Federal Communications Commission FCC 15-108
Before the
Federal Communications Commission
Washington, DC 20554
REPORT AND ORDER
AND FURTHER NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING
Adopted:  September 1, 2015 Released:  September 2, 2015
By the Commission:
Comment Date:  (30 days after date of publication in the Federal Register)
Reply Comment Date:  (60 days after date of publication in the Federal Register)
I. INTRODUCTION AND EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1. This Report and Order adopts a schedule of regulatory fees to assess and collect 
$339,844,000 in regulatory fees for Fiscal Year (FY) 2015, pursuant to Section 9 of the Communications 
Act of 1934, as amended (the Act or Communications Act) and the Commission’s FY 2015 
Appropriation.
1
The schedule of regulatory fees for FY 2015 adopted here is attached in Appendix C.
These regulatory fees are due in September 2015.  
2. The FY 2015 regulatory fees are based on the proposals in the FY 2015 NPRM,
2
considered in light of the comments received and Commission analysis.  The FY 2015 regulatory fee 
schedule includes the following noteworthy changes from prior years: (1) a reduction in regulatory fees 
for the submarine cable/terrestrial and satellite bearer circuit (IBC) category relative to other fee 
categories in the International Bureau; (2) the first fee rate for Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) as a 
subcategory of the cable television and Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) regulatory fee category; (3) 
the first regulatory fee rate for toll free numbers; and (4) the elimination of the regulatory fee component 
of two fee categories: amateur radio Vanity Call Signs and General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS).
3
In 
                                                          
1
Section 9 regulatory fees are mandated by Congress and collected to recover the regulatory costs associated with 
the Commission’s enforcement, policy and rulemaking, user information, and international activities. 47 U.S.C. § 
159(a).  Public Law 113-235, Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriation Act of 2015 (FY 2015 
Appropriation) (“Provided further, That $339,844,000 of offsetting collections shall be assessed and collected 
pursuant to section 9 of title I of the Communications Act of 1934, shall be retained and used for necessary expenses 
and shall remain available until expended.”).
2
Assessment and Collection of Regulatory Fees for Fiscal Year 2015, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Report and 
Order, and Order, 30 FCC Rcd 5354 (2015) (FY 2015 NPRM, FY 2015 Fee Reform Report and Order).
3
See FY 2015 Fee Reform Report and Order, 30 FCC Rcd at 5361-62, paras. 19-22. As required by section 
9(b)(4)(B) of the Act, “permitted amendment” letters were mailed June 4, 2015 and these amendments will take 
effect 90 days after congressional notification, i.e., on September 3, 2015.
In the Matter of
Assessment and Collection of Regulatory Fees    
for Fiscal Year 2015
)
)
)
)
)
MD Docket No. 15-121
Federal Communications Commission FCC 15-108
2
addition, for FY 2015, in calculating the fee schedule, the Commission also reallocated four International
Bureau full time employees (FTEs)
4
from direct to indirect.  
3. In the Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in this docket we seek further comment on 
changes to our methodology in calculating regulatory fees for AM and FM broadcast radio and on 
reallocating FTEs from the Wireline Competition Bureau working on numbering and universal service 
issues.
II. BACKGROUND
4. Congress adopted a regulatory fee schedule in 1993
5
and authorized the Commission to 
assess and collect annual regulatory fees pursuant to the schedule, as amended by the Commission.
6
  As a 
result, the Commission annually reviews the regulatory fee schedule, proposes changes to the schedule to 
reflect changes in the amount of its appropriation, and proposes increases or decrease to the schedule of 
regulatory fees.
7
  The Commission makes changes to the regulatory fee schedule “if the Commission 
determines that the schedule requires amendment to comply with the requirements”
8
of section 9(b)(1)(A) 
of the Act.
9
  The Commission may also add, delete, or reclassify services in the fee schedule to reflect 
additions, deletions, or changes in the nature of its services “as a consequence of Commission rulemaking 
proceedings or changes in law.”  Thus, for each fiscal year, the proposed fee schedule in the annual 
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) will reflect changes in the amount appropriated for the 
performance of the FCC’s regulatory activities, changes in the industries represented by the regulatory fee 
payors, changes in Commission FTE levels, and any other issues of relevance to the proposed fee 
schedule.
10
  After receipt and review of comments, the Commission issues a Report and Order adopting 
the fee schedule for the fiscal year and sets out the procedures for payment of fees.
5. The Commission calculates the fees by first determining the FTE number of employees 
performing the regulatory activities specified in section 9(a), “adjusted to take into account factors that 
are reasonably related to the benefits provided to the payor of the fee by the Commission’s activities….”
11
  
FTEs are categorized as “direct” if they are performing regulatory activities in one of the “core” bureaus, 
i.e., the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, Media Bureau, Wireline Competition Bureau, and part of 
the International Bureau.  All other FTEs are considered “indirect.”
12
The total FTEs for each fee 
                                                          
4
One FTE, a “Full Time Equivalent” or “Full Time Employee,” is a unit of measure equal to the work performed 
annually by a full time person (working a 40 hour workweek for a full year) assigned to the particular job, and 
subject to agency personnel staffing limitations established by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget.
5
47 U.S.C. § 159 (g) (showing original fee schedule prior to Commission amendment).
6
47 U.S.C. § 159
7
47 U.S.C. § 159(b)(1)(B).
8
47 U.S.C. § 159(b)(2).
9
47 U.S.C. § 159(b)(1)(A).  
10
Section 9(b)(2) discusses mandatory amendments to the fee schedule and Section 9(b)(3) discusses permissive 
amendments to the fee schedule.  Both mandatory and permissive amendments are not subject to judicial review. 47 
U.S.C. §§ 159(b)(2) and (3).
11
47 U.S.C. § 159(b)(1)(A). When section 9 was adopted, the total FTEs were to be calculated based on the number 
of FTEs in the Private Radio Bureau, Mass Media Bureau, and Common Carrier Bureau.  (The names of these 
bureaus were subsequently changed.)  Satellites and submarine cable were regulated through the Common Carrier 
Bureau before the International Bureau was created.  
12
The indirect FTEs are the employees from the International Bureau (in part), Enforcement Bureau, Consumer &
Governmental Affairs Bureau, Public Safety & Homeland Security Bureau, Chairman and Commissioners’ offices, 
Office of the Managing Director, Office of General Counsel, Office of the Inspector General, Office of 
Communications Business Opportunities, Office of Engineering and Technology, Office of Legislative Affairs, 
Office of Strategic Planning and Policy Analysis, Office of Workplace Diversity, Office of Media Relations, and 
Office of Administrative Law Judges, totaling 1,041 indirect FTEs.  
Federal Communications Commission FCC 15-108
3
category is calculated by counting the number of direct FTEs in the core bureau that regulates that 
category, plus a proportional allocation of indirect FTEs.  Next, the Commission allocates the total 
amount to be collected among the various regulatory fee categories.  This allocation is based on the 
number of FTEs assigned to work in each regulatory fee category.  Each regulatee within a fee category 
pays its proportionate share based on an objective measure, e.g., revenues, number of subscribers, or 
licenses.
13
  
6. As part of its annual review, the Commission regularly seeks to improve its regulatory 
fee analysis.
14
  For example, in the FY 2013 Report and Order, the Commission adopted updated FTE 
allocations to more accurately reflect the number of FTEs working on regulation and oversight of the 
regulatees in the various fee categories,
15
combined the UHF and VHF television stations into one 
regulatory fee category,
16
and created a fee category to include IPTV.
17
  Subsequently, in the FY 2014
Report and Order and FNPRM, the Commission adopted a new fee category for toll free numbers,
18
increased the de minimis threshold,
19
and eliminated several categories from the regulatory fee schedule.
20
Earlier this year, in our FY 2015 Fee Reform Report and Order, we added a subcategory for DBS 
providers in the cable television and IPTV regulatory fee category.
21
  
7. In our FY 2015 NPRM, we proposed to collect $339,844,000 in regulatory fees and 
included a detailed, proposed fee schedule.  We also sought comment on (1) a proposal revising the 
apportionment between the submarine cable/terrestrial and satellite bearer circuits fee category and the 
space station/earth station fee category; (2) revising an apportionment of regulatory fees among 
broadcasters; (3) a request for relief from regulatory fee assessments for radio stations in Puerto Rico filed 
by the Puerto Rico Broadcasters Association (PRBA);
22
(4) raising earth station regulatory fees relative to 
space station fees;
23
(5) a new regulatory fee for toll free numbers; (6) a new regulatory fee for DBS (as a 
subcategory in the cable television and IPTV regulatory fee category); and (7) whether certain FTEs 
should be allocated as direct instead of indirect.
24
  We received 13 comments and eight reply comments.  
The list of commenters is attached in Appendix A.      
                                                          
13
See Assessment and Collection of Regulatory Fees, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 27 FCC Rcd 8458, 8461-62, 
paras. 8-11 (2012) (FY 2012 NPRM).
14
See Assessment and Collection of Regulatory Fees for Fiscal Year 2008, MD Docket No. 08-65, Report and Order 
and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 24 FCC Rcd 6388 (2008) (FY 2008 Further Notice).
15
Assessment and Collection of Regulatory Fees for Fiscal Year 2013, MD Docket No. 08-65, Report and Order, 28
FCC Rcd 12351, 12354-58, paras 10-20 (2013) (FY 2013 Report and Order).
16
FY 2013 Report and Order, 28 FCC Rcd at 12361-62, paras. 29-31.
17
Id., 28 FCC Rcd at 12362-63, paras. 32-33.
18
Assessment and Collection of Regulatory Fees for Fiscal Year 2014, Report and Order and Further Notice of 
Proposed Rulemaking, 29 FCC Rcd 10767, 10777-79, paras. 25-28 (2014) (FY 2014 Report and Order and 
FNPRM).
19
FY 2014 Report and Order and FNPRM, 29 FCC Rcd at 10774-76, paras. 18-21.  
20
Id., 29 FCC Rcd at 10776-77, paras. 22-24.  
21
FY 2015 Fee Reform Report and Order, 30 FCC Rcd at 5364-5373, paras. 28-41.  We also eliminated two 
additional fee categories. See id., 30 FCC Rcd at 5361-62, paras. 19-22.
22
See Letter from Messrs. Francisco Montero, Esq. and Jonathan R. Markman, Esq., Counsel for the Puerto Rico 
Broadcasters Association, filed in Docket No. 14-92, to Marlene Dortch, Secretary, Federal Communications 
Commission (Dec. 10, 2014) (PRBA Letter).
23
Earth station fees were previously increased by 7.5 percent.  See FY 2014 Report and Order, 29 FCC Rcd at 
10772-73, para. 12.
24
This issue was raised previously.  See, e.g., FY 2014 NPRM, 29 FCC Rcd at 6425-27, paras. 22-27.
Federal Communications Commission FCC 15-108
4
III. REPORT AND ORDER
A. Discussion
1. FY 2015 Regulatory Fees
8. In this Report and Order, we adopt a regulatory fee schedule for FY 2015, pursuant to 
Section 9 of the Communications Act and our FY 2015 appropriation statute in order to collect 
$339,844,000 in regulatory fees.
25
  Of this amount, we project approximately $18.56 million (5.45
percent of the total FTE allocation) in fees from the International Bureau regulatees;
26
$69.07 million 
(20.28 percent of the total FTE allocation) in fees from the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau 
regulatees;
27
$132.81 million (38.99 percent of the total FTE allocation) from Wireline Competition 
Bureau regulatees;
28
and $120.15 million (35.28 percent of the total FTE allocation) from the Media 
Bureau regulatees.
29
These regulatory fees are due in September 2015.  The schedule of regulatory fees 
for FY 2015 adopted here is attached as Appendix C.
2. Toll Free Numbers
9. In the FY 2014 Report and Order and FNPRM,
30
we adopted a regulatory fee category 
for each toll free number managed by a RespOrg. The Commission adopted the new toll free regulatory 
fee for RespOrgs in addition to the fee for ITSPs because they are using Commission resources for each 
fee category.  As a result, payment for both ITSP and toll free number fee categories should be made.
31
  
                                                          
25
Section 9 regulatory fees are mandated by Congress and collected to recover the regulatory costs associated with 
the Commission’s enforcement, policy and rulemaking, user information, and international activities. 47 U.S.C. § 
159(a).  
26
Includes satellites, earth stations, and international bearer circuits (submarine cable systems and satellite and 
terrestrial bearer circuits).
27
Includes Commercial Mobile Radio Service (CMRS), CMRS messaging, Broadband Radio Service/Local 
Multipoint Distribution Service (BRS/LMDS), and multi-year wireless licensees.
28
Includes Interstate Telecommunications Service Providers (ITSP) and toll free numbers.
29
Includes AM radio, FM radio, television, low power/FM, cable and IPTV, DBS, and Cable Television Relay 
Service (CARS) licenses.
30
FY 2014 Report and Order and FNPRM, 29 FCC Rcd at 10777-79, paras. 25-28.  We adopted this category for 
working, assigned, and reserved toll free numbers and for toll free numbers that are in the “transit” status, or any 
other status as defined in section 52.103 of the Commission’s rules.  The regulatory fee, assessed on Responsible 
Organizations or RespOrgs, for toll free numbers is limited to toll free numbers that are accessible within the United 
States.
31
A Responsible Organization or RespOrg is a company that manages toll free telephone numbers for subscribers.
RespOrgs use the SMS/800 data base to verify the availability of specific numbers and to reserve the numbers for 
subscribers. See 47 C.F.R. § 52.101(b).  ITTA contends that “it makes no sense to collect this fee from entities that 
already pay regulatory fees as ITSPs.”  ITTA Comments at 7-8.  In the FY 2014 Report and Order and FNPRM, 29 
FCC Rcd at 10777-79, paras. 25-28, we explained the issue in some detail.  In particular, we noted that there may be 
many toll free numbers controlled or managed by RespOrgs that in some cases are not carriers.  Commission FTEs 
in the Wireline Competition Bureau and the Enforcement Bureau work on toll free numbering issues and other 
related activities. As a result, the Commission adopted a regulatory fee for each toll free number controlled or 
managed by the RespOrg, because many toll free numbers are controlled or managed by RespOrgs that are not 
carriers, and therefore, have not been paying regulatory fees.  Because Commission FTEs work on toll free number 
regulation, we adopted the regulatory fee category for toll free numbers to recover the associated costs.  It is also 
important to note that the amount assessed for toll free numbers reduces the total regulatory fee assessment for 
ITSPs.  In the FY 2014 Report and Order and FNPRM, we stated that:  “Based on evaluation, the FTEs involved in 
toll free issues are primarily from the Wireline Competition Bureau. . . . Accordingly, a regulatory fee assessed on 
toll free numbers reduces the ITSP regulatory fee total.” FY 2014 Report and Order and FNPRM, 29 FCC Rcd at 
10778, para. 27 (footnote omitted).
Federal Communications Commission FCC 15-108
5
In the FY 2015 NPRM, we sought comment on a regulatory fee of 12 cents per toll free number.
32
  In this 
Report and Order, we adopt the proposed fee of 12 cents per toll free number.    
3. Submarine Cable
10. In the FY 2014 Report and Order and FNPRM, we concluded that the regulatory fee 
assessment for the submarine cable/terrestrial and satellite bearer circuits fee category did not fairly take 
into account the Commission’s minimal oversight and regulation of the international bearer circuit (IBC) 
industry.  Accordingly, we reduced the total regulatory fee apportionment for submarine cable/terrestrial 
and satellite bearer circuits by five percent and stated that we would revisit the issue to determine if 
additional adjustment is warranted.
33
  Subsequently, in the FY 2015 NPRM, we sought comment on 
further reducing the regulatory fee allocation for the submarine cable/terrestrial and satellite bearer circuit 
fee category.
34
  In particular, we observed that after the initial licensing process, the regulatory activity 
concerning submarine cable/terrestrial and satellite bearer circuit systems is primarily limited to 
reviewing the Circuit Capacity Reports
35
and quarterly reports filed by licensees.
36
Based on our tentative 
conclusion that the fee remained excessive relative to the minimal Commission oversight and regulation 
of this industry, we proposed another five percent decrease in fees.
37
11. NASCA, representing submarine cable operators,
38
argues that the proposed fee remains 
excessive because the industry would be responsible for 27.6 percent of all International Bureau 
regulatory fees.
39
Commenters also contend that the apportionment of regulatory fees for submarine cable 
operators and terrestrial and satellite bearer circuits remains too high due to the small number of FTEs 
working on those services.
40
  Some commenters observe as well that the high regulatory fees imposed on 
the submarine cable operators can place the United States at a competitive disadvantage because Canada 
and Mexico have much lower fees and the submarine cable industry may choose to land new cables in 
those countries instead.
41
  Commenters suggest that this could pose national security issues if the 
submarine cable operators choose to build out in Canada and Mexico, because those facilities would not 
be subject to the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act, commonly known as CALEA.
42
EchoStar contends that we have not supported our proposal to reduce the IBC fees with sufficient facts.
43
  
12. In 2009, the Commission adopted a new regulatory fee methodology for submarine cable 
                                                          
32
FY 2015 NPRM, 30 FCC Rcd at 5358, para. 10.
33
See FY 2014 Report and Order and FNPRM, 29 FCC Rcd at 10772, para. 11.
34
Id.
35
See 47 C.F.R. § 43.62(a)(2); Reporting Requirements for U.S. Providers of International Telecommunications 
Services; Amendment of Part 43 of the Commission’s Rules, IB Docket No. 04-112, Second Report and Order, 28 
FCC Rcd 575, 601-08, paras. 89-108 (2013) (Second Report and Order); id. at 604, para. 98 (noting that submarine 
cable capacity holders will report circuit capacity, rather than circuit status, going forward), recon. dismissed, Order, 
30 FCC Rcd 6318 (Int’l Bur. 2015).
36
See 47 C.F.R. § 1.767(l).
37
FY 2015 NPRM, 30 FCC Rcd at 5358-59, para. 12.
38
NASCA Comments at 2-3. (NASCA represents operators with 30 of the 42 active systems landing in the United 
States.)
39
NASCA Comments at 9.
40
NASCA Comments at 11-13; Coalition Comments at 4-7 & Reply Comments at 3. (The Coalition consists of 
Cedar Cable Ltd., Columbus Networks USA, Inc., GlobeNet Cabos Submarinos America, Inc., and GU Holdings 
Inc.).
41
Coalition Comments at 8.
42
Coalition Comments at 8.
43
EchoStar Comments at 5.
Federal Communications Commission FCC 15-108
6
based on a proposal by a large group of submarine cable operators.
44
  Under this methodology, after we 
apportion the IBC revenue requirement between the terrestrial and satellite facilities and submarine cable, 
we assess the submarine cable systems on a per cable landing license basis, with higher fees for larger 
systems and lower fees for smaller systems (the regulatory fees for terrestrial and satellite facilities are 
still assessed on a per bearer circuit basis).
45
  The regulatory fees that are now paid by the submarine cable 
operators cover the services provided to common carriers using the submarine cable circuits in addition to
the services that the International Bureau provides to submarine cable operators.  The International 
Bureau’s regulatory activity concerning submarine cable includes licensing,
46
reviewing the Circuit 
Capacity Reports
47
and filed quarterly reports.
48
  In addition, all International Bureau services provided to 
common carriers using the submarine cable circuits, such as benchmarks enforcement,
49
protection from 
anticompetitive actions by foreign carriers, foreign ownership rulings (Petitions for Declaratory Rulings, 
or PDRs), section 214 authorizations, and bilateral and multilateral negotiations and representation of 
U.S. interests at international organizations, are all provided by the International Bureau on behalf of the 
common carriers using submarine cable circuits. Upon this further analysis, we conclude that our 
previous estimate of two FTEs working on IBC issues, discussed in FY 2014 Report and Order, did not 
take these issues into account.
50
  Nevertheless, as we have discussed previously in the FY 2013 NPRM, FY 
2014 NPRM, and the FY 2015 NPRM,
51
the oversight and regulation of the IBC industry may warrant 
additional adjustment to the fee allocation.  For the reasons discussed above, we reduce the regulatory fee 
apportionment for submarine cable/terrestrial and satellite bearer circuits by 7.5 percent to more 
accurately reflect the regulation and oversight for the industry.
52
  This analysis reflects both the direct 
work on submarine cable/terrestrial and satellite bearer circuit issues and other common carrier issues by 
International Bureau FTEs and the indirect FTEs that devote their time to International Bureau regulatees 
as a whole.  We find that this decrease in the regulatory fees paid by IBCs more accurately reflects the 
level of regulation and oversight for this industry.  Also, we reject the speculation that failure to reduce 
regulatory fees as much as the submarine cable operators might prefer could lead to a change in the cable 
landing locations.  We also reject EchoStar’s statement that our proposal lacked factual support.  As noted 
above, the regulatory oversight of this fee category has been explained in detail in this, and prior 
proceedings,
53
and has been the subject of comments by submarine cable operators for a number of years.  
                                                          
