Delete, Delete, Delete: FCC Approves Rules to Remove and Streamline Cable Rate Regulations
Action Will Remove Approximately 77 Rules or Requirements That Have Been Rendered Obsolete in Today’s Media Environment 

WASHINGTON, June 26, 2025—Today, the FCC adopted rules that will deliver on the administration’s call for agencies to unleash prosperity through deregulation, by removing from its cable rate regulations approximately 27 pages, 11,475 words, 77 rules or requirements, and 8 forms.  This action is one of the first steps in the FCC’s deregulation initiative, “Delete, Delete, Delete,” designed to promote dynamism in American telecommunications by facilitating network modernization, infrastructure development, and performance innovation.

Many of the Commission’s rules governing cable rate regulation have been rendered obsolete or unworkable due to the sunset of cable programming service tier rate regulation and the passage of time.  In 2018, the Commission adopted a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to review and update its rate regulations to reduce the administrative burdens on the cable industry, franchising authorities, and the Commission.  Today’s adopted Report and Order implements these proposed changes, which will foster flexibility and innovation in this highly competitive industry.  These rules will help to increase government efficiency by: 

· Eliminating unnecessary forms and rules,
· Reducing unnecessary burdens on cable operators by deregulating cable equipment not used exclusively to receive the basic service tier,
· Empowering small businesses by exempting them from rate regulation,
· Declining to extend rate regulation to commercial establishments, and
· Modernizing rules to account for the sunset of cable programming service tier rate regulation in determining basic service tier rates and to simplify and streamline the remaining regulations.

Action by the Commission June 26, 2025 by Report and Order (FCC 25-33).  Chairman Carr, Commissioners Gomez and Trusty approving.  Chairman Carr and Commissioner Trusty issuing separate statements.

MB Docket No. 02-144; MM Docket Nos. 92-266, 93-215; CS Docket No. 94-28

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Media Contact: MediaRelations@fcc.gov / (202) 418-0500
@FCC / www.fcc.gov

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).