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.

FCC

           SADC

The FCC released another list of additional parties that have signed an acknowledgement of confidentiality (AOC) and that seek to review the data gathered through the FCC’s special access data collection (SADC).  The list includes persons that signed an AOC since the FCC’s last Public Notice.  Companies that submitted confidential or highly confidential information in response to the SADC have until July 15, 2016, to object to the disclosure of their data and information to any of the parties on the list.

          Open Meeting 

The FCC announced the final agenda for its July 14, 2016, Open Meeting:

• Use of Spectrum Bands Above 24 GHz For Mobile Radio Service:  A Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would make spectrum in bands above 24 GHz available for flexible use wireless services, including for next-generation, or 5G, networks and technologies.
• Technology Transitions:  A Declaratory Ruling, Second Report and Order, and Order on Reconsideration that adopts a framework to guide transitions to next-generation communications technologies while protecting the interests of consumers and competition.

The FCC will also consider one consent item dealing with a Freedom of Information Act request.

Alaska

The Regulatory Commission of Alaska is proposing to amend Section 48.040(b) of its rules to create a presumption that financial records filed in support of a petition for authorization to provide local exchange service in competitive local exchange markets are confidential.  Comments on the proposed rule change are due August 4, 2016.  No reply comments are scheduled.

Michigan

The MPSC announced that it has designated Kavita Kale to serve as its executive secretary and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) coordinator.  Previously, she served as a manager in the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.  She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Madras and a master’s degree from Bowling Green State University.  The executive secretary is responsible for maintaining the MPSC’s dockets, coordinating responses to FOIA requests, and the distribution of orders issued by the Commission.