Federal Communications Commission Aims to Eliminate Piling-up of Inactive Cases

It's time for some serious spring cleaning at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)! In a bid to streamline operations and focus on its core mission, the FCC announced plans to terminate over 2,000 dormant proceedings. This massive clean-up was discussed in a recent press release, with the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau inviting public comment on identified dockets that have become inactive or moot.

The FCC has previously attempted to clear out dormant proceedings, but this time, the number of dockets being targeted is unprecedented. The oldest docket slated for termination dates back to as far as 1991! FCC chair Brendan Carr explained, "We're focused on delivering great, efficient results for the American people. This requires us to clear out the regulatory underbrush that has accumulated over the years. Today, we're targeting over 2,000 open proceedings for termination."

A list of the dockets and a Public Notice seeking comments on the dockets to be deleted have been made available. Additionally, the bureau encourages the public to identify other dockets that may no longer be relevant and should be terminated. The FCC creates formal dockets to categorize public comments around certain interrelated policy questions, but there's often a lack of effort to close out a docket once it becomes dormant, moot, or no longer useful.

This purge is part of a broader push towards efficiency within the FCC, which has also led to the decision to bring back full-time office work for staff and end "the promotion of DEI" (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives.

Interestingly, the FCC's efforts to streamline its operations extends beyond simply terminating dormant proceedings. The agency is also actively engaged in its "In Re: Delete, Delete, Delete" initiative, announced back in March 2025. This deregulatory effort aims to identify and eliminate unnecessary or overly burdensome regulations within the FCC's purview. The goal is to ease regulatory burdens that hinder innovation and investment in network modernization, infrastructure development, and the provision of advanced capabilities by American firms.

The "In Re: Delete, Delete, Delete" initiative includes public comment solicitation, a focus on seven specific areas for consideration, and a perspective from Chairman Brendan Carr, who views this initiative as a means to "clear out the regulatory underbrush" that he believes hinders innovation and growth.

So keep your eyes peeled for updates on these groundbreaking initiatives and remember, an organized FCC equals a more efficient communications sector for us all!

Stay ahead of the curve with the latest news, trends, and product and tech information in the professional video industry. Sign up below.

Sources:1. Federal Communications Commission. (2025, March). In Re: Delete, Delete, Delete—Notice of Inquiry. Federal Communications Commission.2. Federal Communications Commission. (2025, March). In Re: Delete, Delete, Delete—Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. Federal Communications Commission.3. Federal Communications Commission. (2025, March). In Re: Delete, Delete, Delete— Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. Federal Communications Commission.

The FCC's "In Re: Delete, Delete, Delete" initiative, aimed at eliminating unnecessary regulations, could potentially ease financial burdens on businesses in the video industry, fostering innovation and investment in network modernization.
The FCC's proposal to terminate over 2,000 dormant proceedings could lead to a more efficient content delivery process, freeing up resources for the commission to focus on its core mission and the advancement of video technology.
As part of the Federal Communications Commission's broader push towards efficiency, the commission has announced plans to clear out dormant proceedings, including those related to video content, which may have a significant impact on the video industry and its finance sector.