Standard Team Telecom Questions Take Effect, Completing FCC's Modernization Effort

On Friday, August 23, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) issued a Public Notice announcing that its rules regarding standardized national security and law enforcement questions (Standard Questions) for parties whose applications will be referred to the Committee for the Assessment of Foreign Participation in the United States Telecommunications Services Sector (the Committee) took effect the same day. The Commission originally adopted the Standard Questions in an October 2021 Second Report and Order, but their effectiveness had been delayed pending approval by the Office of Management and Budget under the Paperwork Reduction Act. Friday's announcement marks the completion of the final step in the Commission's efforts to improve the timeliness and transparency of the Committee – the inter-agency working group commonly referred to as "Team Telecom."