44
Assessment and Collection of Regulatory Fees for Fiscal Year 2008, Second Report and Order, 24 FCC Rcd 4208 
(2009) (Submarine Cable Order).
45
Submarine Cable Order, 24 FCC Rcd at 4214-17, paras. 13-22.
46
The International Bureau reviews, processes, analyzes, and grants applications for submarine cable landing license 
applications, transfers, assignments, and modifications.  The bureau also coordinates processing of submarine cable 
landing license applications with the relevant Executive Branch agencies.
47
See Second Report and Order, 28 FCC Rcd at 601-08, paras. 89-108.
48
See 47 C.F.R. § 1.767(l). The International Bureau reviews Part 43 submarine cable circuit capacity and traffic 
and revenue filings, and compiles and publishes annual industry analysis reports based on that data.
49
See, e.g., International Settlement Rates, IB Docket No. 96-261, Report and Order, 12 FCC Rcd 19806 (1997) 
(Benchmarks Order); Report and Order on Reconsideration and Order Lifting Stay, 14 FCC Rcd 9256 (1999) 
(Benchmarks Reconsideration Order); aff’d sub nom. Cable & Wireless, 166 F.3d 1224.  
50
FY 2014 Report and Order, 29 FCC Rcd at 10772, para. 11.
51
FY 2013 NPRM, 28 FCC Rcd at 7800-7803, paras. 24-29; FY 2014 NPRM, 29 FCC Rcd at 6427-28, para. 28; FY 
2015 NPRM, 30 FCC Rcd at 5358-59, para. 12.
52
The actual decrease adopted herein is higher than 7.5 percent due to the reallocation of four direct FTEs, discussed 
in para. 24, because the submarine cable percentage of International Bureau regulatory fees was 31.36 percent in FY 
2014 and will be 24.85 percent in FY 2015, a reduction of more than 20 percent.
53
See FY 2013 NPRM, 28 FCC Rcd at 7800-7803, paras. 24-29; FY 2014 NPRM, 29 FCC Rcd at 6427-28, para. 28; 
FY 2015 NPRM, 30 FCC Rcd at 5358-59, para. 12.
Federal Communications Commission FCC 15-108
7
4. Earth Stations
13. In the FY 2014 NPRM, the Commission recognized that the International Bureau’s 
oversight and regulation of the satellite industry involves FTEs working on legal, technical, and policy 
issues pertaining to both space station and earth station operations and is therefore interdependent to some 
degree.
54
  For that reason, we sought comment on whether we should increase the earth station regulatory 
fee allocation in order to reflect more appropriately the number of FTEs devoted to the regulation and 
oversight of the earth station portion of the satellite industry.
55
In the FY 2014 regulatory fee proceeding, 
we increased the regulatory fees paid by earth station licensees by approximately 7.5 percent based on our 
analysis and review of the record.
56
  
14. In the FY 2015 NPRM, we sought comment on whether to raise the earth station 
regulatory fees again.
57
  We find, however, that this issue requires further analysis.  In particular, due to 
comments suggesting that we adopt different regulatory fees for different types of earth stations and an 
ongoing proceeding concerning Part 25 (Satellite Communications) of the Commission’s rules which may 
affect the distribution of FTE work, we plan to further examine and consider this issue for FY 2016.
58
  In 
doing so, we intend to seek comment on EchoStar’s proposal to assess different levels of regulatory fees 
on different types of earth station licenses.
59
5. FTE Reallocations
15. As explained above in paragraph five, we calculate regulatory fees by classifying FTEs 
either as direct or indirect.  FTEs classified as direct are further associated with one of the core bureaus. 
The Commission now updates FTE allocations on an annual basis to more accurately reflect the number 
of FTEs working on regulation and oversight of the regulatees in the various fee categories.
60
  The 
Commission has also previously determined that some of the International Bureau FTEs should be
considered indirect instead of direct.
61
  We find that apart from the unique nature of the International 
Bureau FTEs, the work of all the FTEs in a core bureau contributes to the cost of regulating and 
overseeing the licensees of that bureau. Therefore, we may reasonably expect that the work of the FTEs 
in the core bureaus would remain focused on the industry segment regulated by each of those bureaus.  
The work of the FTEs in the remaining (i.e., indirect) bureaus and offices benefits the Commission and 
the telecommunications industry and is not specifically focused on the licensees of a particular core 
bureau.  Given the significant implications of reassignment of FTEs in our fee calculation, we make 
changes to FTE classifications only after performing considerable analysis and finding the clearest case 
for reassignment.
62
a. Request to Characterize Indirect FTEs as Direct FTEs
16. SIA and EchoStar propose that we consider FTEs working in certain divisions of the 
Enforcement Bureau and the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau and the Office of Engineering & 
                                                          
54
FY 2014 NPRM, 29 FCC Rcd at 6428, para. 29.
55
Id., 29 FCC Rcd at 6428, para. 29.
56
See FY 2014 Report and Order, 29 FCC Rcd at 10772-73, para. 12.
57
FY 2015 NPRM, 30 FCC Rcd at 5360, para. 14.
58
See EchoStar July 20, 2015 ex parte.
59
See id.
60
FY 2013 Report and Order, 28 FCC Rcd at 12355-56, para. 14.
61
Id., 28 FCC Rcd at 12356, para. 14.
62
FY 2013 Report and Order, 28 FCC Rcd at 12357, para. 19.  The Commission observed that the International 
Bureau was a “singular case” because the work of those FTEs “primarily benefits licensees regulated by other 
bureaus.”  Id., 28 FCC Rcd at 12355, para. 14.
Federal Communications Commission FCC 15-108
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Technology (i.e., indirect FTEs) as direct FTEs, associated with a core bureau for purposes of regulatory 
fee calculation.
63
  SIA contends that the work in the Market Disputes Resolution Division “is limited to 
complaints against common carriers and pole attachment disputes”
64
and the “Telecommunications 
Consumers Division focuses on protecting consumers from fraudulent, misleading, and other harmful 
practices involving telecommunications, such as slamming.”
65
  SIA’s description of these two 
Enforcement Bureau divisions underestimates the range of issues that they investigate.
66
  EchoStar argues 
that the Office of Engineering & Technology’s regulatory work suggests that “no more than 7 percent of 
the applicable FTEs for the OET should be allocated to space-related IB licensees.”
67
  This proposal 
raised by SIA and EchoStar involves more than an analysis of two divisions and one office but rather 
would require an assessment of how all work done by FTEs in a bureau or office not classified as a core 
bureau could be associated with the work of a core bureau, such that additional FTEs could be allocated 
to the core bureau.  However, FTEs are assigned as indirect in our regulatory fee calculation where the 
FTEs work on a variety of issues that cannot be attributed to one particular type of industry or regulatee at 
this time.  
17. The Enforcement Bureau and Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau FTEs and other 
indirect FTEs, such as those in the Office of Engineering & Technology, work on a wide range of matters, 
not all directly assignable to a particular core bureau.  We recognize that before the Enforcement Bureau 
was created, the core bureaus each had an enforcement division and those FTEs would have been 
assigned to those core bureaus.  Currently, however, most enforcement activity is consolidated into the 
Enforcement Bureau; therefore, the FTEs in that bureau work on a wider range of issues and it would be 
difficult to attribute the work to a specific core bureau, e.g., investigations that involve more than one 
service.  While SIA suggests that we might track informal complaints filed in the Consumer & 
Governmental Affairs Bureau and associate them with a core licensing bureau based on the number of 
informal complaints in each category over a certain time period,
68
we find that this would not be feasible 
at this time because the types of informal complaints can vary considerably and often cover areas that are 
not specifically correlated with one core bureau, e.g., billing issues for bundled services.  For these 
reasons, we conclude that reallocating indirect FTEs as direct as suggested by EchoStar and SIA is not 
feasible at this time.  We will, however, continue to analyze this issue.    
b. Request to Associate Direct FTEs with a Different Core Bureau
18. NAB notes that the FTEs in the Media Bureau who work on issues pertaining to the 
upcoming spectrum incentive auction to repurpose broadcast television spectrum to wireless use should 
be reallocated to the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau for regulatory fee purposes.
69
  SIA asks us to 
“re-evaluate whether it is appropriate to exclude auction FTEs in assessing direct costs.”
70
  FTE time 
devoted to developing and implementing the upcoming spectrum incentive auction–direct and indirect 
                                                          
63
SIA Comments at 8-11; EchoStar Comments at 3-4.  CTIA observes that excluding one type of licensee, such as 
satellite providers, from contributing to indirect costs would threaten the administrability of the regulatory fee 
program.  CTIA Reply Comments at 5.  We interpret this proposal as asking us to determine how many indirect 
FTEs work on issues pertaining to all core bureau licensees.    
64
SIA Comments at 8.
65
SIA Comments at 8.
66
For a brief description of the Enforcement Bureau divisions, see https://www.fcc.gov/encyclopedia/enforcement-
bureau-organization.  
67
EchoStar Comments at 4.  We note that currently International Bureau licensees are 5.43% of the direct FTEs and 
therefore 5.43% of the indirect FTEs are assigned to the International Bureau licensees, which is lower than the 7% 
EchoStar is proposing.
68
SIA Comments at 10.
69
NAB Comments at 4.
70
SIA Comments at 12.
Federal Communications Commission FCC 15-108
9
costs–is not included in the calculation of fees and is not offset by the collection of regulatory fees.  
Instead, time devoted to developing and implementing the incentive auction is tracked separately from 
other work performed by Media Bureau and other FTEs and is offset by the auction proceeds that the 
Commission is permitted to retain pursuant to section 309(j)(8) of the Communications Act and the 
Commission’s annual appropriation statute.
71
  Thus, the Commission is unable, as a legal matter, to 
implement these proposals.  
6. DBS Rate Issues
19. In the FY 2015 NPRM, we sought comment on setting the initial rate for DBS regulatory 
fees, as a subset of the cable television and IPTV category, at 12 cents per year, or one cent per month.
72
  
Several commenters contend that we should require DBS operators to pay the same rate as cable 
television and IPTV.
73
DBS commenters contend that paying the same rate as cable television/IPTV 
would cause “rate shock” and if we adopt a fee it should be 12 cents as proposed.
74
  
20. When adopting the new regulatory fee subcategory for DBS within the cable and IPTV 
category, we determined a variety of regulatory developments have increased the amount of regulatory 
activity by the Media Bureau FTEs involving regulation and oversight of MVPDs, including DBS 
providers.
75
  For example, DBS providers (and cable television operators) are permitted to file program 
access complaints
76
and complaints seeking relief under the retransmission consent good faith rules.
77
In 
addition, DBS providers are subject to MVPD requirements such as those pertaining to program carriage
78
and the requirement to negotiate retransmission consent in good faith.
79
  More recently, the Commission 
adopted a host of requirements that apply to all MVPDs and thus equally apply to DBS providers as part 
of its implementation of the Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation Act (CALM Act),
80
the 
Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (CVAA),
81
as well as the 
Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act (STELA) Reauthorization Act of 2014 (STELAR).
82
  
Moreover, we recognize that FY 2015 would be the first time the Commission would be applying this 
regulatory fee subcategory for DBS.  Thus, for the above reasons, we find that for FY 2015 the proposed 
                                                          
71
See, e.g. the FCC’s FY 2015 appropriation statute, the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 
2015, Pub.L. 113-235, 128 Stat. 2130 (2014).
72
FY 2015 NPRM, 30 FCC Rcd at 5358, para. 9.
73
NCTA & ACA Comments at 2-6 & Reply Comments at 4-6; ITTA Comments at 5-7.
74
DIRECTV Comments at 3-5 & Reply Comments at 3-4 (arguing that if we adopt a fee it should be the 12 cents 
proposed); DISH Reply Comments at 4-5.
75
See FY 2015 Fee Reform Report and Order, 30 FCC Rcd at 5367-68, para. 31.  
76
47 U.S.C. § 548; 47 C.F.R. § 76.1000-1004.
77
47 U.S.C. §§ 325(b)(1), (3)(C)(ii); 47 C.F.R. § 76.65(b).
78
47 U.S.C. § 536; 47 C.F.R. §§ 76.1300-1302.
79
47 U.S.C. § 325(b)(3)(C)(iii); 47 C.F.R. § 76.65(a)-(b).
80
See Implementation of the Commercial Advertisement, Loudness Mitigation (CALM) Act, Report and Order, 26 
FCC Rcd 17222 (2011) (CALM Act Report and Order).
81
Pub. L. No. 111-260, 124 Stat. 2751 (2010).  See also Amendment of Twenty-First Century Communications and
Video Accessibility Act of 2010, Pub. L. No. 111-265, 124 Stat. 2795 (2010) (making corrections to the CVAA); 47 
C.F.R. Part 79.
82
The STELA Reauthorization Act of 2014 (STELAR), §§ 102, Pub. L. No.113-200, 128 Stat.2059, 2060-62 (2014) 
(codified at 47 U.S.C. § 338(1)).  The STELAR was enacted on Dec. 4, 2014 (H.R.5728, 113
th
Cong.).  
Implementation of Section 102 of the STELA Reauthorization Act of 2014, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, MB 
Docket No. 15-71, FCC 15-34 (rel. Mar. 26, 2015) proposes satellite television “market modification” rules to 
implement section 102 of STELAR.
Federal Communications Commission FCC 15-108
10
rate of 12 cents per subscriber per year is a sensible fee supported by data and analysis.
83
  In the FY 2016 
regulatory fee proceeding, we will update this rate for future years, based on relevant information, as 
necessary for ensuring an appropriate level of regulatory parity and considering the resources dedicated to 
this new regulatory fee subcategory.
84
7. Other Rate Issues
21. Aviation Ground Licenses.  In the FY 2015 NPRM, we proposed an increase in regulatory 
fees for aviation ground licenses.  Commenters contend that we have proposed an unjustified and 
disproportionate fee increase for aviation ground licensees.
85
The Aviation Joint Commenters disagree 
with our contention that the payment units should be adjusted and they observe that we failed to explain 
why the revenue requirement was increased.
86
  These commenters observe that despite no increase in 
regulation of this industry, the Commission has significantly increased the regulatory fees in FY 2014 and 
FY 2015.
87
  We agree with the Aviation Joint Commenters and, after reviewing additional information, 
have adjusted the payment units and rate accordingly based on current fiscal year renewals.
22. Satellite.  Several commenters have raised issues pertaining to the proposed space station 
fees.  SIA and EchoStar object to the proposed increase in fees, contending that we should cap any 
increases at 7.5 percent.
88
  These commenters argue that we should adopt the same cap we adopted for FY 
2013.  In FY 2013, the 7.5 percent cap was instituted to address the initial changes in the FTE allocations 
(not fee rate changes resulting from changes in the unit counts) as a result of the General Accountability 
Office (GAO) recommendations adopted in that proceeding.
89
  Such FTE allocation changes could have 
caused some regulatory fee rates to increase dramatically.  To address this issue, the Commission capped 
the fee rate increase to 7.5 percent from the prior year.  In the current proceeding, some satellite 
commenters requested that the Commission adopt a 7.5 percent cap on FY 2015 regulatory fee increases 
as the Commission did in FY 2013 with respect to the Non-Geostationary Space Station fee category.  
Although the circumstances in which we instituted the cap in FY 2013 are different than now, any 
discussion of imposing a cap at this time is not necessary because the satellite fee rate in the FY 2015 
Report and Order is nearly the same or slightly lower than in FY 2014.  We therefore decline to adopt a 
cap in this instance.  
23. Intelsat asks that we take satellite application fees
90
into consideration in calculating our 
regulatory fees.
91
  We are required to assess and collect $339,844,000 in regulatory fees for FY 2015, 
                                                          
83
See FY 2015 Fee Reform Report and Order, 30 FCC Rcd at 5367-5373, paras. 31 to 41.  The agency is not 
required to calculate its costs with “scientific precision.” Central & Southern Motor Freight Tariff Ass'n v. United 
States, 777 F.2d 722, 736 (D.C. Cir. 1985). Reasonable approximations will suffice. Id.; Mississippi Power & 
Light, 601 F.2d at 232; National Cable Television Ass'n v. FCC, 554 F.2d 1094, 1105 (D.C. Cir. 1976); 36 Comp. 
Gen. 75 (1956).
84
See FY 2015 Fee Reform Report and Order, 30 FCC Rcd at 5371-72, para. 38
85
Aviation Joint Comments at 4-12.
86
Id. at 5-6.
87
Id. at 6-9.
88
SIA Comments at 6-7; EchoStar Comments at 6-8.
89
General Accountability Office, “Federal Communications Commission, Regulatory Fee Process Needs to be 
Updated”, GAO 12-686, August 2012, p. 1, 8-11.
90
Application fees are assessed under Section 8 of the Communications Act. 47 U.S.C. § 158 and are paid directly 
into the general fund of the U.S. Treasury.  47 U.S.C. §158(e).  The Commission is not authorized to retain receipts 
from application fees for its own use or to use application fees to offset its appropriation.
91
Intelsat Comments at 1-2.
Federal Communications Commission FCC 15-108
11
pursuant to Section 9 of the Communications Act and the Commission’s FY 2015 Appropriation.
92
  Thus, 
we are not able to collect less than mandated by Congress in order to take into account section 8 
application fees, as Intelsat requests.  
24. In addition, Intelsat argues that U.S.-licensed satellite operators should not have to 
subsidize the non-U.S.-licensed satellite operators’ ability to serve the U.S. market.
93
  We have sought 
comment previously on this issue because the number of International Bureau FTEs working on non-
U.S.-licensed space stations increases the regulatory fees for the International Bureau regulatees.
94
  We 
also note that non-U.S.-licensed space stations that have been granted access to the U.S. market will 
eventually communicate with earth stations in the United States, and therefore aspects of the interrelated 
communications system are apportioned to earth station licensees when accounting for FTE time spent 
processing requests to access the non-U.S. licensed space station.  We conclude that due to: (i) the time 
spent by International Bureau FTEs in working on these issues; and (ii) the significant number of requests 
to access the U.S. market by non-U.S.-licensed space stations, the FTEs working on petitions or other 
matters involving non-U.S.-licensed space stations should be removed from the regulatory fee 
assessments for U.S.-licensed space stations and considered indirect for regulatory fee purposes.  Non-
U.S.-licensed space stations granted access to the market in the United States provide a variety of 
services.  Attributing such FTE work as indirect appropriately attributes the regulatory fee burden to the 
wider telecommunications industry that benefits from such grants of market access.  We have reviewed 
the number of FTEs working on the non-U.S.-licensed space stations and have determined that 
approximately four FTEs are devoted to this work at this time, therefore, we are reallocating four
International Bureau FTEs as indirect FTEs for regulatory fee purposes.
95
8. Puerto Rico Broadcasters Association Petition
25. In the FY 2015 NPRM, we sought comment on the petition filed by the Puerto Rico 
Broadcaster’s Association (PRBA) seeking regulatory fee relief.
96
  We recognize the challenging 
circumstances described in the PRBA petition.  Due to the complexities of this proposal and time 
constraints imposed by the annual regulatory fee process, additional time is needed to further consider this 
petition.  We intend to address the PRBA petition in a separate proceeding outside of the regulatory fee 
rulemaking process.  We understand that PRBA is contending that the costs associated with preparing and 
filing a waiver request would be overly burdensome; however, 
97
our waiver process
98
is available to 
PRBA members and any aggrieved party seeking a waiver of our rules.
99
9. Effective Date of Elimination of the Vanity Call Sign and General Mobile 
Radio Service Regulatory Fee
26. In the Commission’s FY 2015 Fee Reform Report and Order,
100
the Commission 
                                                          
