Today: FCC Reminders for Guard Band Licensee and Band Manager Annual Reports, FCC Seeks Comment on Collection and Distribution of 911 Fees, Hawaii Net Neutrality 

FCC Releases Reminder to File Guard Band Licensee and Band Manager Annual Reports

The reports are due March 1, 2018 and they must be filed through the Universal Licensing System (ULS).  700 MHz and 220 MHz Band Managers are obligated to file timely annual reports and must file information about the manner in which the spectrum in each of their markets is being utilized.  Failure to file an annual report as required may result in enforcement action.  The method of filing through the ULS was changed and effective as of February 1, 2018.

FCC Seeks Comment on State Collection and Distribution of 911 Fees

The FCC has released its Ninth Annual Report to Congress on State Collection and Distribution of 911 and Enhanced 911 Fees and Charges.  The report covers the data for calendar year ending December 31, 2016 and was submitted to Congress on December 29, 2017.  The report identified six states as diverting or transferring a portion of collected 911 fees for non-911 purposes in 2016.  The FCC is seeking comment on potential ways to dissuade states from instituting 911 fee diversion.  38 states and the District of Columbia reported engaging in NG911 programs in calendar year 2016.  Thirteen states, American Samoa, and the US Virgin Islands reported not spending any money on NG911.  The FCC is seeking comment on the impact of this failure to prepare for impending communications sector IP technology transition, including the impact on commercial providers and consumers and communities. 

Comments are due from the public by 3/9/18 and reply comments by 3/26/18.  

Hawaii Net Neutrality Executive Order

The Governor of Hawaii has issued an Executive Order that will require Internet Service Providers (ISP) who receive state contracts for internet related services to adhere to “net neutrality” principles where all internet traffic is treated equally.

You can receive more information Inteserra's Regulatory Briefing dated 2/8/18.  

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The Regulatory Mix, Inteserra’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 an Inteserra Briefing.