Kentucky Opts In to FirstNet
Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin has decided that Kentucky will opt in to the FirstNet Network. "Kentucky's first responders are on the front lines every day – their ability to communicate is critical to serving and protecting communities across the Commonwealth," said FirstNet CEO Mike Poth. "Governor Bevin's decision to join the FirstNet Network will deliver the next-generation tools that public safety needs to better respond to emergencies, natural disasters, and during special events. FirstNet looks forward to serving Kentucky's public safety communities."
FCC Robocall Fine
The FCC issued a $2.88 million forfeiture against a New Mexico-based company, Dialing Services, for facilitating unlawful robocalls. Robocallers used Dialing Services’ calling technology platform to make millions of illegal robocalls to mobile phones without express prior consent from consumers. In 2013, the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau formally warned Dialing Services that it could be held liable for robocalls its customers were making in violation of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA, which prohibits autodialed phone calls, robocalls, or texts to wireless phones in most instances without the prior express consent of the called party). Following the citation, the Bureau investigated and determined that Dialing Services’ platform was still being used to make unlawful robocalls. The fine reflects the Commission’s determination that Dialing Services was involved in making 180 unlawful robocalls after being warned to stop. The FCC has previously held that a third party, such as a platform provider, could be liable may be liable under the TCPA if it is so involved in the placement of a call that it essentially made the call. The FCC found that Dialing Services played a significant role in the illegal robocalls because its platform automatically blocks the originating telephone number and enables caller ID spoofing.
FCC Chairman Announces August Will Be Rural Broadband Month; Agenda Released
In a Blog posted on 7/13/17, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai announced that "August will be Rural Broadband Month at the FCC." At the same time, the FCC released the tentative agenda for its August 3, 2017, Open Meeting, which includes the following:
Regarding the CAF Auction item Chairman Pai said that “With this Public Notice, we are seeking comment on the procedures to be used during this auction. Moving forward now will put us on track to conduct the auction in 2018.”
Listen to this Pocast with TMI's Hal Stringer regarding FCC Form 477
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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.