Key Takeaways
- • FCC Chairman Brendan Carr released a tentative four-item agenda for the May 20, 2026 Open Meeting, with a landmark Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to restructure the $4.5 billion High Cost program for legacy rate-of-return carriers and sunsetting Alternative Connect America Cost Model mechanisms.
- • The High Cost Program reform NPRM presents three alternative regulatory approaches: updating existing mechanisms to align with current market conditions, consolidating into a single modernized fixed support mechanism, or allowing mechanisms to sunset by 2028 with no further action on legacy support.
- • The FCC will adopt streamlined Broadband Data Collection rules eliminating provider notification requirements during fabric development cycles and automating verification/audit processes, while seeking comment on coverage restoration procedures and grandfathered data reporting burdens.
- • Enhanced robocall enforcement rules will require voice service providers to collect upstream provider information, perform compliance due diligence, and refuse service to providers sourcing illegal calls, with proposed codification of STIR/SHAKEN attestation standards.
- • Disaster Information Reporting System modernization will consolidate multiple worksheets into a single dynamic form, eliminate 24-hour final reporting requirements, and limit reporting obligations to facilities-based providers, reducing compliance burden on resellers and MVNOs.
Summary
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has set a four-item agenda for the Commission's May 20, 2026 Open Meeting, with primary focus on restructuring federal broadband subsidy mechanisms that have long supported rural telecommunications infrastructure. The centerpiece is a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking addressing the $4.5 billion High Cost program, which currently applies to legacy rate-of-return carriers not subject to forward-looking buildout obligations. The proceeding targets Connect America Fund Broadband Loops Support (CAF BLS) and High Cost Loop Support (HCLS) mechanisms, alongside sunsetting Alternative Connect America Cost Model (A-CAM) mechanisms scheduled to expire at various intervals through 2028.
The High Cost Program NPRM presents stakeholders with three distinct regulatory pathways. The first would modernize existing mechanisms to reflect current broadband market conditions; the second would consolidate legacy and A-CAM support into a single unified fixed support framework; and the third would allow mechanisms to sunset without replacement, eliminating legacy support entirely. The Commission will solicit comment on whether high-cost subsidies should be withheld in areas with unsubsidized private competitors, how to prevent duplicative funding alongside BEAD program commitments, and the appropriate role of satellite broadband in modernized support structures. Additionally, the FCC seeks input on leveraging the Universal Service Fund and high-cost mechanisms to finance IP network transitions while preventing waste and over-subsidization.
Beyond subsidy reform, the agenda advances three complementary regulatory initiatives. The Broadband Data Collection improvements will adopt a Report and Order streamlining the National Broadband Map by eliminating provider notification during fabric development cycles while preserving challenge and response opportunities post-publication. Automated verification and audit processes will remove failed locations without requiring provider updates. A Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking will explore coverage restoration procedures, grandfathered data reporting requirements, and potential challenge process refinements through infrastructure data validation and streamlined timelines.
The robocall enforcement agenda enhances the STIR/SHAKEN framework through a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking establishing baseline know-your-upstream-provider requirements. Voice service providers will be obligated to collect business, financial, ownership, and operational information from upstream partners; perform compliance due diligence; and discontinue service to providers sourcing illegal calls. The FCC also proposes codifying Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions attestation standards and closing STIR/SHAKEN implementation loopholes through clarified provider obligations and attestation-level requirements for all end-user serving carriers. The agenda includes a comprehensive review of existing caller ID authentication rules to reduce redundancy and ensure consistency.
The final agenda item modernizes the Disaster Information Reporting System through a Third Report and Order consolidating multiple worksheets into a single dynamic form, implementing one-click confirmation for unchanged daily reports, and eliminating the 24-hour post-deactivation final reporting requirement. The order narrows DIRS obligations to facilities-based providers, reducing compliance burden on resellers and mobile virtual network operators while extending requirements to public safety voice and broadband network operators. These four proceedings reflect the Commission's dual focus on infrastructure subsidy modernization and operational efficiency improvements across broadband data, robocall prevention, and disaster response systems.
The High Cost Program NPRM presents stakeholders with three distinct regulatory pathways. The first would modernize existing mechanisms to reflect current broadband market conditions; the second would consolidate legacy and A-CAM support into a single unified fixed support framework; and the third would allow mechanisms to sunset without replacement, eliminating legacy support entirely. The Commission will solicit comment on whether high-cost subsidies should be withheld in areas with unsubsidized private competitors, how to prevent duplicative funding alongside BEAD program commitments, and the appropriate role of satellite broadband in modernized support structures. Additionally, the FCC seeks input on leveraging the Universal Service Fund and high-cost mechanisms to finance IP network transitions while preventing waste and over-subsidization.
Beyond subsidy reform, the agenda advances three complementary regulatory initiatives. The Broadband Data Collection improvements will adopt a Report and Order streamlining the National Broadband Map by eliminating provider notification during fabric development cycles while preserving challenge and response opportunities post-publication. Automated verification and audit processes will remove failed locations without requiring provider updates. A Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking will explore coverage restoration procedures, grandfathered data reporting requirements, and potential challenge process refinements through infrastructure data validation and streamlined timelines.
The robocall enforcement agenda enhances the STIR/SHAKEN framework through a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking establishing baseline know-your-upstream-provider requirements. Voice service providers will be obligated to collect business, financial, ownership, and operational information from upstream partners; perform compliance due diligence; and discontinue service to providers sourcing illegal calls. The FCC also proposes codifying Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions attestation standards and closing STIR/SHAKEN implementation loopholes through clarified provider obligations and attestation-level requirements for all end-user serving carriers. The agenda includes a comprehensive review of existing caller ID authentication rules to reduce redundancy and ensure consistency.
The final agenda item modernizes the Disaster Information Reporting System through a Third Report and Order consolidating multiple worksheets into a single dynamic form, implementing one-click confirmation for unchanged daily reports, and eliminating the 24-hour post-deactivation final reporting requirement. The order narrows DIRS obligations to facilities-based providers, reducing compliance burden on resellers and mobile virtual network operators while extending requirements to public safety voice and broadband network operators. These four proceedings reflect the Commission's dual focus on infrastructure subsidy modernization and operational efficiency improvements across broadband data, robocall prevention, and disaster response systems.
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