enforcement

Supreme Court to Review FCC’s Ability to Issue Fines

Mobile carriers want justices to find the agency’s process unconstitutional.

Jake Neenan

Jan 9, 2026 — 2 min read

Photo of the Supreme Court in Washington on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026 by J. Scott Applewhite/AP

WASHINGTON, Jan. 9, 2026 – The Supreme Court decided Friday it will weigh in on whether the Federal Communications Commission’s process for issuing fines is unconstitutional.

Both the FCC and telecom carriers challenging their fines have asked the high court to resolve a circuit split on the issue. Those cases were consolidated.

After the three major mobile providers challenged fines last year, the D.C. Circuit and Second Circuit ruled in favor of the agency while the Fifth Circuit sided with AT&T and said the FCC’s forfeiture process was invalid.

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enforcement FCC Supreme Court Brendan Carr Verizon T-Mobile

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