FCC Delays Form 477 Filing Date

The FCC announced that the filing deadline for the Form 477 data as of December 31, 2018 has been extended to March 8, 2019.  It also announced that the FCC’s Form 477 filing interface is now accepting data as of December 31, 2018.  The FCC reminded providers required to file Form 477 that their failure to do so may subject then enforcement action under sections 502 and 503 of the Communications Act and any other applicable law.  In the past, the FCC has assessed fines of $3,0000 for each failure to file the Form 477.

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The Regulatory Mix Today:  California PUC Comments on Net Neutrality Challenge; Welcomes New Commissioner, FCC Delays Form 477 Filing Date, House Hearing to Hold Hearing on Preserving Open Meeting

California PUC Comments on Net Neutrality Challenge and Welcomes New Commissioner

The PUC issued a press release commenting on the net neutrality challenge and oral arguments before the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals.  The CPUC touted that it is the only state utility regulator to join in the challenge of the FCC’s Restoring Internet Freedom Order.  In briefs, the PUC argued that the FCC’s action threatened States' abilities to advance universal service in the telecommunications market, to preserve public safety, and to ensure the integrity of the telecommunications network, which is necessary to monitor the safety and reliability of the electric grid.

The PUC also welcomed a new commissioner.  Genevieve Shiroma is now a Commissioner following her oath of office ceremony.   Governor Gavin Newsom announced Commissioner Shiroma’s appointment to the PUC on Jan. 22, 2019.  Prior to joining the PUC, Commissioner Shiroma served as a member of the Agricultural Labor Relations Board since 1999, serving as chair since 2017 and from 2011 to 2014 and 1999 to 2006.  Previously, she was Chief of the Air Quality Branch at the California Air Resources Board from 1990 to 1999 and as an air quality engineer from 1978 to 1990.  From 1999 to 2018, Commissioner Shiroma was the elected director of Ward 4 of the Sacramento Utility Municipal District (SMUD).

House Hearing to Hold Hearing on Preserving Open Meeting

House Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Communications and Technology Chairman Mike Doyle (D-PA) announced that the Communications and Technology Subcommittee will hold a hearing on the effects of the FCC’s repeal of net neutrality on Thursday, February 7, 2019.  The hearing will be entitled, “Preserving an Open Internet for Consumers, Small Businesses, and Free Speech.”

“An open internet has been vital to the growth of the internet, especially for consumers, entrepreneurs and free speech.  The FCC’s repeal of these essential protections—known as net neutrality—has been a disaster for consumers,” Pallone and Doyle said.  “This hearing will be an important opportunity to hear what the repeal of net neutrality means for the American people, and what has happened since the FCC’s repeal went into effect.”  Click here to watch Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Doyle’s video announcement on the upcoming hearing.

Information for this hearing, including the Majority Memorandum, witness list and testimony, and a live webcast, will be posted here as they become available. 

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 The Regulatory Mix, Inteserra’s 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 an Inteserra Briefing.

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