FTC Status During Shutdown

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) shutdown operations as of midnight Friday December 28, 2018, due to the lapse in government funding. As a result, website information and social media properties will not be updated until the government re-opens.  In addition, all FTC events are postponed until future notice. Only some online services will remain available during the shutdown. 

The following services WILL be available during the shutdown:

• The Premerger Notification Office (PNO) and the DOJ’s Premerger Office will be open during regular hours to receive HSR filings.  However, since it will be operating with limited staff, the PNO will not answer email or telephone inquiries regarding HSR rules or filing procedures. In addition, Early Termination of waiting periods will not be granted during the shutdown.
• Public comments can be submitted, using the appropriate web form, through www.ftc.gov or www.regulations.gov, but the FTC will take no action on these comments until the government reopens. 
• Individuals can submit documents to be filed, but the FTC will take no action until the government reopens. 
• FOIA requests may be filed, but they will not be processed until the government reopens. 
• The RN Database will be available but staff are not available to respond to queries.

The following services WILL NOT be available during the shutdown:

National Do Not Call Registry (For consumers)

National Do Not Call Registry (For telemarketers)

Consumer Sentinel Network (For law enforcement)

Complaint Assistant (For filing consumer complaints)

Identitytheft.gov (For consumers reporting ID theft)

Econsumer.gov (For consumers reporting international complaints)

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The Regulatory Mix Today:  FTC Status During Shutdown, NTIA National Spectrum Strategy,  U.S. Senate Confirms Starks and Carr to FCC

NTIA National Spectrum Strategy   

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is seeking comment with regard to development of a comprehensive, long-term national spectrum strategy.  NTIA seeks broad input from interested stakeholders, including private industry, academia, civil society, and other experts.  Comments must be received by January 22, 2019.  Areas for comment include: (1) the extent to which the introduction of automation would facilitate assessments of spectrum use and expedite the coordination of shared access, especially among Federal and non-Federal spectrum stakeholders; (2) how might investment in RDT&E improve spectrum-utilization methods, and spectrum-sharing tools and techniques; (3) what are the risks, if any, to the global competitiveness of U.S. industries associated with spectrum management and policy actions; (4) how could a spectrum management paradigm be structured such that it satisfies the needs of commercial interests while preserving the spectrum access necessary to satisfy the mission requirements and operations of Federal entities’ and (5) the likely future needs of spectrum users, both terrestrially and for space-based applications, within the next 15 years?  For commenters who assert that existing allocations are insufficient, NTIA is interested in understanding better the amount of spectrum presently available to provide particular services (or similar services) and estimates of the amount of additional spectrum in each frequency band that the commenter believes is needed.

U.S. Senate Confirms Starks and Carr to FCC

The U.S. Senate confirmed Geoffrey Starks as an FCC Commissioner and Commissioner Brendan Carr for a full term on January 2, 2019.

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai released the following statement:

“I congratulate Geoffrey on his Senate confirmation. He brings a wealth of experience and expertise, including having served most recently as Assistant Chief in the Enforcement Bureau. During his confirmation hearing, I was excited to hear him highlight the need to expand rural broadband and the power of telemedicine. I look forward to working with him and having a fellow Kansan on the Commission.

“I also congratulate Brendan on his confirmation to a full term. Brendan has done tremendous work on a number of issues, including his leadership on wireless infrastructure modernization. He has also been a staunch advocate for rural broadband deployment, particularly for precision agriculture and advancements in telemedicine.”

Commissioner Brendan Carr released his statement on January 3, 2019:

“I want to thank the Senate for voting to confirm me to another term at the FCC. Serving on the Commission is a tremendous honor and privilege, and I am proud of the work we have already accomplished—from modernizing our infrastructure rules to supporting new telehealth initiatives. I look forward to continuing the work my colleagues and I are doing to help the U.S. win the race to 5G and bring more broadband to more Americans.”

“I also want to congratulate Geoffrey Starks on his confirmation by the Senate to serve on the Commission. He has demonstrated a longstanding commitment to public service, including at the Department of Justice and in the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau. I welcome him as a colleague, and I am eager to start our work together.”

In addition, Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel released a statement regarding the Starks and Carr confirmations:

“I congratulate Geoffrey Starks on his Senate confirmation and welcome him to the Commission. I look forward to working together on a broad range of our shared goals, from protecting consumers to serving the public interest to ensuring that every American has a fair shot at success in the digital age.  

I also want to congratulate Brendan Carr on his re-nomination and confirmation to the Commission. I look forward to continuing our work together.

Both men have a high commitment to public service and a track record of achievement and I am eager to work with the full Commission to tackle our 21st century connectivity needs.”

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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.