# FCC ECFS Filings Scraper — Telecom Regulatory Tracker (`compute-edge/fcc-ecfs-scraper`) Actor Extract filings from FCC Electronic Comment Filing System. Filter by proceeding, bureau, submission type, law firm, author, date. Use cases: regulatory tracking, lobbying intelligence, M\&A diligence, litigation. Free DEMO\_KEY default; bring your own free api.data.gov key for higher limits. - **URL**: https://apify.com/compute-edge/fcc-ecfs-scraper.md - **Developed by:** [Compute Edge](https://apify.com/compute-edge) (community) - **Categories:** Lead generation - **Stats:** 2 total users, 1 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, NaN bookmarks - **User rating**: No ratings yet ## Pricing from $3.00 / 1,000 results This Actor is paid per event. You are not charged for the Apify platform usage, but only a fixed price for specific events. Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/platform/actors/running/actors-in-store#pay-per-event ## What's an Apify Actor? Actors are a software tools running on the Apify platform, for all kinds of web data extraction and automation use cases. In Batch mode, an Actor accepts a well-defined JSON input, performs an action which can take anything from a few seconds to a few hours, and optionally produces a well-defined JSON output, datasets with results, or files in key-value store. In Standby mode, an Actor provides a web server which can be used as a website, API, or an MCP server. Actors are written with capital "A". ## How to integrate an Actor? If asked about integration, you help developers integrate Actors into their projects. You adapt to their stack and deliver integrations that are safe, well-documented, and production-ready. The best way to integrate Actors is as follows. In JavaScript/TypeScript projects, use official [JavaScript/TypeScript client](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js.md): ```bash npm install apify-client ``` In Python projects, use official [Python client library](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python.md): ```bash pip install apify-client ``` In shell scripts, use [Apify CLI](https://docs.apify.com/cli/docs.md): ````bash # MacOS / Linux curl -fsSL https://apify.com/install-cli.sh | bash # Windows irm https://apify.com/install-cli.ps1 | iex ```bash In AI frameworks, you might use the [Apify MCP server](https://docs.apify.com/platform/integrations/mcp.md). If your project is in a different language, use the [REST API](https://docs.apify.com/api/v2.md). For usage examples, see the [API](#api) section below. For more details, see Apify documentation as [Markdown index](https://docs.apify.com/llms.txt) and [Markdown full-text](https://docs.apify.com/llms-full.txt). # README ## FCC ECFS Scraper — Federal Communications Commission Filings & Comments Extract regulatory filings, comments, and ex parte notices from the **FCC Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS)**. This actor queries the FCC's public API to retrieve comprehensive telecommunications regulatory data including proceeding documents, author information, law firm representation, and submission metadata. ### Features - **Query by Proceeding** — Filter by FCC proceeding number (e.g., "23-411" for Net Neutrality, "17-108" for Broadband Privacy Rules) - **Filter by Submission Type** — Find comments, replies, ex parte notices, public notices, petitions, and more - **Bureau-Level Filtering** — Target specific FCC bureaus (Wireline, Wireless, Enforcement, International, etc.) - **Law Firm & Author Tracking** — Extract representation details for lobbying intelligence and regulatory research - **Date Range Queries** — Filter filings by received or disseminated date - **Document Extraction** — Extract document filenames, URLs, and descriptions for each filing - **Structured Output** — JSON records with computed fields for analytics and downstream processing ### Use Cases - **Telecom Regulatory Tracking** — Monitor ongoing FCC proceedings for industry developments - **Lobbying Intelligence** — Identify which companies and law firms are engaged on specific regulatory matters - **M&A Diligence** — Track buyer/seller regulatory exposure by filing history - **Litigation Support** — Gather regulatory filings and ex parte notices relevant to disputes - **News Monitoring** — Stay informed about recent regulatory actions and industry comments - **Academic Research** — Analyze patterns in FCC regulatory proceedings and stakeholder participation ### Output Fields Each filing record includes: | Field | Type | Description | |-------|------|-------------| | `submissionId` | string | Unique FCC filing ID | | `submissionType` | string | Filing type (COMMENT, REPLY, EX PARTE, PUBLIC NOTICE, etc.) | | `submissionTypeShort` | string | Short code for submission type | | `dateReceived` | ISO date | When the FCC received the filing | | `dateDisseminated` | ISO date | When the filing was made public | | `dateSubmission` | ISO date | When the filer submitted the document | | `bureauCode` | string | FCC bureau code (WC, WTB, EB, IM, etc.) | | `bureauName` | string | Full FCC bureau name | | `proceedingNames` | array | FCC proceeding numbers (e.g., ["23-411", "17-108"]) | | `proceedings` | array | Full proceeding objects with descriptions and bureau details | | `addressEntity` | string | Organization/entity submitting the filing | | `authors` | array | List of author/filer names | | `authorCount` | number | Count of authors | | `lawfirms` | array | Representing law firm names (when applicable) | | `lawfirmCount` | number | Count of law firms | | `documents` | array | Attached documents with filename, URL, and description | | `documentCount` | number | Total attached documents | | `viewingStatus` | string | Public access status (Unrestricted, Restricted, etc.) | | `textPreview` | string | First 500 characters of filing text content (if available) | | `hasText` | boolean | Whether full text content is available | | `apiUrl` | string | Direct link to filing on FCC API | | `reportNumber` | string | Associated FCC report number | | `delegatedAuthorityNumber` | string | Delegated authority reference | | `fileNumber` | string | File number reference | ### Getting Started #### 1. Register for a Free API Key The FCC ECFS data is provided through the **api.data.gov** service. Register for a free API key: 1. Visit [https://api.data.gov/docs](https://api.data.gov/docs) 2. Click "Register" and create a free account 3. Generate an API key for the FCC ECFS API 4. Use your key in the actor's `API Key` input field for higher rate limits The default `DEMO_KEY` works but is heavily rate-limited (5 requests/hour). A registered API key allows thousands of requests per day. #### 2. Find Proceeding Numbers FCC proceedings are identified by a number like "23-411". Common proceedings: - **23-411** — Restoring Net Neutrality Reclassification (2023–ongoing) - **17-108** — Broadband Privacy Rules (ongoing) - **20-32** — Improving Competitive Video Markets (ongoing) - **19-125** — 5G and Beyond (ongoing) Browse current proceedings at [https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/](https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/): 1. Use the search interface to find proceedings of interest 2. Note the proceeding number (e.g., "23-411") 3. Paste into the actor's `Proceedings` field #### 3. Run the Actor **Basic example** (Net Neutrality proceeding, 50 most recent filings): - Proceedings: `23-411` - Max Results: `50` **Advanced example** (Track all Wireless Bureau filings from 2025): - Bureau Code: `WTB` - Date Received After: `2025-01-01` - Sort By: `date_received` - Sort Order: `DESC` **Lobbying intelligence example** (Find all Verizon filings on Net Neutrality): - Proceedings: `23-411` - Author: `Verizon` ### Input Parameters - **API Key** *(optional)* — Your registered api.data.gov key. Default uses rate-limited DEMO_KEY. [Register here](https://api.data.gov/docs). - **Proceedings** *(optional)* — Comma-separated list of proceeding numbers (e.g., "23-411,17-108"). - **Submission Type** *(optional)* — Filter by type (COMMENT, REPLY, EX PARTE, PUBLIC NOTICE). - **Bureau Code** *(optional)* — FCC bureau (WC=Wireline, WTB=Wireless, EB=Enforcement, IM=International). - **Law Firm Name** *(optional)* — Partial match on law firm name (e.g., "Wiley Rein"). - **Author/Filer Name** *(optional)* — Partial match on submitter name (e.g., "Verizon"). - **Date Received After** *(optional)* — Filter filings from this date (YYYY-MM-DD). - **Date Received Before** *(optional)* — Filter filings until this date. - **Sort By** — Field to sort results (date_received, date_disseminated, date_submission). Default: date_received. - **Sort Order** — ASC (oldest first) or DESC (newest first). Default: DESC. - **Max Results** — Maximum filings to return (0=unlimited, up to 25,000). Default: 500. ### Pricing & Cost - **Base cost** — $0.003 per filing record - **Compute cost** — Additional per-second Apify compute charges (typically $0.01–0.05/hour depending on actor runtime) **Example run cost:** - 500 filings at $0.003/result = $1.50 - 5-minute execution time at $0.02/hour compute ≈ $0.002 - **Total: ~$1.50 per 500-filing run** For high-volume runs (5,000+ filings), contact support for custom enterprise pricing. ### FAQ #### Q: What's the difference between COMMENT, REPLY, and EX PARTE? - **COMMENT** — Public comments filed in response to a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM). - **REPLY** — Reply comments submitted after the initial comment period. - **EX PARTE** — Informal written or oral communications with FCC staff (lobbying meetings, follow-ups). #### Q: Can I scrape all FCC filings? - Yes, but DEMO_KEY is heavily rate-limited. Register for a free api.data.gov key for production use. #### Q: How far back does the data go? - The FCC ECFS database contains filings dating back decades. Use date filters to focus on recent activity. #### Q: What if a proceeding has no results? - Check that the proceeding number is correct. Not all proceedings are active or may have no comments yet. #### Q: Can I get filing content (full text)? - The `textPreview` field contains the first 500 characters of available text. Use the `apiUrl` to access the full filing on the FCC API. #### Q: What are the rate limits? - **DEMO_KEY**: 5 requests/hour - **Registered API key**: Thousands of requests per day (check api.data.gov for