In the June 2025 Open Meeting, the FCC adopted several changes to FCC rules, which are the first results of its larger Delete, Delete, Delete docket that aims to eliminate unneeded regulations and reporting. The FCC took the following three actions:

Streamline Cable TV Rules. The most sweeping change was to eliminate 27 pages of regulations, which covered 77 regulations and 8 forms related to providing cable TV service. Deleting these regulations recognizes the reality of the cable TV industry where traditional cable companies have lost half of their cable customers and continue to lose millions of customers each quarter. The rule changes were streamlined by:

• Eliminating unnecessary forms and rules,
• Deregulating cable equipment not used exclusively to receive the basic service tier,
• Exempting rate regulations for small businesses,
• Declining to extend rate regulation to commercial establishments, and
• Modernizing numerous rules to account for the sunset of cable programming service tier rate regulation in determining basic service tier rates and to simplify and streamline the remaining regulations.

These changes have been badly needed and provide an opportunity for traditional cable providers to stay competitive with online programming options. It seems likely that there will be more changes coming to cable television as Delete, Delete, Delete continues.

Eliminate the Need for Professional Engineer to Certify Mapping. I’ve written several times over the years about the FCC’s requirement (which came from Congress) that requires ISPs that send mapping information twice each year to have their mapping data blessed by a professional engineer. Instead, ISPs must have filings approved by one of the following:

• A corporate officer possessing a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in engineering and who has direct knowledge of and responsibility for the carrier’s network design and construction.
• An engineer possessing a bachelor’s or post-graduate degree in electrical engineering, electronic engineering, or another similar technical discipline, and at least seven years of relevant experience in broadband network design and/or performance.
• An employee or agent with specialized training relevant to broadband network engineering and design, deployment, and/or performance, and at least 10 years of relevant experience in broadband network engineering, design, and/or performance.

This will still require some small ISPs to hire outside assistance, but it should be less costly than finding and hiring a professional engineer.

Proposal to Address Rules for TTY.  Finally, the FCC adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to update regulations related to older technologies used to provide telecommunications services for those with hearing and speech disabilities.