92
Section 9 regulatory fees are mandated by Congress and collected to recover the regulatory costs associated with 
the Commission’s enforcement, policy and rulemaking, user information, and international activities. 47 U.S.C. § 
159(a).  
93
Intelsat Comments at 3-4.
94
See FY 2014 NPRM, 29 FCC Rcd at 6434, para. 50.
95
The number of market access requests can vary; however, four FTEs is appropriate at this point.
96
FY 2015 NPRM, 30 FCC Rcd at 5360-61, paras. 15-18.  One commenter addressed the issues in the PRBA 
petition and suggests that we adopt our second proposal and create a separate fee category for Puerto Rico at a lower 
rate.  ARSO Comments at 6-8.
97
PRBA Comments at 2.
98
47 U.S.C. § 159(d); 47 C.F.R. § 1.1166.
99
See the Commission’s regulatory fee waiver fact sheet, available at https://www.fcc.gov/document/fy-2014-
regulatory-fees-waiver-fact-sheet.
100
FY 2015 Fee Reform Report and Order, 30 FCC Rcd at 5361-62, paras. 19-22.
Federal Communications Commission FCC 15-108
12
eliminated the regulatory fee component of two fee categories: amateur radio Vanity Call Signs
101
and 
General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS).
102
  The elimination of regulatory fee categories constitutes a 
“permitted amendment” as defined in section 9(b)(3) of the Act.  As required by section 9(b)(4)(B) of the 
Act, “permitted amendment” letters dated June 4, 2015 were mailed to congressional officials informing 
them of the elimination of these two fee categories and adoption of the new DBS fee category.  Consistent 
with section 9(b)(4)(B) of the Act, these amendments will take effect 90 days after congressional 
notification of the permitted amendment letter, dated June 4, 2015.  Thus, effective September 3, 2015, 
the Vanity Call Sign and GMRS regulatory fee categories will be eliminated and licensees will not be 
required to pay additional regulatory fees for these licenses.
103
  Regulatees are still responsible for the 
payment of all application fees associated with these licenses.    
IV. FURTHER NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING
A. Broadcasters’ Regulatory Fees
27. In the FY 2015 NPRM, we sought comment on whether the Commission should review 
the apportionment of regulatory fees among broadcasters.  We sought comment on whether the 
Commission should reexamine the number of FTEs devoted to the regulation of radio versus television 
broadcasters and adjust the fee paid by radio and television broadcasters to more accurately take into 
account factors related to “the benefits provided to the payor of the fee by the Commission’s activities.”
104
  
NAB filed comments in support of our effort to better align fees with the FTEs working on broadcast 
issues, but observes that we have not yet provided information about the relevant FTEs.
105
We have 
reviewed the categories of work performed by FTEs in the Media Bureau, in order to provide further 
information for commenters on this issue.  The Media Bureau, consisting of 169 FTEs, develops, 
recommends, and administers the policy and licensing programs for electronic media, including cable 
television, broadcast television, and radio in the United States and its territories, and also handles post-
licensing matters regarding DBS service.  The Media Bureau has 25 FTEs in the bureau front office, 
(including staff assigned to Bureau-wide administrative support), 51 in the Audio Division, 27 in the 
Industry Analysis Division, 13 in Engineering Division, 29 in the Policy Division, and 24 in the Video 
Division.  Some of these FTEs may be categorized as auctions-funded, depending on the Commission’s 
auctions schedule.  All of the Engineering Division FTEs work on cable issues, and some FTEs from the 
Policy and Industry Analysis Divisions also work on cable issues.  Of the 52 FTEs in the Audio Division, 
approximately 42 are assigned to FM and 10 to AM.  The 25 FTEs in the Video Division work on 
television issues.  We seek further comment on whether and how to reform our regulatory fee assessments 
for broadcasters.
28. The Commission assesses regulatory fees on radio broadcasters based on type and class 
of service and on the population they serve.  Earlier this year we sought comment on whether the dividing 
points for higher fee levels for both television and radio broadcasters remain appropriate and observed 
                                                          
101
Call signs assigned to newly licensed stations, i.e., a sequential call sign, are assigned based on the licensee’s 
mailing address and class of operator license.  47 C.F.R. § 97.17(d).  The licensee can request a specific unassigned 
but assignable call sign, known as a vanity call sign. 47 C.F.R. § 97.19.  There is no fee for the sequential call sign.
102
GMRS (formerly Class A of the Citizens Radio Service) is a personal radio service available for the conduct of 
an individual’s personal and family communications. See 47 C.F.R. § 95.1.
103
The letter dated June 4, 2015 also includes the establishment of a DBS regulatory fee which will also be effective 
September 3, 2015.
104
47 U.S.C. § 159(b)(1)(A) (providing for adjustment of the FTE allocation to “take into account factors that are 
reasonably related to the benefits provided to the payor of the fee by the Commission’s activities, including such 
factors as service area coverage, shared use versus exclusive use, and other factors that the Commission determines 
are necessary in the public interest.”).
105
NAB Comments at 2.
Federal Communications Commission FCC 15-108
13
that “no single ratio apportions regulatory fees among AM and FM radio categories.”
106
  We seek further 
comment on rationalizing the regulatory fee table for radio broadcasters.  First, we seek input on 
including a higher population row in the table, dividing radio broadcasters that serve 3,000,001–
6,000,000 people from those that serve more.  Second, we seek input on standardizing the incremental 
increase in fees as radio broadcasters increase the population they serve, such as by requiring that fee 
adjustments between tiers monotonically increase as the population served increases.  Third, we seek 
input on consistently assessing fees based on the relative type and class of service, such as by assessing 
FM class B, C, C0, C1, & C2 stations at twice the rate of AM class C stations, and FM class A, B1, & C3 
stations assessed at 75 percent more than AM class C stations. For AM stations, we seek comment on 
assessing AM class A stations at 60 percent more, AM class B stations at 15 percent more, and AM class 
D stations at 10 percent more than AM class C stations (i.e., at roughly the relative rates assessed today).  
Taking these options together, we seek comment on the following potential table of regulatory fees for 
radio broadcasters.
PROPOSED RADIO STATION REGULATORY FEES
Population 
Served
AM Class 
A
AM Class 
B
AM 
Class C
AM 
Class D
FM Classes
A, B1 & C3
FM Classes
B, C, C0, C1 
& C2
<=25,000 $910 $655 $570 $625 $1,000 $1,140 
25,001 – 75,000 $1,370 $985 $855 $940 $1,495 $1,710 
75,001 – 150,000 $1,825 $1,310 $1,140 $1,255 $1,995 $2,280 
150,001 – 500,000 $2,735 $1,965 $1,710 $1,880 $2,995 $3,420 
500,001 – 1,200,000 $4,560 $3,280 $2,850 $3,135 $4,990 $5,700 
1,200,001–3,000,000 $6,840 $4,915 $4,275 $4,705 $7,480 $8,550 
3,000,001–6,000,000 $9,120 $6,555 $5,700 $6,270 $9,975 $11,400 
>6,000,000 $11,400 $8,195 $7,125 $7,840 $12,470 $14,250 
29. The Commission assesses regulatory fees on television broadcasters based on the markets 
they serve (1–10:11–25:26–50:51–100: Remaining Market).  Before the Commission combined the VHF 
and UHF regulatory fee categories, the ratio of regulatory fees for VHF stations (then considered the most 
valuable stations) was roughly 14:11:7:4:1.  Today, it is roughly 10:9:6:3:1.  We seek comment on 
readjusting the table to restore the traditional determination that Top 10 stations should pay about twice 
what stations in markets 26–50 pay (that is, the new ratios would be 12:9:6:3:1).  With this change, and 
adjusting to recover the same total regulatory fees as television broadcasters pay today, we seek comment 
on the following potential table of regulatory fees for television broadcasters.
Digital TV (47 CFR part 73) VHF and UHF Commercial BEFORE AFTER
Markets 1-10 $46,825 $55,025
Markets 11-25 $43,200 $41,270
Markets 26-50 $27,625 $27,515
Markets 51-100 $16,275 $13,755
Remaining Markets $4,850 $4,585
                                                          
106
FY 2015 NPRM, 30 FCC Rcd at 5359, para. 13.
Federal Communications Commission FCC 15-108
14
Construction Permits $4,850 $4,585
30. NAB also observes that after the spectrum incentive auction there may be fewer 
television stations, resulting in material changes in the regulatory fee apportionment among the remaining 
stations.
107
  We seek comment on whether, when, and how the Commission should adjust its methodology 
for assessing regulatory fees on televisions stations, to respond to such potential changed circumstances 
consistent with the provisions of Section 9 of the Communications Act.
B. ITTA’s Proposals to Reallocate FTEs
31. ITTA has suggested that we should consider all cross-cutting work throughout the 
Commission, not just in the International Bureau, and we should re-assign certain Wireline Competition 
Bureau FTEs for regulatory fee purposes.
108
  ITTA contends that the Commission should make 
appropriate adjustments to its regulatory fee structure to reflect that the work of the Wireline Competition 
Bureau is no longer primarily focused on ITSPs.
109
  According to ITTA, resources expended by Wireline 
Competition Bureau FTEs increasingly benefit other industry sectors.
110
  ITTA argues that the 
Commission’s efforts to modernize the Lifeline program and to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the 
special access marketplace, for example, generate significant benefits for entities that do not pay 
regulatory fees as ITSPs.
111
32. ITTA has previously proposed that we combine wireless providers into the ITSP fee 
category so that all voice providers pay regulatory fees on the same basis.
112
  ITTA continues to endorse 
this approach and contends that such action would be consistent with the Commission’s decision to 
incorporate interconnected VoIP providers into the ITSP fee category to ensure that such providers are 
paying their share of regulatory fees in connection with the Commission’s oversight of voice services.
113
33. We recognize that there is substantial convergence in the telecommunications industry 
and organizational changes in the Commission that may support additional FTE reallocations as ITTA 
contends.  Wireless providers are not subject to all of the regulations and requirements imposed on ITSPs.  
However, there are certain rules (e.g., universal service), that wireless and wireline services benefit from 
and the Wireline Competition Bureau FTEs provide the oversight and regulation of the industry in these 
areas.
114
  We seek comment on ITTA’s proposals to (i) combine wireless voice and wireline services into 
the ITSP category and, alternatively, to (ii) re-assign certain Wireline Competition Bureau FTEs as 
indirect for regulatory fee purposes.  Concerning any reassignment of direct FTEs, we seek comment on 
whether it is reasonable and consistent with section 9 of the Act to readjust the assignment of FTEs in the 
bureau and if the record demonstrates the clearest case for reassignment.
115
34. Commenters supporting ITTA’s proposals should also explain:  how wireless voice 
services and wireline services can be combined (currently wireless regulatory fees are calculated per 
subscriber and ITSP fees are based on revenues) and how we would determine which and how many 
Wireline Competition Bureau FTEs to reassign as indirect.  We note that, as ITTA observes, certain 
                                                          
107
NAB Comments at 7-9.  
108
ITTA Comments at 2-5.
109
Id. at 3-4.
110
Id. at 4.
111
Id. at 4-5.
112
Id. at 3.
113
Id.
114
47 C.F.R. §§ 54.900 et seq.
115
FY 2013 Report and Order, 28 FCC Rcd at 12357-58, para. 19.
Federal Communications Commission FCC 15-108
15
issues handled in the Wireline Competition Bureau benefit wireless providers, and that argument could 
support reassigning certain Wireline Competition Bureau FTEs as Wireless Telecommunications Bureau 
FTEs for regulatory fee purposes.
116
  For example, given the amount of Universal Service Lifeline 
Support distributed to wireless providers, should FTEs who work on issues related to such providers be 
allocated the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau for regulatory fee calculations?
117
  Alternatively, we 
also seek comment on adopting a new fee category for wireless providers, as a subcategory of the ITSP 
regulatory fee category, based on a percentage Wireline Competition Bureau FTE work devoted to work 
related to these wireless regulatees.
118
   
V. PROCEDURAL MATTERS
A. Payment of Regulatory Fees
1. Payments by Check Will Not Be Accepted for Payment of Annual 
Regulatory Fees
35. Pursuant to an Office of Management and Budget (OMB) directive,
119
the Commission is 
moving towards a paperless environment, extending to disbursement and collection of select federal 
government payments and receipts.
120
  The initiative to reduce paper and curtail check payments for 
regulatory fees is expected to produce cost savings, reduce errors, and improve efficiencies across 
government.  Accordingly, the Commission will no longer accept checks (including cashier’s checks and 
money orders) and the accompanying hardcopy forms (e.g., Forms 159, 159-B, 159-E, 159-W) for the 
payment of regulatory fees.  This new paperless procedure will require that all payments be made by 
online Automated Clearing House (ACH) payment, online credit card, or wire transfer.  Any other form 
of payment (e.g., checks, cashier’s checks, or money orders) will be rejected.  For payments by wire, a 
Form 159-E should still be transmitted via fax so that the Commission can associate the wire payment 
with the correct regulatory fee information.  This change will affect all payments of regulatory fees.
121
2. Revised Credit Card Transaction Levels
36. In accordance with U.S. Treasury Announcement No. A-2014-04 (July 2014), the amount 
that can be charged on a credit card for transactions with federal agencies has been reduced to 
$24,999.99.
122
  Previously, the credit card limit was $49,999.99.  This lower transaction amount is 
                                                          
116
Based on staff analysis, approximately 10 FTEs work on high-cost issues, 4 FTEs work on Lifeline issues, 9 
FTEs work on E-rate issues, and 4 FTEs work on Rural Health Care issues.  In addition approximately 14 FTEs 
work on numbering issues and/or special access.
117
Wireless providers received an estimated $1.4 billion in Lifeline disbursements in 2014.
118
See, e.g., FY 2014 NPRM, 29 FCC Rcd at 10782-84, paras. 38-43.
119
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Memorandum M-10-06, Open Government Directive, Dec. 8, 2009; 
see also http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/06/13/executive-order-13576-delivering-efficient-
effective-and-accountable-gov.
120
See U.S. Department of the Treasury, Open Government Plan 2.1, Sept. 2012.
121
Payors should note that this change will mean that to the extent certain entities have to date paid both regulatory 
fees and application fees at the same time via paper check, they will no longer be able to do so as the regulatory fees 
payment via paper check will no longer be accepted.
122
Customers who owe an amount on a bill, debt, or other obligation due to the federal government are prohibited 
from splitting the total amount due into multiple payments.  Splitting an amount owed into several payment 
transactions violates the credit card network and Fiscal Service rules.  An amount owed that exceeds the Fiscal 
Service maximum dollar amount, $24,999.99, may not be split into two or more payment transactions in the same 
day by using one or multiple cards.  Also, an amount owed that exceeds the Fiscal Service maximum dollar amount 
may not be split into two or more transactions over multiple days by using one or more cards.
Federal Communications Commission FCC 15-108
16
effective June 1, 2015.  Transactions greater than $24,999.99 will be rejected.  This limit applies to single 
payments or bundled payments of more than one bill.  Multiple transactions to a single agency in one day 
may be aggregated and treated as a single transaction subject to the $24,999.99 limit.  Customers who 
wish to pay an amount greater than $24,999.99 should consider available electronic alternatives such as 
Visa or MasterCard debit cards, ACH debits from a bank account, and wire transfers.  Each of these 
payment options is available after filing regulatory fee information in Fee Filer. Further details will be 
provided regarding payment methods and procedures at the time of FY 2015 regulatory fee collection in 
Fact Sheets, available at https://www.fcc.gov/regfees.
3. Lock Box Bank
37. During the fee season for collecting FY 2015 regulatory fees, regulatees can pay their 
fees by credit card through Pay.gov,
123
ACH, debit card,
124
or by wire transfer.  Additional payment 
instructions are posted at http://transition.fcc.gov/fees/regfees.html.
4. Receiving Bank for Wire Payments
38. The receiving bank for all wire payments is the Federal Reserve Bank, New York, New 
York (TREAS NYC).  When making a wire transfer, regulatees must fax a copy of their Fee Filer 
generated Form 159-E to the Federal Communications Commission at (202) 418-2843 at least one hour 
before initiating the wire transfer (but on the same business day) so as not to delay crediting their account.  
Regulatees should discuss arrangements (including bank closing schedules) with their bankers several 
days before they plan to make the wire transfer to allow sufficient time for the transfer to be initiated and 
completed before the deadline.  Complete instructions for making wire payments are posted at 
http://transition.fcc.gov/fees/wiretran.html
5. De Minimis Regulatory Fees
39. Regulatees whose total FY 2015 annual regulatory fee liability, including all categories 
of fees for which payment is due, is $500 or less are exempt from payment of FY 2015 regulatory fees.   
The de minimis threshold applies only to filers of annual regulatory fees (not regulatory fees paid through 
multi-year filings), and it is not a permanent exemption.  Rather, each regulate will need to reevaluate
their total fee liability each fiscal year to determine whether they meet the de minimis exemption.
6. Standard Fee Calculations and Payment Dates
40. The Commission will accept fee payments made in advance of the window for the 
payment of regulatory fees.  The responsibility for payment of fees by service category is as follows:
? Media Services:  Regulatory fees must be paid for initial construction permits that were granted 
on or before October 1, 2014 for AM/FM radio stations, VHF/UHF full service television 
stations, and satellite television stations.  Regulatory fees must be paid for all broadcast facility 
licenses granted on or before October 1, 2014.  For providers of Direct Broadcast Service (DBS) 
service, regulatory fees should be paid based on a subscriber count on or about December 31, 
2014.  In instances where a permit or license is transferred or assigned after October 1, 2014, 
responsibility for payment rests with the holder of the permit or license as of the fee due date.
? Wireline (Common Carrier) Services:  Regulatory fees must be paid for authorizations that were 
granted on or before October 1, 2014.  In instances where a permit or license is transferred or 
assigned after October 1, 2014, responsibility for payment rests with the holder of the permit or 
                                                          
123
In accordance with U.S. Treasury Financial Manual Announcement No. A-2014-04 (July 2014), the amount that 
may be charged on a credit card for transactions with federal agencies has been reduced to $24,999.99.
124
In accordance with U.S. Treasury Financial Manual Announcement No. A-2012-02, the maximum dollar-value 
limit for debit card transactions is eliminated.  It should also be noted that only Visa and MasterCard branded debit 
cards are accepted by Pay.gov.
Federal Communications Commission FCC 15-108
17
license as of the fee due date.  Audio bridging service providers are included in this category.
125
  
