FCC Proposes To Eliminate And Streamline Burdensome International Reporting Requirements

The Federal Communications Commission took steps to streamline and eliminate certain international reporting requirements. Specifically, the Commission proposes to eliminate the annual Traffic and Revenue Reports, and seeks comment on whether there are ways to further streamline the Circuit Capacity Reports. The Commission believes these reports may no longer be necessary in their current form.

The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) adopted today proposes to eliminate the Traffic and Revenue Report as the costs of the data collection – which are significant for both filers and the Commission – now exceed the benefits of the information. The NPRM also seeks comment on streamlining and improving the reporting requirements for the Commission’s Circuit Capacity Reports. Providers of international telecommunications services are required to file annual reports identifying submarine cable, satellite, and terrestrial capacity between the United States and foreign countries.