Federal Communications Commission	DA 25-1091


Before the
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554


In the Matter of

Incarcerated People’s Communications Services; 
Implementation of the Martha Wright-Reed Act

Rates for Interstate Inmate Calling Services
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WC Docket No. 23-62


WC Docket No. 12-375


ORDER

Adopted:  December 19, 2025	Released:  December 19, 2025

Revised Comment Date:  February 3, 2026
Revised Reply Comment Date:  March 5, 2026

By the Chief, Wireline Competition Bureau: 

1. By this Order, the Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau), grants the National Sheriffs’ Association’s Motion for Extension of Time National Sheriffs’ Association, Motion for Extension of Time, WC Docket Nos. 23-62 and 12-375 (filed Dec. 15, 2025) (National Sheriffs’ Association Motion).  
 to file comments and reply comments in response to the Incarcerated People’s Communications Services; Implementation of the Martha Wright-Reed Act; Rates for Interstate Inmate Calling Services, Report and Order, Order on Reconsideration, and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (2025 IPCS Order and FNPRM or 2025 IPCS FNPRM). Incarcerated People’s Communications Services; Implementation of the Martha Wright-Reed Act; Rates for Interstate Inmate Calling Services, WC Docket Nos. 23-62 and 12-375, Report and Order, Order on Reconsideration, and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, FCC 25-75 (rel. Nov. 6, 2025) (2025 IPCS Order and FNPRM or 2025 IPCS FNPRM).
  For the reasons stated below, the Bureau finds that the requested extensions of the comment and reply comment deadlines are warranted and thus extends both the comment and reply comment deadlines for all commenters to February 3, 2026, and March 5, 2026, respectively. 
2. On November 6, 2025, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) released the 2025 IPCS Order and FNPRM.  The 2025 IPCS FNPRM was published in the Federal Register on December 5, 2025, establishing a comment filing deadline of January 5, 2025, and a reply comment filing deadline of February 3, 2026. Federal Communications Commission, Incarcerated People’s Communications Services; Implementation of the Martha Wright-Reed Act; Rates for Interstate Inmate Calling Services, 90 Fed. Reg. 56115 (Dec. 5, 2025).
  
3. On December 15, 2025, the National Sheriffs’ Association filed a Motion for Extension of Time to submit comments and reply comments on the 2025 IPCS FNPRM. See generally National Sheriffs’ Association Motion. 
  The National Sheriffs’ Association requests additional time to gather input from its member organizations prior to filing its comments and explains that the current deadlines, which coincide with “one of the most significant holiday periods of the year,” make that process “exceptionally difficult.” National Sheriffs’ Association Motion at 1.  
  In particular, the National Sheriffs’ Association states that it is conducting a survey of its members to collect updated facility cost data in response to the Commission’s request for comment in this proceeding and seeks extension of the comment and reply comment deadlines to allow sufficient time to complete that effort.  
4. Section 1.46 of the Commission’s rules states that “extensions of time shall not be routinely granted.” 47 CFR § 1.46.  
  In this instance, we find good cause to grant the National Sheriffs’ Association’s motion.  The requested extension would allow the National Sheriffs’ Association “to continue its survey effort and achieve a more robust response rate [which would] directly serve[ ] the Commission’s interest in establishing just and reasonable permanent rates on a well-developed record.” National Sheriffs’ Association Motion at 3.  
  The National Sheriffs’ Association also asserts that the 30-day extension it requests “would not prejudice any party or impede the Commission’s ability to resolve this proceeding in a timely manner.” Id. 
  
5. In the 2025 IPCS FNPRM the Commission seeks comment on complex issues relating to permanent audio and video IPCS rate caps, including comment on the adoption of permanent rate additives for correctional facility cost recovery. 2025 IPCS FNPRM at 48-50, paras. 103-107.  
  Given the federal holidays that will occur during the current comment cycle, the increase in overlapping comment cycles in other proceedings during the same period due to the government shutdown, See Revisions to Deadlines Following Resumption of Normal Operations, Public Notice, DA 25-943 (rel. Nov. 17, 2025).
 and the complexity of the issues raised in this proceeding, we find that the public interest will be served by granting the limited extension of the comment and reply comment deadlines as requested, to give all interested parties sufficient time to develop comments that will enable a more informed decision by the Commission.  
6. Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED, that the Motion For Extension of Time filed by the National Sheriffs’ Association on December 15, 2025 to extend the deadlines for filing comments and reply comments on the 2025 IPCS FNPRM is GRANTED as described herein.  
7. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, that pursuant to section 4(i)-(j) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. § 154(i)-(j), and sections 0.91, 0.291, and 1.46 of the Commission’s rules, 47 CFR §§ 0.91, 0.291, 1.46, the deadlines to file comments and reply comments in response to the 2025 IPCS FNPRM in the above-captioned dockets ARE EXTENDED to February 3, 2026, and March 5, 2026, respectively.
8. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, that pursuant to section 1.102(b)(1) of the Commission’s rules, 47 CFR § 1.102(b)(1), this Order SHALL BE EFFECTIVE upon release. 


FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION




Joseph S. Calascione
Chief
Wireline Competition Bureau

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