Today:  FCC Comment Date On Proposal To Eliminate Cable Paper Copy Rule, FCC Releases 2018 E-Rate Eligible Services List, FirstNet and AT&T Launch First Developer Program 

FCC Comment Date On Proposal To Eliminate Cable Paper Copy Rule

The FCC announced the dates for filing comments and reply comments in its proceeding proposing to eliminate rules that require certain broadcast and cable entities to maintain paper copies of FCC rules. See the Regulatory Mix dated 9/28/17.  Comments are due November 13, 2017; reply comments are due November 27, 2017.  While regulated entities would still be required to be familiar with the rules governing their services, elimination of the paper copy requirements would give them flexibility to determine how to fulfill that obligation.  The rules apply to  low power TV, TV and FM translator, TV and FM booster stations, cable television relay station (CARS) licensees, and cable operators with more than 1000 subscribers.

FCC Releases 2018 E-Rate Eligible Services List

The FCC released the Eligible Services List (ESL) for the schools and libraries universal support mechanism (more commonly known as the E-rate program) for funding year 2018.  It also authorized the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) to open the annual application filing window no earlier than December 4, 2017. 

Need more details? See TMI Briefing dated 10/12/17.

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FirstNet and AT&T Launch First Developer Program

FirstNet and AT&T* launched the first developer program geared toward America’s first responders. This will encourage public safety-focused innovation to help equip first responders with state-of-the-art communications tools. It also brings public safety closer to having their own app store where they can find new solutions purpose-built for their needs.

The program will also enable collaboration between first responders and developers to create mission-critical apps for public safety and tools that give them access to timely information. FirstNet and AT&T will host events and challenges to help foster this collaboration. See the complete release 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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