SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Commission may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. No person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information subject to the PRA that does not display a valid OMB control number.

As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520), the FCC invited the general public and other Federal Agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following information collection. Comments are requested concerning: (a) Whether the proposed collection of ( printed page 61399) information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Commission, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Commission's burden estimates; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Pursuant to the Small Business Paperwork Relief Act of 2002, Public Law 107-198, see 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(4), the FCC seeks specific comment on how it might “further reduce the information collection burden for small business concerns with fewer than 25 employees.”

OMB Control Number: 3060-0798.

Title: FCC Application for Radio Service Authorization, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau and Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau.

Form Number: FCC Form 601.

Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.

Respondents: Business or other for-profit entities, individuals or households, not for profit institutions and State, Local and Tribal Governments.

Number of Respondents and Responses: 255,601 respondents and 256,050 responses.

Estimated Hours per Response: 0.25 to 30 average hours per response.

Frequency of Response: On occasion reporting requirement; Periodic reporting requirement; Recordkeeping requirement; Third party disclosure requirement.

Total Annual Burden: 226,316 hours.

Total Annual Cost: $72,614,125.

Nature of Response: Required to obtain or retain benefits. The statutory authority for this collection is contained in Statutory authority for this information collection is contained in 47 U.S.C. 151, 152, 154, 154(i), 155(c), 157, 161, 201, 202, 208, 214, 301, 302a, 303, 307, 308, 309, 310, 311, 314, 316, 319, 324, 331, 332, 333, 336, 534, 535, and 554, and section 2 of the Launch Communications Act, Public Law 118-85, 138 Stat. 15462.

Needs and Uses: The information collection requirements adopted in ET Docket No. 13-115 are as follows:

FCC Form 601 is a consolidated, multi-part application form that is used for market-based and site-based licensing for wireless telecommunications services, including public safety, which are filed through the Commission's Universal Licensing System (ULS) or any other electronic filing interface the Commission develops. FCC Form 601 is composed of a main form that contains administrative information and a series of schedules used for filing technical and other information. This form is used to apply for a new license, to amend or withdraw a pending application, to modify or renew an existing license, cancel a license, submit required notifications, request an extension of time to satisfy construction requirements, request an administrative update to an existing license (such as mailing address change), or request a Special Temporary Authority License. Respondents are required to submit FCC Form 601 electronically including when applying for an authorization for which the applicant was the winning bidder in a spectrum auction.

The Commission now seeks OMB approval to renew the existing information collection allowances and approval for information collections on FCC Form 601, with revisions to reflect regulatory and information collection changes adopted in the following items: the 900 MHz Report and Order, Space Launch Services, License Reaggregation, changes regarding use of the 5.850-5.925 GHz Band, and Educational Broadband Service Reform.

900 MHz Report and Order: On February 18, 2026, the Commission adopted a Report and Order, FCC 26-9, in WT Docket 24-99, modified by an erratum released March 25, 2026, that established rules for the entire ten megahertz of the 896-901/935-940 MHz (900 MHz) band to be used for paired five megahertz broadband service. The Report and Order modified the requirements in §§ 27.1503(b) and (c) and 27.1505 (b) through (d) to reflect the option for paired five megahertz broadband service, in addition to the existing paired three megahertz option. § 27.1503 Broadband license eligibility and application requirements. Section 27.1503(b)(1) requires an applicant to file an application for a 900 MHz broadband license in accordance with part 1, subpart F of the Commission's rules. The Commission requests OMB approval to revise FCC Form 601 to add a new radio service code, and requests continued approval for two attachment types for the Eligibility Certification and Transition Plan now updated to allow for both 3/3 and 5/5 900 MHz broadband applications. Schedule N is a supplementary schedule for 900 MHz broadband service applicants to apply for the required license authorization in conjunction with the FCC 601 Main Form. In Schedule N, 900 MHz broadband service applicants identify the market(s) to which the filing pertains and certifies that the applicant has attached an Eligibility Certification and Transition Plan, that the applicant will return licensed 900 MHz spectrum to the Commission, and that it will remit an anti-windfall payment if applicable. Additionally, the Commission also requests approval to add a new question to FCC Form 601 that will require 900 MHz broadband applicants to address any spectrum shortfall related to the anti-windfall payment requirement.

Space Launch Services. The Launch Communications Act, Public Law 118-85, 138 Stat. 1546, enacted September 26, 2024, required the Commission to adopt regulations allocating the 2025-2110 MHz, 2200-2290 MHz, and 2360-2395 MHz frequency bands on a secondary basis for commercial space launch and reentry operations, and adopt service rules including technical specifications, eligibility requirements, and coordination procedures to preserve the defense capabilities of the United States. The Commission has met these requirements through the adoption of a new rule part, part 26.

