Today:  FCC Allows Vermont to Participate in NLAD, FCC CAF II Auction Notice, New Mexico Opts-In to FirstNet Network 

FCC Allows Vermont to Participate in NLAD

The FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau granted the request of the Vermont Department of Public Service (Department) to participate in the National Lifeline Accountability Database (NLAD).  This is a change from the Department’s position in 2012, when it asked for and received permission to opt-out of the NLAD.  Lifeline ETCs in Vermont now have until November 1, 2017, to load all records associated with their Lifeline subscribers within Vermont into the NLAD.  In granting the petition, the Bureau noted that it would not serve the goal of eliminating duplicative support to prevent any state that initially opted-out from the NLAD from subsequently participating in the NLAD by loading its Lifeline subscriber data into the NLAD and preventing duplicative Lifeline subscriber support.  The Bureau directed USAC to work with the Department and the ETCs to ensure successful integration of the Vermont ETC Lifeline subscriber data into NLAD.

FCC CAF II Auction Notice

At its Open Meeting today the FCC took the next step toward launching the CAF II reverse auction by voting to adopt a Public Notice that will seek comment on proposed application and bidding procedures for the auction.  This includes how interested parties can qualify to participate in the auction, how bidders will submit their bids, and how the FCC will process bids to determine the winners and support amounts.  The auction will provide nearly $2 billion over ten years to expand high-speed Internet access to consumers and businesses in rural areas that are currently unserved by fixed broadband.  Recognizing that the auction is likely to attract new bidders, the FCC plans to provide detailed education materials and hands-on practice opportunities in advance of the auction.  Chairman Pai said that the FCC’s goal is to adopt final procedures and start the bidding in mid-2018.  TMI Briefing Service subscribers watch for a Briefing once the text is released.

New Mexico Opts-in to FirstNet Network

Governor Susana Martinez announced that New Mexico will opt-in to the FirstNet and AT&T plan to deliver a wireless broadband network to the State’s public safety community.  This will make New Mexico the 9th state or territory to “opt-in” to FirstNet and bring advanced technologies that will help first responders save lives and protect communities.  Click here to read full press release.  (NM, US Virgin Islands, WV, NJ, IA, KY, AR, WY, VA)

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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.