Media Contact: Neil Grace, 202-418-0506 neil.grace@fcc.gov For Immediate Release FCC PROPOSES TO ELIMINATE AND STREAMLINE BURDENSOME INTERNATIONAL REPORTING REQUIREMENTS -- WASHINGTON, March 23, 2017 – The Federal Communications Commission today took steps to streamline and eliminate certain international reporting requirements. Specifically, the Commission proposes to eliminate the annual Traffic and Revenue Reports, and seeks comment on whether there are ways to further streamline the Circuit Capacity Reports. The Commission believes these reports may no longer be necessary in their current form. The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) adopted today proposes to eliminate the Traffic and Revenue Report as the costs of the data collection – which are significant for both filers and the Commission – now exceed the benefits of the information. Providers of international telecommunications services are required to file annual reports detailing their traffic and revenue for international voice services, international miscellaneous services, and international private lines. International telecommunications service providers spend almost 15,000 hours each year preparing these reports. Given the competitive nature of the international telecommunications sector, the NPRM seeks comment on ways to minimize regulatory burdens while retaining the ability to collect information that would address specific instances of anticompetitive conduct on U.S.-international routes. The NPRM also seeks comment on streamlining and improving the reporting requirements for the Commission’s Circuit Capacity Reports. Providers of international telecommunications services are required to file annual reports identifying submarine cable, satellite, and terrestrial capacity between the United States and foreign countries. The proposal asks whether alternatives or substitutes for the Commission’s data are available, whether there are ways to reduce reporting burdens and seeks comment on resolving discrepancies between capacity reported by cable operators and capacity reported by cable capacity holders. Action by the Commission March 23, 2017 by Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FCC 17-28). Chairman Pai, Commissioners Clyburn and O’Rielly approving and issuing separate statements. IB Docket No. 17-55; IB Docket No. 16-131 ### Office of Media Relations: (202) 418-0500 TTY: (888) 835-5322 Twitter: @FCC www.fcc.gov/office-media-relations 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. Cir. 1974).