Today's Regulatory Mix:  California Opens Proceeding To Consider Regulation of Inmate Calling Service Rates, USDA Announces Additional Broadband Funding

California Opens Proceeding To Consider Regulation of Inmate Calling Service Rates

The California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has opened a proceeding to consider whether, and if so how, it should regulate the rates, terms, and conditions of telecommunications services provided to incarcerated people in California. The PUC identified the following providers as respondents to the proceeding: CLECs (resale and facilities-based); ILECs; IXCs (resale and facilities-based); and Digital Voice Service Registrants.  Respondents must file responses to its questions by November 9, 2020: Reply comments are due no later than November 19, 2020. Inteserra Briefing Service subscribers see our Briefing dated 10/22/20

USDA Announces Additional Broadband Funding

The USDA announced new Reconnect broadband funding in three states.

In Kentucky and Illinois , West Kentucky Rural Telephone Cooperative Corporation Inc. will use a $11.7 million ReConnect grant to deploy a fiber-to-the-premises network. This network will connect 8,206 people, 204 farms, 82 businesses, four post offices, three fire stations, two health care facilities and two schools to high-speed broadband internet in Graves County, Kentucky, and Alexander, Union, Pulaski, Johnson and Massac counties in Illinois.

In Washington, Whidbey Telecom will use a $596,000 ReConnect grant to deploy a fiber-to-the-premises network to connect underserved residents and businesses to high-speed broadband internet in Point Roberts, Washington.

Recent Briefings from Inteserra!

FCC Announces Launch Of National Verifier In Partnership With Oregon and Texas State Agencies

FCC Releases Final List Of Census Blocks Eligible For Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Auction

FCC To Move Access Charges For 8YY Calls To Bill-And-Keep

Nevada Increases USF Assessment

Washington Governor Extends Prohibition on Residential Disconnections During COVID-19

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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.