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FCCHigh activityReview recommended · 2026-07-10

Federal Communications Commission

Lead regulator for communications equipment security: the Covered List, equipment authorization prohibitions, the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program (rip and replace), submarine cable licensing security, and test-lab trust rules. Primary docket is WC Docket No. 18-89.

One-minute briefing

Agency snapshot

As of July 10, 2026 the FCC is executing on several supply-chain fronts. Rip and replace is now $4.98B fully funded ($1.9B appropriated plus $3.08B Treasury borrowing repaid from AWS-3 Auction 113) and 42 percent complete — 53 of 126 projects, up from 13 in December 2025 — with the May 8, 2026 Priority 1 deadline passed and roughly 30 carriers on 3–6 month extensions. The Covered List added certain UAS and components on December 22, 2025 (with a January 7, 2026 drone carve-out). New submarine cable and test-lab trust rules are in force, and a December 2025 cyber proceeding frames carrier practices against the NIST CSF and CISA CPGs. Figures are as of the June 2026 semiannual report; re-confirm against fcc.gov.

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Active initiatives
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Upcoming deadlines
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Priority topics
Most important thing right now

Carriers on rip-and-replace extensions should finish removal/replacement within their granted window — the FCC has signaled no further waivers, and the Stealth Communications action (DA 26-504) shows the Wireline Competition Bureau will enforce Fund Administrator inspection rights.

Mandate & jurisdiction

What this agency does

FCC decisions determine which equipment members may deploy, how cross-border cable infrastructure is licensed, and how the fully funded rip-and-replace program winds down — now with a demonstrated enforcement tail (DA 26-504).

Rulemaking authority

Issues and amends rules governing carriers, equipment, and spectrum use (WC Docket 18-89).

Equipment authorization

Controls which equipment may be marketed or imported, including Covered List prohibitions and test-lab trust rules.

Enforcement role

Investigates and penalizes violations, including reimbursement-program non-compliance.

Spectrum role

Allocates and licenses commercial spectrum (AWS-3 Auction 113 funds rip-and-replace repayment).

International role

Reviews submarine cable landing licenses and foreign-ownership questions.

Supply-chain programs

Administers the $4.98B rip-and-replace reimbursement program and trusted-network policy.

Jurisdiction

  • Interstate and international wire and radio communications
  • Equipment authorization and the Covered List
  • Submarine cable landing licenses
  • Universal service and supply-chain reimbursement programs
Who should care

Regulatory affairs, network engineering, and procurement leads.

Operational

Equipment sourcing, deployment timelines, and rip-and-replace project completion.

Compliance

Covered List screening, annual covered-equipment reports, cable cyber risk-management plans, and reimbursement status reporting.

Procurement

Vendor eligibility screening against the Covered List before purchase.

Initiatives & deadlines

What they are working on now

ImmediateMonitoringRip and replace 2026-06-29

Rip-and-replace reimbursement program closeout

The Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program (removal of Huawei/ZTE gear) is now $4.98B fully funded — $1.9B appropriated in 2021 plus $3.08B in Treasury borrowing authorized in the FY2025 NDAA, drawn March 2025 and repaid from AWS-3 Auction 113 proceeds (auction began June 2, 2026; bids past $3.1B by mid-June). Per the June 2026 semiannual report to Congress, 53 of 126 funded projects (42 percent) are complete, up from 13 in December 2025; 12 recipients are fully closed out and 22 are in closeout. The May 8, 2026 Priority 1 deadline has passed; roughly 30 carriers received 3–6 month extensions, and the FCC has signaled no further waivers.

