Today's Regulatory Mix:  Groups File Suit Challenging Maine's Privacy Law, FCC's Carr on 5G Workforce Grant , FCC Releases Updated Data on Broadband Deployment

Groups File Suit Challenging Maine’s Privacy Law 

In 2019, Maine enacted a new law that prohibits Internet service providers (ISPs) from using, disclosing, or selling/permitting access to customer personal information (PI) without consent.  Now, several groups have jointly filed suit challenging that law. In the lawsuit, the groups claim that the statute violates ISPs’ First Amendment rights because it “imposes unprecedented and unduly burdensome restrictions on ISPs’, and only ISPs’, protected speech.” The groups also stated that the statute violates the Supremacy Clause and that clause “nullifies state laws that interfere with, or are contrary to federal laws.”  Finally, the groups alleged that the statute conflicts with and is preempted by federal law as well as the FCC’s Restoring Internet Freedom Order.  Inteserra Briefing Service subscribers see Briefing dated 6/18/19. 

FCC’s Carr on 5G Workforce Grant 

FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr issued the following statement on the announcement that the Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA) has received a nearly $6 million apprenticeship grant from the U.S. Department of Labor.  

“Yesterday, the Department of Labor (DOL) awarded grants to help support 28 public-private apprenticeship partnerships totaling almost $100 million. Throughout my time at the FCC, I have focused on expanding our 5G workforce, including through apprenticeships, as they allow those with families to support a chance to earn while they learn. I’m thrilled that DOL has recognized the critical role of tower techs, linemen, and other 5G workers in building our country’s information infrastructure and has provided new resources to expand that workforce. The training offered at technical schools and through apprenticeships gives students a path up towers and into the middle class with only a couple of months in the classroom. These careers support families and our nation’s critical infrastructure. Congratulations to WIA for being selected for the grant and its leadership in 5G workforce training.” 

FCC Releases Updated Data on Broadband Deployment 

The FCC’s Office of Economics and Analytics (OEA) released updated data showing that the digital divide substantially narrowed during the last two years.  Specifically, from December 2016 to December 2018, the number of Americans without any options for at least 250/25 Mbps fixed terrestrial broadband service plummeted by 74%, from 181.7 million to 47 million. And during that same time period, the number of Americans with no options for at least 25/3 Mbps fixed terrestrial broadband service fell by 30%, from 26.1 million to 18.3 million. 

The data also showed: 

• An increase in competition from December 2016 to December 2018, with the number of Americans enjoying more than two options for 25/3 Mbps fixed terrestrial broadband service increasing by 52%, from 45.9 million to 69.8 million.  
• The number of rural Americans with two or more options for 25/3 Mbps fixed terrestrial broadband service increased by 52%, from 14.4 million to 22 million. 

In response to the updated information, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said: “My top priority at the FCC is to expand broadband deployment and provide all Americans with digital opportunity, and the figures we are releasing today show once again that we are on the right track.  At that same time, however, our work is not done. That’s why we’ll continue our focus on eliminating regulatory barriers to broadband deployment and reforming our universal service funding programs, such as through the implementation of the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund.” 

The updated data includes fixed and mobile broadband deployment and speeds as of December 31, 2018.  These data update certain of the figures that are included in the first Communications Marketplace Report, released December 26, 2018, which presented, for the most part, year-end 2017 information. A short description of each updated figure is also available at the webpage above, including any restatement of earlier information as necessary. 

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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.