FCC Closes More Than 2,000 Inactive Proceedings

RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, December 3, 2025 | 4:05pm CT

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has closed 2,048 inactive proceedings, marking the largest single termination of dormant dockets in the agency's history. The move is part of an ongoing effort to streamline operations, modernize internal processes, and improve overall regulatory efficiency.

FCC Chairman Brandon Carr called the action an example of strong, practical governance. "By closing dormant proceedings, the FCC can help provide the regulatory certainty needed for investments and deployments in communities across the country," Carr said, commending staff for their work on the record-setting initiative.

The Consumer and Government Affairs Bureau led the review of the inactive dockets in coordination with multiple FCC bureaus and offices as part of the Ninth Dormant Proceedings Termination Public Notice. Once the Termination Order is published in the Federal Register, the dockets will be formally removed from the FCC's Electronic Comment Filing System. All documents associated with the closed proceedings will remain accessible as part of the Commission's official records.

The FCC noted that this action is separate from its recent "In Re: Delete, Delete, Delete" proceeding. While both efforts aim to improve efficiency and reduce unnecessary burdens, the termination of dormant dockets focuses on clearing inactive proceedings, rather than eliminating outdated or unnecessary regulations.