For Responsible Organizations (RespOrgs) that manage Toll Free Numbers (TFN), regulatory 
fees should be paid on all working, assigned, and reserved toll free numbers, including those toll 
free numbers that are in transit status, or any other status as defined in section 52.103 of the 
Commission’s rules.  The unit count should be based on toll free numbers managed by RespOrgs 
on or about December 31, 2014.
? Wireless Services:  CMRS cellular, mobile, and messaging services (fees based on number of 
subscribers or telephone number count):  Regulatory fees must be paid for authorizations that 
were granted on or before October 1, 2014.  The number of subscribers, units, or telephone 
numbers on December 31, 2014 will be used as the basis from which to calculate the fee 
payment.  In instances where a permit or license is transferred or assigned after October 1, 2014, 
responsibility for payment rests with the holder of the permit or license as of the fee due date.  
? Wireless Services, Multi-year fees:  The first eight regulatory fee categories in our Schedule of 
Regulatory Fees pay “small multi-year wireless regulatory fees.”  Entities pay these regulatory 
fees in advance for the entire amount period covered by the five-year or ten-year terms of their
initial licenses, and pay regulatory fees again only when the license is renewed or a new license 
is obtained.  We include these fee categories in our rulemaking (see Appendix C) to publicize 
our estimates of the number of “small multi-year wireless” licenses that will be renewed or 
newly obtained in FY 2015. 
? Multichannel Video Programming Distributor Services (cable television operators and CARS 
licensees):  Regulatory fees must be paid for the number of basic cable television subscribers as 
of December 31, 2014.
126
  Regulatory fees also must be paid for CARS licenses that were 
granted on or before October 1, 2014.  In instances where a permit or license is transferred or 
assigned after October 1, 2014, responsibility for payment rests with the holder of the permit or 
license as of the fee due date.  
? International Services:  Regulatory fees must be paid for (1) earth stations and (2) geostationary 
orbit space stations and non-geostationary orbit satellite systems that were licensed and 
operational on or before October 1, 2014.  In instances where a permit or license is transferred or 
assigned after October 1, 2014, responsibility for payment rests with the holder of the permit or 
license as of the fee due date.
? International Services: (Submarine Cable Systems):  Regulatory fees for submarine cable 
systems are to be paid on a per cable landing license basis based on circuit capacity as of 
December 31, 2014.  In instances where a license is transferred or assigned after October 1, 
2014, responsibility for payment rests with the holder of the license as of the fee due date.  For 
regulatory fee purposes, the allocation in FY 2015 will remain at 87.6 percent for submarine 
cable and 12.4 percent for satellite/terrestrial facilities. 
? International Services:  (Terrestrial and Satellite Services):  Regulatory fees for Terrestrial and 
Satellite International Bearer Circuits are to be paid by facilities-based common carriers that 
have active (used or leased) international bearer circuits as of December 31, 2014 in any 
                                                          
125
Audio bridging services are toll teleconferencing services. 
126
Cable television system operators should compute their number of basic subscribers as follows: Number of single 
family dwellings + number of individual households in multiple dwelling unit (apartments, condominiums, mobile 
home parks, etc.) paying at the basic subscriber rate + bulk rate customers + courtesy and free service.  Note: Bulk-
Rate Customers = Total annual bulk-rate charge divided by basic annual subscription rate for individual households.  
Operators may base their count on “a typical day in the last full week” of December 2014, rather than on a count as 
of December 31, 2014. 
Federal Communications Commission FCC 15-108
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terrestrial or satellite transmission facility for the provision of service to an end user or resale 
carrier.  When calculating the number of such active circuits, the facilities-based common 
carriers must include circuits used by themselves or their affiliates.  In addition, non-common 
carrier satellite operators must pay a fee for each circuit they and their affiliates hold and each 
circuit sold or leased to any customer, other than an international common carrier authorized by 
the Commission to provide U.S. international common carrier services. For these purposes, 
“active circuits” include backup and redundant circuits as of December 31, 2014.  Whether 
circuits are used specifically for voice or data is not relevant for purposes of determining that 
they are active circuits.
127
In instances where a permit or license is transferred or assigned after 
October 1, 2014, responsibility for payment rests with the holder of the permit or license as of 
the fee due date.  For regulatory fee purposes, the allocation in FY 2015 will remain at 87.6 
percent for submarine cable and 12.4 percent for satellite/terrestrial facilities.
128
B. Commercial Mobile Radio Service (CMRS) Cellular and Mobile Services 
Assessments   
41. The Commission will compile data from the Numbering Resource Utilization Forecast 
(NRUF) report that is based on “assigned” telephone number (subscriber) counts that have been adjusted 
for porting to net Type 0 ports (“in” and “out”).
129
  This information of telephone numbers (subscriber 
count) will be posted on the Commission’s electronic filing and payment system (Fee Filer) along with 
the carrier’s Operating Company Numbers (OCNs).  
42. A carrier wishing to revise its telephone number (subscriber) count can do so by 
accessing Fee Filer and follow the prompts to revise their telephone number counts.  Any revisions to the 
telephone number counts should be accompanied by an explanation or supporting documentation.
130
  The 
Commission will then review the revised count and supporting documentation and either approve or 
disapprove the submission in Fee Filer.  If the submission is disapproved, the Commission will contact 
the provider to afford the provider an opportunity to discuss its revised subscriber count and/or provide 
additional supporting documentation.  If we receive no response from the provider, or we do not reverse 
our initial disapproval of the provider’s revised count submission, the fee payment must be based on the 
number of subscribers listed initially in Fee Filer.  Once the timeframe for revision has passed, the 
telephone number counts are final and are the basis upon which CMRS regulatory fees are to be paid.  
Providers can view their final telephone counts online in Fee Filer.  A final CMRS assessment letter will 
not be mailed out.
43. Because some carriers do not file the NRUF report, they may not see their telephone 
number counts in Fee Filer.  In these instances, the carriers should compute their fee payment using the 
standard methodology that is currently in place for CMRS Wireless services (i.e., compute their telephone 
number counts as of December 31, 2014), and submit their fee payment accordingly.  Whether a carrier 
reviews its telephone number counts in Fee Filer or not, the Commission reserves the right to audit the 
number of telephone numbers for which regulatory fees are paid.  In the event that the Commission 
determines that the number of telephone numbers that are paid is inaccurate, the Commission will bill the 
carrier for the difference between what was paid and what should have been paid.
                                                          
127
We encourage terrestrial and satellite service providers to seek guidance from the International Bureau’s Policy 
Division to verify their IBC reporting processes to ensure that their calculation methods comply with our rules.
128
We remind facilities-based common carriers to review their reporting processes to ensure that they accurately 
calculate and report IBCs. As we recently have done with submarine cable capacity holders, we will review the 
processes for reporting IBCs in the near future to ensure that all carriers are reporting IBCs in the same manner, 
consistent with our rules.
129
See FY 2005 Report and Order, 20 FCC Rcd at 12264, paras. 38-44.
130
In the supporting documentation, the provider will need to state a reason for the change, such as a purchase or 
sale of a subsidiary, the date of the transaction, and any other pertinent information that will help to justify a reason 
for the change.
Federal Communications Commission FCC 15-108
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C. Enforcement
44. To be considered timely, regulatory fee payments must be made electronically by the 
payment due date for regulatory fees.  Section 9(c) of the Act requires us to impose a late payment 
penalty of 25 percent of the unpaid amount to be assessed on the first day following the deadline for filing 
these fees.
131
  Failure to pay regulatory fees and/or any late penalty will subject regulatees to sanctions, 
including those set forth in section 1.1910 of the Commission’s rules,
132
which generally requires the 
Commission to withhold action on “applications, including on a petition for reconsideration or any 
application for review of a fee determination, or requests for authorization by any entity found to be 
delinquent in its debt to the Commission” and in the DCIA.
133
  We also assess administrative processing 
charges on delinquent debts to recover additional costs incurred in processing and handling the debt 
pursuant to the DCIA and section 1.1940(d) of the Commission’s rules.
134
  These administrative 
processing charges will be assessed on any delinquent regulatory fee, in addition to the 25 percent late 
charge penalty.  In the case of partial payments (underpayments) of regulatory fees, the payor will be 
given credit for the amount paid, but if it is later determined that the fee paid is incorrect or not timely 
paid, then the 25 percent late charge penalty (and other charges and/or sanctions, as appropriate) will be
assessed on the portion that is not paid in a timely manner.
45. Pursuant to the “red light rule,” we will withhold action on any applications or other 
requests for benefits filed by anyone who is delinquent in any non-tax debts owed to the Commission 
(including regulatory fees) and will ultimately dismiss those applications or other requests if payment of 
the delinquent debt or other satisfactory arrangement for payment is not made.
135
  Failure to pay 
regulatory fees can also result in the initiation of a proceeding to revoke any and all authorizations held by 
the entity responsible for paying the delinquent fee(s).
136
  Pursuant to a pilot program, we have initiated 
procedures to transfer debt to the Centralized Receivables Service at the U.S. Treasury, as described 
below. 
D. Transfers of Unpaid Debt to Centralized Receivables Service, U.S. Treasury
46. Under section 9 of the Act, Commission rules, and federal debt collection laws, a 
licensee’s regulatory fee is due on the first day of the fiscal year and payable at a date established in the 
Commission’s annual regulatory fee Report and Order.  Beginning on or after October 1, 2015, under 
revised procedures, the Commission will begin transferring unpaid regulatory fee receivables directly to 
the CRS at the U.S. Treasury instead of working to collect the debt and then transferring the remaining 
unpaid debts to Treasury.  The Commission can transfer delinquent debt to Treasury for further collection 
action within 120 days after the date of delinquency.
137
  We anticipate that the transfer of FY 2015 debts 
to Treasury will occur much sooner than our current process.  Regulatees, however, will not likely see any 
substantial change in the current procedures of how past due debts are to be paid, except that the debts 
will be handled by CRS (U.S. Treasury) rather than by the Commission.
                                                          
131
47 U.S.C. § 159(c).
132
See 47 C.F.R. § 1.1910.
133
Delinquent debt owed to the Commission triggers the “red light rule,” which places a hold on the processing of 
pending applications, fee offsets, and pending disbursement payments.  47 C.F.R. §§ 1.1910, 1.1911, 1.1912.  In 
2004, the Commission adopted rules implementing the requirements of the DCIA. See Amendment of Parts 0 and 1 
of the Commission’s Rules, MD Docket No. 02-339, Report and Order, 19 FCC Rcd 6540 (2004); 47 C.F.R. Part 1, 
Subpart O, Collection of Claims Owed the United States.
134
47 C.F.R. § 1.1940(d).
135
See 47 C.F.R. §§ 1.1161(c), 1.1164(f)(5), and 1.1910.  
136
47 U.S.C. § 159.
137
See 31 U.S.C. § 3711(g); 31 C.F.R. § 285.12; 47 C.F.R. § 1.1917.
Federal Communications Commission FCC 15-108
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E. Effective Date
47. Providing a 30 day period after Federal Register publication before this Report and Order 
becomes effective as required by 5 U.S.C. § 553(d) will not allow sufficient time for the Commission to 
collect the FY 2015 fees before FY 2015 ends on September 30, 2015.  For this reason, pursuant to 5 
U.S.C. § 553(d)(3), the Commission finds there is good cause to waive the requirements of section 
553(d), and this Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking will become effective 
upon publication in the Federal Register.  Because payments of the regulatory fees will not actually be 
due until the middle of September, persons affected by this Report and Order will still have a reasonable 
period in which to make their payments and thereby comply with the rules established herein.
F. Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
48. As required by the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (RFA),
138
the Commission has 
prepared a Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (FRFA) relating to this Report and Order.  The FRFA is 
contained in Appendix G.
G. Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
49. An initial regulatory flexibility analysis (IRFA) is contained in Appendix F. Comments 
to the IRFA must be identified as responses to the IRFA and filed by the deadlines for comments on the 
Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.  The Commission will send a copy of the Further Notice of 
Proposed Rulemaking, including the IRFA, to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business 
Administration.
H. Initial Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 Analysis
50. This document does not contain new or modified information collection requirements 
subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), Public Law 104-13. In addition, therefore, it 
does not contain any new or modified information collection burden for small business concerns with 
fewer than 25 employees, pursuant to the Small Business Paperwork Relief Act of 2002, Public Law 107-
198, see 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(4).
I. Congressional Review Act.
51. The Commission will send a copy of this Report and Order to Congress and the 
Government Accountability Office pursuant to the Congressional Review Act.  5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A).
J. Filing Instructions
52. Pursuant to sections 1.415 and 1.419 of the Commission’s rules, 47 C.F.R. §§ 1.415, 
1.419, interested parties may file comments and reply comments on or before the dates indicated on the 
first page of this document.  Comments may be filed using the Commission’s Electronic Comment Filing 
System (ECFS).  See Electronic Filing of Documents in Rulemaking Proceedings, 63 FR 24121 (1998).
? Electronic Filers:  Comments may be filed electronically using the Internet by accessing 
the ECFS.
? Paper Filers:  Parties who choose to file by paper must file an original and one copy of 
each filing.  If more than one docket or rulemaking number appears in the caption of this 
proceeding, filers must submit two additional copies for each additional docket or 
rulemaking number.
o Filings can be sent by hand or messenger delivery, by commercial overnight 
courier, or by first-class or overnight U.S. Postal Service mail.  All filings must be 
addressed to the Commission’s Secretary, Office of the Secretary, Federal 
                                                          
138
See 5 U.S.C. § 603.  The RFA, see 5 U.S.C. §§ 601-612, has been amended by the Small Business Regulatory 
Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (SBREFA), Pub. L. No. 104-121, Title II, 110 Stat. 847 (1996).  The SBREFA 
was enacted as Title II of the Contract with America Advancement Act of 1996 (CWAAA).
Federal Communications Commission FCC 15-108
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Communications Commission.
o All hand-delivered or messenger-delivered paper filings for the Commission’s 
Secretary must be delivered to FCC Headquarters at 445 12th St., SW, Room TW-
A325, Washington, DC 20554.  The filing hours are 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.  All 
hand deliveries must be held together with rubber bands or fasteners.  Any 
envelopes and boxes must be disposed of before entering the building.  
o Commercial overnight mail (other than U.S. Postal Service Express Mail and 
Priority Mail) must be sent to 9300 East Hampton Drive, Capitol Heights, MD  
20743.
o U.S. Postal Service first-class, Express, and Priority mail must be addressed to 
445 12th Street, SW, Washington, DC  20554.
53. People with Disabilities:  To request materials in accessible formats for people with 
disabilities (braille, large print, electronic files, audio format), send an e-mail to fcc504@fcc.gov or call 
the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202-418-0530 (voice), 202-418-0432 (tty).
K. Ex Parte Information
54. This proceeding shall be treated as a “permit-but-disclose” proceeding in accordance with 
the Commission’s ex parte rules.  Persons making ex parte presentations must file a copy of any written 
presentation or a memorandum summarizing any oral presentation within two business days after the
presentation (unless a different deadline applicable to the Sunshine period applies).  Persons making oral 
ex parte presentations are reminded that memoranda summarizing the presentation must list all persons 
attending or otherwise participating in the meeting at which the ex parte presentation was made, and 
summarize all data presented and arguments made during the presentation.  If the presentation consisted 
in whole or in part of the presentation of data or arguments already reflected in the presenter’s written 
comments, memoranda, or other filings in the proceeding, the presenter may provide citations to such data 
or arguments in his or her prior comments, memoranda, or other filings (specifying the relevant page 
and/or paragraph numbers where such data or arguments can be found) in lieu of summarizing them in the 
memorandum.  Documents shown or given to Commission staff during ex parte meetings are deemed to 
be written ex parte presentations and must be filed consistent with rule 1.1206(b).  In proceedings 
governed by rule 1.49(f) or for which the Commission has made available a method of electronic filing, 
written ex parte presentations and memoranda summarizing oral ex parte presentations, and all 
attachments thereto, must be filed through the electronic comment filing system available for that 
proceeding, and must be filed in their native format (e.g., .doc, .xml, .ppt, searchable .pdf).  Participants in 
this proceeding should familiarize themselves with the Commission’s ex parte rules.
Federal Communications Commission FCC 15-108
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ORDERING CLAUSES
55. Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED that, pursuant to Sections 4(i) and (j), 9, and 303(r) of 
the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. §§ 154(i), 154(j), 159, and 303(r), this Report 
and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking IS HEREBY ADOPTED.
56. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, as provided in paragraph 47, this Report and Order 
and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking SHALL BE EFFECTIVE upon publication in the Federal 
Register.
57. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Commission’s Consumer & Governmental 
Affairs Bureau, Reference Information Center, SHALL SEND a copy of this Report and Order, including 
the Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis in Appendix G, to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the U.S. 
Small Business Administration.
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
Marlene H. Dortch
Secretary
Federal Communications Commission FCC 15-108
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APPENDIX A
List of Commenters—Initial Comments
Commenter Abbreviation
ARSO Radio Corporation ARSO
Aviation Spectrum Resources, Inc., Airlines for 
America, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, 
Delta Airlines, Harris Corporation, Rockwell-
Collins Information Management Services, 
Southwest Airlines Co., The Boeing Company, 
and SITA OnAir
Aviation Joint Commenters
DIRECTV, LLC DIRECTV
DISH Network, L.L.C. DISH
EchoStar Satellite Operating Corporation and 
Hughes Network Systems, LLC
EchoStar 
Intelsat Licensee, LLC Intelsat
ITTA—The Voice of Mid-Size Communications 
Companies
ITTA
National Association of Broadcasters NAB
National Cable & Telecommunications 
Association and the American Cable Association
NCTA & ACA
North American Submarine Cable Association NASCA
Puerto Rico Broadcasters Association, 
International Broadcasting Corporation, Eastern 
Television Corporation, America-CV Stations 
Group, Inc., R & F Broadcasting, Inc.
PRBA
Satellite Industry Association SIA
Submarine Cable Coalition Coalition
List of Commenters—Reply Comments
Commenter Abbreviation
CTIA—The Wireless Association® CTIA
DIRECTV, LLC DIRECTV
DISH Network, L.L.C. DISH
EchoStar Satellite Operating Corporation and 
Hughes Network Systems, LLC
EchoStar 
National Cable & Telecommunications 
Association and the American Cable Association
NCTA & ACA
North American Submarine Cable Association NASCA
SES Americom, Inc., Inmarsat, Inc., Telesat 
Canada
Satellite Parties
Submarine Cable Coalition Coalition
Federal Communications Commission FCC 15-108
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APPENDIX B
Calculation of FY 2015 Revenue Requirements and Pro-Rata Fees
Regulatory fees for the categories shaded in gray are collected by the Commission in advance to cover the 
term of the license and are submitted at the time the application is filed.  
Fee Category FY 2015 
Payment Units Yrs
FY 2014 
Revenue 
Estimate
Pro-Rated 
FY 2015 
Revenue 
Require-
ment
Computed 
FY 2015 
Regulatory 
Fee
Rounded 
FY 2015 
Reg. Fee
Expected
FY 2015
Revenue
PLMRS (Exclusive 
Use) 
1,820 10 595,000 589,899 32 30 546,000
PLMRS (Shared use) 31,000 10 3,000,000 2,822,788 9 10 3,100,000
Microwave 12,600 10 2,550,000 2,780,552 22 20 2,520,000
Marine (Ship) 6,300 10 780,000 927,085 15 15 945,000
Aviation (Aircraft) 4,200 10 420,000 420,954 10 10 420,000
Marine (Coast) 490 10 165,000 168,241 34 35 171,500
Aviation (Ground) 900 10 153,000 168,241 19 20 180,000
AM Class A
4a
65 1 274,700 280,935 4,322 4,325 281,125
AM Class B
4b
1,505 1 3,410,900 3,483,012 2,314 2,325 3,499,125
AM Class C
4c
889 1 1,212,750 1,245,750 1,401 1,400 1,244,600
AM Class D
4d
1,492 1 4,033,300 4,120,475 2,762 2,750 4,103,000
FM Classes A, B1 & 
C3
4e
3,132 1 8,466,575 8,641,905 2,759 2,700 8,613,000
FM Classes B, C, C0, 
C1 & C2
4f
3,143 1 10,437,175 10,595,484 3,371 3,375 10,607,625
AM Construction 
Permits 
1
29 1 17,700 17,110 590 590 17,110
FM Construction 
Permits
1
182 1 138,750 136,500 750 750 136,500
Satellite TV 127 1 196,850 199,675 1,572 1,575 200,025
Digital TV Markets 
1-10
134 1 6,161,700 6,274,824 46,827 46,825 6,274,550
Digital TV Markets 
11-25
137 1 5,809,800 5,918,646 43,202 43,200 5,918,400
Digital TV Markets 
26-50
181 1 4,909,450 5,001,220 27,631 27,625 5,00,125
Digital TV Markets 
51-100
283 1 4,524,000 4,608,775 16,285 16,275 4,605,825
Digital TV  
Remaining Markets 
379 1 1,805,000 1,834,853 4,841 4,850 1,838,150
Digital TV 
Construction 
Permits
1
2 1 23,750 9,700 4,850 4,850 9,700
LPTV/Translators/ 
Boosters/Class A TV
3,640 1 1,570,300 1,592,900 438 440 1,601,600
CARS Stations 300 1 196,625 197,876 660 660 198,000
Cable TV Systems, 
including IPTV 
64,500,000 1 64,746,000 61,618,439 .955532 .96 61,920,000
Federal Communications Commission FCC 15-108
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Fee Category FY 2015 
Payment Units Yrs
FY 2014 
Revenue 
Estimate
Pro-Rated 
FY 2015 
Revenue 
Require-
ment
Computed 
FY 2015 
Regulatory 
Fee
Rounded 
FY 2015 
Reg. Fee
Expected
FY 2015
Revenue
Direct Broadcast 
Satellite (DBS)
34,000,000 1 4,115,811 .1211 .12 4,080,000
Interstate 
Telecommunication 
Service Providers
$38,800,000,000 1 131,369,000 128,607,682 0.0033146 0.00331 128,428,000
Toll Free Numbers 36,500,000 1 4,419,018 0.12069 0.12 4,380,000
CMRS Mobile 
Services 
(Cellular/Public
Mobile)
354,000,000 1 60,300,000 60,506,881 0.1737 0.17 60,180,000
CMRS Messag. 
Services
2,600,000 1 232,000 208,000 0.0800 0.080 208,000
BRS
2
LMDS 
890
375
1
1 
643,500
135,850
564,064
237,667
634
634
635
635
565,150
238,125
Per 64 kbps Int’l 
Bearer Circuits 
Terrestrial (Common) 
& Satellite (Common & 
Non-Common) 
5
21,900,000 1 941,640 658,593 .0301 .03 657,000
Submarine Cable 
Providers (see chart 
in Appendix C)
3,5
40.563 1 6,586,731 4,652,639 114,702 114,700 4,652,576
Earth Stations 
5
3,300 1 1,003,000 1,022,890 310 310 1,023,000
Space Stations 
(Geostationary) 
5
96 1 11,505,600 11,437,435 119,140 119,150 11,438,400
Space Stations (Non-
Geostationary) 
5
6 1 797,100 792,693 132,116 132,125 792,750
******  Total 
Estimated Revenue 
to be Collected
339,847,246 341,879,214 340,593,961
******  Total 
Revenue 
Requirement
339,844,000 339,844,000 339,844,000
                   
