Today:   California Lifeline Eligibility Criteria, Nebraska Workshop on GIS, CRTC Mandatory Participation in CCTS, FCC Open Meeting for May

California Seeks Further Delay In LifeLine Eligibility Criteria

The PUC will seek a further delay of implementation of the changes to the eligibility criteria for the LifeLine Program.  TMI Briefing Service subscribers see Briefing dated 4/26/17.  The FCC previously granted the PUC a waiver until October 31, 2017.  A proposed decision seeks to further delay implementation of the changes to November 1, 2017, at the earliest.  Parties may file comments (by May 1, 2017) and reply comments (May 8, 2017) addressing this delay. 

Nebraska To Hold Workshop On GIS

The PSC will hold a workshop on May 1st to examine technical standards, policies, system requirements, and funding priorities relating to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data necessary for the delivery of Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) service in Nebraska.  The GIS workshop will begin at 10:00 a.m. in the PSC Hearing Room in Lincoln.  A telephone bridge will be available for those unable to attend the workshop in person.  The call-in number is 888-820-1398, attendee code 5582059#.

“Accurate, updated and seamless GIS data is essential to the successful integration of NG9-1-1 in our state,” said Dave Sankey, State 9-1-1 Director.  “Hosting this workshop will provide opportunity for our partners from both the public and private sector to ask questions and gather detailed information on GIS as it relates to 9-1-1.”

CRTC Fines Company For Breaking Mandatory Participation In CCTS

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) imposed a $15,000 penalty on VOIS Inc. for being expelled because it failed to co-operate with the Commissioner for Complaints for Telecommunication Services (CCTS).  VOIS Inc. was found to have been in non-compliance with the CRTC’s mandatory CCTS participation requirement.  The CRTC has also imposed a mandatory order on VOIS Inc. requiring it to restore its participation in the CCTS within 30 days.  The CRTC has initiated a further public proceeding to consider whether it should impose additional penalties of $25,000 on VOIS Inc., and $5,000 on its Director, Mr. Harpreet Randhawa, for failing to provide information to the Commission.

FCC Open Meeting - May Agenda

The FCC announced the tentative agenda for its May 18, 2017, Open Meeting.  As promised by the Chairman, it includes an item to revisit the classification of Broadband Internet Access Service.  (See our 4/26/17 Blog “Pai Discusses Fate of Net Neutrality - or - “Future of Internet Freedom”)  The tentative agenda items include the following:

• Restoring Internet Freedom – A NPRM that would propose to restore the Internet to a light-touch regulatory framework by classifying broadband Internet access service as an information service and by seeking comment on the existing rules governing Internet service providers’ practices.
• Connect America Fund – A NPRM that proposes to eliminate a rule requiring rural telecommunications service providers receiving USF support to impose higher minimum monthly rates on their customers than the rates paid by some of their urban counterparts, or otherwise lose some USF support.  The FCC will also consider a related Order that would freeze the current rate.
• Part 95 Reform –A Report and Order that would amend provisions of the Personal Radio Services located in Part 95 of the FCC’s rules in order to address two Petitions for Rulemaking, update and modernize various rules to reflect current uses and technologies, remove outdated regulatory requirements, and reorganize the rules to make them easier to read and understand.
• Modernization of Media Regulation Initiative – A Public Notice that would launch a review of the FCC’s rules applicable to media entities and seek comment on what rules should be modified or repealed.
• Proposed Elimination of Main Studio Rule – A NPRM that would propose to eliminate the FCC’s main studio rule, based on a tentative finding that the rule is now outdated and unnecessarily burdensome for broadcast stations.

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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.