Today: Next Generation 9-1-1 Act Introduced, Pennsylvania Opts-In to FirstNet Plan, South Carolina Opts-In to FirstNet Plan, FCC Rate-of-Return Challenges
US Senators Introduce Next Generation 9-1-1 Act
U.S. Sens. Bill Nelson (D-FL) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) introduced Next Generation 9–1-1 Act to accelerate federal efforts to modernize the nation’s aging 9-1-1 systems. The bill calls for an expansion of an existing federal grant program designed to help state and local governments deploy next generation 9-1-1 systems. In addition to increasing federal support for NG 9-1-1 deployment, the legislation would require studies on how to insulate such system from cyber attacks and to make them more resilient in natural disasters and other catastrophes. The legislation does not include a specific authorization level, but would establish an advisory board to recommend changes to the definition of NG 9-1-1 and includes a “sense of Congress” statement that transition from the legacy 9-1-1 communications technologies to NG 9–1–1 services is a national priority and a national imperative and should be completed no later than 10 years after enactment.
In response to the legislation, FCC Commissioner Rosenworcel issued a statement saying: “Today, roughly 240 million calls are made each year to 911. But like so much else, we need to remake our 911 services to reflect the digital age we live in. The future will bring Next Generation 9-1-1 to call centers to support voice, text, data and video communications. But to get there, we need strong coordination, a focused effort, and real leadership. So kudos to Senator Nelson and Senator Klobuchar for introducing the Next Generation 9-1-1 Act of 2017.”
Pennsylvania and South Carolina Opt In to FirstNet Plan
Pennsylvania Governor Wolf announced that the state has opted in to the FirstNet plan. “When an emergency strikes, Pennsylvania first responders are called upon to handle the situation and support the community,” Governor Wolf said. “As we have learned from recent events in many parts of the country, a vital component needed for coordinating a response is the ability for all responders on the scene to share information as events unfold.”
South Carolina Governor McMaster announced his decision to implement FirstNet plan. “When an emergency happens, South Carolina’s first responders are there, putting their lives on the line to serve and save others,” said Governor McMaster. “Our public safety personnel need and deserve resources that will help keep them safe and allow them to deliver the best possible services for our communities, and that’s why I’m proud to work with FirstNet and AT&T to bring this innovative technology to our state.”
FCC Rate-of-Return Area Challenges
The FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau announced the conclusion of the process for challenging any areas included in its August 2017, list of study areas potentially subject to the FCC’s requirement to eliminate high-cost universal service support in any study areas served by rate-of-return carriers that are 100% overlapped by unsubsidized broadband competitors. The Bureau said that it was not provided with evidence to confirm that any of the 13 study areas preliminarily identified were in fact 100 percent served by unsubsidized broadband competitors. Accordingly, it found that none of the study areas on the list met the 100 percent overlap requirements.
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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.