Difference
3,246 2,035,214 749,961
Federal Communications Commission FCC 15-108
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Notes on Appendix B
1
The AM and FM Construction Permit revenues and the Digital (VHF/UHF) Construction Permit revenues were 
adjusted, respectively, to set the regulatory fee to an amount no higher than the lowest licensed fee for that class of 
service.  Reductions in the Digital (VHF/UHF) Construction Permit revenues were also offset by increases in the 
revenue totals for various Digital television stations by market size, respectively. 
2
MDS/MMDS category was renamed Broadband Radio Service (BRS).  See Amendment of Parts 1, 21, 73, 74 and 
101 of the Commission’s Rules to Facilitate the Provision of Fixed and Mobile Broadband  Access, Educational and 
Other Advanced Services in the 2150-2162 and 2500-2690 MHz Bands, Report & Order and Further Notice of 
Proposed Rulemaking, 19 FCC Rcd 14165, 14169, para. 6 (2004).
3
The chart at the end of Appendix C lists the submarine cable bearer circuit regulatory fees (common and non-
common carrier basis) that resulted from the adoption of the FY 2008 Further Notice, 24 FCC Rcd 6388 and the 
Submarine Cable Order, 24 FCC Rcd 4208.
4
The fee amounts listed in the column entitled “Rounded New FY 2015 Regulatory Fee” constitute a weighted 
average media regulatory fee by class of service.  The actual FY 2015 regulatory fees for AM/FM radio station are 
listed on a grid located at the end of Appendix C.   
5
As a continuation of our regulatory fee reform for the submarine cable and bearer circuit fee categories, the 
allocation percentage for these two categories, in relation to the satellite (GSO and NGSO) and earth station fee 
categories, was reduced by approximately 7.5 per cent proportionally between the submarine cable and bearer circuit 
fee categories.  This allocation reduction of 7.5 per cent resulted in an increase in the allocation for the satellite and 
earth station fee categories.  In addition, four (4) International Bureau FTEs were changed from “direct” to 
“indirect”, thereby reducing the International Bureau’s overall FTE allocation percentage.  
Federal Communications Commission FCC 15-108
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APPENDIX C
FY 2015 Schedule of Regulatory Fees
Regulatory fees for the categories shaded in gray are collected by the Commission in advance to cover the 
term of the license and are submitted at the time the application is filed.
Fee Category
Annual 
Regulatory Fee
(U.S. $'s)
PLMRS (per license) (Exclusive Use) (47 CFR part 90) 30
Microwave (per license) (47 CFR part 101) 20
Marine (Ship) (per station) (47 CFR part 80) 15
Marine (Coast) (per license) (47 CFR part 80) 35
Rural Radio (47 CFR part 22) (previously listed under the Land Mobile category) 10
PLMRS (Shared Use) (per license) (47 CFR part 90) 10
Aviation (Aircraft) (per station) (47 CFR part 87) 10
Aviation (Ground) (per license) (47 CFR part 87) 20
CMRS Mobile/Cellular Services (per unit) (47 CFR parts 20, 22, 24, 27, 80 and 
90)
.17
CMRS Messaging Services (per unit) (47 CFR parts 20, 22, 24 and 90) .08
Broadband Radio Service (formerly MMDS/ MDS) (per license) (47 CFR part 
27)
Local Multipoint Distribution Service (per call sign) (47 CFR, part 101)
635
635
AM Radio Construction Permits 590
FM Radio Construction Permits 750
Digital TV (47 CFR part 73) VHF and UHF Commercial
Markets 1-10 46,825
Markets 11-25 43,200
Markets 26-50 27,625
Markets 51-100 16,275
Remaining Markets 4,850
Construction Permits 4,850
Satellite Television Stations  (All Markets)   1,575
Low Power TV, Class A TV, TV/FM Translators & Boosters (47 CFR part 74) 440
CARS (47 CFR part 78) 660
Cable Television Systems (per subscriber) (47 CFR part 76), Including IPTV .96
Federal Communications Commission FCC 15-108
28
Fee Category
Annual 
Regulatory Fee
(U.S. $'s)
Direct Broadcast Service (DBS) (per subscriber) (as defined by section 602(13) of 
the Act)
.12
Interstate Telecommunication Service Providers (per revenue dollar) .00331
Toll Free (per toll free subscriber) (47 C.F.R. section 52.101 (f) of the rules) .12
Earth Stations (47 CFR part 25) 310
Space Stations (per operational station in geostationary orbit) (47 CFR part 25) 
also includes DBS Service (per operational station) (47 CFR part 100) 119,150
Space Stations (per operational system in non-geostationary orbit) (47 CFR part 
25)
132,125
International Bearer Circuits -  Terrestrial/Satellites (per 64KB circuit) .03
Submarine Cable Landing Licenses Fee (per cable system) See Table Below
Federal Communications Commission FCC 15-108
29
FY 2015 SCHEDULE OF REGULATORY FEES: (continued)
FY 2015 RADIO STATION REGULATORY FEES
Population 
Served
AM Class 
A
AM Class 
B
AM 
Class C
AM 
Class D
FM Classes
A, B1 & C3
FM Classes
B, C, C0, C1 
& C2
<=25,000 $775 $645 $590 $670 $750 $925
25,001 – 75,000 $1,550 $1,300 $900 $1,000 $1,500 $1,625
75,001 – 150,000 $2,325 $1,625 $1,200 $1,675 $2,050 $3,000
150,001 – 500,000 $3,475 $2,750 $1,800 $2,025 $3,175 $3,925
500,001 – 1,200,000 $5,025 $4,225 $3,000 $3,375 $5,050 $5,775
1,200,001 – 3,000,00 $7,750 $6,500 $4,500 $5,400 $8,250 $9,250
>3,000,000 $9,300 $7,800 $5,700 $6,750 $10,500 $12,025
FY 2015 SCHEDULE OF REGULATORY FEES
International Bearer Circuits - Submarine Cable
Submarine Cable Systems
(capacity as of December 31, 2014)
Fee amount
< 2.5 Gbps
$7,175
2.5 Gbps or greater, but less than 5 Gbps
$14,350
5 Gbps or greater, but less than 10 Gbps
$28,675
10 Gbps or greater, but less than 20 Gbps
$57,350 
20 Gbps or greater
$114,700
Federal Communications Commission FCC 15-108
30
APPENDIX D
Sources of Payment Unit Estimates for FY 2015
In order to calculate individual service fees for FY 2015, we adjusted FY 2014 payment units for each 
service to more accurately reflect expected FY 2015 payment liabilities.  We obtained our updated 
estimates through a variety of means. For example, we used Commission licensee data bases, actual prior 
year payment records and industry and trade association projections when available.  The databases we 
consulted include our Universal Licensing System (ULS), International Bureau Filing System (IBFS), 
Consolidated Database System (CDBS) and Cable Operations and Licensing System (COALS), as well as 
reports generated within the Commission such as the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau’s Numbering 
Resource Utilization Forecast.  
We sought verification for these estimates from multiple sources and, in all cases, we compared FY 2015 
estimates with actual FY 2014 payment units to ensure that our revised estimates were reasonable.  Where 
appropriate, we adjusted and/or rounded our final estimates to take into consideration the fact that certain 
variables that impact on the number of payment units cannot yet be estimated with sufficient accuracy.  
These include an unknown number of waivers and/or exemptions that may occur in FY 2015 and the fact 
that, in many services, the number of actual licensees or station operators fluctuates from time to time due to 
economic, technical, or other reasons.  When we note, for example, that our estimated FY 2015 payment 
units are based on FY 2014 actual payment units, it does not necessarily mean that our FY 2015 projection 
is exactly the same number as in FY 2014.  We have either rounded the FY 2015 number or adjusted it 
slightly to account for these variables.
FEE CATEGORY SOURCES OF PAYMENT UNIT ESTIMATES
Land Mobile (All), Microwave, 
Marine (Ship & Coast), Aviation 
(Aircraft & Ground), Domestic 
Public Fixed 
Based on Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (WTB) projections 
of new applications and renewals taking into consideration existing 
Commission licensee data bases. Aviation (Aircraft) and Marine 
(Ship) estimates have been adjusted to take into consideration the 
licensing of portions of these services on a voluntary basis.
CMRS Cellular/Mobile Services Based on WTB projection reports, and FY 14 payment data. 
CMRS Messaging Services Based on WTB reports, and FY 14 payment data.  
AM/FM Radio Stations Based on CDBS data, adjusted for exemptions, and actual FY 2014 
payment units.
Digital TV Stations
(Combined VHF/UHF units)
Based on CDBS data, adjusted for exemptions, and actual FY 2014 
payment units.
AM/FM/TV Construction Permits Based on CDBS data, adjusted for exemptions, and actual FY 2014 
payment units. 
LPTV, Translators and Boosters, 
Class A Television
Based on CDBS data, adjusted for exemptions, and actual FY 2014 
payment units.
BRS (formerly MDS/MMDS)
LMDS
Based on WTB reports and actual FY 2014 payment units.
Based on WTB reports and actual FY 2014 payment units.
Cable Television Relay Service 
(“CARS”) Stations
Based on data from Media Bureau’s COALS database and actual 
FY 2013 payment units.
Cable Television System 
Subscribers, Including IPTV 
Based on publicly available data sources for estimated subscriber 
counts and actual FY 2014 payment units. 
Federal Communications Commission FCC 15-108
31
Subscribers
Interstate Telecommunication 
Service Providers
Based on FCC Form 499-Q data for the four quarters of calendar 
year 2014, the Wireline Competition Bureau projected the amount 
of calendar year 2014 revenue that will be reported on 2015 FCC 
Form 499-A worksheets in April, 2015.
Earth Stations Based on International Bureau (“IB”) licensing data and actual FY 
2014 payment units.
Space Stations (GSOs & NGSOs) Based on IB data reports and actual FY 2014 payment units.
International Bearer Circuits Based on IB reports and submissions by licensees, adjusted as 
necessary.
Submarine Cable Licenses Based on IB license information.
Federal Communications Commission FCC 15-108
32
APPENDIX E
Factors, Measurements, and Calculations That Determines Station
Signal Contours and Associated Population Coverages
AM Stations
For stations with nondirectional daytime antennas, the theoretical radiation was used at all 
azimuths.  For stations with directional daytime antennas, specific information on each day tower, 
including field ratio, phase, spacing, and orientation was retrieved, as well as the theoretical 
pattern root-mean-square of the radiation in all directions in the horizontal plane (RMS) figure 
(milliVolt per meter (mV/m) @ 1 km) for the antenna system.  The standard, or augmented 
standard if pertinent, horizontal plane radiation pattern was calculated using techniques and 
methods specified in sections 73.150 and 73.152 of the Commission’s rules. Radiation values 
were calculated for each of 360 radials around the transmitter site.  Next, estimated soil 
conductivity data was retrieved from a database representing the information in FCC Figure R3. 
Using the calculated horizontal radiation values, and the retrieved soil conductivity data, the 
distance to the principal community (5 mV/m) contour was predicted for each of the 360 radials.  
The resulting distance to principal community contours were used to form a geographical 
polygon.  Population counting was accomplished by determining which 2010 block centroids 
were contained in the polygon.  (A block centroid is the center point of a small area containing 
population as computed by the U.S. Census Bureau.)  The sum of the population figures for all 
enclosed blocks represents the total population for the predicted principal community coverage 
area.
FM Stations
The greater of the horizontal or vertical effective radiated power (ERP) (kW) and respective 
height above average terrain (HAAT) (m) combination was used.  Where the antenna height 
above mean sea level (HAMSL) was available, it was used in lieu of the average HAAT figure to 
calculate specific HAAT figures for each of 360 radials under study.  Any available directional 
pattern information was applied as well, to produce a radial-specific ERP figure.  The HAAT and 
ERP figures were used in conjunction with the Field Strength (50-50) propagation curves 
specified in 47 C.F.R. §73.313 of the Commission’s rules to predict the distance to the principal 
community (70 dBu (decibel above 1 microVolt per meter) or 3.17 mV/m) contour for each of the 
360 radials.  The resulting distance to principal community contours were used to form a 
geographical polygon.  Population counting was accomplished by determining which 2010 block 
centroids were contained in the polygon.  The sum of the population figures for all enclosed 
blocks represents the total population for the predicted principal community coverage area.
Federal Communications Commission FCC 15-108
APPENDIX F
Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
1. As required by the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA),
1
the Commission prepared this 
Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) of the possible significant economic impact on small 
entities by the policies and rules proposed in the Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Further 
Notice).  Written comments are requested on this IRFA.  Comments must be identified as responses to the 
IRFA and must be filed by the deadline for comments on this Notice.  The Commission will send a copy 
of the Further Notice, including the IRFA, to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business 
Administration (SBA).
2
  In addition, the Further Notice and IRFA (or summaries thereof) will be 
published in the Federal Register.
3
A. Need for, and Objectives of, the Notice  
2. The Further Notice seeks comment regarding adjusting the regulatory fees paid by 
broadcasters, for radio and television.  Specifically, the Commission seeks comment on the extent of 
FTEs that work on video, cable, DBS, and radio services, and whether the current proportion of fees paid 
by these various fee categories associated with these services are still accurate.  The level of FTE activity 
on these media services determines the proportion of fees to be paid by each media service fee category, 
which in turn is used to calculate the fee amount for each fee category.      
B. Legal Basis:
3. This action, including publication of proposed rules, is authorized under Sections (4)(i) 
and (j), 9, and 303(r) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended.
4
C. Description and Estimate of the Number of Small Entities to Which the Rules Will 
Apply:
4. The RFA directs agencies to provide a description of, and where feasible, an estimate of 
the number of small entities that may be affected by the proposed rules and policies, if adopted.
5
  The 
RFA generally defines the term “small entity” as having the same meaning as the terms “small business,” 
“small organization,” and “small governmental jurisdiction.”
6
In addition, the term “small business” has
the same meaning as the term “small business concern” under the Small Business Act.
7
  A “small 
business concern” is one which: (1) is independently owned and operated; (2) is not dominant in its field 
of operation; and (3) satisfies any additional criteria established by the SBA.
8
5. Small Entities.  Our actions, over time, may affect small entities that are not easily 
                                                          
1
5 U.S.C. § 603.  The RFA, 5 U.S.C. §§ 601-612 has been amended by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement 
Fairness Act of 1996 (SBREFA), Pub. L. No. 104-121, Title II, 110 Stat. 847 (1996).
2
5 U.S.C. § 603(a).
3
Id.
4
47 U.S.C. §§ 154(i) and (j), 159, and 303(r).
5
5 U.S.C. § 603(b)(3).
6
5 U.S.C. § 601(6).
7
5 U.S.C. § 601(3) (incorporating by reference the definition of “small-business concern” in the Small Business 
Act, 15 U.S.C. § 632).  Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. § 601(3), the statutory definition of a small business applies “unless an 
agency, after consultation with the Office of Advocacy of the Small Business Administration and after opportunity
for public comment, establishes one or more definitions of such term which are appropriate to the activities of the 
agency and publishes such definition(s) in the Federal Register.”
8
15 U.S.C. § 632.
Federal Communications Commission FCC 15-108
6. categorized at present. We therefore describe here, at the outset, three comprehensive 
small entity size standards that could be directly affected by the proposals under consideration.
1
  As of 
2009, small businesses represented 99.9 percent of the 27.5 million businesses in the United States, 
according to the SBA.
2
  In addition, a “small organization is generally any not-for-profit enterprise which 
is independently owned and operated and not dominant in its field.
3
  Nationwide, as of 2007, there were 
approximately 1,621,215 small organizations.
4
Finally the term “small governmental jurisdiction” is 
defined generally as “governments of cities, towns, townships, villages, school districts, or special 
districts, with a population of less than fifty thousand.
5
  Census Bureau data for 2011 indicate that there 
were 90,056 local governmental jurisdictions in the United States.
6
  We estimate that, of this total, as 
many as 89,327 entities may qualify as “small governmental jurisdictions.”
7
  Thus, we estimate that most 
local government jurisdictions are small. 
7. Wired Telecommunications Carriers. The U.S. Census Bureau defines this industry as 
“establishments primarily engaged in operating and/or providing access to transmission facilities and 
infrastructure that they own and/or lease for the transmission of voice, data, text, sound, and video using 
wired communications networks.  Transmission facilities may be based on a single technology or a 
combination of technologies.  Establishments in this industry use the wired telecommunications network 
facilities that they operate to provide a variety of services, such as wired telephony services, including 
VoIP services, wired (cable) audio and video programming distribution, and wired broadband internet 
services.  By exception, establishments providing satellite television distribution services using facilities 
and infrastructure that they operate are included in this industry.”
8
  The SBA has developed a small 
business size standard for Wired Telecommunications Carriers, which consists of all such companies 
having 1,500 or fewer employees.
9
Census data for 2007 shows that there were 3,188 firms that operated 
that year. Of this total, 3,144 operated with fewer than 1,000 employees.
10
Thus, under this size standard, 
the majority of firms in this industry can be considered small.
8. Local Exchange Carriers (LECs). Neither the Commission nor the SBA has developed
a size standard for small businesses specifically applicable to local exchange services. The closest
applicable NAICS Code category is for Wired Telecommunications Carriers as defined in paragraph 6 of 
this IRFA. Under that size standard, such a business is small if it has 1,500 or fewer employees.
11
  
