Today's Regulatory Mix: FCC's Rosenworcel Highlights Significant Strides in Collection of Broadband Deployment Data, CRTC Issues Record Penalty of $75,000 in Anti-Spam Violation, US House Committee on Energy and Commerce Leaders Call on Internet Providers to Raise Awareness of Emergency Broadband Benefit
FCC's Rosenworcel Highlights Significant Strides in Collection of Broadband Deployment Data
Acting FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel responded to Senators from the Committee on Energy and Commerce inquiring about the collection of broadband deployment data. In her March 22, 2021 letter, Rosenworcel acknowledged the challenge facing the Commission in creating a meaningful nation-wide broadband map. However, significant strides have already been made by (1) forming the cross-agency Broadband Data Task Force, (2) implementing a competitive procurement process necessary to marshal the necessary resources, (3) issuing a Request for Information for the creation of the Broadband Serviceable Location Fabric, and (4) finalizing a spending plan with the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration. In addition, the FCC is ramping up outreach efforts to provide updates on progress achieved as well as plans for future projects.
US House Committee on Energy and Commerce Leaders Call on Internet Providers to Raise Awareness of Emergency Broadband Benefit
In a number of letters sent to nine internet service providers (ISPs) and several related trade associations, Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Ranking Member Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Mike Doyle (D-PA), and Communications and Technology Subcommittee Ranking Member Bob Latta (R-OH) urged ISPs to participate in and help make consumers aware of the newly created Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) Program, which will help struggling Americans afford high-speed internet. The $3.2 billion program was created as part of the final omnibus appropriations bill in December and was championed by the Committee leaders.
“As the Federal Communications Commission implements this program, it is critical that eligible customers know about the benefit, which providers are participating in the program, and how they can access the benefit,” Pallone, Rodgers, Doyle, and Latta wrote to the companies. “To further the effectiveness of this program, we urge your company to raise awareness about the availability of the EBB Program, consistent with applicable law and regulations.”
CRTC Issues Record Penalty of $75,000 in Anti-Spam Violation
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has issued its largest ever individual penalty for a violation of Canada’s anti-spam legislation (CASL). The $75,000 penalty was assessed on Scott William Brewer for sending over 670,000 emails without consent in hailstorm spam campaigns between December 2015 and May 2018. A hailstorm spam campaign is defined as a high number of emails being sent over a very short period of time. These attacks are designed to circumvent anti-spam defenses which could have responded and blocked the messages.
Canadians are encouraged to report spam and other suspicious practices to the Spam Reporting Center.
Recent Briefings from Inteserra!
- California 2021 Broadband Data Collection Deadline Delayed to June 1st
- California Extends Moratorium on Disconnects for Non-Payment and Imposition of Late Fees
- FCC 988 Milestones: March 25, 2021 Deadline to Send First Customer Notice
- FCC Announces Second Quarter 2021 USF Factor
- FCC Proposed Rulemaking Supporting IP-based TRS
- New Mexico Issues Deadline for Federal RDOF Auction ETC Applications
- Pennsylvania Prepares for Mandatory 10-digit Dialing in 814 NPA
- Utah Governor Signs New Correctional Facility Requirements
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The Regulatory Mix, Inteserra’s 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.
