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
California
The PUC issued a Scoping Memo in its consideration of Quality Speaks LLC dba Broadvoice (Quality) application for a CPCN (to provide limited facilities-based and resold local exchange services). Quality currently provides VoIP service in California. After review of the application, the PUC’s Safety and Enforcement Division alleged that Quality violated PU Code §285, which requires that VoIP providers register with the PUC in order to report and remit Universal Service Fund Surcharges. Among the issues identified as within the scope of the PUC’s proceeding are: Did Quality violate PU Code § 285 by failing to register as a VoIP provider and failure to pay USF surcharges to the PUC? Does Quality owe USF surcharges; and if so, how much?
Nevada
Effective July 1, 2015, a new law in Nevada will allow, rather than require, the PUC to adopt regulations establishing performance and reporting requirements for the provision of interconnection, UNECs, and resold services. Under the previous statutory mandate, the PUC adopted regulations (at NAC 704.6803-704.680315) that include both standards of performance and penalties. Under the amended law, the PUC will still be able to impose penalties for violation of any rules it elects to adopt.
BROADBAND
Iowa
Connect Iowa, a non-profit organization tasked with facilitating broadband and technology expansion across Iowa, released a Final Report discussing its efforts to collect information on broadband service in the state. According to the Report:
Despite this positive progress, the Report notes that significant gaps persist in Iowa, particularly throughout rural, more sparsely populated areas of Iowa. Further, broadband availability and competition in Iowa decrease as speeds increase.