                                                          
1
See 5 U.S.C. § 601(3)-(6).
2
See SBA, Office of Advocacy, “Frequently Asked Questions”, available at 
http://www.sba.gov/faqs/faqindex.cfm?arealD=24.
3
5 U.S.C. § 601(4).
4
See Independent Sector, The New Nonprofit Almanac and Desk Reference (2010).
5
5 U.S.C. § 601(5).
6
See SBA, Office of Advocacy, “Frequently Asked Questions,” available at 
http.www.sba.gov/sites/default/files.FAQ March 201_Opdf.
7
The 2011 Census Data for small governmental organizations are not presented based on the size of the population 
in each organization.  As stated above, there were 90,056 local governmental organizations in 2011.  As a basis for 
estimating how many of these 90,056 local organizations were small, we note that there were a total of 729 cities 
and towns (incorporated places and civil divisions) with populations over 50,000.  See
http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?src=bkmk.  If we subtract the 729 cities 
and towns that exceed the 50,000 population threshold, we conclude that approximately 789, 237 are small. 
8
See http://www.census.gov/cgi-bin/sssd/naics/naicsrch
9
See 13 C.F.R. § 120.201, NAICS Code 517110.
10
http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?
pid=ECN_2007_US_51SSSZ5 &prodType= table.
11
13 C.F.R. § 121.201, NAICS code 517110.
Federal Communications Commission FCC 15-108
35
According to Commission data, census data for 2007 shows that there were 3,188 establishments that 
operated that year. Of this total, 3,144 operated with fewer than 1,000 employees.
12
  The Commission 
estimates that most providers of local exchange service are small entities that may be affected by the rules 
and policies proposed in the Notice.
9. Incumbent LECs.  Neither the Commission nor the SBA has developed a small business 
size standard specifically for incumbent local exchange services.  The closest applicable NAICS Code 
category is Wired Telecommunications Carriers, as defined in paragraph 6 of this IRFA.  Under that size 
standard, such a business is small if it has 1,500 or fewer employees.
13
  According to Commission data, 
3,188 firms operated in that year.  1,307 carriers reported that they were incumbent local exchange 
service providers.
14
  Of this total, 3,144 operated with fewer than 1,000 employees.
15
  Consequently, the 
Commission estimates that most providers of incumbent local exchange service are small businesses that 
may be affected by the rules and policies proposed in the Notice.  Three hundred and seven (307)
Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers reported that they were incumbent local exchange service 
providers.
16
  Of this total, an estimated 1,006 have 1,500 or fewer employees.
17
10. Competitive Local Exchange Carriers (Competitive LECs), Competitive Access 
Providers (CAPs), Shared-Tenant Service Providers, and Other Local Service Providers.  Neither 
the Commission nor the SBA has developed a small business size standard specifically for these service 
providers.  The appropriate NAICS Code category is Wired Telecommunications Carriers, as defined in 
paragraph 6 of this IRFA.  Under that size standard, such a business is small if it has 1,500 or fewer 
employees.
18
   U.S. Census data for 2007 indicate that 3,188 firms operated during that year.  Of that 
number, 3,144 operated with fewer than 1,000 employees.
19
  Based on this data, the Commission 
concludes that the majority of Competitive LECs, CAPs, Shared-Tenant Service Providers, and Other 
Local Service Providers are small entities.  According to Commission data, 1,442 carriers reported that 
they were engaged in the provision of either competitive local exchange services or competitive access 
provider services.
20
   Of these 1,442 carriers, an estimated 1,256 have 1,500 or fewer employees.  In 
addition, 17 carriers have reported that they are Shared-Tenant Service Providers, and all 17 are estimated 
to have 1,500 or fewer employees.
21
   In addition, 72 carriers have reported that they are Other Local 
Service Providers.
22
   Of this total, 70 have 1,500 or fewer employees.
23
  Consequently, the Commission 
estimates that most providers of competitive local exchange service, competitive access providers, 
Shared-Tenant Service Providers, and Other Local Service Providers are small entities that may be 
affected by rules adopted pursuant to the proposals in this Notice. 
11. Interexchange Carriers (IXCs).  Neither the Commission nor the SBA has developed a 
                                                          
12
See id.
13
13 C.F.R. § 121.201, NAICS code 517110.
14
See Trends in Telephone Service, Federal Communications Commission, Wireline Competition Bureau, Industry 
Analysis and Technology Division at Table 5.3 (Sept. 2010) (Trends in Telephone Service).
15
See id.
16
See id.
17
Id.
18
13 C.F.R. § 121.201, NAICS code 517110.
19
http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?
pid=ECN_2007_US_51SSSZ5&prodType=%20table.
20
See Trends in Telephone Service, at tbl. 5.3.
21
Id.
22
Id.
23
Id.
Federal Communications Commission FCC 15-108
36
definition for Interexchange Carriers.  The closest NAICS Code category is Wired Telecommunications 
Carriers as defined in paragraph 6 of this IRFA. The applicable size standard under SBA rules is that
such a business is small if it has 1,500 or fewer employees.
24
  According to Commission data, 359 
companies reported that their primary telecommunications service activity was the provision of 
interexchange services.
25
  Of this total, an estimated 317 have 1,500 or fewer employees and 42 have 
more than 1,500 employees.
26
  Consequently, the Commission estimates that the majority of 
interexchange service providers are small entities that may be affected by rules adopted pursuant to the 
Notice.
12. Prepaid Calling Card Providers. Neither the Commission nor the SBA has developed 
a small business size standard specifically for prepaid calling card providers.  The appropriate NAICS 
Code category for prepaid calling card providers is Telecommunications Resellers.  This industry 
comprises establishments engaged in purchasing access and network capacity from owners and operators 
of telecommunications networks and reselling wired and wireless telecommunications services (except 
satellite) to businesses and households.  Mobile virtual networks operators (MVNOs) are included in this 
industry.
27
  Under the applicable SBA size standard, such a business is small if it has 1,500 or fewer 
employees.
28
  U.S. Census data for 2007 show that 1,523 firms provided resale services during that year.  
Of that number, 1,522 operated with fewer than 1,000 employees.
29
  Thus, under this category and the 
associated small business size standard, the majority of these prepaid calling card providers can be 
considered small entities.  According to Commission data, 193 carriers have reported that they are 
engaged in the provision of prepaid calling cards.
30
  All 193 carriers have 1,500 or fewer employees.
31
  
Consequently, the Commission estimates that the majority of prepaid calling card providers are small 
entities that may be affected by rules adopted pursuant to the Notice.
13. Local Resellers.  The SBA has developed a small business size standard for the category 
of Telecommunications Resellers.  Under that size standard, such a business is small if it has 1,500 or 
fewer employees.
32
  Census data for 2007 show that 1,523 firms provided resale services during that year.  
Of that number, 1,522 operated with fewer than 1,000 employees.
33
  Under this category and the 
associated small business size standard, the majority of these local resellers can be considered small 
entities.  According to Commission data, 213 carriers have reported that they are engaged in the provision 
of local resale services.
34
  Of this total, an estimated 211 have 1,500 or fewer employees.
35
  Consequently, 
the Commission estimates that the majority of local resellers are small entities that may be affected by 
rules adopted pursuant to the proposals in this Notice. 
14. Toll Resellers.  The Commission has not developed a definition for Toll Resellers.  The 
closest NAICS Code Category is Telecommunications Resellers, and the SBA has developed a small 
                                                          
24
13 C.F.R. § 121.201, NAICS code 517110.
25
See Trends in Telephone Service, at tbl. 5.3.
26
Id.
27
http://www.census.gov/cgi-bin/ssd/naics/naicsrch.
28
13 C.F.R. § 121.201, NAICS code 517911.
29
http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?
pid=ECN_2007_US_51SSSZ5&prodType=table.
30
See Trends in Telephone Service, at tbl. 5.3.
31
Id.
32
13 C.F.R. § 121.201, NAICS code 517911.
33
Id.
34
See Trends in Telephone Service, at tbl. 5.3.  
35
Id.
Federal Communications Commission FCC 15-108
37
business size standard for the category of Telecommunications Resellers.  Under that size standard, such a 
business is small if it has 1,500 or fewer employees.
36
  Census data for 2007 show that 1,523 firms 
provided resale services during that year.  Of that number, 1,522 operated with fewer than 1,000 
employees.
37
  Thus, under this category and the associated small business size standard, the majority of 
these resellers can be considered small entities.  According to Commission data, 881 carriers have 
reported that they are engaged in the provision of toll resale services.
38
  Of this total, an estimated 857 
have 1,500 or fewer employees.
39
  Consequently, the Commission estimates that the majority of toll 
resellers are small entities that may be affected by our proposals in the Notice.
15. Other Toll Carriers. Neither the Commission nor the SBA has developed a size
standard for small businesses specifically applicable to Other Toll Carriers. This category includes toll
carriers that do not fall within the categories of interexchange carriers, operator service providers, prepaid
calling card providers, satellite service carriers, or toll resellers. The closest applicable NAICS Code 
category is for Wired Telecommunications Carriers, as defined in paragraph 6 of this IRFA. Under that 
size standard, such a business is small if it has 1,500 or fewer employees.
40
  Census data for 2007 shows 
that there were 3,188 firms that operated that year. Of this total, 3,144 operated with fewer than 1,000
employees.
41
  Thus, under this category and the associated small business size standard, the majority of 
Other Toll Carriers can be considered small. According to Commission data, 284 companies reported 
that their primary telecommunications service activity was the provision of other toll carriage.
42
  Of these, 
an estimated 279 have 1,500 or fewer employees.
43
  Consequently, the Commission estimates that most 
Other Toll Carriers are small entities that may be affected by the rules and policies adopted pursuant to 
the Notice.
16. Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite).  This industry comprises 
establishments engaged in operating and maintaining switching and transmission facilities to provide 
communications via the airwaves, such as cellular services, paging services, wireless internet access, and 
wireless video services.
44
  The appropriate size standard under SBA rules is that such a business is small 
if it has 1,500 or fewer employees.  For this industry, Census Data for 2007 show that there were 1,383 
firms that operated for the entire year.  Of this total, 1,368 firms had fewer than 1,000 employees.  Thus 
under this category and the associated size standard, the Commission estimates that the majority of 
wireless telecommunications carriers (except satellite) are small entities.  Similarly, according to 
internally developed Commission data, 413 carriers reported that they were engaged in the provision of 
wireless telephony, including cellular service, Personal Communications Service (PCS), and Specialized 
Mobile Radio (SMR) services.
45
  Of this total, an estimated 261 have 1,500 or fewer employees.
46
  
Consequently, the Commission estimates that approximately half of these firms can be considered small. 
Thus, using available data, we estimate that the majority of wireless firms can be considered small.
                                                          
36
13 C.F.R. § 121.201, NAICS code 517911.
37
Id.
38
Trends in Telephone Service, at tbl. 5.3.
39
Id.
40
13 C.F.R. § 121.201, NAICS code 517110.
41
Id.
42
Trends in Telephone Service, at tbl. 5.3.
43
Id.
44
NAICS Code 517210.  See http://www.census.gov/cgi-bin/ssd/naics/naiscsrch.
45
Trends in Telephone Service, at tbl. 5.3.
46
Id.
Federal Communications Commission FCC 15-108
38
17. Cable Television and other Subscription Programming.
47
  Since 2007, these services 
have been defined within the broad economic census category of Wired Telecommunications Carriers.  
That category is defined as follows:  “This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in 
operating and/or providing access to transmission facilities and infrastructure that they own and/or lease 
for the transmission of voice, data, text, sound, and video using wired telecommunications networks. 
Transmission facilities may be based on a single technology or a combination of technologies.”
48
  The 
SBA has developed a small business size standard for this category, which is:  all such firms having 1,500 
or fewer employees.
49
  Census data for 2007 shows that there were 3,188 firms that operated that year.  Of 
this total, 3,144 had fewer than 1,000 employees.
50
Thus under this size standard, the majority of firms 
offering cable and other program distribution services can be considered small and may be affected by 
rules adopted pursuant to the Notice.
18. Cable Companies and Systems. The Commission has developed its own small business 
size standards for the purpose of cable rate regulation. Under the Commission's rules, a “small cable 
company” is one serving 400,000 or fewer subscribers nationwide.
51
Industry data indicate that there are 
currently 4,600 active cable systems in the United States.
52
  Of this total, all but ten cable operators 
nationwide are small under the 400,000-subscriber size standard. 
53
In addition, under the Commission's 
rate regulation rules, a “small system” is a cable system serving 15,000 or fewer subscribers.
54
Current 
Commission records show 4,600 cable systems nationwide.
55
Of this total, 3,900 cable systems have less 
                                                          
47
In 2014, “Cable and Other Subscription Programming,” NAICS Code 515210, replaced a prior category, now 
obsolete, which was called “Cable and Other Program Distribution.” Cable and Other Program Distribution, prior to 
2014, were placed under NAICS Code 517110, Wired Telecommunications Carriers.  Wired Telecommunications 
Carriers is still a current and valid NAICS Code Category. Because of the similarity between “Cable and Other 
Subscription Programming” and “Cable and other Program Distribution,” we will, in this proceeding, continue to 
use Wired Telecommunications Carrier data based on the U.S. Census. The alternative of using data gathered under 
Cable and Other Subscription Programming (NAICS Code 515210) is unavailable to us for two reasons.  First, the 
size standard established by the SBA for Cable and Other Subscription Programming is annual receipts of $38.5 
million or less. Thus  to use the annual receipts size standard would require the Commission either to switch from 
existing employee based size standard of 1,500 employees or less for Wired Telecommunications Carriers, or else 
would require the use of two size standards.  No official approval of either option has been granted by the 
Commission as of the time of the release of the FY 2015 NPRM. Second, the data available under the size standard 
of $38.5 million dollars or less is not applicable at this time, because the only currently available U.S. Census data 
for annual receipts of all businesses operating in the NAICS Code category of 515210 (Cable and other Subscription 
Programming) consists only of total receipts for all businesses operating in this category in 2007 and of total annual 
receipts for all businesses operatin6 in this category in 2012.  Hence the data do not provide any basis for 
determining, for either year, how many businesses were small because they had annual receipts of $38.5 million or 
less. See 
http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ECN_2012_US_51I2&prodType=
table.
48
U.S. Census Bureau, 2007 NAICS Definitions, “517110 Wired Telecommunications Carriers” (partial definition), 
(Full definition stated in paragraph 6 of this IRFA) available at http://www.census.gov/cgi-bin/sssd/naics/naicsrch.
49
13 C.F.R. § 121.201, NAICS code 517110.
50
http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ECN_2007_US-
51SSSZ5&prodType=Table.
51
47.C.F.R. 76.901(e)
52
August 15, 2015 Report from the Media Bureau based on data contained in the Commission’s Cable Operations 
And Licensing System(COALS). See www/fcc.gov/coals
53
See SNL KAGAN at www.snl.com/interactiveX/top cableMSOs 
aspx?period2015Q1&sortcol=subscribersbasic&sortorder=desc.
54
47 C.F.R 76.901(c)
55
See footnote 2, supra.
Federal Communications Commission FCC 15-108
39
than 15,000 subscribers, and 700 systems have 15,000 or more subscribers, based on the same records.
56
Thus, under this standard as well, we estimate that most cable systems are small entities.
19. Cable System Operators (Telecom Act Standard). The Communications Act of 1934, 
as amended, also contains a size standard for small cable system operators, which is “a cable operator 
that, directly or through an affiliate, serves in the aggregate fewer than 1 percent of all subscribers in the 
United States and is not affiliated with any entity or entities whose gross annual revenues in the aggregate 
exceed $250,000,000are approximately 52,403,705 cable video subscribers in the United States today.
57
Accordingly, an operator serving fewer than 524,037 subscribers shall be deemed a small operator if its 
annual revenues, when combined with the total annual revenues of all its affiliates, do not exceed $250 
million in the aggregate.
58
Based on available data, we find that all but nine incumbent cable operators 
are small entities under this size standard.
59
We note that the Commission neither requests nor collects 
information on whether cable system operators are affiliated with entities whose gross annual revenues 
exceed $250 million.
60
Although it seems certain that some of these cable system operators are affiliated 
with entities whose gross annual revenues exceed $250,000,000, we are unable at this time to estimate 
with greater precision the number of cable system operators that would qualify as small cable operators 
under the definition in the Communications Act.
20. All Other Telecommunications. “All Other Telecommunications” is defined as 
follows:  This U.S. industry is comprised of establishments that are primarily engaged in providing 
specialized telecommunications services, such as satellite tracking, communications telemetry, and radar 
station operation. This industry also includes establishments primarily engaged in providing satellite 
terminal stations and associated facilities connected with one or more terrestrial systems and capable of 
transmitting telecommunications to, and receiving telecommunications from, satellite systems. 
Establishments providing Internet services or voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) services via client-
supplied telecommunications connections are also included in this industry.
61
  The SBA has developed a 
small business size standard for “All Other Telecommunications,” which consists of all such firms with 
gross annual receipts of $32.5 million or less.
62
  For this category, census data for 2007 show that there 
were 2,383 firms that operated for the entire year.  Of these firms, a total of 2,346 had gross annual 
receipts of less than $25 million.
63
  Thus, a majority of “All Other Telecommunications” firms potentially 
affected by the proposals in the Further Notice can be considered small.
D. Description of Projected Reporting, Recordkeeping and Other Compliance 
Requirements
21. This Further Notice does not propose any changes to the Commission’s current 
information collection, reporting, recordkeeping, or compliance requirements.
                                                          
56
August 5, 2015 report from the Media Bureau based on its research in COALS.See www.fcc.gov /coals
57
See SNL KAGAN at www.snl.com/interactivex/MultichannelIndustryBenchmarks.aspx.
58
47.901(f) and notes ff. 1, 2, and 3.
59
See SNL KAGAN at www.snl.com/Interactivex/TopCable MSOs.aspx.
60
The Commission does receive such information on a case-by-case basis if a cable operator appeals a local 
franchise authority's finding that the operator does not qualify as a small cable operator pursuant to § 76.901(f) of 
the Commission's rules. See 47 C.F.R. § 76.901(f).
61
http://www.census.gov/cgi-bin/ssssd/naics/naicsrch.
62
13 C.F.R 121.201; NAICs Code 517919.
63
http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices.jasf/pages/productview.xhtml?
pid+ECN_2007_US.51SSSZ4&prodType=table.
Federal Communications Commission FCC 15-108
40
E. Steps Taken to Minimize Significant Economic Impact on Small Entities, and 
Significant Alternatives Considered
22. The RFA requires an agency to describe any significant alternatives that it has considered 
in reaching its approach, which may include the following four alternatives, among others: (1) the 
establishment of differing compliance or reporting requirements or timetables that take into account the 
resources available to small entities; (2) the clarification, consolidation, or simplification of compliance or 
reporting requirements under the rule for small entities; (3) the use of performance, rather than design, 
standards; and (4) an exemption from coverage of the rule, or any part thereof, for small entities.
64
  
23. This Further Notice seeks comment on the Commission’s regulatory fee collection for 
radio and television broadcasters, including comment on exempting smaller broadcasters from regulatory 
fees. Specifically, the Commission seeks comment on the extent of FTEs that work on video, cable, 
DBS, and radio services, and whether the current proportion of fees paid by these various fee categories 
associated with these services are still accurate.  The level of FTE activity on these media services 
determines the proportion of fees to be paid by each media service fee category, which in turn is used to 
calculate the fee amount for each fee category. Since this determines the fee rate for big and small media 
companies, the Commission is sensitive to the impact of any changes in the proportion of FTE activity on 
companies in the media industry.   
F. Federal Rules that May Duplicate, Overlap, or Conflict with the Proposed Rules
24. None.
                                                          
