rulesThe 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

          FCC Open Meeting

FCC Chairman Wheeler announced that the following items are tentatively on the agenda for the July 14th Open Commission Meeting:

• Spectrum Frontiers:  The FCC will consider 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.
• Advancing Technology Transitions:  The FCC will consider a Declaratory Ruling, 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.

Connecticut

The Office of Consumer Counsel (O CC) filed a Petition with the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) to open proceedings to boost private investment in, and development of, optical fiber internet networks (fiber networks) in the state.  The OCC said the fiber networks are capable of delivering ultra-high-speed internet services at gigabit or “gig” broadband speeds.  Specifically, the Petition seeks the development of rules that will promote the fair and efficient use by Connecticut cities and towns of the utility poles within their territories for fiber network development.  As noted in the Petition, Connecticut has a potentially unique national advantage in the area of broadband fiber investment and development because the Connecticut Legislature has reserved (Stat. §16-233) a space on each utility pole and underground conduit for municipal use for any purpose.  This space on a utility pole is known as the “municipal gain” and may be used by a municipality to promote the building of fiber networks to support multi-gigabit internet access for services used by residents, businesses, health care providers, and government services. 

Washington

The Utilities and Transportation Commission issued a notice revising the date for its hearing to consider amending, adopting, and repealing certain rules relating to the Washington Telephone Assistance Program (WTAP) and Washington Exchange Carrier Association (WECA) and repair standards for planned service interruptions and impairments.  The hearing had been previously rescheduled to July 20th.  Now, due to scheduling conflicts, the hearing is rescheduled for July 18, 2016, at 9:30 a.m.