UpcomingRecently changedCovered List 2026-07-28

Covered List — category additions (UAS, routers, power inverters, advanced robotics)

The Covered List now carries a category-based track defined by place of manufacture, not named entities, that has grown to four classes. UAS and UAS critical components were added December 22, 2025 (with a January 7, 2026 drone carve-out), consumer routers were added March 23, 2026 (DA 26-278), and on July 28, 2026 PSHSB added foreign-produced power inverters (commercial solar, battery storage, wind, home solar and battery systems, and EV chargers) and foreign-produced advanced robotic devices (including humanoid and quadruped platforms) effective immediately on release of Public Notice DA 26-786. New models in these categories are ineligible for FCC equipment authorization, a de facto market-entry ban. Annual covered-equipment reports were due March 31, 2026 for data as of December 31, 2025. Named-entity count unaffected by the category additions; confirm against the live FCC page before citing a number.

ImmediateFinalSubmarine cables 2026-09-25

Submarine cable security Report and Order + FNPRM

The FCC adopted a Report and Order requiring cable landing licensees to create and implement cybersecurity risk-management plans. GAO's major-rule report (B-338617) confirms the Second Report and Order (FCC 26-42; 91 FR 46844) is effective September 25, 2026, except for amendatory instructions covering numerous §1.70000-series sections, which are delayed indefinitely pending OMB approval. Practical reading: the SLTE licensing perimeter and routine conditions switch on September 25 while the reporting and certification collections wait for OMB approval and a separate FCC notice, the same pattern the First R&O followed (DA 26-684). The accompanying Second FNPRM proposes fast-tracking applications that meet enhanced physical and cyber standards by presumptively exempting them from Executive Branch (Team Telecom) review; comments were filed August 26 and reply comments are due September 25, 2026.

MonitorRecently changedEquipment authorization 2026-03-27

Trusted Test Labs, withdrawal track (2 completed, 2 pending)

An active withdrawal track, not a dormant 2025 rule. Completed withdrawals: CVC Testing Technology (Shenzhen) on February 25, 2026 (DA 26-187) and CQC Internet of Vehicles Technical Service Co., Ltd (CN1329) on March 27, 2026 in ET Docket 25-271 (DA 26-293). CQC-IVTS is a wholly owned subsidiary of the China Quality Certification Center, which operates under the state-owned CCIC Group; it never responded to the September 8, 2025 notice of intent or the February 12, 2026 order instituting proceedings (DA 26-149), and OET drew an adverse inference. Two proceedings remain pending: SGS-CSTC Shenzhen (DA 26-744, OET Docket 26-111; notice of intent DA 26-461, May 11) and Shenzhen STS (DA 26-745, ET Docket 26-140; approximately 4,100 equipment authorization applications). Verified as of September 8, 2026: no order in either pending proceeding.

MonitorPendingEquipment authorization 2025-12-01

Communications cybersecurity proceeding (Dec 2025)

A December 2025 Federal Register action on protecting the nation’s communications systems from cybersecurity threats frames carrier practices against the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and CISA Cross-Sector Cybersecurity Performance Goals (CPGs). Watch for next-step items in this docket.

MonitorRecently changedRip and replace 2026-05-01

Rip-and-replace enforcement — Stealth Communications (DA 26-504)

In May 2026 the Wireline Competition Bureau opened a proceeding against Stealth Communications (DA 26-504) for refusing Fund Administrator inspections — the first notable rip-and-replace compliance action and a signal that the program carries an enforcement tail.

ImmediateRecently changedCovered List 2026-08-14

Covered List router track — Aug. 14 conditional approval

On August 14, 2026, PSHSB announced an additional conditional approval for certain routers on the Covered List router track. Update the model/class inventory and approval conditions directly from the Public Notice before member-facing use. This follows the July 27, 2026 interagency conditional approval that exempted certain router units from the March 23, 2026 category listing (DA 26-278), so effective scope is now carve-out dependent rather than a clean bright line.