64
5 U.S.C. § 603(c)(1)–(c)(4).
Federal Communications Commission FCC 15-108
APPENDIX G
Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
1. As required by the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980, as amended (RFA),
1
an Initial 
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) was included in the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.
2
  The 
Commission sought written public comment on these proposals including comment on the IRFA. This 
Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (FRFA) conforms to the IRFA.
3
A. Need for, and Objectives of, the Report and Order 
2. In this Report and Order, we conclude the Assessment and Collection of Regulatory Fees 
for Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 proceeding to collect $339,844,000 in regulatory fees for FY 2015, pursuant to 
section 9 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended.
4
These regulatory fees will be due in 
September 2015.  Under section 9 of the Communications Act, regulatory fees are mandated by Congress 
and collected to recover the regulatory costs associated with the Commission’s enforcement, policy and 
rulemaking, user information, and international activities in an amount that can be reasonably expected to 
equal the amount of the Commission’s annual appropriation.
5
3. This FY 2015 Report and Order adopts a regulatory fee schedule that includes the 
following noteworthy changes from prior years: (1) a reduction in regulatory fees for the submarine 
cable/terrestrial and satellite bearer circuit category relative to other fee categories in the International 
Bureau; (2) the first fee rate for Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) as a subcategory of the cable television 
and Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) regulatory fee category; (3) the first fee rate for toll free 
numbers; and (4) the elimination of the regulatory fee component of two fee categories: Amateur Radio 
Vanity Call Signs and General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS).  In addition, in calculating the FY 2015 
fee schedule, the Commission also reallocated four International Bureau full time employees (FTEs) as 
indirect. 
4. With respect to the submarine cable/terrestrial and satellite bearer circuit fee category, 
after additional review, the Commission concluded that the fee assessed on the submarine cable/terrestrial 
and satellite bearer circuit fee category was excessive relative to the Commission’s oversight and 
regulation of this industry.  As a result, the Commission reduced the percentage of total fees paid by this 
fee category by 7.5 percent.  With respect to the DBS fee category, the Commission instituted the DBS 
fee after realizing that Media Bureau resources were being used to address DBS and MVPD issues, but 
these costs were not being recovered from DBS providers.  Therefore, the DBS fee is instituted to recover 
the cost of Media Bureau resources that is spent on MVPD and DBS issues.  Similarly, a toll free number 
regulatory fee is instituted to recover the cost of resources expended by the Wireline Bureau on issues 
relating to toll free numbers.  With respect to Amateur Radio Vanity Call Signs and General Mobile 
Radio Service (GMRS), the Commission concluded that the administrative costs of processing, 
reviewing, and enforcing the thousands of Vanity Call Sign and GMRS licenses far exceeds the $21.40 
and $25 per license regulatory fee rate that is collected, respectively.  Many of the Amateur Vanity Call 
Signs and GMRS licensees are small businesses and/or individuals.  Finally, in calculating the FY 2015 
fee schedule, the Commission reallocated four International Bureau full time employees (FTEs) as 
                                                          
1
5 U.S.C. § 603.  The RFA, 5 U.S.C. §§ 601-612 has been amended by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement 
Fairness Act of 1996 (SBREFA), Pub. L. No. 104-121, Title II, 110 Stat. 847 (1996).
2
Assessment and Collection of Regulatory Fees for Fiscal Year 2015, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Report and 
Order, and Order, MD Docket No. 15-121, 30 FCC Rcd 5354 (2015) (FY 2015 NPRM).
3
5 U.S.C. § 604.
4
47 U.S.C. § 159.
5
47 U.S.C. § 159(a).
Federal Communications Commission FCC 15-108
42
indirect to reflect work performed by International Bureau staff on non-U.S.-licensed space stations, who 
are not required to pay regulatory fees.
B. Summary of the Significant Issues Raised by the Public Comments in Response to 
the IRFA
5. None.
C. Description and Estimate of the Number of Small Entities to Which the Rules Will
Apply:
6. The RFA directs agencies to provide a description of, and where feasible, an estimate of 
the number of small entities that may be affected by the proposed rules and policies, if adopted.
6
  The 
RFA generally defines the term “small entity” as having the same meaning as the terms “small business,” 
“small organization,” and “small governmental jurisdiction.”
7
In addition, the term “small business” has 
the same meaning as the term “small business concern” under the Small Business Act.
8
  A “small 
business concern” is one which: (1) is independently owned and operated; (2) is not dominant in its field 
of operation; and (3) satisfies any additional criteria established by the SBA.
9
Nationwide, there are a 
total of approximately 27.9 million small businesses, according to the SBA.
10
   
7. Wired Telecommunications Carriers. The U.S. Census Bureau defines this industry as 
“establishments primarily engaged in operating and/or providing access to transmission facilities and 
infrastructure that they own and/or lease for the transmission of voice, data, text, sound, and video using 
wired communications networks. Transmission facilities may be based on a single technology or a 
combination of technologies.  Establishments in this industry use the wired telecommunications network 
facilities that they operate to provide a variety of services, such as wired telephony services, including 
VoIP services, wired (cable) audio and video programming distribution, and wired broadband internet 
services.  By exception, establishments providing satellite television distribution services using facilities 
and infrastructure that they operate are included in this industry.”
11
  The SBA has developed a small 
business size standard for Wired Telecommunications Carriers, which consists of all such companies 
having 1,500 or fewer employees.
12
Census data for 2007 shows that there were 3,188 firms that operated 
that year. Of this total, 3,144 operated with less than 1,000 employees.
13
Thus, under this size standard, 
the majority of firms in this industry can be considered small.
8. Local Exchange Carriers (LECs). Neither the Commission nor the SBA has developed
a size standard for small businesses specifically applicable to local exchange services. The closest
applicable NAICS Code category is Wired Telecommunications Carriers as defined in paragraph 6 of this 
FRFA. Under the applicable SBA size standard, such a business is small if it has 1,500 or fewer 
                                                          
6
5 U.S.C. § 603(b)(3).
7
5 U.S.C. § 601(6).
8
5 U.S.C. § 601(3) (incorporating by reference the definition of “small-business concern” in the Small Business 
Act, 15 U.S.C. § 632).  Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. § 601(3), the statutory definition of a small business applies “unless an 
agency, after consultation with the Office of Advocacy of the Small Business Administration and after opportunity
for public comment, establishes one or more definitions of such term which are appropriate to the activities of the 
agency and publishes such definition(s) in the Federal Register.”
9
15 U.S.C. § 632.
10
See SBA, Office of Advocacy, “Frequently Asked Questions,” 
http://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/FAQ_Sept_2012.pdf.
11
http://www.census.gov/cgi-bin/sssd/naics/naicsrch.
12
See 13 C.F.R. § 120.201, NAICS Code 517110.
13
http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?
pid=ECN_2007_US_51SSSZ5&prodType=table.
Federal Communications Commission FCC 15-108
43
employees.
14
  According to Commission data, census data for 2007 shows that there were 3,188 firms that 
operated that year. Of this total, 3,144 operated with fewer than 1,000 employees.
15
  The Commission 
therefore estimates that most providers of local exchange carrier service are small entities that may be 
affected by the rules adopted.
9. Incumbent LECs.  Neither the Commission nor the SBA has developed a small business 
size standard specifically for incumbent local exchange services.  The closest applicable NAICS Code 
category is Wired Telecommunications Carriers as defined in paragraph 6 of this FRFA.  Under that size 
standard, such a business is small if it has 1,500 or fewer employees.
16
  According to Commission data, 
3,188 firms operated in that year.  Of this total, 3,144 operated with fewer than 1,000 employees.
17
Consequently, the Commission estimates that most providers of incumbent local exchange service are 
small businesses that may be affected by the rules and policies adopted.  Three hundred and seven (307)
Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers reported that they were incumbent local exchange service 
providers.
18
  Of this total, an estimated 1,006 have 1,500 or fewer employees.
19
    
10. Competitive Local Exchange Carriers (Competitive LECs), Competitive Access 
Providers (CAPs), Shared-Tenant Service Providers, and Other Local Service Providers.  Neither 
the Commission nor the SBA has developed a small business size standard specifically for these service 
providers.  The appropriate NAICS Code category is Wired Telecommunications Carriers, as defined in 
paragraph 6 of this FRFA.  Under that size standard, such a business is small if it has 1,500 or fewer 
employees.
20
  U.S. Census data for 2007 indicate that 3,188 firms operated during that year.  Of that 
number, 3,144 operated with fewer than 1,000 employees.
21
   Based on this data, the Commission 
concludes that the majority of Competitive LECS, CAPs, Shared-Tenant Service Providers, and Other 
Local Service Providers, are small entities.  According to Commission data, 1,442 carriers reported that 
they were engaged in the provision of either competitive local exchange services or competitive access 
provider services.
22
Of these 1,442 carriers, an estimated 1,256 have 1,500 or fewer employees.
23
  In 
addition, 17 carriers have reported that they are Shared-Tenant Service Providers, and all 17 are estimated 
to have 1,500 or fewer employees.
24
  Also, 72 carriers have reported that they are Other Local Service 
Providers.
25
   Of this total, 70 have 1,500 or fewer employees.
26
  Consequently, based on internally 
researched FCC data, the Commission estimates that most providers of competitive local exchange 
service, competitive access providers, Shared-Tenant Service Providers, and Other Local Service 
                                                          
14
13 C.F.R. § 121.201, NAICS code 517110.
15
http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?
pid=ECN_2007_US_51SSSZ5&prodType=table.
16
13 C.F.R. § 121.201, NAICS code 517110.
17
http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?
pid=ECN_2007_US_51SSSZ5&prodType=table.
18
See Trends in Telephone Service, Federal Communications Commission, Wireline Competition Bureau, Industry 
Analysis and Technology Division at Table 5.3 (Sept. 2010) (Trends in Telephone Service).
19
Id.
20
13 C.F.R. § 121.201, NAICS code 517110.
21
http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?
pid=ECN_2007_US_51SSSZ5&prodType=table.
22
See Trends in Telephone Service, at tbl. 5.3.
23
Id.
24
Id.
25
Id.
26
Id.
Federal Communications Commission FCC 15-108
44
Providers are small entities that may be affected by the rules adopted. 
11. Interexchange Carriers (IXCs).  Neither the Commission nor the SBA has developed a 
definition for Interexchange Carriers.  The closest NAICS Code category is Wired Telecommunications 
Carriers as defined in paragraph 6 of this FRFA. The applicable size standard under SBA rules is that
such a business is small if it has 1,500 or fewer employees.
27
  U.S. Census data for 2007 indicates that 
3,188 firms operated during that year. Of that number, 3,144 operated with fewer than 1,000 
employees.
28
  According to internally developed Commission data, 359 companies reported that their 
primary telecommunications service activity was the provision of interexchange services.
29
  Of this total, 
an estimated 317 have 1,500 or fewer employees.
30
  Consequently, the Commission estimates that the 
majority of interexchange service providers are small entities that may be affected by the rules adopted.
12. Prepaid Calling Card Providers.  Neither the Commission nor the SBA has developed 
a small business size standard specifically for prepaid calling card providers.  The appropriate NAICS 
Code category for prepaid calling card providers is Telecommunications Resellers.  This industry 
comprises establishments engaged in purchasing access and network capacity from owners and operators 
of telecommunications networks and reselling wired and wireless telecommunications services (except 
satellite) to businesses and households.  Mobile virtual networks operators (MVNOs) are included in this 
industry.
31
  Under the applicable SBA size standard, such a business is small if it has 1,500 or fewer 
employees.
32
  U.S. Census data for 2007 show that 1,523 firms provided resale services during that year.  
Of that number, 1,522 operated with fewer than 1,000 employees.
33
  Thus, under this category and the 
associated small business size standard, the majority of these prepaid calling card providers can be 
considered small entities.  According to Commission data, 193 carriers have reported that they are 
engaged in the provision of prepaid calling cards.
34
  All 193 carriers have 1,500 or fewer employees.
35
  
Consequently, the Commission estimates that the majority of prepaid calling card providers are small 
entities that may be affected by the rules adopted.
13. Local Resellers.  The SBA has developed a small business size standard for the category
of Telecommunications Resellers.  Under that size standard, such a business is small if it has 1,500 or 
fewer employees.
36
  Census data for 2007 show that 1,523 firms provided resale services during that year.  
Of that number, 1,522 operated with fewer than 1,000 employees.
37
  Under this category and the 
associated small business size standard, the majority of these local resellers can be considered small 
entities.  According to Commission data, 213 carriers have reported that they are engaged in the provision 
of local resale services.
38
  Of this total, an estimated 211 have 1,500 or fewer employees.
39
  Consequently, 
                                                          
27
13 C.F.R. § 121.201, NAICS code 517110.
28
http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?
pid=ECN_2007_US_51SSSZ5&prodType=table.
29
See Trends in Telephone Service, at tbl. 5.3.
30
Id.
31
http://www.census.gov/cgi-bin/ssd/naics/naicsrch.
32
13 C.F.R. § 121.201, NAICS code 517911.
33
http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?
pid=ECN_2007_US_51SSSZ5&prodType=table.
34
See Trends in Telephone Service, at tbl. 5.3.
35
Id.
36
13 C.F.R. § 121.201, NAICS code 517911.
37
http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?
pid=ECN_2007_US_51SSSZ5&prodType=table.
38
See Trends in Telephone Service, at tbl. 5.3.  
Federal Communications Commission FCC 15-108
45
the Commission estimates that the majority of local resellers are small entities that may be affected by the 
rules adopted. 
14. Toll Resellers.  The Commission has not developed a definition for Toll Resellers.  The 
closest NAICS Code Category is Telecommunications Resellers, and the SBA has developed a small 
business size standard for the category of Telecommunications Resellers.  Under that size standard, such a 
business is small if it has 1,500 or fewer employees.
40
Census data for 2007 show that 1,523 firms 
provided resale services during that year.  Of that number, 1,522 operated with fewer than 1,000 
employees.
41
  Thus, under this category and the associated small business size standard, the majority of 
these resellers can be considered small entities.  According to Commission data, 881 carriers have 
reported that they are engaged in the provision of toll resale services.
42
  Of this total, an estimated 857 
have 1,500 or fewer employees.
43
  Consequently, the Commission estimates that the majority of toll 
resellers are small entities that may be affected by the rules adopted.
15. Other Toll Carriers. Neither the Commission nor the SBA has developed a definition 
for small businesses specifically applicable to Other Toll Carriers. This category includes toll carriers that 
do not fall within the categories of interexchange carriers, operator service providers, prepaid calling card 
providers, satellite service carriers, or toll resellers. The closest applicable NAICS Code category is for 
Wired Telecommunications Carriers as defined in paragraph 6 of this FRFA. Under the applicable SBA 
size standard, such a business is small if it has 1,500 or fewer employees.
44
  Census data for 2007 shows 
that there were 3,188 firms that operated that year. Of this total, 3,144 operated with fewer than 1,000 
employees.
45
Thus, under this category and the associated small business size standard, the majority of 
Other Toll Carriers can be considered small. According to internally developed Commission data, 284 
companies reported that their primary telecommunications service activity was the provision of other toll 
carriage.
46
  Of these, an estimated 279 have 1,500 or fewer employees.
47
  Consequently, the Commission 
estimates that most Other Toll Carriers are small entities that may be affected by the rules and policies 
adopted.
16. Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite).  This industry comprises 
establishments engaged in operating and maintaining switching and transmission facilities to provide 
communications via the airwaves, such as cellular services, paging services, wireless internet access, and 
wireless video services.
48
  The appropriate size standard under SBA rules is that such a business is small 
if it has 1,500 or fewer employees.  For this industry, Census data for 2007 show that there were 1,383 
firms that operated for the entire year.  Of this total, 1,368 firms had fewer than 1,000 employees.  Thus 
under this category and the associated size standard, the Commission estimates that the majority of 
wireless telecommunications carriers (except satellite) are small entities.  Similarly, according to 
internally developed Commission data, 413 carriers reported that they were engaged in the provision of 
(Continued from previous page)                                                           
   
39
Id.
40
http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?
pid=ECN_2007_US_51SSSZ5&prodType=table.
41
Id.
42
Trends in Telephone Service, at tbl. 5.3.
43
Id.
44
13 C.F.R. § 121.201, NAICS code 517110.
45
http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?
pid=ECN_2007_US_51SSSZ5&prodType=table.
46
Trends in Telephone Service, at tbl. 5.3.
47
Id.
48
NAICS Code 517210.  See http://www.census.gov/cgi-bin/ssd/naics/naiscsrch.
Federal Communications Commission FCC 15-108
46
wireless telephony, including cellular service, Personal Communications Service (PCS), and Specialized 
Mobile Radio (SMR) services.
49
  Of this total, an estimated 261 have 1,500 or fewer employees.
50
  
Consequently, the Commission estimates that approximately half of these firms can be considered small. 
Thus, using available data, we estimate that the majority of wireless firms can be considered small.
17. Cable Television and Other Subscription Programming.
51
Since 2007, these services 
have been defined within the broad economic census category of Wired Telecommunications Carriers.  
That category is defined as follows:  “This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in 
operating and/or providing access to transmission facilities and infrastructure that they own and/or lease 
for the transmission of voice, data, text, sound, and video using wired telecommunications networks. 
Transmission facilities may be based on a single technology or a combination of technologies.”
52
  The 
SBA has developed a small business size standard for this category, which is:  all such firms having 1,500 
or fewer employees.
53
  Census data for 2007 shows that there were 3,188 firms that operated that year.  Of 
this total, 3,144 had fewer than 1,000 employees.
54
Thus under this size standard, the majority of firms 
offering cable and other program distribution services can be considered small and may be affected by 
rules adopted.
18. Cable Companies and Systems. The Commission has developed its own small business 
size standards for the purpose of cable rate regulation. Under the Commission's rules, a “small cable 
company” is one serving 400,000 or fewer subscribers nationwide.
55
Industry data indicate that there are 
currently 4,600 active cable systems in the United States.
56
  Of this total, all but ten cable operators 
                                                          
49
Trends in Telephone Service, at tbl. 5.3.
50
Id.
51
In 2014, “Cable and Other Subscription Programming,” NAICS Code 515210, replaced a prior category, now 
obsolete, which was called “Cable and Other Program Distribution.”  Cable and Other Program Distribution, prior to 
2014, was placed under NAICS Code 517110, Wired Telecommunications Carriers.  Wired Telecommunications 
Carriers is still a current and valid NAICS Code Category.  Because of the similarity between “Cable and Other 
Subscription Programming” and “Cable and other Program Distribution,” we will, in this proceeding, continue to 
use Wired Telecommunications Carrier data based on the U.S. Census.  The alternative of using data gathered under 
Cable and Other Subscription Programming (NAICS Code 515210) is unavailable to us for two reasons.  First, the
size standard established by the SBA for Cable and Other Subscription Programming is annual receipts of $38.5 
million or less.  Thus  to use the annual receipts size standard would require the Commission either to switch from 
existing employee based size standard of 1,500 employees or less for Wired Telecommunications Carriers, or else 
would require the use of two size standards.  No official approval of either option has been granted by the 
Commission as of the time of the release of the FY 2015 NPRM.  Second, the data available under the size standard 
of $38.5 million dollars or less is not applicable at this time, because the only currently available U.S. Census data 
for annual receipts of all businesses operating in the NAICS Code category of 515210 (Cable and other Subscription 
Programming) consists only of total receipts for all businesses operating in this category in 2007 and of total annual 
receipts for all businesses operating in this category in 2012.  The data do not provide any basis for determining, for 
either year, how many businesses were small because they had annual receipts of $38.5 million or less.  See 
http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ECN_2012_US_51I2&prodType=
table.
52
U.S. Census Bureau, 2007 NAICS Definitions, “517110 Wired Telecommunications Carriers” (partial definition), 
(Full definition stated in paragraph 6 of this IRFA) available at http://www.census.gov/cgi-bin/sssd/naics/naicsrch.
53
13 C.F.R. § 121.201, NAICS code 517110.
54
http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ECN_2007_US-
51SSSZ5&prodType=Table.
55
47.C.F.R. 76.901(e)
56
August 15, 2015 Report from the Media Bureau based on data contained in the Commission’s Cable Operations 
And Licensing System(COALS). See www/fcc.gov/coals.
Federal Communications Commission FCC 15-108
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nationwide are small under the 400,000-subscriber size standard. 
57
In addition, under the Commission's 
rate regulation rules, a “small system” is a cable system serving 15,000 or fewer subscribers.
58
Current 
Commission records show 4,600 cable systems nationwide.
59
Of this total, 3,900 cable systems have less 
than 15,000 subscribers, and 700 systems have 15,000 or more subscribers, based on the same records.
60
Thus, under this standard as well, we estimate that most cable systems are small entities.
19. Cable System Operators (Telecom Act Standard). The Communications Act of 1934, 
as amended, also contains a size standard for small cable system operators, which is “a cable operator 
that, directly or through an affiliate, serves in the aggregate fewer than 1 percent of all subscribers in the 
United States and is not affiliated with any entity or entities whose gross annual revenues in the aggregate 
exceed $250,000,000.”
61
  There are approximately 52,403,705 cable video subscribers in the United 
States today.
62
Accordingly, an operator serving fewer than 524,037 subscribers shall be deemed a small 
operator if its annual revenues, when combined with the total annual revenues of all its affiliates, do not 
exceed $250 million in the aggregate.
63
Based on available data, we find that all but nine incumbent cable 
operators are small entities under this size standard.
64
We note that the Commission neither requests nor 
collects information on whether cable system operators are affiliated with entities whose gross annual 
revenues exceed $250 million.
65
Although it seems certain that some of these cable system operators are 
affiliated with entities whose gross annual revenues exceed $250,000,000, we are unable at this time to 
estimate with greater precision the number of cable system operators that would qualify as small cable 
operators under the definition in the Communications Act.
20. All Other Telecommunications. “All Other Telecommunications” is defined as 
follows:  This U.S. industry is comprised of establishments that are primarily engaged in providing 
specialized telecommunications services, such as satellite tracking, communications telemetry, and radar 
station operation. This industry also includes establishments primarily engaged in providing satellite 
terminal stations and associated facilities connected with one or more terrestrial systems and capable of 
transmitting telecommunications to, and receiving telecommunications from, satellite systems. 
Establishments providing Internet services or voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) services via client-
supplied telecommunications connections are also included in this industry.
66
  The SBA has developed a 
small business size standard for “All Other Telecommunications,” which consists of all such firms with 
gross annual receipts of $32.5 million or less.
67
  For this category, census data for 2007 show that there 
were 2,383 firms that operated for the entire year.  Of these firms, a total of 2,346 had gross annual 
receipts of less than $25 million.
68
  Thus, a majority of “All Other Telecommunications” firms potentially 
                                                          
