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  "description": "Unanimous vote eases broadband data collection rules.",
  "path": "/fcc-replaces-professional-engineer-regulation-with-qualified-engineer-standard/",
  "publishedAt": "2025-06-27T11:54:29.000Z",
  "site": "https://broadbandbreakfast.com",
  "tags": [
    "_voted unanimously Thursday_",
    "_2020 Broadband DATA Act_",
    "_including USTelecom, NCTA, CTIA, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce_",
    "All Videos from Speeding BEAD Summit",
    "_“Delete, Delete, Delete” initiative_"
  ],
  "textContent": "WASHINGTON, June 27, 2025 – The Federal Communications Commission _voted unanimously Thursday_ to ease broadband data collection requirements by replacing the professional engineer certification requirement with a more relaxed qualified engineer standard.\n\nMandated under the _2020 Broadband DATA Act_, the P.E. certification requirement required providers to have their biannual BDC filings certified by a professional engineer or someone with a B.S. in engineering and direct knowledge of the network.\n\nHowever, many broadband groupts, _including USTelecom, NCTA, CTIA, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce_ expressed frustration about the difficulty and cost of finding licensed professional engineers with specific broadband expertise.\n\n\n\n_****FROM SPEEDING BEAD SUMMIT****_\n _****Panel 1: How Are States Thinking About Reasonable Costs Now?****_\n_****Panel 2: Finding the State Versus Federal Balance in BEAD****_\n _****Panel 3: Reacting to the New BEAD NOFO Guidance****_\n _****Panel 4: Building, Maintaining and Adopting Digital Workforce Skills****_\n\n All Videos from Speeding BEAD Summit \n\nIn response, the FCC granted waivers to providers, allowing them to bypass the rule.\n\nFCC Chairman **Brendan Carr** defended the decision, stating, the FCC aims to eliminate rules like the P.E. requirement, that have “never actually gone into effect or been applied.”\n\nThe new rule states that BDC filings must be certified by a qualified engineer, defined as someone “familiar with the design of the network and has a minimum number of years of experience.”\n\nCommissioner **Olivia Trusty** , the FCC’s newest member, supported the revision.\n\n“Unfortunately, the current rule requiring certified professional engineers to sign providers’ biannual BDC filings is both unworkable and impractical,” she stated. “Thankfully today’s item removes that unnecessary regulatory burden that could prevent the Commission from receiving timely accurate broadband availability data. And, replaces it with a more flexible approach that has been shown to work for providers.”\n\nTrusty emphasized that the rule change will allow for more timely and cost-efficient broadband mapping.\n\nThe change has been applauded by advocacy organizations, including the Competitive Carriers Association – a trade association that represents U.S. wireless providers.\n\n“CCA thanks the FCC for acting to reduce regulatory burdens on broadband providers by eliminating the PE certification requirement for BDC filings,” CCA President and CEO **Tim Donovan** stated.\n\nThe revised rule aligned with the FCC’s March _“Delete, Delete, Delete” initiative_, which seeks to eliminate unnecessary or burdensome regulations.",
  "title": "FCC Replaces Professional Engineer Regulation with Qualified Engineer Standard",
  "updatedAt": "2026-03-11T03:27:06.556Z"
}