FCC Releases October Open Meeting Agenda

On October 22, 2026, the FCC released the Agenda for the October Open Meeting, scheduled for October 29, 2026, at 10:30 AM.  The final agenda includes a new agenda item, an enforcement action, which is the last item listed below.  The final agenda also reflects name changes for each item except for the fourth, “Prohibiting Test Labs and Certification Bodies in Non-Reciprocal Countries.”  The meeting can be viewed in person at the FCC’s headquarters, online at www.fcc.gov/live, or on the Commission’s YouTube channel.  The Commission is scheduled to consider the following items:

• Auctioning the 1675–1695 MHz and 2020–2025 MHz Bands (WT Docket No. 26-284); Unleashing Licensed Spectrum for Direct-to-Device (GN Docket No. 26-281); Allocation and Service Rules for the 1675–1680 MHz Band (WT Docket No. 19-116) – The Commission will consider a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM) that would unlock 25 megahertz of prime mid-band spectrum for advanced commercial communications services, including terrestrial, direct-to-device (D2D), or a hybrid of both.  The rules proposed in this item, if adopted, would enable the auctioning, licensing, and rapid development of the 1675–1695 MHz and 2020–2025 MHz bands.  In particular, the FNPRM would propose and seek comment on policies, service and technical rules, and coordination requirements for the 1675–1695 MHz and 2020–2025 MHz bands.  (FACT SHEET)
• Unleashing Licensed Spectrum for Direct-to-Device (GN Docket No. 26-281); Single Network Future: Supplemental Coverage from Space (GN Docket No. 23-65) – The Commission will consider a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would modernize the Commission’s rules for Direct-to-Device (D2D) services in licensed spectrum.  The rules proposed in this item, if adopted, would make an additional 482 megahertz of spectrum available for Supplemental Coverage from Space (SCS), eliminate burdensome SCS requirements, and consider measures to modernize and harmonize the SCS and the Mobile Satellite Service (MSS) rules.  (FACT SHEET)
• Unleashing American Drone Dominance (GN Docket No. 26-74); Spectrum Rules and Policies for the Operation of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (WT Docket No. 22-323); Facilitating Opportunities for Advanced Air Mobility (WT Docket No. 24-629) – The Commission will consider a Report and Order (R&O) that would eliminate an outdated restriction that prevents drone operations in the 800 MHz Cellular band.  The R&O would unlock 50 megahertz of licensed, nationwide, low-band spectrum for drone use and promote parity with other similar flexible-use bands.  (FACT SHEET)
• Prohibiting Test Labs and Certification Bodies in Non-Reciprocal Countries (ET Docket No. 24-136) – The Commission will consider a Third Report and Order and Third Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM) aimed to strengthen the integrity, security, and resiliency of the FCC’s equipment authorization program by prohibiting the recognition of Test Labs, Telecommunications Certification Bodies, and laboratory accreditation bodies located in non-Reciprocal Economies, which are territories lacking a Mutual Recognition Agreement or other comparable reciprocal trade agreement with the United States.  It would also require all substantive FCC testing, certification, and accreditation activities on which equipment authorization depends, to occur in the U.S. or Reciprocal Economies.  The item would adopt a uniform transition period ending December 1, 2028, that would enable Test Labs to expand capacity and manufacturers in the U.S. and Reciprocal Economies two years to find alternative Test Labs and expand capacity.  The accompanying FNPRM would seek comment on a range of additional equipment authorization integrity measures.  (FACT SHEET)
• Review of International Section 214 Authorizations to Assess Evolving National Security, Law Enforcement, Foreign Policy, and Trade Policy Risks (IB Docket No. 23-119); Amendment of the Schedule of Application Fees Set Forth in Sections 1.1102 through 1.1109 of the Commission’s Rules (MD Docket No. 23-134) – The Commission will consider a Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would modernize the Commission’s international section 214 framework to strengthen protections for U.S. telecommunications services and infrastructure, while reducing unnecessary regulatory burdens.  (FACT SHEET)
• Connect America Fund: A National Broadband Plan for our Future High-Cost Universal Support (WC Docket No. 10-90); Reforming the High-Cost Program for an All-IP Future (WC Docket No. 26-96); Safeguarding Universal Service Funding Through Effective Applicant Vetting (WC Docket No. 26-288) – The Commission will consider a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that, if adopted, would seek comment on proposals for implementing the Rural Broadband Protection Act (RBPA).  The RBPA, enacted on May 11, 2026, directs the Commission to initiate a rulemaking proceeding within 180 days to establish a vetting process for applicants for, and other recipients of, a new covered funding award, which the Notice interprets as an award of high-cost support based on an application for funding to support the deployment of a broadband-capable network and the provision of supported services over the network.  (FACT SHEET)

• Implementation of Sections 716 and 717 of the Communications Act of 1934, as Enacted by the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (CG Docket No. 10-213); Telecommunication Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities (CG Docket No. 03-123); Consumer and Governmental Affairs, Media, and Wireless Telecommunications Bureaus Seek Update on Commission’s Fulfillment of the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (GN Docket No. 21-140) – The Commission will consider a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to modernize its accessibility rules to keep pace with the rapidly changing communications landscape, promote innovation, better match consumer expectations, and remove barriers to accessibility.  (FACT SHEET)
• Enforcement Bureau Action – The Commission will consider an enforcement action.

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