current limits) ### Legal Disclaimer This actor extracts publicly available data from the FCC Electronic Comment Filing System. All data is provided by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission and is in the public domain. Users are responsible for complying with the FCC's terms of service and applicable laws governing data use. This actor is provided as-is for informational and research purposes. ### Support For issues, feature requests, or questions: - Check the FAQ section above - Review your API key and rate limits (register at api.data.gov if using DEMO_KEY) - Verify proceeding numbers exist on [fcc.gov/ecfs](https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/) --- **Built by seatsignal** — Regulatory data intelligence for telecom and compliance professionals. # Actor input Schema ## `apiKey` (type: `string`): Your api.data.gov API key for the FCC ECFS API. Register for free at https://api.data.gov/docs. Default is DEMO_KEY (heavily rate-limited). ## `proceedings` (type: `string`): Comma-separated list of FCC proceeding numbers to filter by. Example: '23-411,17-108' for Net Neutrality and Open Internet proceedings. ## `submissionType` (type: `string`): Filter by submission type. Examples: 'COMMENT', 'REPLY', 'EX PARTE', 'PUBLIC NOTICE', 'PETITION'. ## `bureau` (type: `string`): FCC bureau code to filter by. Examples: 'WC' (Wireline), 'WTB' (Wireless), 'EB' (Enforcement), 'IM' (International). ## `lawfirm` (type: `string`): Partial match filter for law firm names. Case-insensitive. Example: 'Wiley Rein'. ## `author` (type: `string`): Partial match filter for author/filer names. Case-insensitive. Example: 'Verizon'. ## `dateReceivedAfter` (type: `string`): Filter filings received after this date (YYYY-MM-DD format). Example: '2025-01-01'. ## `dateReceivedBefore` (type: `string`): Filter filings received before this date (YYYY-MM-DD format). ## `sortBy` (type: `string`): Sort results by field. Options: 'date_received', 'date_disseminated', 'date_submission'. ## `sortOrder` (type: `string`): Sort direction: ascending (oldest first) or descending (newest first). ## `maxResults` (type: `integer`): Maximum number of filings to return. Set to 0 for unlimited. Default 500. ## Actor input object example ```json { "proceedings": "", "submissionType": "", "bureau": "", "lawfirm": "", "author": "", "dateReceivedAfter": "", "dateReceivedBefore": "", "sortBy": "date_received", "sortOrder": "DESC", "maxResults": 500 } ```` # Actor output Schema ## `dataset` (type: `string`): No description # API You can run this Actor programmatically using our API. Below are code examples in JavaScript, Python, and CLI, as well as the OpenAPI specification and MCP server setup. ## JavaScript example ```javascript import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client'; // Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token // Replace the '' with your token const client = new ApifyClient({ token: '', }); // Prepare Actor input const input = {}; // Run the Actor and wait for it to finish const run = await client.actor("compute-edge/fcc-ecfs-scraper").call(input); // Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if any) console.log('Results from dataset'); console.log(`💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/${run.defaultDatasetId}`); const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems(); items.forEach((item) => { console.dir(item); }); // 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs ``` ## Python example ```python from apify_client import ApifyClient # Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token # Replace '' with your token. client = ApifyClient("") # Prepare the Actor input run_input = {} # Run the Actor and wait for it to finish run = client.actor("compute-edge/fcc-ecfs-scraper").call(run_input=run_input) # Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any) print("💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/" + run["defaultDatasetId"]) for item in client.dataset(run["defaultDatasetId"]).iterate_items(): print(item) # 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start ``` ## CLI example ```bash echo '{}' | apify call compute-edge/fcc-ecfs-scraper --silent --output-dataset ``` ## MCP server setup ```json { "mcpServers": { "apify": { "command": "npx", "args": [ "mcp-remote", "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=compute-edge/fcc-ecfs-scraper", "--header", "Authorization: Bearer " ] } } } ``` ## OpenAPI specification ```json { "openapi": "3.0.1", "info": { "title": "FCC ECFS Filings Scraper — Telecom Regulatory Tracker", "description": "Extract filings from FCC Electronic Comment Filing System. Filter by proceeding, bureau, submission type, law firm, author, date. Use cases: regulatory tracking, lobbying intelligence, M&A diligence, litigation. Free DEMO_KEY default; bring your own free api.data.gov key for higher limits.", "version": "0.1", "x-build-id": "gFMnQfpId2303e56B" }, "servers": [ { "url": "https://api.apify.com/v2" } ], "paths": { "/acts/compute-edge~fcc-ecfs-scraper/run-sync-get-dataset-items": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-get-dataset-items-compute-edge-fcc-ecfs-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for