of
this part, also apply to ACS and ACS telephonic CPE that is manufactured in the United States or imported for use in the United
States on or after February 28, 2020.

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§ 68.4 [Amended] Regulatory Text 62. Amend § 68.4 by removing and reserving paragraph (a)(2).

Subpart B—Conditions on Use of Terminal Equipment

§ 68.112 [Removed and Reserved] Regulatory Text 63. Remove and reserve § 68.112.

Subpart C—Terminal Equipment Approval Procedures

§ 68.218 [Amended] Regulatory Text 64. Section 68.218 is amended by removing and reserving paragraph (b)(2).

§ 68.224 [Removed and Reserved] Regulatory Text 65. Remove and reserve § 68.224.

Subpart D—Conditions for Terminal Equipment Approval

§ 68.324 [Amended] Regulatory Text 66. Section 68.324 is amended by removing and reserving paragraph (f).

§ 68.354 [Amended] Regulatory Text 67. Section 68.354 is amended by removing and reserving paragraph (e).

Subpart E—Complaint Procedures

Regulatory Text 68. Revise § 68.414 to read as follows:

§ 68.414 Hearing aid-compatibility: Enforcement.

Enforcement of § 68.4 is hereby delegated to those states which adopt those sections and provide for their enforcement. The
procedures followed by a state to enforce those sections shall provide a 30-day period after a complaint is filed, during
which time state personnel shall attempt to resolve a dispute on an informal basis. If a state has not adopted or incorporated
§ 68.4, or failed to act within 6 months from the filing of a complaint with the state public utility commission, the Commission
will accept such complaints. A written notification to the complainant that the state believes action is unwarranted is not
a failure to act.

1. Revise § 68.415 to read as follows:

§ 68.415 Hearing aid-compatibility and volume control informal complaints.

Persons with complaints under § 68.4 that are not addressed by the states pursuant to § 68.414, and all other complaints regarding
rules in this part pertaining to hearing aid compatibility and volume control, may bring informal complaints as described
in §§ 68.416 through 68.420. All responsible parties of terminal equipment are subject to the informal complaint provisions
specified in this section.

Subpart F—ACS Telephone CPE

Regulatory Text 70. Amend § 68.501 by revising paragraph (c) to read as follows:

§ 68.501 Authorization procedures.

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(c) Supplier's Declaration of Conformity. The requirements of §§ 68.320 through 68.350 shall apply to the use of the Supplier's Declaration of Conformity procedure
to establish that ACS telephonic CPE is hearing aid compatible.

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1. Amend § 68.502 by revising paragraph (c)(2)(ii) to read as follows:

§ 68.502 Labeling, warranty, instructions, and notice of revocation of approval.

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(c) * * *

(2) * * *

(ii) A list of such locations.

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Subpart G—Administrative Council for Terminal Attachments

§ 68.610 [Amended] Regulatory Text 72. Section 68.610 is amended by removing and reserving paragraph (d).

PART 69—ACCESS CHARGES

Regulatory Text 73. The authority citation for part 69 continues to read as follows:

Authority:

47 U.S.C. 154, 201, 202, 203, 205, 218, 220, 254, 403.

Subpart B—Computation of Charges

§ 69.104 [Amended] Regulatory Text 74. Amend § 69.104 by removing and reserving paragraphs (c) through (e).

§ 69.105 [Removed and Reserved] Regulatory Text 75. Remove and reserve § 69.105.

§ 69.108 [Removed and Reserved] Regulatory Text 76. Remove and reserve § 69.108.

1. Amend § 69.110 by revising paragraphs (b)(1) and (2) to read as follows:

§ 69.110 Entrance facilities.

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(b)(1) For telephone companies subject to price cap regulation, initial entrance facilities charges based on special access
channel termination rates for equivalent voice grade, DS1, and DS3 services as of September 1, 1992, adjusted for changes
in the price cap index calculated for the July 1, 1993, annual filing for telephone companies subject to price cap regulation,
generally shall be presumed reasonable. Entrance facilities charges may be distance-sensitive. Distance shall be measured
as airline kilometers between the point of demarcation and the serving wire center.

(2) For telephone companies not subject to price cap regulation, entrance facilities charges based on special access channel
termination rates for equivalent voice grade, DS1, and DS3 services generally shall be presumed reasonable. Entrance facilities
charges may be distance-sensitive. Distance shall be measured as airline kilometers between the point of demarcation and the
serving wire center.

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1. Amend § 69.111 by revising paragraphs (g)(1) through (4) to read as follows:

§ 69.111 Tandem-switched transport and tandem charge.

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(g)(1) The tandem switching charge imposed pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2)(ii) of this section, as applicable, shall
be set to recover twenty percent of the annual part 69 interstate tandem revenue requirement plus one third of the portion
of the tandem switching revenue requirement being recovered through the interconnection charge recovered by §§ 69.153 and
69.155, excluding multiplexer and dedicated port costs recovered in accordance with paragraph (l) of this section.

(2) Beginning January 1, 1999, the tandem switching charge imposed pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)(ii) of this section shall
be set to recover the amount prescribed in paragraph (g)(1) of this section plus one half of the remaining portion of the
tandem switching revenue requirement then being recovered through the interconnection charge recovered by §§ 69.153 and 69.155,
excluding multiplexer and dedicated port costs recovered in accordance with paragraph (l) of this section.

(3) Beginning January 1, 2000, the tandem switching charge imposed pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)(ii) of this section shall
be set to recover the entire interstate tandem switching revenue requirement, including that portion formerly recovered through
the interconnection charge recovered in §§ 69.153 and 69.155, and excluding multiplexer and dedicated port costs recovered
in accordance with paragraph (l) of this section.

