Cut Permitting Delays, Lower Fees, and Prohibit Rate Regulation
September 21, 2026—America’s Communications Association (ACA Connects) submitted comments in support of the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC’s) Build America: Eliminating Barriers to Wireline Deployment Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.
“America’s Communications Association supports a strong national framework that cuts permitting delays, lowers fees, and prohibits rate regulation,” said Grant Spellmeyer, President and CEO of America’s Communications Association. “The fastest way to expand broadband is to remove unnecessary burdens so local providers can invest, build cutting-edge networks, and better serve their communities.”
ACA Connects is urging the FCC to:
- Establish clear shot clocks by presuming permit reviews exceeding 120 days are unlawful, setting a 45-day deadline for simple projects, and eliminating unnecessary reviews to install service to customer locations or to restore services over an already-authorized area.
- Limit surprise costs and excessive fees with a nationwide cost-based fee standard with clear caps, fee transparency, equal treatment of providers, and limits that ensure charges reflect only actual deployment costs.
- Prohibit rate regulation because it poses a grave threat to the deployment and operation of telecommunications networks.
- Adopt workable enforcement mechanisms.
FCC Comments re Build America: Eliminating Barriers to Wireline Deployments
September 21, 2026