its completion, and returns Actor's dataset items in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } }, "/acts/compute-edge~fcc-ecfs-scraper/runs": { "post": { "operationId": "runs-sync-compute-edge-fcc-ecfs-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor and returns information about the initiated run in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK", "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/runsResponseSchema" } } } } } } }, "/acts/compute-edge~fcc-ecfs-scraper/run-sync": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-compute-edge-fcc-ecfs-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for completion, and returns the OUTPUT from Key-value store in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } } }, "components": { "schemas": { "inputSchema": { "type": "object", "properties": { "apiKey": { "title": "API Key", "type": "string", "description": "Your api.data.gov API key for the FCC ECFS API. Register for free at https://api.data.gov/docs. Default is DEMO_KEY (heavily rate-limited)." }, "proceedings": { "title": "Proceedings", "type": "string", "description": "Comma-separated list of FCC proceeding numbers to filter by. Example: '23-411,17-108' for Net Neutrality and Open Internet proceedings.", "default": "" }, "submissionType": { "title": "Submission Type", "type": "string", "description": "Filter by submission type. Examples: 'COMMENT', 'REPLY', 'EX PARTE', 'PUBLIC NOTICE', 'PETITION'.", "default": "" }, "bureau": { "title": "Bureau Code", "type": "string", "description": "FCC bureau code to filter by. Examples: 'WC' (Wireline), 'WTB' (Wireless), 'EB' (Enforcement), 'IM' (International).", "default": "" }, "lawfirm": { "title": "Law Firm Name", "type": "string", "description": "Partial match filter for law firm names. Case-insensitive. Example: 'Wiley Rein'.", "default": "" }, "author": { "title": "Author/Filer Name", "type": "string", "description": "Partial match filter for author/filer names. Case-insensitive. Example: 'Verizon'.", "default": "" }, "dateReceivedAfter": { "title": "Date Received After", "type": "string", "description": "Filter filings received after this date (YYYY-MM-DD format). Example: '2025-01-01'.", "default": "" }, "dateReceivedBefore": { "title": "Date Received Before", "type": "string", "description": "Filter filings received before this date (YYYY-MM-DD format).", "default": "" }, "sortBy": { "title": "Sort By", "enum": [ "date_received", "date_disseminated", "date_submission" ], "type": "string", "description": "Sort results by field. Options: 'date_received', 'date_disseminated', 'date_submission'.", "default": "date_received" }, "sortOrder": { "title": "Sort Order", "enum": [ "ASC", "DESC" ], "type": "string", "description": "Sort direction: ascending (oldest first) or descending (newest first).", "default": "DESC" }, "maxResults": { "title": "Max Results", "minimum": 0, "maximum": 25000, "type": "integer", "description": "Maximum number of filings to return. Set to 0 for unlimited. Default 500.", "default": 500 } } }, "runsResponseSchema": { "type": "object", "properties": { "data": { "type": "object", "properties": { "id": { "type": "string" }, "actId": { "type": "string" }, "userId": { "type": "string" }, "startedAt": { "type": "string", "format": "date-time", "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z" }, "finishedAt": { "type": "string", "format": "date-time", "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z" }, "status": { "type": "string", "example": "READY" }, "meta": { "type": "object", "properties": { "origin": { "type": "string", "example": "API" }, "userAgent": { "type": "string" } } }, "stats": { "type": "object", "properties": { "inputBodyLen": { "type": "integer", "example": 2000 }, "rebootCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "restartCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "resurrectCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "computeUnits": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } }, "options": { "type": "object", "properties": { "build": { "type": "string", "example": "latest" }, "timeoutSecs": { "type": "integer", "example": 300 }, "memoryMbytes": { "type": "integer", "example": 1024 }, "diskMbytes": { "type": "integer", "example": 2048 } } }, "buildId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultKeyValueStoreId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultDatasetId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultRequestQueueId": { "type": "string" }, "buildNumber": { "type": "string", "example": "1.0.0" }, "containerUrl": { "type": "string" }, "usage": { "type": "object", "properties": { "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 1 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_SERPS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } }, "usageTotalUsd": { "type": "number", "example": 0.00005 }, "usageUsd": { "type": "object", "properties": { "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": { "type": "number", "example": 0.00005 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_SERPS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } } } } } } } } } ```