THE REGULATORY MIX AND BLOG ARTICLES

Today's Regulatory Mix: FCC Approves Final Set of COVID-19 Telehealth Applications, Louisiana to End Prohibition on Disconnections Due to COVID-19

FCC Approves Final Set of COVID-19 Telehealth Applications

The FCC has announced the approval of an additional 25 funding applications for the COVID-19 Telehealth Program, which mark the final set of approvals.  Health care providers in both urban and rural areas of the country will use this $10.73 million in funding to provide telehealth services during the coronavirus pandemic. 

What will the FCC be tackling next?

Chairman Pai’s theme for the July 16, 2020 Open Meeting is “Not Alone,” reflecting the agenda’s headline item which would adopt rules to make 988 the nation-wide 3 digit number to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.  But the agenda is far more diverse than the theme may suggest and contains many other items of importance to telecom providers. 

Today's Regulatory Mix: FCC Increases Rural Health Care Funding, FCC to Fully Fund E-Rate Requests, FCC Issues NAL for Failing to Respond to USAC, FCC’s Pai Reacts To Supreme Court Robocall Decision

FCC Increases Rural Health Care Funding

The FCC’ Wireline Competition Bureau has directed the Universal Service Administrative Company, which administers the FCC’s Rural Health Care Program, to carry forward up to $197.98 million in unused funds from prior funding years to the extent necessary to satisfy funding year 2020 demand for the Program.

Today's Regulatory Mix: FTC Releases Agenda for PrivacyCon 2020, FCC's Pai Asks for Response on 5G Strategy, FCC Approves 13th Set of COVID-19 Telehealth Program Applications

FTC Releases Agenda for PrivacyCon 2020

The FTC has released the final agenda for its fifth annual PrivacyCon event, which will be held online on July 21, 2020.  PrivacyCon 2020 will bring together a diverse group of stakeholders to discuss the latest research and trends related to consumer privacy and data security.

Today's Regulatory Mix: FCC’s Rosenworcel Releases New Podcast, FCC T-Mobile Divestiture, FCC Releases 1Q 2020 Adjustment Factor For Cable Operators, RDOF Auction Window Opens

FCC’s Rosenworcel Releases New Podcast

FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel announced the release of new episode of Broadband Conversations, her podcast dedicated to uplifting the voices of women from the innovation, technology, and media sectors.  Listeners get to hear what these leading women are doing, how they are making a difference, and what they think the future of our digital life can look like.

Today's Regulatory Mix: FCC Announces Parties’ Work Product Will No Longer be Archived in the SDE Within the BDS and USTelecom Forbearance Proceedings, US Senators Call for Action Against COVID-19 Robocallers, US Congress Broadband Connections Act

FCC Announces Parties’ Work Product Will No Longer be Archived in the SDE Within the BDS and USTelecom Forbearance Proceedings

In a Public Notice, the Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) of the FCC announced that as of July 3, 2020 it will no longer archive work products created by participants in the business data services (BDS,

Today's Regulatory Mix: FCC Announces Tentative Agenda for July Open Meeting, FCC Closes Filing Window for COVID-19 Telehealth Program

FCC Announces Tentative Agenda for July Open Meeting

The FCC announced the tentative agenda for its July 16, 2020, Open Meeting.  The items are as follows:

Today's Regulatory Mix: US Congress Lawful Access to Encrypted Data Act, FCC Releases Updated List of Eligible Areas for Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Auction

US Congress Lawful Access to Encrypted Data Act

US Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Tom Cotton (R-AR) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) announced they introduced the Lawful Access to Encrypted Data Act, a bill to bolster national security interests and better protect communities across the country by ending the use of “warrant-proof” encrypted technology by terrorists and other bad actors to conceal illicit behavior. 

Today's Regulatory Mix: FCC Issues Staff Report on Robocalling Tools, USDA Announces Funding for Georgia Broadband, US Congress Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act, US Congress Bills To Close the Digital Divide

FCC Issues Staff Report on Robocalling Tools

The FCC issued its 2020 staff report on the availability and effectiveness of call blocking tools offered to consumers.  The report finds that call blocking tools are now substantially available to consumers at no or low cost. The report finds that that billions of unwanted calls are now being blocked each year, often at no cost to the consumer.

Today's Regulatory Mix: FCC Announces Approval of Additional COVID-19 Telehealth Program Applications, FCC Further Extends Temporary Relay Services Waiver, New York Comment on New COVID-19 Proceeding

FCC Announces Approval of Additional COVID-19 Telehealth Program Applications

The FCC announced the approval of an additional 77 funding applications for the COVID-19 Telehealth Program. Health care providers in both urban and rural areas of the country will use this $29.41 million in funding to provide Telehealth services during the coronavirus pandemic.