Today: FCC Seeks Comment on Petition to Forbear from Enforcing ILEC Unbundling and Resale Requirements , Kansas Legislation Establishes the State Interoperability Advisory Committee 

FCC Seeks Comment on Petition to Forbear from Enforcing ILEC Unbundling and Resale Requirements

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is seeking comment on a petition asking it to forbear from application of certain statutory provisions and rules that imposed unbundling, resale, and negotiation and arbitration requirements on ILECs.  Specifically, USTelecom is seeking forbearance from: (1) the obligation to provide unbundled access to network elements; (2) the obligation to offer retail services for resale at an avoided cost discount; (3) the provisions requiring negotiation and arbitration of interconnection agreements (ICAs) and the filing of such ICAs with state commissions; and (4) those provisions that empower states commissions to set just and reasonable rates for interconnection and which would authorize states to reimpose unbundling and resale obligations from which the FCC has otherwise forborne. Comments are due June 7, 2018; reply comments are due June 22, 2018.  It is likely that motions will be filed seeking an extension of these deadlines.

Inteserra Briefing Service subscribers see Briefing dated 5/11/18

Kansas Legislation Establishes the State Interoperability Advisory Committee

The state of Kansas enacted a bill that establishes the State Interoperability Advisory Committee (Committee).  The Committee existed previously by executive order.  The Committee would provide input to the Adjutant General’s Department (TAG) for the development and deployment of centralized interoperable communications planning and implementation capacity in the state. Among other things, the bill would direct the Committee to make recommendations to TAG related to:

• Increasing communications and interagency coordination regarding informing the public of public safety risks and operations;
• Statewide contracts for public safety communications equipment, software, and consulting services; and
• Assessment of institutions and organizations that benefit from services provided.

The bill would also require the Committee to assist with the development of policies and procedures that increase communications and interagency coordination for the purpose of enhancing public safety interoperable communications.

The Committee would not have authority to:

• Require certification of public safety agencies or employees;
• Require training or establish mandatory training standards beyond what is necessary for the operation, care, and security of interoperable communications systems and plans developed by the Committee; or
• Limit local purchasing options for equipment compatible with the interoperability plan.

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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.