Today:  The Coexistence of Cellular Service Licensees and Public Safety Licensees, Maryland CLEC Detariffing, Governor Sununu Reaches Out to Governors Regarding Review of FirstNet Options, FCC Open Meeting Agenda for November   

Forum on The Coexistence of Cellular Service Licensees and Public Safety Licensees

The FCC’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, and Office of Engineering and Technology will host a public forum on improving the co-existence of Cellular Service (and other commercial wireless service) licensees and public safety licensees in the 800 MHz band.  The forum will be held on November 6, 2017, at FCC Headquarters.  Click here for details and the agenda. 

Maryland CLEC Detariffing

The PSC released a notice to CLECs with requirements for companies with 20,000 or fewer subscribers to detariff.   In order for those CLECs to remove filed tariffs, the CLEC must (among other things) file a letter requesting that its tariffs be eliminated.  Each request must be accompanied by a signed affidavit from an authorized representative of the CLEC: (1) certifying that it has fewer than 20,000 subscribers in Maryland; (2) certifying that it will comply with all applicable COMAR regulations and PSC orders; (3) acknowledging that it will file a tariff with the PSC in the future if it obtains more than 20,000 subscribers; and (4) providing an updated link to an electronic pricing guide for inclusion in the PSC’s website.

More details are contained in TMI's Regulatory Briefing dated 8/25/17.  Learn about TMI's Briefing subscription service here.

NH Governor Sununu Regarding Review of FirstNet Options

In a letter to fellow Governors, NH Governor Christopher Sununu urges them to “hold off making a final decision while we seek further information from Federal officials.”  Gov. Sununu established a FirstNet Opt-Out Review Committee to review the regulatory and financial risks of pursuing an out-out plan.  The NH Committee will seek clarification on fees and penalties that may be imposed by FirstNet in the event that an opt-out is unsuccessful.  “These fees and penalties appear to be arbitrary and primarily designed to deter states from opting out of FirstNet plans” said the Governor.  (See note in TMI 10/26/17 MIX about Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology hearing on November 1, 2007.)  The NH Committee’s report and recommendations are due to the Governor no later than November 21, 2017.  Governors have until December 28, 2017, to announce if they plan to opt-out. 

FCC Open Meeting Agenda for November

The FCC announced that the following items are tentatively on the agenda for the November Open Commission Meeting scheduled for Thursday, November 16, 2017.  Click here for further details on each item.

• Blocking Unlawful Robocalls – Consideration of a Report and Order that would expressly authorize voice service providers to block certain types of robocalls. 
• Spectrum Bands Above 24 GHz – Consideration of a Second Report and Order, et al that would make available 1,700 MHz of additional high-frequency spectrum for flexible terrestrial wireless use. 
• Replacement Utility Poles Report & Order – Consideration of a Report and Order to eliminate the requirement for historic preservation review in some cases and to consolidate historic preservation review rules into a single rule. 
• Accelerating Wireline Broadband Deployment – Consideration of pole attachment rules, network change disclosure processes, and section 214(a) discontinuance processes to remove barriers to infrastructure investment and promote broadband deployment; seek comment on targeted actions to facilitate rebuilding and repairing broadband infrastructure after natural disasters. 
• Bridging the Digital Divide for Low-Income Consumers – Consideration of measures to effectively and efficiently bridge the digital divide for Lifeline subscribers and reduce waste, fraud, and abuse in the Lifeline program. 
• Reconsideration of Broadcast Ownership Rules – Consideration of updates of broadcast ownership and attribution rules to reflect the current media marketplace; adoption of an Incubator Program to promote ownership diversity.
• Modernizing Cable Data Collection – Consideration of a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that seeks comment on whether to eliminate Form 325, Annual Report of Cable Television Systems. 
• ‘Next Generation’ Broadcast Television Standard – Consideration of rule authorizing television broadcasters to use the Next Generation television transmission standard (ATSC 3.0) on a voluntary, market-driven basis. 

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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.