The FCC actively encourages participation in its rulemaking process. One way it does so is by urging the public to submit comments on proposed rules through electronic mail and fax. If individuals file comments via email and want it to be treated as “formal,” they should also print out their comments and send the original plus four copies to the Secretary’s office by the stated deadline. If they cannot make the deadline this way, or if they are faced with the prospect of commenting informally or not commenting at all, they should go ahead and submit their comments any way they can, then follow up with a phone call to ensure the FCC received them. If they merely file their comments via email or fax or in the form of a letter without the extra four copies, the FCC will consider them to be “informal” comments.