ImmediateOpen for commentEquipment authorization 2026-09-08

FCC 26-50 — Dangerous Gear Third R&O + Third FNPRM (ET Docket 21-232)

The Third R&O in FCC 26-50 takes effect September 8, 2026, including the logic-bearing component prohibition, the online-marketplace marketing clarification, full certification for Covered List entity modifications and the U.S.-based liable-party requirement. The Third FNPRM (91 FR 51139, published August 7, 2026) reaches beyond equipment authorization to Covered List certifications, import/marketing rules, SDoC, software/HBOM/SBOM issues and submarine-cable Covered List rules; comments are due September 8, 2026 and reply comments September 21, 2026. An August 13, 2026 erratum corrected FCC 26-50; treat the corrected order as the citation baseline. Online-marketplace FCC ID verification phases in later: Category 1 at 180 days after Federal Register publication and Category 2 at 270 days, computing from the August 7 publication to February 3 and May 4, 2027 respectively.

MonitorRecently changedEquipment authorization 2026-07-10

Equipment-authorization enforcement — WaveGo Tech NAL (DA 26-700)

On July 10, 2026, the FCC Enforcement Bureau proposed a $25,000 forfeiture against WaveGo Tech LLC for apparently willfully failing to respond to a Letter of Inquiry. The LOI sought information about whether WaveGo directly or indirectly marketed RF equipment added to the Covered List on December 22, 2025. This sits in the same enforcement stack as Odyssey but is a distinct theory: failure to cooperate with a Covered List investigation rather than a false attestation.

MonitorPendingEquipment authorization 2026-07-20

Trusted Test Labs — SGS-CSTC Shenzhen recognition-withdrawal (DA 26-744, OET 26-111)

On July 20, 2026, OET instituted a proceeding to withdraw recognition of SGS-CSTC Standards Technical Services Co. Ltd. Shenzhen Branch (DA 26-744, OET Docket 26-111). This is separate from the Shenzhen STS Test Services matter and should not be collapsed into it — it is a distinct lab recognition-withdrawal proceeding.

MonitorEffectiveEquipment authorization 2026-07-28

Permissive-change / software-firmware waiver stack (DA 26-454 + DA 26-789)

The permissive-change / software-firmware waiver stack for previously authorized covered equipment now runs on two tracks. The Jan. 1, 2029 waiver row references covered UAS and routers (DA 26-454); OET issued a separate July 28, 2026 waiver, DA 26-789, concerning covered advanced robotic devices and power inverters. The timeline should reflect both waiver tracks together.

MonitorRecently changedEquipment authorization 2026-08-11

Equipment-authorization revocation — Odyssey Robot LLC (DA 26-839, Docket 26-186)

The August 11, 2026 Order of Revocation against Odyssey Robot LLC is DA 26-839, Docket No. 26-186. This closes the prior day-of-use placeholder that instructed editors to pull the document number.

MonitorRecently changedSubmarine cables 2026-08-10

Submarine cable Route Position List filing instructions (DA 26-831)

The August 10, 2026 OIA notice providing filing instructions for Route Position List submissions is DA 26-831. This closes the prior placeholder that asked editors to verify the DA number. Keep any filing deadline subject to direct verification from the notice text.

MonitorRecently changedEquipment authorization 2026-08-11

Cyber Trust Mark — CLA conditional approval and filing window (DA 26-834)

The August 11, 2026 Public Notice DA 26-834 conditionally approves Cybersecurity Label Administrators (CLAs) for the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark program and opens a new CLA filing window. The window opened Aug. 11; verify current status before filing unless the source text provides a fixed close date.

MonitorEffectiveNetwork infrastructure 2026-08-10

NG911 reliability & interoperability rules (effective Aug. 10, 2026)

FCC NG911 reliability rules became effective August 10, 2026. The Commission eliminated the old annual 911 reliability certification filing requirement and is moving to new phased reliability, attestation, certification, and interoperability obligations. A later Bureau Public Notice will trigger six-month and eighteen-month compliance dates. This is an adjacent communications-resilience item rather than a classic supply-chain rule, but it is directly relevant to network resilience and provider compliance.

