The FCC is also moving forward with new rules banning malicious caller ID spoofing of text messages and international phone calls. In addition, it will adopt rules to make it easier to reach 911 from places that use multi-line telephone systems (MLTS). The reforms would allow hotel guests and others to call 911 directly without using a prefix, and would establish dispatchable location requirements (like a specific address or suite number) so that first responders can reach people in need.
The rest of the meeting will focus on the FCC’s Rural Health Care program, a first-of-its-kind 833 prefix toll-free number auction, updating technical rules for Low-Power FM stations, and local franchising authorities and how they regulate cable operators.
Let’s dive into a closer look at some of the top items.
This Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeks comment on establishing a new support mechanism—the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund—that would build on the success of the CAF Phase II auction to provide up to gigabit service to millions of unserved Americans through a competitive auction.
Among other things, the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking would:
Digital Opportunity Data Collection
Precise broadband deployment data is critical to the FCC’s efforts to bridge the digital divide. The FCC’s current census-block level broadband deployment reporting on Form 477 has been an effective tool for helping the FCC target universal service support to the least-served areas of the country, but more granular data is needed to direct funding to fill the “gaps” in broadband coverage—those areas where some, but not all, homes and businesses have access to modern communications services.
The Report and Order would:
A Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking would seek comment on:
MLTS Calls to 911/Dispatchable 911 Locations
The Report and Order would implement both Kari’s Law (requiring direct dialing of 911 from MLTS) and the dispatchable location requirement of RAY BAUM’S Act. Dispatchable location requirements would apply to MLTS offered by providers of fixed telephony service, interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services, outbound-only non-interconnected VoIP services, Telecommunications Relay Services, and mobile texting services. The Report and Order would not amend existing 911 call location rules applicable to wireless providers. The order would also consolidate the FCC’s 911 rules from multiple rule parts into a single rule part and streamline the rules in some instances.
In this Second Report and Order, the FCC would take another step to combat the persistent problem of fraudulent and harmful spoofing activity, some of which is occurring through means other than traditional phone calls made from within the United States. Specifically, the Second Report and Order would implement the amendments to the Communications Act adopted by Congress in the RAY BAUM’S Act of 2018 and establish rules banning malicious caller ID spoofing of text messages, calls from overseas, and additional types of voice calls. Among other things, it would extend the reach of the FCC’s existing Truth in Caller ID rules by including covered communications originating outside the United States but directed at consumers within the United States and text messaging and alternative voice services, such as one-way VoIP services.
Chairman Pai likened the FCC’s August meeting to a modern multi-screen cineplex, featuring so many varied offerings it can be hard to keep track. We’ll see if the FCC takes this opportunity and cures some of the common complaints of American consumers, especially spoofed and fraudulent calls and gets closer to closing that pesky digital divide.