Today: FCC Open Meeting, Illinois Legislation, Pennsylvania Safe Digging Month, CRTC on Net Neutrality
FCC Open Meeting - April 20, 2017
The FCC voted on a number of significant items at its April 20, 2017, Open Meeting including among other items: Removing Regulatory Barriers to Wireline Broadband Deployment; Removing Regulatory Barriers to Wireless Infrastructure Deployment; and Business Data Service Reform. For more details regarding the discussions and outcomes of these issues, see our blog post "FCC Infrastructure Month Or Industry Consolidation Month? You Decide," from Amy Gross dated 4/20/17.
Illinois Consumer Groups Oppose Legislation
Watchdog groups, AARP, PIRG, and Citizens Utility Board (CUB), issued a press release expressing concern that SB 1381 and HB 2691 would end traditional home phone service and threaten to cut off seniors and families from vital services like 911. The group says it’s premature to end traditional landline service for customers who choose it, while the FCC is still grappling with how to protect consumers and foster healthy competition as phone service transitions to other technologies. In addition, they say a recent wireless 911 outage shows that a viable alternative for a significant number of customers is not available. The groups urged Illinoisans to visit www.SaveOurPhoneService.com to send messages telling legislators to oppose the deregulation bills. Consumers also can call a special hotline, at 1-844-220-5552, to talk to their legislators.
Pennsylvania Safe Digging Month
In a press release issued today, the PUC reminded homeowners, businesses, and contractors of the importance of dialing 8-1-1 before digging to help ensure the safety of their excavation projects. State law requires contractors and residents to contact the PA One Call system at least three business days prior to excavation – triggering alerts to all utilities within an intended digging area and prompting them to mark where their facilities are located. Pennsylvanians can dial 8-1-1 to connect with the One Call system, while non-Pennsylvania residents can dial 1-800-242-1776.
CRTC On Net Neutrality, Consumer Choice
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) issues a press release announcing its commitment to net neutrality by declaring that Internet service providers should treat data traffic equally to foster consumer choice, innovation and the free exchange of ideas. As such, the CRTC said it is publishing a new framework regarding differential pricing practices. This framework supports a fair marketplace for services, cultural expression, and ideas in which Internet service providers compete on price, quality of service, speeds, data allowance, and better service offerings rather than by treating the data usage of certain content differently. Click on the links above for more information.
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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.
TMI Regulatory Seminar & Workshop May 9 & 10, 2017