UpcomingOpen for commentNetwork infrastructure 2026-07-09

Know Your Upstream Provider / STIR-SHAKEN proposed rule (replies due Sep. 8)

The FCC’s KYUP/STIR-SHAKEN proposed rule has reply comments due September 8, 2026. It concerns upstream-provider identification, call authentication, Know Your Customer/Upstream practices, and safeguards around 911/emergency communications during the TDM-to-IP transition. Tracked as adjacent telecom/cyber-resilience rather than a supply-chain row.

ImmediateOpen for commentEquipment authorization 2026-09-23

Anzu Robotics: first §2.939(e) prohibition aimed at a U.S.-domiciled licensee (DA 26-832; comments Sep. 23)

On August 10, 2026 PSHSB and OET released DA 26-832 proposing to prohibit the continued importation and marketing of Anzu Robotics' Raptor and Raptor T UAS and controller (FCC IDs 2BBYS-RAPTOR and 2BBYS-RRC01). The Enforcement Bureau opened an investigation and issued a Letter of Inquiry May 8, 2026; Anzu responded confidentially July 9. The bureaus' theory: the devices are Section 1709 equipment because they are produced by an entity with a technology-sharing or licensing agreement with an entity named in Section 1709, and they are also produced in Malaysia. Published in the Federal Register August 24, 2026 (91 FR 54713; FR Doc 2026-17193). Comments due September 23, 2026. Proposed implementation: cease importation and marketing within 30 days of Federal Register publication of a final action, with carve-outs for federal-government use and commercial testing and product development; already-purchased units may continue to operate.

Upcoming dates

  • 2026-08-08Rip-and-replace extension windows begin expiring (3–6 months from May 8, 2026)
  • 2026-12-01Rip-and-replace December 2026 semiannual report to Congress
  • 2026-09-08FCC 26-50 Third FNPRM comments due (ET Docket 21-232)
  • 2026-09-21FCC 26-50 Third FNPRM reply comments due
  • 2026-09-08KYUP / STIR-SHAKEN reply comments due
Key decision-makers

Leadership to know

We focus on the roles whose decisions reach members, and why each one matters — not biographical trivia. Names are intentionally withheld until verified against an official source.

Brendan Carr
Chairman

Why it mattersSets the Commission’s rulemaking agenda and supply-chain security priorities.

Review recommended
Anna M. Gomez
Commissioner

Why it mattersVotes on Covered List, equipment authorization, and cable security items.

Review recommended
Olivia Trusty
Commissioner

Why it mattersVotes on supply-chain and national-security proceedings; additional Commission seats are vacant.

Review recommended
Working Group analysis

What we are watching

Confidence: ConfirmedSupported by a primary official source on file.

What changed

  • Rip and replace reached $4.98B full funding; 53 of 126 projects (42%) complete per the June 2026 semiannual report, up from 13 in December 2025.
  • May 8, 2026 Priority 1 deadline passed; ~30 carriers on 3–6 month extensions with no further waivers signaled.
  • Covered List added certain UAS and components (December 22, 2025; January 7, 2026 drone carve-out).
  • First rip-and-replace enforcement action opened against Stealth Communications (DA 26-504, May 2026).

What we are watching

  • Submarine cable FNPRM fast-track and its Executive Branch review exemption.
  • Test-lab/accreditation-body trust FNPRM scope.
  • Whether the December 2025 cyber proceeding becomes binding.

Member exposure

  • Cable landing licensees face new cyber risk-management plan obligations.
  • Rip-and-replace recipients face completion, reporting, and inspection-compliance risk.
  • UAS operators newly captured by the Covered List.

Recommended preparation

  • Finish rip-and-replace work within granted windows; preserve Fund Administrator inspection documentation.
  • Re-screen vendors and UAS against the current Covered List before procurement.
  • Stand up cable cyber risk-management plans where applicable.

Open questions

  • How aggressively will the FCC enforce inspection rights during closeout?
  • Will the cable fast-track meaningfully shorten Executive Branch review?
Primary references

Sources & verification

Agency-level sources

This profile is a sample interface. Leadership names, dates, regulatory status, and figures must be confirmed against current official sources before any member distribution.