Open Internet Order Reporting Requirements: Small Providers Get a Break

Smaller broadband providers will not face new reporting requirements as a result of the Open Internet order adopted in late February -- at least not immediately and possibly not longer-term. A senior Federal Communications Commission official said the temporary exemption applies to broadband providers with fewer than 100,000 subscribers.

The FCC’s Consumer and Government Affairs Bureau will make a decision in December whether to make the exemption permanent and if so, will decide whether the cutoff point should be 100,000 subscribers or some other number, the official said. In the 400-page order, the FCC said the small provider exemption was made in response to concerns of the American Cable Association and other entities that said the enhanced transparency requirements would be “particularly burdensome” for smaller providers.