The Regulatory Mix, TMI’s daily blog of regulatory activities, is a snapshot of PUC, FCC, legislative, and occasionally court, issues that our regulatory monitoring team uncovers each day. Depending on their significance, some items may be the subject of a TMI Regulatory Bulletin.

TELECOM

FCC

1/17/14 Statement of Commissioner Ajit Pai on formation of Industry Task Force to addres 911 calls from hotel rooms:

Earlier this week, I started an inquiry into how to ensure that whenever an American dials 911 from a hotel, motel, or office  building, he or she can reach emergency personnel. Today, the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AH&LA) announced it is convening a task force to address that very issue. I am pleased that the AH&LA is examining this often-overlooked aspect of our nation’s public safety system, and I urge the task force to work with dispatch to find simple solutions. Nothing can undo the tragic death this past December of Kari Hunt Dunn in Marshall, Texas, which brought this issue to the nation’s attention. But resolving this problem would be a fitting tribute to Kari’s memory. I look forward to working with the task force to do just that.  

See the Regulatory Mix dated 1/13/14.

See Commissioner Pai's full statement here.

California

On January 16, 2014, the PUC adopted revisions to the California LifeLine Program to include wireless services. Wireless LifeLine will enable eligible low income residents to access wireless voice, text, and data services. The decision freezes – until June 30, 2015 – (i) the reimbursement amount available to LifeLine carriers (the Specific Support Amount) and (ii) the price an enrolled LifeLine subscriber pays for wireline LifeLine service. The decision also initiates a process to restore California LifeLine accessibility to eligible low income Californians who do not have a Social Security Number (SSN) due to the FCC’s requirement that applicants for federal Lifeline provide the last four digits of their SSN. TMI Regulatory Bulletin Service subscribers watch for more details when the PUC Decision is released.