Review of Foreign Ownership Policies for Broadcast, Common Carrier and Aeronautical Radio Licensees

Federal Communications Commission.

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission or FCC) adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking ( NPRM), in which it seeks comment on or proposes updates to set clear expectations about the Commission's review in both common carrier and broadcast licensees and on other updates that apply only to broadcast licensees. With regard to common carrier licensees, the NPRM seeks comment on or proposes to amend the rules to codify existing policy regarding which entity is the controlling U.S. parent; codify the Commission's advance approval policy regarding certain deemed voting interests; require identification of trusts and trustees; extend the remedial procedures and methodology to privately held companies; add requirements regarding the contents of remedial petitions; require the filing of amendments as a complete restatement to petitions for declaratory ruling; and clarify U.S. residency requirements. For broadcast licensees only, the NPRM seeks comment on how the Commission should process applications filed by a broadcast licensee during the pendency of a remedial petition for declaratory ruling; and other foreign ownership considerations related to processing applications for NCE and LPFM stations. The NPRM proposes to make it easier for entities to understand and navigate the FCC's foreign ownership rules. The FCC believes that this proceeding will avoid inconsistent outcomes; reduce costs; and facilitate the Commission's public interest analysis.

Comments may be filed on or before July 23, 2025, and reply comments may be filed on or before August 22, 2025. Written comments on the Paperwork Reduction Act proposed information collection requirements must be submitted by the public, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and other interested parties on or before August 22, 2025.

You may submit comments, identified by GN Docket No. 25-149, by any of the following methods:

• Electronic Filers: Comments may be filed electronically using the Internet by accessing the ECFS: http://apps.fcc.gov/​ecfs/​.
• Paper Filers: Parties who choose to file by paper must file an original and one copy of each filing.
• Filings can be sent by hand or messenger delivery, by commercial courier, or by the U.S. Postal Service.All filings must be addressed to the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission.
• Hand-delivered or messenger-delivered paper filings for the Commission's Secretary are accepted between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. by the FCC's mailing contractor at 9050 Junction Drive, Annapolis Junction, MD 20701. All hand deliveries must be held together with rubber bands or fasteners. Any envelopes and boxes must be disposed of before entering the building.
• Commercial overnight mail (other than U.S. Postal Service Express Mail and Priority Mail) must be sent to 9050 Junction Drive, Annapolis Junction, MD 20701.
• Filings sent by U.S. Postal Service First-Class Mail, Priority Mail, and Priority Mail Express must be sent to 45 L Street NE, Washington, DC 20554.
• People with Disabilities. To request materials in accessible formats for people with disabilities (Braille, large print, electronic files, audio format), send an email to [email protected] or call the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau at (202) 418-0530.