THE REGULATORY MIX AND BLOG ARTICLES

Today's Regulatory Mix:  USDA Implements Measures to Help Rural Telecoms, FCC Extends Comment Deadlines for 2020 Communications Marketplace Report

USDA Implements Measures to Help Rural Telecoms

The USDA Rural Development released a list of actions it has taken to help rural residents, businesses and communities affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.  This includes several actions designed to assist rural utilities.

Today's Regulatory Mix:  FTC Urged to Issue Online Conferencing Guidelines, Serving Rural America Act Introduced

FTC Urged to Issue Online Conferencing Guidelines 

Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass), has urged the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to issue comprehensive guidelines for companies that provide online conferencing services. 

Today's Regulatory Mix:  Tennessee Awards $19.7 Million Broadband Grants, Senators Urge DOJ to Allow Free Calling for Inmates, FCC Waives Rules for VRS Providers During COVID-19 Pandemic

Tennessee Awards $19.7 Million Broadband Grants 

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe announced $19.7 million in broadband accessibility grants that will expand service to support 31,000 unserved Tennesseans in nearly 12,700 households and businesses.

Today's Regulatory Mix:  FCC Enhanced Wireless Emergency Alerts Available During COVID-19 Pandemic, FCC Extends E-Rate Program Deadlines , President Issues “Team Telecom” Executive Order

FCC Enhanced Wireless Emergency Alerts Available During COVID-19 Pandemic 

The FCC’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau (PSHSB) reminded authorized alert originators, including state and local governments, that the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) system is available as a tool to provide life-saving information to the public during the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic.

Today's Regulatory Mix:  FTC and FCC Send Joint Letters About Coronavirus-related Robocalls to VoIP Providers; Thanks USTelecom, FCC Announces Tentative Agenda For April Meeting

FTC and FCC Send Joint Letters About Coronavirus-related Robocalls to VoIP Providers; Thanks USTelecom 

The FTC announced and the FCC announced that it sent joint letters with the FCC to three VoIP providers, warning them that routing and transmitting illegal robocalls, including Coronavirus-related scam calls, is illegal and may lead to federal law enforcement against them.

Today's Regulatory Mix:  FCC Chairman Reports on Network Performance During COVID-19, FCC Waives Tariff Rules for Rural Broadband and Phone Providers , FCC Adopts COVID-19 Telehealth Program 

FCC Chairman Reports on Network Performance During COVID-19   

FCC Chairman Pai announced he had spoken with broadband and telephone service providers and trade association leaders about the state of American communications networks as volume and usage patterns shift during the coronavirus pandemic.

Today's Regulatory Mix:  US House Communications and Technology Subcommittee Leaders Work to Stop Illegal Robocalls During COVID-19, FCC Releases 4Q 2019 Inflation Adjustment for Cable Operators, FCC to Revise Rules for Program Carriage Disputes, FCC to Update Significantly Viewed TV Station Rules

US House  Communications and Technology Subcommittee Leaders Work to Stop Illegal Robocalls During COVID-19

The Communications and Technology Subcommittee Republican Leader Bob Latta (R-OH) and Chair Mike Doyle (D-PN) penned a bipartisan letter

Today's Regulatory Mix:  FCC Chairman Proposes New Rules to Provide a Boost to Wi-Fi and Other Unlicensed Spectrum Use, FCC Chairman Pai Proposes Rules for 5G Fund for Rural America, FTC Announces Data Portability Workshop 

FCC Chairman Proposes New Rules to Provide a Boost to Wi-Fi and Other Unlicensed Spectrum Use 

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai announced he was circulating draft rules permitting unlicensed devices to operate in the 6 GHz band. The proposed rules would make 1,200 megahertz of spectrum available for unlicensed use.

Today's Regulatory Mix:  FCC Mandates STIR/SHAKEN, FCC Proposes Elimination of Certain Line Item  Charges, FTC Says Data Shows Increase in Coronavirus-Related Complaints 

FCC Mandates STIR/SHAKEN 

At its Open Meeting this morning, the FCC voted to require all originating and terminating voice service providers to implement STIR/SHAKEN in the Internet Protocol (IP) portions of their networks by June 30, 2021, a deadline that is consistent with Congress’s direction in the recently-enacted TRACED Act.