Today: FCC Stay Of The Data Security Rule, FCC Broadband Deployment Data, FCC Open Meeting

FCC Stay Of The Data Security Rule

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai and Acting FTC Chairman Maureen K. Ohlhausen issued a joint statement on the FCC’s issuance of a temporary stay of a data security regulation.  TMI Briefing Service subscribers see Briefing dated 3/2/17.  In part they said, “We still believe that jurisdiction over broadband providers’ privacy and data security practices should be returned to the FTC, the nation’s expert agency with respect to these important subjects.  All actors in the online space should be subject to the same rules, enforced by the same agency.  Until that happens, however, we will work together on harmonizing the FCC’s privacy rules for broadband providers with the FTC’s standards for other companies in the digital economy.  Accordingly, the FCC today stayed one of its rules before it could take effect on March 2.”

FCC Broadband Deployment Data

The Wireline Competition Bureau released data on fixed broadband deployment as of June 30, 2016.  These data were collected through FCC Form 477 and are available on the Commission’s Broadband Deployment Data – FCC Form 477 webpage.  The version of the June 30, 2016, data includes any revisions made by filers before February 10, 2017.  Users can download data on the census blocks where providers report offering fixed broadband services to at least part of the block.

FCC Open Meeting - March

The FCC announced that the following items are among the issues tentatively included on the agenda for the March Open Commission Meeting scheduled for March 23, 2017:

• Advanced Methods to Target and Eliminate Unlawful Robocalls – Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Notice of Inquiry that would enable voice service providers to better protect subscribers from illegal and fraudulent robocalls.
• Promoting Technological Solutions to Combat Contraband Wireless Device Use in Correctional Facilities – Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would adopt rules to facilitate the deployment of technologies used to combat contraband wireless devices in correctional facilities, while seeking comment on additional proposals and solutions.
• Cellular Service Reform – Second Report and Order, Report and Order, and Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would facilitate mobile broadband deployment, including LTE, promote greater spectrum efficiency, and reduce regulatory burdens and costs.
• Part 43 Reporting Requirements for U.S. Providers of International Services – Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that proposes to (1) eliminate the Traffic and Revenue Reports and (2) streamline the Circuit Capacity Reports.

The FCC released the draft text of all matters that are expected to be considered at the March Open Meeting, along with one-pagers describing each of these items in greater detail.  In addition, Chairman Pai issued a blog regarding the March meeting.  Read it here.

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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.

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