(4) A local exchange carrier that is subject to price cap regulation as that term is defined in § 61.3(x) of this chapter
shall calculate its tandem switching revenue requirement as used in this paragraph by dividing the tandem switching revenue
requirement that was included in the original interconnection charge by the original interconnection charge, and then multiplying
this result by the annual revenues recovered through the interconnection charge, as of June 30, 1997. A local exchange carrier
that is subject to price cap regulation as that term is defined in § 61.3(x) of this chapter shall then make downward exogenous
adjustments to the service band index for the interconnection charge service category (defined in § 61.42(e)(2)(vi) of this
chapter) and corresponding upward adjustments to the service band index for the tandem-switched transport service category
(defined in § 61.42(e)(2)(v) of this chapter) at the times and in the amounts prescribed in paragraphs (g)(1) through (3)
of this section.

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1. Amend § 69.112 by revising paragraphs (b)(1) and (2) to read as follows:

§ 69.112 Direct-trunked transport.

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(b)(1) For telephone companies subject to price cap regulation, initial direct-trunked transport charges based on the interoffice
charges for equivalent voice grade, DS1, and DS3 special access services as of September 1, 1992, adjusted for changes in
the price cap index calculated for the July 1, 1993, annual filing for telephone companies subject to price cap regulation,
generally shall be presumed reasonable. Direct-trunked transport charges may be distance-sensitive. Distance shall be measured
as airline kilometers between customer-designated points.

(2) For telephone companies not subject to price cap regulation, initial direct-trunked transport charges based on the interoffice
charges for equivalent voice grade, DS1, and DS3 special access services generally shall be presumed reasonable. Direct-trunked
transport charges may be distance-sensitive. Distance shall be measured as airline kilometers between customer-designated
points.

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1. Amend § 69.113 by revising paragraph (a) to read as follows:

§ 69.113 Non-premium charges for MTS-WATS equivalent services.

(a) Charges that are computed in accordance with this section shall be assessed upon interexchange carriers or other persons
that receive access that is not deemed to be premium access in lieu of carrier charges that are computed in accordance with
§§ 69.106, 69.118, and 69.127.

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1. Revise § 69.118 to read as follows:

§ 69.118 Traffic sensitive switched services.

Notwithstanding §§ 69.4(b), 69.106, 69.109, 69.110, 69.111, and 69.112 telephone companies subject to the BOC ONA Order, 4
FCC Rcd 1 (1988) shall, and other telephone companies may, establish approved Basic Service Elements as provided in Amendments
of part 69 of the Commission's rules relating to the Creation of Access Charge Subelements for Open Network Architecture,
Report and Order, 6 FCC

Rcd 4524 (1991), 56 FR 33879 and 800 data base subelements, as provided in Provision of Access for 800 Service, 8 FCC Rcd
907, CC Docket 86-10, FCC 93-53 (1993), 58 FR 7867. Moreover, all customers that use basic 800 database service shall be assessed
a charge that is expressed in dollars and cents per query. Telephone companies shall take into account revenues from the relevant
Basic Service Element or Elements and 800 Database Service Elements in computing rates for the Local Switching, Entrance Facilities,
Tandem-Switched Transport, Direct-Trunked Transport, Interconnection Charge, and/or Information elements.

1. Amend § 69.123 by revising paragraphs (f)(1) and (2) to read as follows:

§ 69.123 Density pricing zones for special access and switched transport.

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(f)(1) An incumbent local exchange carrier that establishes density pricing zones under this section must reallocate additional
amounts recovered under the interconnection charge to facilities-based transport rates, to reflect the higher costs of serving
lower density areas. Each incumbent local exchange carrier must reallocate costs from the interexchange charge each time it
increases the ratio between the prices in its lowest-cost zone and any other zone in that study area.

(2) Any incumbent local exchange carrier that has already deaveraged its rates on January 1, 1998, must reallocate an amount
equivalent to that described in paragraph (f)(1) of this section from the interconnection charge.

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§ 69.124 [Removed and Reserved] Regulatory Text 83. Remove and reserve § 69.124.

Subpart D—Apportionment of Net Investment

§ 69.307 [Amended] Regulatory Text 84. Section 69.307 is amended by removing and reserving paragraph (c)(1).

§ 69.311 [Amended] Regulatory Text 85. Section 69.311 is amended by removing and reserving paragraph (b).

Subpart E—Apportionment of Expenses

§ 69.416 [Amended] Regulatory Text 86. Section 69.416 is amended by removing and reserving paragraph (b).

Subpart F—Segregation of Common Line Element Revenue Requirement

§ 69.501 [Amended] Regulatory Text 87. Section 69.501 is amended by removing and reserving paragraphs (b), (c), and (e).

Subpart G—Exchange Carrier Association

Regulatory Text 88. Amend § 69.605 by revising paragraph (d) to read as follows:

§ 69.605 Reporting and distribution of pool access revenues.

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(d) The residue shall be disbursed to telephone companies that are not average schedule companies in accordance with §§ 69.609
and 69.610.

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1. Amend § 69.606 by revising paragraph (a) to read as follows:

§ 69.606 Computation of average schedule company payments.

(a) Payments shall be made in accordance with a formula approved or modified by the Commission. Such formula shall be designed
to produce disbursements to an average schedule company that simulate the disbursements that would be received by a company
that is representative of average schedule companies.

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§ § 69.607 and 69.608 [Removed and Reserved] Regulatory Text 90. Remove and reserve §§ 69.607 and 69.608.

Subpart H—Pricing Flexibility

§ 69.705 [Removed and Reserved] Regulatory Text 91. Remove and reserve § 69.705.

[FR Doc. 2026-07343 Filed 4-15-26; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6712-01-P

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