Federal Communications Commission	DA 26-189


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:  February 25, 2026	Released:  February 25, 2026

Revised 2025 IPCS Annual Reports and Certifications Filing Deadline:  June 1, 2026

By the Chief, Wireline Competition Bureau:

1. By this Order, the Wireline Competition Bureau of the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) finds good cause to waive section 64.6060(a) of the Commission’s rules for the limited purpose of granting an extension of the filing deadline for the 2025 Incarcerated People’s Communications Services (IPCS) Annual Reports from April 1, 2026 to June 1, 2026.  
2. On November 6, 2025, the Commission released the 2025 IPCS Order, which included various revised rules and rate caps for IPCS. 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).  
  Subsequently, the 2025 IPCS Order was published in the Federal Register on December 5, 2025, which established a compliance date of April 6, 2026 for the Commission’s IPCS rate cap, site commission and per-minute pricing rules. The Commission published the 2025 IPCS Order in the Federal Register on December 5, 2025, resulting in a compliance date of 120 days thereafter; as this date falls over a weekend, compliance was required by April 6, 2026, for certain rules.  See Incarcerated People’s Communications Services; Implementation of the Martha Wright-Reed Act; Rates for Interstate Inmate Calling Services, 90 Fed. Reg. 56013 (Dec. 5, 2025).
  Separately, section 64.6060 of the Commission’s rules requires each IPCS provider to submit an IPCS Annual Report to the Commission by April 1 of each year. 47 CFR § 64.6060.
  On February 17, 2026, Global Tel*Link Corp. d/b/a ViaPath (ViaPath), filed a Motion for Extension of Time, seeking a 60-day extension of the annual reporting filing deadline for all IPCS providers and observing that “the next annual report” is due “a few days before the implementation deadline for the 2025 IPCS Order.” See Motion for Extension of Time to File IPCS Annual Report, WC Docket Nos. 23-62 and 12-375, at 3 (filed Feb. 17, 2026), https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/document/1021858210501/1 (ViaPath Motion for Extension). 

3. Upon consideration of the request, we waive section 64.6060(a) of the Commission’s rules for all IPCS providers for the limited purpose of granting an extension of the filing deadline for the 2025 IPCS Annual Reports from April 1, 2026 to June 1, 2026. 47 CFR §§ 1.3, 64.6060(a).  See also 47 CFR §§ 0.291, 0.91.  A 60-day extension would move the filing deadline to May 31, 2026, which is a Sunday.  Therefore, the due date for the 2025 IPCS Annual Reports is extended to Monday, June 1, 2026.
  Generally, the Commission’s rules may be waived for good cause shown. 47 CFR § 1.3.  
  In evaluating whether good cause exists for waiver of its rules, the Commission considers whether the particular facts make strict compliance inconsistent with the public interest. Northeast Cellular Telephone Co. v. FCC, 897 F.2d 1164, 1166 (D.C. Cir. 1990) (Northeast Cellular).
  The Commission may also take into account concerns of hardship, equity, or more effective implementation of overall policy on an individual basis. WAIT Radio v. FCC, 418 F.2d 1153, 1159 (D.C. Cir. 1969); Northeast Cellular, 897 F.2d at 1166.
  Waiver of the Commission’s rules is therefore only appropriate if special circumstances warrant a deviation from the general rule, and such deviation will serve the public interest. Northeast Cellular, 897 F.2d at 1166.
  
4. We find good cause to waive section 64.6060(a) of the Commission’s rules to extend the deadline for filing the 2025 IPCS Annual Reports and certifications for all IPCS providers from April 1, 2026, to June 1, 2026.  The deadline for the 2025 IPCS Annual Reports falls on April 1, 2026, only five days before the April 6 deadline for the new rate caps and other rule changes promulgated by the Commission in the 2025 IPCS Order. See supra para. 2; see also NCIC Comments in Support of Extension Request, WC Docket Nos. 23-62 and 12-375 (filed Feb. 20, 2026), https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/document/1022067325547/1 (stating that NCIC’s preparation of reply comments, due on Mar. 5, 2026, contribute to increased hardship for providers).   
  These changes require significant implementation work for all IPCS providers, including renegotiating contracts, modifying billing and technical systems, and re-training personnel. See ViaPath Motion for Extension at 3 (noting that ViaPath is currently “renegotiating and/or amending hundreds of correctional facility contracts to comply with the 2025 IPCS Order, as well as modifying its billing systems, updating its interactive voice response system (“IVR”), changing its websites, revising its web-posted disclosures, updating its tariffs, and re-training its customer service representatives”).
  Additionally, as ViaPath argues, many providers may rely on the same personnel to prepare their IPCS Annual Reports as may also be dedicated to implementing the 2025 IPCS Order, and granting providers extra time to file annual reports will help ensure personnel are available to foster a “smooth transition” to the rules and requirements adopted in the 2025 IPCS Order. See, e.g., Id. (“Completion of the IPCS Annual Report requires a significant number of personnel hours, and that personnel currently is focused on the implementation process.”).
  Extending the deadline for the 2025 IPCS Annual Reports also increases the likelihood that the Commission will receive complete and accurate data, enabling it to effectively monitor IPCS providers’ compliance with the Commission’s rules and ensure both that IPCS rates are just and reasonable and that IPCS providers are fairly compensated. See, e.g., 47 U.S.C. § 276(b)(1)(A).
   
5. Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED that, pursuant to the authority contained in sections 1, 2, 4(i)-(j), 155(c), 201(b), 218, 220, 276, and 403 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. §§ 151, 152, 154(i)-(j), 155(c), 201(b), 218, 220, 276, and 403, and the authority delegated pursuant to sections 0.91, 0.291, and 1.3 of the Commission’s rules, 47 CFR §§ 0.91, 0.291, 1.3, the April 1, 2026 filing deadline for the 2025 IPCS Annual Reports IS WAIVED as described herein and IS EXTENDED to June 1, 2026. 
6. For further information concerning this proceeding, please contact Sara Rahmjoo, Pricing Policy Division, Wireline Competition Bureau, (202) 418-0242, Sara.Rahmjoo@fcc.gov. 

						FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION




						Joseph Calascione 
						Chief
						Wireline Competition Bureau
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