Under the part 26 framework established by the Commission, eligible space launch operators seeking authorization to use frequencies available for Space Launch Services must first apply for and obtain a non-exclusive 10-year nationwide spectrum license. After they obtain this license, operators must, for each launch (1) register in ULS the launch site and each corresponding station (fixed, base, itinerant, or mobile) that will be used in the space launch operation; (2) complete a frequency coordination process using a third-party frequency coordinator; and (3) following successful coordination, register in ULS the final approved technical and operating parameters associated with the coordinated launch prior to commencing the launch operation. These requirements are codified in §§ 26.106, 26.108, 26.202, and 26.301 of the rules, and the rule requirements are further elaborated in Public Notice, ET Docket No. 13-115, DA 25-270 (Space Launch Public Notice).

Space launch operators will rely on FCC Form 601 for several of these steps. To apply for the nationwide non-exclusive license, operators will file an FCC Form 601 application. When entering the Radio Service Code for which the applicant is applying, they will select a new radio service code designating Space Launch Services. In addition, operators will submit both initial site and station registration and final launch registration through a new FCC Form 601 schedule, Schedule P. ( printed page 61400)

License Reaggregation. On July 18, 2022, the Commission released a Report and Order and Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, FCC 22-53, in WT Docket No. 19-38, in which, among other measures, the Commission modified two rules, §§ 1.929 and 1.950, 47 CFR 1.929, 1.950, to permit the reaggregation of geographic-area-based wireless licenses (authorizations to engage in wireless transmission in specified frequencies and over a defined geographic area). Reaggregation is the consolidation into a single license of two or more licenses that were the result of a previous spectrum disaggregation (dividing a license into two or more licenses that cover different frequencies) and/or geographic area partitioning (dividing a license into two or more licenses that cover different geographic areas). The Commission amended § 1.950 to authorize licensees to reaggregate covered geographic licenses, subject to certain eligibility prerequisites, and required that licensees seeking approval for a reaggregation must file an application for a license modification using FCC Form 601. As amended, § 1.950 further provides that applicants for reaggregation must include the following five attachments with the application:

(1) A certification that the licenses meet the prerequisites for reaggregation specified in § 1.950;

(2) An electronic map and table that together identify all licenses and spectrum to be aggregated and identify the composite license requested;

(3) A certification that all licenses in the reaggregation request are active under the same FCC Registration Number at the time of filing;

(4) A per-license list of all special conditions and a statement acknowledging that the listed special conditions will continue to apply only to that portion of the reaggregated license with respect to the spectrum and/or geography at issue, as if the license had not been reaggregated; and

(5) A per-license list of all waivers granted and a statement of understanding that the listed waiver(s) do not automatically convey to any other portion of the reaggregated license. If applicable, the applicant shall include a statement indicating that it is seeking waiver relief through a separately filed waiver request seeking to expand the scope of previously granted relief.

Use of the 5.850-5.925 GHz Band. In the First Report and Order released on November 20, 2020 (ET Docket No. 19-138, FCC 20-164), the Commission determined that the most efficient use of the 75 megahertz in the 5.9 GHz band is to expand unlicensed operations in the lower 45 megahertz (5.850-5.895 GHz) and to reserve the upper 30 megahertz (5.895-5.925 GHz) for the Intelligent Transportation Service (ITS) using cellular vehicle-to-everything (C-V2X) technology. Dedicated Short Range Communications (DSRC) stations must discontinue operations in the 5895-5925 MHz portion of the band by December 14, 2026. No new DSRC station license applications were accepted after February 11, 2025.

FCC Form 601 Schedule M currently collects technical information for the DSRC Service under Part 90 Subpart M. In line with the Commission's actions in the 5.9 GHz Report and Order, the Commission proposes removing DSRC references and incorporating the new C-V2X service into FCC Form 601, along with corresponding updates to the Universal Licensing System (ULS) database.

We anticipate that these modifications—removing DSRC information and adding C-V2X data requirements—will not increase the burden or cost associated with completing FCC Form 601 and implementing updates to the ULS database.

Educational Broadband Service Reform: In a Report and Order released July 11, 2019, WT Docket No. 18-120, FCC 19-62, the Commission adopted certain measures to reform the regulatory framework governing the 2495-2690 MHz band (2.5 GHz band). This band includes 112.5 megahertz designated for Educational Broadband Service (EBS). Under § 27.1203 of the Commission's rules, EBS licensees were required to use their spectrum specifically to further their educational missions. Among other steps taken in the Report and Order, the Commission eliminated this requirement, removing § 27.1203 from the rules. FCC Form 601 currently includes Question 54, which serves to implement § 27.1203, asking “(For EBS only) Does the Applicant comply with the programming requirements contained in 47 CFR 27.1203?” Consistent with the Commission's action in the 2.5 GHz Report and Order, the Commission seeks to remove Question 54 from FCC Form 601, and to eliminate the associated reference to this question and § 27.1203 in the Instructions.

