NEWS
Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street, S.W.
Washington, D. C.  20554
This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action.
See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).
News Media Information 202 / 418-0500
Internet: http://www.fcc.gov
TTY: 1-888-835-5322
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NEWS MEDIA CONTACT
 August 1, 2008 Clyde Ensslin: 202-418-0506
Edie Herman: 202-418-2035
FCC EXAMINES FEES USED TO FUND COMMISSION BUDGET
Washington DC – Today, the Commission adopted a Report and Order and Further 
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to collect regulatory fees for Fiscal Year 2008.  
Each fiscal year, the Commission is required to collect enough fees to raise the amount 
appropriated by Congress.  For Fiscal Year 2008, the Commission received an annual 
appropriation from Congress for $313 million, with all but $1,000,000 collected through 
regulatory fees. 
The Report and Order retains the same formula, policies, and procedures for collecting 
regulatory fees that the Commission adopted in Fiscal Years 2007 and 2006, as well as in prior 
years.  The docket will remain open as the Commission continues to evaluate the appropriate 
regulatory fee method assessed on providers of International Bearer Circuits, including 
submarine cable operators.  In the order, the Commission commits to addressing this issue within 
60 days.
In addition, the Commission adopted a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that asks 
how to more fairly distribute regulatory fees among communications industry segments.  The 
further notice also examines methods to more closely align the regulatory fee regime under 
Section 9 of the Communications Act of 1934 (as amended) with the Commission’s costs.
Section 9 requires that the Commission periodically adjust the method it uses for 
collecting regulatory fees.  Given the significant changes in the industry since the agency last 
reviewed its regulatory fee structure a decade ago, the Commission initiated this comprehensive 
review to update its regulatory fee structure so that it more accurately reflects the costs incurred 
by the Commission in carrying out its statutory responsibilities.
The shift in the regulatory fee burden across communications industry sectors is 
illustrated in the Further Notice and in the attachments to this press release. 
Action by the Commission August 1, 2008, by Report and Order and Further Notice of 
Proposed Rulemaking (FCC 08-182).  Chairman Martin, Commissioners Copps, Adelstein, Tate, 
and McDowell.  
-FCC-