Federal Communications Commission	"FCC/DA  XX-XXX"


DA 26-640
Released: June 26, 2026  

URBAN RATE SURVEY 2027 TIMELINE
WC Docket No. 10-90

The Office of Economics and Analytics (OEA) and the Wireline Competition Bureau (WCB) hereby initiate the urban rate survey for 2027. In April 2013, WCB adopted an Order setting the form and content for the annual survey of urban rates for fixed voice and fixed broadband residential services.  Connect America Fund, WC Docket No. 10-90, Order, 28 FCC Rcd 4242 (WCB/WTB 2013) (URS Order).  
  The information collected in this survey will be used to develop voice and broadband reasonable comparability benchmarks that will be in place in 2027.  
In accordance with the URS Order, to set next year’s benchmarks, we will be collecting the rates offered by a random sample of providers of fixed services identified using December 2025 data filed in the FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC).  We will collect separate samples for fixed voice and fixed broadband services in up to 500 urban census tracts for voice services, and up to 2,000 urban census tracts for broadband services. For this year’s survey, on our own motion, we again find good cause to waive, to the extent necessary, the use of 2010 census tracts, as specified in the URS Order.  See id. at 4244, para. 10; see also Urban Rate Survey Timeline for 2023, WC Docket No. 10-90, Public Notice, 37 FCC Rcd 9470, at 1 n.2 (OEA/WCB Aug. 15, 2022).  While we are using 2020 census tract boundaries for this year’s survey, WCB released a public notice seeking comment on the use of 2020 census tract boundaries, as well as various other issues pertaining to future surveys.  See Wireline Competition Bureau Seeks Comment On Modifying The Calculation Of Broadband Benchmarks, WC Docket No. 10-90, Public Notice, 38 FCC Rcd 4119 (WCB May 8, 2023).    
  Because some providers serve many urban census tracts, these providers may receive surveys for multiple census tracts.  Notifications that a provider is required to complete a survey will be sent via email to each selected provider’s BDC contact person and certifying official on or about July 6, 2026.  The survey consists of an online reporting form, which will be accessible only to the selected providers.  The email notification will contain detailed information on how to access and complete the survey online and how to obtain technical assistance.  Completed surveys will be due no later than August 14, 2026.    
Additional information on the urban rate survey, including the URS Order referenced in this Public Notice, can be found on the Commission’s urban rate survey webpage at https://www.fcc.gov/general/urban-rate-survey-data-resources.  
For questions about the urban rate survey, please contact Christopher Fettes, Industry Economist, Industry Analysis Division, Office of Economics and Analytics at Christopher.Fettes@fcc.gov or (202) 418-1228.  For additional information about this Public Notice, please contact Rebekah Douglas, Attorney Advisor, Telecommunications Access Policy Division, Wireline Competition Bureau, at Rebekah.Douglas@fcc.gov or (202) 418-7931.

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