Today:  FCC Form 477 Proceeding Comments, Maine Seeking Comment on Regulation of Pole Attachments, Montana Operator Services Rules and Inmate Calling Services Rules, New Jersey Approves CenturyLink/Level 3 Merger 

FCC Form 477 Proceeding Comments

The FCC announced the dates for filing comments and reply comments in its proceeding considering various changes to the information it collects on Form 477.  Comments are due September 25, 2017; reply comments are due October 10, 2017.   The FCC is seeking to improve the quality and accuracy of the data it collects on Form 477 while also eliminating unnecessary or overly-burdensome filing requirements. 

Maine Seeking Comment on Regulation of Pole Attachments

The PUC of Maine opened a review of its Chapter 880 rules and regulation of pole attachments.  The PUC will explore ways to facilitate the use of utility poles by entities that can deploy and expand broadband throughout the state.  See TMI Briefing dated 8/15/17.

Montana Operator Services Rules and Inmate Calling Services Rules

The Public Service Commission of Montana is seeking comment on proposed revisions to its rules for operator services, including intrastate inmate calling services (ICS).  The proposed rules would set new rate caps for operator services and would cap ICS rates in local correctional facilities at the federal level. 

Need a complete summary on this topic, including historical information? See TMI Briefing dated 8/23/17

New Jersey Approves CenturyLink/Level 3 Merger

CenturyLink announces that New Jersey joins 23 other states and territories in approving its acquisition of Level 3.  New Jersey joins Alaska, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia in approving the acquisition.  The transaction has also received regulatory clearance from Connecticut, Indiana, Louisiana, Montana, Nevada, Texas, and Puerto Rico.  California is the only state that has yet to approve or clear the acquisition. 

 "We're pleased to announce, with the addition of New Jersey, 24 states and territories have approved or cleared CenturyLink's acquisition of Level 3 and recognize this transaction is clearly in the public interest," said CenturyLink Senior Vice President for Public Policy and Government Relations John F. Jones.  "We continue to work with the California Public Utilities Commission and federal regulatory agencies to secure the remaining approvals necessary to reach our target transaction closing date at the end of the third quarter 2017."

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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.