The Federal Communications Commission has released the tentative agenda for its May Open Commission Meeting, set for Wednesday, May 20, 2026. Chairman Brendan Carr outlined several items focused on improving telecommunications oversight, reducing regulatory burdens, and advancing connectivity efforts across the United States. The agenda reflects ongoing work to address challenges in voice services, broadband mapping, emergency communications, and rural access to advanced networks.
One key proposal involves strengthening measures against illegal robocalls through enhancements to the STIR/SHAKEN framework. The Commission plans to consider a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would refine know-your-upstream-provider requirements for voice service providers. This approach aims to improve oversight of upstream connections in call routing, establish higher standards for attestations used in the framework, and address potential implementation gaps. Such steps could help providers more effectively trace and mitigate unwanted automated calls, contributing to greater consumer protection in telephone networks without disrupting legitimate communications.
In the area of broadband data management, the agenda includes a Report and Order paired with a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. This item targets the FCC’s Broadband Data Collection process, proposing ways to make it more efficient. Measures under consideration include streamlined audits and verification procedures, refined challenge mechanisms for reported data, and reductions in certain regulatory obligations that impose costs on providers without substantially improving the accuracy of information. The goal remains to maintain reliable data for the National Broadband Map while easing administrative loads on companies and participants involved in the reporting system. Accurate mapping plays a central role in identifying service gaps and guiding future deployment decisions.
The Commission will also examine updates to the Disaster Information Reporting System. A Third Report and Order under review seeks to modernize this platform by boosting its overall functionality and removing redundant reporting obligations. These changes are designed to deliver more useful details to emergency response teams during crises while allowing communications providers to prioritize network restoration efforts. In high-stakes situations where rapid recovery matters most, minimizing unnecessary administrative tasks could free up resources for critical service continuity.
Another significant item centers on the development of a High-Cost Program modernization initiative. Through a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, the Commission intends to gather input on approaches that could support widespread availability of next-generation services. Particular attention would focus on rural communities, where ensuring access to evolving technologies presents distinct challenges amid shifting market conditions. This effort builds on existing universal service mechanisms to adapt support programs for current and future needs.
Draft versions of the meeting items, along with one-page summary cover sheets, will be made available to the public in advance on the FCC’s dedicated Open Meeting webpage. These materials provide additional detail on each proposal for those interested in reviewing the full texts prior to the session.
The Open Meeting is scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time in the Commission Meeting Room at FCC headquarters, located at 45 L Street, Northeast, in Washington, D.C. Although the meeting itself is open to the public, access to the building requires security screening at the main entrance. Attendees do not need appointments but must follow established visitor protocols. A live stream of the proceedings will be available online for remote viewing.
This agenda underscores the FCC’s continued emphasis on practical improvements across multiple facets of communications policy. By addressing robocall prevention, data efficiency, disaster preparedness, and rural connectivity, the items aim to balance effective regulation with reduced burdens on industry stakeholders. Observers expect the meeting to generate discussion on how these proposals align with broader objectives of reliable, accessible, and secure communications services nationwide.
The tentative nature of the agenda means items could shift before the meeting date, but the current lineup highlights priorities in consumer protection, operational streamlining, and forward-looking infrastructure support. Public input gathered through the associated rulemaking processes will likely shape final decisions on each matter. As the meeting approaches, interested parties can monitor the FCC’s website for any updates or additional background information related to the dockets involved. Overall, these initiatives represent incremental yet targeted steps toward refining regulatory frameworks in response to technological and operational developments in the communications sector.
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