Media Contact: 
Cecilia Sulhoff, 202-418-0587
cecilia.sulhoff@fcc.gov 

For Immediate Release

FCC ELIMINATES UNNECESSARY CELLULAR SERVICE RULES 

WASHINGTON, July 12, 2018—The Federal Communications Commission took additional steps today to modernize its Cellular Service rules by eliminating obsolete and unnecessary regulatory burdens applicable to the Cellular Service and other Part 22 licensees.  In the Third Report & Order adopted today, the Commission furthers its efforts to repeal outdated regulations.  

Today’s Order eliminates impediments placed upon Cellular service licensees as well as other Part 22 licensees.  The revisions will streamline the Commission’s rules by reversing obsolete or unnecessarily burdensome rules, and they will allow licensees to focus resources on investment in new technologies and services to meet increasing consumer demand. 

Among other things, the Third Report and Order:

· Modernizes record-keeping rules by deleting rules requiring licensees to retain hard copies of station authorizations and other station records. 
· Eliminates the outdated requirement for licensees to maintain station control points and personnel on duty at those control points. 
· Eliminates duplicative rules pertaining to operation of mobile stations, operational control of mobile devices, and equal opportunity regulations. 
The actions taken in this Third Report and Order will provide Cellular and other Part 22 licensees with increased flexibility and will align the Cellular rules with rules applicable to other commercial wireless services.  

Action by the Commission July 12, 2018 by Report and Order (FCC 18-92).  Chairman Pai, Commissioners O’Rielly, Carr, and Rosenworcel approving.  Chairman Pai and Commissioner Carr issuing separate statements.

WT Docket Nos. 12-40, 10-112, 16-138; RM Nos. 11510, 11660;

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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).