FCC Announces Tentative Agenda for October 2026 Open Meeting

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr announced that the items below are tentatively on the agenda for the October Open Commission Meeting scheduled for Thursday, October 29, 2026:

1. Auctioning Off 25 Megahertz of Prime, Mid-Band Spectrum: The FCC will consider a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would unlock 25 megahertz of prime mid-band spectrum for advanced commercial communications services, including terrestrial, direct-to-device, or a hybrid of both.
2. Modernizing the Supplemental Coverage from Space Rules: The FCC will consider a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would modernize the Commission’s rules for D2D services in licensed spectrum.
3. Unlocking the 800 MHz Cellular Band for Drone Use: The FCC will consider a Report and Order that would eliminate an outdated restriction that prevents drone operations in the 800 MHz Cellular band.
4. Prohibiting Test Labs and Certification Bodies in Non-Reciprocal Countries: The FCC will consider a Third R&O and Third FNPRM aimed at strengthening the integrity, security, and resiliency of the FCC’s equipment authorization program by prohibiting the recognition of Test Labs, Telecommunications Certification Bodies, and laboratory accreditation bodies located in non‑Reciprocal Economies.
5. Strengthening the Security of U.S. Telecommunications Services and Infrastructure: The FCC will consider an R&O and FNPRM that would modernize the Commission’s international Section 214 framework to strengthen protections for U.S. telecommunications services and infrastructure, while reducing unnecessary regulatory burdens.
6. Implementing the Rural Broadband Protection Act: The FCC will consider an NPRM that, if adopted, would seek comment on proposals for implementing the Rural Broadband Protection Act.
7. Eliminating Accessibility Barriers: The FCC will consider an NPRM to modernize its accessibility rules to keep pace with the rapidly changing communications landscape, promote innovation, better match consumer expectations, and remove barriers to accessibility.