OMB Control Number: 3060-1053.

Title: Misuse of Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service (IP CTS); Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities, CG Docket Nos. 13-24 and 03-123.

Form Number: N/A.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Respondents: Individuals or households; Business or other for-profit.

Number of Respondents and Responses: 187,170 respondents; 664,775 responses.

Estimated Time per Response: 0.1 hours (6 minutes) to 40 hours.

Frequency of Response: Annual, every five years, one-time, and ongoing reporting requirements; Recordkeeping requirements; Third party disclosure requirements.

Obligation to Respond: Required to obtain or retain benefits. The statutory authority for the information collection requirements is found at section 225 [47 U.S.C. 225] Telecommunications Services for Hearing-Impaired Individuals; The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, (ADA), Public Law 101-336, 104 Stat. 327, 366-69, enacted on July 26, 1990.

Total Annual Burden: 341,067 hours. Total Annual Cost: $54,000.

Needs and Uses: On August 1, 2003, the Commission released Telecommunication Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities, CC Docket No. 98-67, Declaratory Ruling, 68 FR 55898, September 28, 2003, clarifying that one-line captioned telephone voice carry over (VCO) service is a type of telecommunications relay service (TRS) and that eligible providers of such services are eligible to recover their costs from the Interstate TRS Fund (Fund) in accordance with section 225 of the Communications Act.

On July 19, 2005, the Commission released Telecommunication Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities, CC Docket No. 98-67 and CG Docket No. 03-123, Order, 70 FR 54294, September 14, 2005, clarifying that two-line captioned telephone VCO service, like one-line captioned telephone VCO service, is a type of TRS eligible for compensation from the Fund.

On January 11, 2007, the Commission released Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities, CG Docket No. 03-123, Declaratory Ruling, 72 FR 6960, February 14, 2007, granting a request for clarification that Internet Protocol (IP) captioned telephone relay service (IP CTS) is a type of TRS eligible for compensation from the Fund. ( printed page 61401)

On August 26, 2013, the Commission issued Misuse of Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service; Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities, CG Docket Nos. 13-24 and 03-123, Report and Order, 78 FR 53684, August 30, 2013, to regulate practices relating to the marketing of IP CTS, impose certain requirements for the provision of this service, and mandate registration and certification of IP CTS users.

On June 8, 2018, the Commission issued Misuse of Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service; Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities, CG Docket Nos. 13-24 and 03-123, Report and Order and Declaratory Ruling, 83 FR 30082, June 27, 2018 (2018 IP CTS Modernization Order), to facilitate the Commission's efforts to reduce waste, fraud, and abuse and improve its ability to efficiently manage the IP CTS program through regulating practices related to the marketing of IP CTS, generally prohibiting the provision of IP CTS to consumers who do not genuinely need the service, permitting the provision of IP CTS in emergency shelters, and approving the use of automatic speech recognition to generate captions without the assistance of a communications assistant.

On February 15, 2019, the Commission issued Misuse of Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service; Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities, CG Docket Nos. 13-24 and 03-123, Report and Order, and Order, 84 FR 8457, March 8, 2019 (2019 IP CTS Program Management Order), requiring the submission of IP CTS user registration information to the telecommunications relay service (TRS) User Registration Database (Database) so that the Database administrator can verify IP CTS users to reduce the risk of waste, fraud, and abuse in the IP CTS program.

On June 30, 2022, the Commission issued Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities; Structure and Practices of the Video Relay Service Program; Misuse of Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service, CG Docket Nos. 03-123, 10-51, and 13-24, Report and Order, 87 FR 57645, September 21, 2022 (Registration Grace Period Order), allowing IP CTS and Video Relay Service (VRS) providers to provide compensable service to a new user for up to two weeks after submitting the user's information to the Database if the user's identity is verified within that period, in order to offer more efficient service to IP CTS and VRS users without risk of waste, fraud, and abuse to the Fund.

On September 30, 2022, the Commission released the Accessible Carceral Communications Order, Rates for Interstate Inmate Calling Services, WC Docket No. 12-375, Fourth Report and Order, 87 FR 75496, December 9, 2022, (Accessible Carceral Communications Order), requiring inmate calling services providers to provide incarcerated TRS-eligible users the ability to access any relay service eligible for TRS Fund support. To facilitate the registration of IP CTS users in carceral facilities, the Commission amended the registration and verification requirements for individual users.

91 FR 61398