57
See SNL KAGAN at www.snl.com/interactiveX/top cableMSOs 
aspx?period2015Q1&sortcol=subscribersbasic&sortorder=desc.
58
47 C.F.R 76.901(c)
59
See footnote 2, supra.
60
August 5, 2015 report from the Media Bureau based on its research in COALS.  See www.fcc.gov /coals.
61
47 C.F.R 901 (f) and notes ff. 1, 2, and 3.
62
See SNL KAGAN at www.snl.com/interactivex/MultichannelIndustryBenchmarks.aspx.
63
47.901(f) and notes ff. 1, 2, and 3.
64
See SNL KAGAN at www.snl.com/interactivex/TopCable MSOs.aspx.
65
The Commission does receive such information on a case-by-case basis if a cable operator appeals a local 
franchise authority's finding that the operator does not qualify as a small cable operator pursuant to § 76.901(f) of 
the Commission's rules. See 47 C.F.R. § 76.901(f).
66
http://www.census.gov/cgi-bin/ssssd/naics/naicsrch.
67
13 C.F.R 121.201; NAICS Code 517919
68
http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?
pid=ECN_2007_US_51SSSZ5&prodType=table.
Federal Communications Commission FCC 15-108
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affected by the rules adopted can be considered small.
D. Description of Projected Reporting, Recordkeeping and Other Compliance 
Requirements
21. This Report and Order does not adopt any new reporting, recordkeeping, or other 
compliance requirements.
E. Steps Taken to Minimize Significant Economic Impact on Small Entities, and 
Significant Alternatives Considered
22. The RFA requires an agency to describe any significant alternatives that it has considered 
in reaching its approach, which may include the following four alternatives, among others: (1) the 
establishment of differing compliance or reporting requirements or timetables that take into account the 
resources available to small entities; (2) the clarification, consolidation, or simplification of compliance or 
reporting requirements under the rule for small entities; (3) the use of performance, rather than design, 
standards; and (4) an exemption from coverage of the rule, or any part thereof, for small entities.
69
   
23. This Report and Order does not adopt any new reporting requirements.  Therefore no 
adverse economic impact on small entities will be sustained based on reporting requirements.  There will 
be a regulatory fee instituted on DBS providers due to the adoption of a new fee category, but we 
anticipate that the two primary DBS companies required to pay these fees are not small entities.
Similarly, a new regulatory fee for Responsible Organizations (RespOrg) has also been instituted in FY 
2015 for the toll free number fee category that was previously adopted--the fee rate adopted is 12 cents 
per year.  This is not a new reporting requirement, and should not have any adverse economic impact on 
small RespOrg. entities because they are able to recover these assessed fees from their customers.
24. In keeping with the requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, we have considered 
certain alternative means of mitigating the effects of fee increases to a particular industry segment.  For 
example, beginning in FY 2015 the Commission has increased the de minimis threshold from under $10 
to $500 (the total of all regulatory fees), which will impact many small entities that pay regulatory fees 
for ITSP, paging, cellular, cable, and Low Power Television/FM Translators.  Historically, many of these 
small entities have been late in making their fee payments to the Commission by the due date.  This 
increase in the de minimis threshold to $500 will relieve regulatees both financially and administratively.  
Finally, regulatees may also seek waivers or other relief on the basis of financial hardship.  See 47 C.F.R. 
§1.1166.
F. Federal Rules that May Duplicate, Overlap, or Conflict 
25. None.
                                                          
69
5 U.S.C. § 603(c)(1)–(c)(4).
Federal Communications Commission FCC 15-108
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APPENDIX H
FY 2014 Schedule of Regulatory Fees
Regulatory fees for the categories shaded in gray are collected by the Commission in advance to cover the 
term of the license and are submitted at the time the application is filed.
Fee Category
Annual 
Regulatory Fee
(U.S. $'s)
PLMRS (per license) (Exclusive Use) (47 CFR part 90) 35
Microwave (per license) (47 CFR part 101) 15
218-219 MHz (Formerly Interactive Video Data Service) (per license) (47 CFR 
part 95)
80
Marine (Ship) (per station) (47 CFR part 80) 15
Marine (Coast) (per license) (47 CFR part 80) 55
General Mobile Radio Service (per license) (47 CFR part 95) 5
Rural Radio (47 CFR part 22) (previously listed under the Land Mobile category) 10
PLMRS (Shared Use) (per license) (47 CFR part 90) 10
Aviation (Aircraft) (per station) (47 CFR part 87) 10
Aviation (Ground) (per license) (47 CFR part 87) 30
Amateur Vanity Call Signs (per call sign) (47 CFR part 97) 2.14
CMRS Mobile/Cellular Services (per unit) (47 CFR parts 20, 22, 24, 27, 80 and 
90)
.18
CMRS Messaging Services (per unit) (47 CFR parts 20, 22, 24 and 90) .08
Broadband Radio Service (formerly MMDS/ MDS) (per license) (47 CFR part 
27)
Local Multipoint Distribution Service (per call sign) (47 CFR, part 101)
715
715
AM Radio Construction Permits 590
FM Radio Construction Permits 750
Digital TV (47 CFR part 73) VHF and UHF Commercial
Markets 1-10 44,650
Markets 11-25 42,100
Markets 26-50 26,975
Markets 51-100 15,600
Remaining Markets 4,750
Construction Permits 4,750
Satellite Television Stations  (All Markets)   1,550
Federal Communications Commission FCC 15-108
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Fee Category
Annual 
Regulatory Fee
(U.S. $'s)
Construction Permits – Satellite Television Stations 1,300
Low Power TV, Class A TV, TV/FM Translators & Boosters (47 CFR part 74) 410
Broadcast Auxiliaries (47 CFR part 74) 10
CARS (47 CFR part 78) 605
Cable Television Systems (per subscriber) (47 CFR part 76), Including IPTV .99
Interstate Telecommunication Service Providers (per revenue dollar) .00343
Earth Stations (47 CFR part 25) 295
Space Stations (per operational station in geostationary orbit) (47 CFR part 25) 
also includes DBS Service (per operational station) (47 CFR part 100) 122,400
Space Stations (per operational system in non-geostationary orbit) (47 CFR part 
25)
132,850
International Bearer Circuits -  Terrestrial/Satellites (per 64KB circuit) .21
International Bearer Circuits - Submarine Cable See Table Below
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FY 2014 SCHEDULE OF REGULATORY FEES: Maintain Allocation (continued)
FY 2014 RADIO STATION REGULATORY FEES
Population 
Served
AM Class 
A
AM Class 
B
AM 
Class C
AM 
Class D
FM Classes
A, B1 & C3
FM Classes
B, C, C0, C1 
& C2
<=25,000 $775 $645 $590 $670 $750 $925
25,001 – 75,000 $1,550 $1,300 $900 $1,000 $1,500 $1,625
75,001 – 150,000 $2,325 $1,625 $1,200 $1,675 $2,050 $3,000
150,001 – 500,000 $3,475 $2,750 $1,800 $2,025 $3,175 $3,925
500,001 – 1,200,000 $5,025 $4,225 $3,000 $3,375 $5,050 $5,775
1,200,001 – 3,000,00 $7,750 $6,500 $4,500 $5,400 $8,250 $9,250
>3,000,000 $9,300 $7,800 $5,700 $6,750 $10,500 $12,025
FY 2014 SCHEDULE OF REGULATORY FEES
International Bearer Circuits - Submarine Cable
Submarine Cable Systems
(capacity as of December 31, 2013)
Fee amount
< 2.5 Gbps
$10,250
2.5 Gbps or greater, but less than 5 Gbps
$20,500
5 Gbps or greater, but less than 10 Gbps $40,975 
10 Gbps or greater, but less than 20 Gbps
$81,950 
20 Gbps or greater
$163,900
Federal Communications Commission FCC 15-108
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APPENDIX I
Rule Changes
Part 1 of Title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations is amended to read as follows:
PART 1 – PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE
1. The authority citation for part 1 continues to read as follows:                                                       
Authority:  15 U.S.C. 79 et seq.; 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 154(j), 155, 157, 225, 303(r), 309.
2.   Section 1.1152 is revised to read as follows:
   
§ 1.1152  Schedule of annual regulatory fees for wireless radio services.
                     
Exclusive use services (per license) Fee Amount
70
  
1. Land Mobile (Above 470
MHz and 220 MHz Local,
Base Station & SMRS)
(47 CFR part 90)
a)New, Renew/Mod $30.00
  (FCC 601 & 159)
b) New, Renew/Mod $30.00
   (Electronic Filing)
   (FCC 601 & 159)
c)Renewal Only $30.00
            (FCC 601 & 159)
d)Renewal Only $30.00
  (Electronic Filing)
  (FCC 601 & 159)
220 MHz Nationwide $30.00
a)New, Renew/Mod
  (FCC 601 & 159)
b)New, Renew/Mod $30.00
   (Electronic Filing)
   (FCC 601 & 159)
                                                          
70
Note that "small fees" are collected in advance for the entire license term.  Therefore, the annual fee amount shown 
in this table that is a small fee (categories 1 through 5) must be multiplied by the 5-or 10-year license term, as 
appropriate, to arrive at the total amount of regulatory fees owed.  Also, application fees may apply as detailed in 
§1.1102 of this chapter.
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c)Renewal Only $30.00
  (FCC 601 & 159)
          d)Renewal Only $30.00
  (Electronic Filing)
  (FCC 601 & 159)
2. Microwave (47 CFR Pt. 101) (Private)
         a)New, Renew/Mod $20.00
  (FCC 601 & 159)
b)New, Renew/Mod $20.00
  (Electronic Filing)
  (FCC 601 & 159)
c)Renewal Only $20.00
  (FCC 601 & 159)
          d)Renewal Only $20.00
    (Electronic Filing)
    (FCC 601 & 159)
3.  Shared Use Services
          Land Mobile (Frequencies
          Below 470 MHz – except
           220 MHz)
a)New, Renew/Mod $10.00
  (FCC 601 & 159)
b) New, Renew/Mod $10.00
   (Electronic Filing)
   (FCC 601 & 159)
c)Renewal Only $10.00
  (FCC 601 & 159)
d)Renewal Only $10.00
  (Electronic Filing)
  (FCC 601 & 159)
Rural Radio (Part 22)
a)New, Additional Facility, $10.00
   Major Renew/Mod
  (Electronic Filing)
Federal Communications Commission FCC 15-108
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  (FCC 601 & 159)
b)Renewal, Minor Renew/Mod $10.00
  (Electronic Filing)
  (FCC 601 & 159)
Marine Coast
a)New Renewal/Mod $35.00
  (FCC 601 & 159)
b)New, Renewal/Mod $35.00
  (Electronic Filing)
  (FCC 601 & 159)
c)Renewal Only $35.00
  (FCC 601 & 159)
  
d)Renewal Only $35.00
  (Electronic Filing)
  (FCC 601 & 159)
Aviation Ground
a)New, Renewal/Mod $20.00
  (FCC 601 & 159)
b)New, Renewal/Mod $20.00
  (Electronic Filing)
  (FCC 601 & 159)
c)Renewal Only $20.00
  (FCC 601 & 159)
  
d)Renewal Only $20.00
  (Electronic Only)
  (FCC 601 & 159)
Marine Ship
a)New, Renewal/Mod $15.00
  (FCC 605 & 159)
b)New, Renewal/Mod $15.00
(Electronic Filing)
(FCC 605 & 159)
c)Renewal Only $15.00
  (FCC 605 & 159)
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d)Renewal Only $15.00
(Electronic Filing)
(FCC 605 & 159)
Aviation Aircraft
a)New, Renew/Mod $10.00
  (FCC 605 & 159)
b)New, Renew/Mod $10.00
  (Electronic Filing)
  (FCC 605 & 159)
c)Renewal Only $10.00
  (FCC 605 & 159)
d)Renewal Only $10.00
  (Electronic Filing)
  (FCC 605 & 159)
4.  CMRS Cellular/Mobile Services $ .17
71
     (per unit)
     (FCC 159)
5.  CMRS Messaging Services $ .08
72
     (per unit)
     (FCC 159)
6. Broadband Radio Service      $  635        
    (formerly MMDS and  MDS)        
       
7. Local Multipoint Distribution Service      $  635        
           
       
3.   Section 1.1153 is revised to read as follows:
§ 1.1153  Schedule of annual regulatory fees and filing locations for mass media services. 
Radio [AM and FM] (47 CFR part 73) Fee Amount
1. AM Class A
                                                          
71
These are standard fees that are to be paid in accordance with § 1.1157(b) of this chapter.
72
These are standard fees that are to be paid in accordance with § 1.1157(b) of this chapter.
Federal Communications Commission FCC 15-108
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<=25,000 population    $775
25,001-75,000 population $1,550
75,001-150,000 population $2,325
150,001-500,000 population $3,475
500,001-1,200,000 population $5,025
1,200,001-3,000,000 population $7,750
>3,000,000 population $9,300
2. AM Class B
<=25,000 population    $645
25,001-75,000 population $1,300
75,001-150,000 population $1,625
150,001-500,000 population $2,750
500,001-1,200,000 population $4,225
1,200,001-3,000,000 population $6,500
>3,000,000 population $7,800
3. AM Class C
<=25,000 population    $590
25,001-75,000 population    $900
75,001-150,000 population $1,200
150,001-500,000 population $1,800
500,001-1,200,000 population $3,000
1,200,001-3,000,000 population $4,500
>3,000,000 population $5,700
4. AM Class D
<=25,000 population    $670
25,001-75,000 population $1,000
75,001-150,000 population $1,675
150,001-500,000 population $2,025
500,001-1,200,000 population $3,375
1,200,001-3,000,000 population $5,400
>3,000,000 population $6,750
5. AM Construction Permit    $590
6. FM Classes A, B1 and C3
<=25,000 population    $750
25,001-75,000 population $1,500
75,001-150,000 population $2,050
150,001-500,000 population $3,175
500,001-1,200,000 population $5,050
1,200,001-3,000,000 population $8,250
>3,000,000 population $10,500
7. FM Classes B, C, C0, C1 and C2
<=25,000 population    $925
25,001-75,000 population $1,625
75,001-150,000 population $3,000
150,001-500,000 population $3,925
Federal Communications Commission FCC 15-108
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500,001-1,200,000 population $5,775
1,200,001-3,000,000 population $9,250
>3,000,000 population $12,025
8. FM Construction Permits $750
TV (47 CFR, part 73)
Digital TV (UHF and VHF Commercial Stations)
1. Markets 1 thru 10 $46,825
2. Markets 11 thru 25 $43,200
3. Markets 26 thru 50 $27,625
4. Markets 51 thru 100 $16,275   
5. Remaining Markets $  4,850
6. Construction Permits $  4,850
Satellite UHF/VHF Commercial
1. All Markets $1,575
Low Power TV,  Class A TV, TV/FM $  440
Translator, & TV/FM Booster
(47 CFR part 74)
   
4.   Section 1.1154 is revised to read as follows:
§ 1.1154  Schedule of annual regulatory charges for common carrier services.
Radio Facilities Fee Amount
1. Microwave (Domestic Public Fixed) $20.00
(Electronic Filing)
(FCC Form 601 & 159)
Carriers
1. Interstate Telephone Service Providers $   .00331
(per interstate and international end-user 
revenues (see FCC Form 499-A)
2. Toll Free Number Fee $.12 per Toll Free Number
5.   Section 1.1155 is revised to read as follows:
§ 1.1155  Schedule of regulatory fees for cable television services.
Fee Amount
Federal Communications Commission FCC 15-108
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1. Cable Television Relay Service $660
2. Cable TV System, Including IPTV $   0.96
(per subscriber)
  
3. Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) $.12 per subscriber
6.   Section 1.1156 is revised to read as follows:
§ 1.1156  Schedule of regulatory fees for international services.
a.        The following schedule applies for the listed services:
Fee Category Fee Amount
Space Stations (Geostationary Orbit)
$119,150
Space Stations (Non-Geostationary Orbit)
$132,125
Earth Stations: Transmit/Receive & Transmit only 
(per authorization or registration) $310
b.        International Terrestrial and Satellite. Regulatory fees for International Bearer Circuits 
are to be paid by facilities-based common carriers that have active (used or leased) international 
bearer circuits as of December 31 of the prior year in any terrestrial or satellite transmission 
facility for the provision of service to an end user or resale carrier, which includes active circuits 
to themselves or to their affiliates. In addition, non-common carrier satellite operators must pay 
a fee for each circuit sold or leased to any customer, including themselves or their affiliates, 
other than an international common carrier authorized by the Commission to provide U.S. 
international common carrier services. “Active circuits” for these purposes include backup and 
redundant circuits. In addition, whether circuits are used specifically for voice or data is not 
relevant in determining that they are active circuits.
The fee amount, per active 64 KB circuit or equivalent will be determined for each fiscal year.
International Terrestrial and Satellite (capacity as of 
December 31, 2014)
Fee Amount
Terrestrial Common Carrier
Satellite Common Carrier
Satellite Non-Common Carrier
$0.03 per 64 
KB Circuit
Federal Communications Commission FCC 15-108
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c.        Submarine cable: Regulatory fees for submarine cable systems will be paid annually, per 
cable landing license, for all submarine cable systems operating as of December 31 of the prior 
year. The fee amount will be determined by the Commission for each fiscal year.
Submarine Cable Systems
(capacity as of Dec. 31, 2014)
Fee Amount
< 2.5 Gbps
$7,175
2.5 Gbps or greater, but less than 5 Gbps
$14,350
5 Gbps or greater, but less than 10 Gbps $28,675 
10 Gbps or greater, but less than 20 Gbps $57,350 
20 Gbps or greater $114,700