Maryland Opts In To FirstNet
Governor Larry Hogan announced Maryland will advance communications for first responders by opting in to the FirstNet and AT&T plan. “Keeping Marylanders safe is our top priority, and our first responders need to be equipped with every tool possible to protect our citizens,” said Governor Hogan. “By adopting this plan, our first responders will now have the ability to efficiently and effectively work together not just within the state, but across the region and at the national level.”
New York New 838 Area Code Takes Effect
The PSC announced that beginning today customers in the 518 area code region requesting new service, an additional line, or a move in the location of their service, may be assigned a number in the new 838 area code. In September 2016 the PSC approved an area code overlay for the area served by 518. TMI Briefing Service subscribers see Briefing dated 10/19/16.
The new area code will be superimposed over the same geographical area as the existing 518 area code. The 518 area code is located within all or part of 17 counties: Albany, Clinton, Columbia, Dutchess, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Hamilton, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saint Lawrence, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Warren, and Washington.
Learn more about TMI Semianr & Workshop October 25 & 26
The FCC announced that, at the request of FEMA, it has deactivated the Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS) for Hurricane Irma. Communications providers do not need to provide any additional reporting in DIRS in connection with this event. The FCC said it will continue to monitor the status of communications services and work with providers and government partners as needed to support remaining restoration efforts. It also anticipates that, within the next couple of days, FEMA will request activation of DIRS for Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands; if that occurs, the FCC will issue a separate activation public notice specific to that event.
The FCC also issued its last status report for areas impacted by Hurricane Irma indicates that: (1) there were 4 PSAPs in Florida and 2 PSAPs in the US Virgin Islands affected by the storm; (2) 54.7% of the cell sites in the US Virgin Islands and 3% of the cell sites in Florida were out of service with no counties in Florida and 2 counties in the US Virgin Island reporting 50% of their cells sites down; (3) there are at least 893,409 consumers in Florida without either cable or wireline service in Florida and a “large” percentage of consumers in the Virgin Islands without such services due to widespread power outages; (4) there are a total of 1,433 non-mobile switching centers out in Florida; (5) there are a total of 5 broadcast stations reported out of service; and (5) there are a total of 27 radio stations out of service.
____________________________
The Regulatory Mix, TMI’s daily blog of telecom related 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 Briefing.