THE REGULATORY MIX AND BLOG ARTICLES

Today's Regulatory Mix: Pennsylvania Supreme Court Affirms Lower Court Ruling Reversing PUC's DAS Order, FCC Chairman Circulates Order to Ensure Predictable Increases in Mobile Broadband Provided Through Lifeline Program

Pennsylvania Supreme Court Affirms Lower Court Ruling Reversing PUC’s DAS Order

In June 2018, the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania reversed the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission’s (PUC) March 2017 Distributed Antennae Systems (DAS) Order.  The Court determined that DAS network operators’ transport service is a telecommunications service under PA law even though Wireless Service Providers (WSP) use it to transmit a service not regulated by the PUC (i.e. CMRS).  The Court decided that DAS network operators are a public utility, reversed the PUC’s March 2017 decision, and returned jurisdiction to the PUC to issue certificates of public convenience (CPC) to providers of DAS.

Today's Regulatory Mix: FCC Chairman Pai Makes Statement on 30th Anniversary of ADA, Colorado Revises 911 Law

FCC Chairman Pai Makes Statement on 30th Anniversary of ADA

Chairman Pai issued a press release, marking the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which was signed into law on July 26, 1990 by President George H. W. Bush.

Today's Regulatory Mix:  FCC Designates 988 As 3-Digit Number for National Suicide Prevention Hotline, FCC Revises Broadband Mapping Requirements, FCC Adopts Robocall Safe Harbors, FCC Implements Secured Network Act, FCC Finalizes Wireless 911 Location Accuracy Rules

FCC Designates 988 As 3-Digit Number for National Suicide Prevention Hotline

At its Open Meeting, the FCC voted to establish 988 as the new, nationwide, 3-digit phone number for Americans in crisis to connect with suicide prevention and mental health crisis counselors. The rules require all phone service providers to direct all 988 calls to the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by July 16, 2022.  This includes all telecommunications carriers as well as all interconnected and one-way VoIP service providers. Under the new rules, calls to 988 will be directed to 1-800-273-TALK, which will remain operational during the 988 transition and after it is completed.

Today's Regulatory Mix: FCC Waives ETRS Form One Filing Requirement Due To COVID-19, FCC Closes Filing Window, US Congress Broadband Adoption and Opportunity Act

FCC Waives ETRS Form One Filing Requirement Due To COVID-19

The FCC has waived the requirement that Emergency Alert System (EAS) participants file identifying information in the EAS Test Reporting System (ETRS) this year.

Today's Regulatory Mix: FCC Announces Tenth Set of Approved COVID-19 Telehealth Program  Applications, Washington Adopts New Universal Service Rules for Broadband Support

FCC Announces Tenth Set of Approved COVID-19 Telehealth Program Applications

The FCC announced the approval of an additional 67 funding applications for the COVID-19 Telehealth Program.  Health care providers in both urban and rural areas of the country will use the newly approved $20.18 million in funding to provide telehealth services during the coronavirus pandemic. 

Today's Regulatory Mix: FCC Issues Record Robocalling Fine, FCC To Modernize Rules For Additional Millimeter-Wave Spectrum Bands

FCC Issues Record Robocalling Fine; Seven Attorneys General File Suit

The FCC has proposed a $225 million fine against Texas-based health insurance telemarketers for apparently making approximately 1 billion illegally spoofed robocalls.

Today's Regulatory Mix: FCC Adopts Final Bidding Procedures For Rural Digital Opportunity Fund, FCC Commissioner Announces Digital Opportunity Equity Recognition Program

FCC Adopts Final Bidding Procedures For Rural Digital Opportunity Fund

At its Open Meeting today, the FCC voted to adopt procedures for Phase I of the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund auction (Auction 904), which will award up to $16 billion in support over 10 years for the deployment of fixed broadband networks to millions of unserved homes and businesses across rural America.

Today's Regulatory Mix: FCC E-Rate Funding Guidance, FCC Seeks Comment on 5G Fund Adjustment Factor

FCC E-Rate Funding Guidance 

The FCC has issued guidance to USAC on E-rate Competitive Bidding Rules for FY 2020.  Specifically, it reiterated the guidance previously communicated to USAC regarding the treatment of E-Rate applications for which the applicant mistakenly selected a drop-down menu option on its FCC Form 470 that did not fully reflect the services for which it intended to seek bids.

Today's Regulatory Mix: FCC Releases Final Agenda for June 2020 Open Meeting, FCC C-Brand Spectrum Will Be Available for 5G Services on an Accelerated Basis,  US Congress COVID-19 Privacy Legislation

FCC Releases Final Agenda for June 2020 Open Meeting

The FCC announced the final agenda for its June 9, 2020, Open Meeting. The FCC will consider the following telecom-related items:

Today's Regulatory Mix: US Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Bill, FCC Lifeline Awareness

US Congress Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Bill

House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn (D-SC) and Congressman Fred Upton (R-MI) announced the introduction of HR7022, the “Rural Broadband Acceleration Act.” This bipartisan legislation would direct the FCC to fund shovel-ready, high-speed internet projects immediately, so consumers can access broadband within a year.