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.

US Senate Commerce Committee Final Report

The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation released its final report that details Commerce Committee proposals enacted into law and provides a preview of the committee’s agenda for the new Congress. As a first-time feature, the report includes testimony from Americans who have been impacted by its legislative accomplishments.  During the 114th Congress, Commerce Committee bills led to 60 proposals being enacted into law and the committee approved 77 bills and held 80 committee hearings. “In the 114th Congress, Senators serving on the Commerce Committee advanced major reforms including legislation to improve transportation safety, reform airport security, set new priorities for federal science research, protect consumer rights, and pass into law the first-ever reform of the federal board that provides economic oversight of our nation’s railroads,” said Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune (R-S.D.)  The report’s 2017 preview highlights upcoming work on nominees for the new administration, boosting development of 5G wireless technology, enhancing transportation security, and the committee’s continuing endeavors to support American innovation and entrepreneurialism. 

FCC Food Fight Over Free Data

The FCC’s Wireless Bureau issued a report entitled “Policy Review of Mobile Broadband Operators’ Sponsored Data Offerings for Zero-Rated Content and Services” which presented the results of the Bureau’s staff’s 2016 review of sponsored data and zero-rating practices in the mobile broadband market. The Report found that AT&T’s Sponsored Data program and Verizon’s FreeBee Data 360 “present significant risks to consumers and competition in downstream industry sectors because of network operators’ potentially unreasonable discrimination in favor of their own affiliates.”  Less than two hours after the Report was released, FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai issued a statement “On the FCC’s Midnight Regulation of Free Data” expressing disappointment that “the FCC’s current leadership has yet again chosen to spend its last days in office the same way it spent the last few years—cutting corners on process, keeping fellow Commissioners in the dark, and pursuing partisan, political agendas that only harm investment and innovation.”  He went on to say: “This report, which I only saw after the FCC released the document, does not reflect the views of the majority of Commissioners. Fortunately, I am confident that this latest regulatory spasm will not have any impact on the Commission’s policymaking or enforcement activities following next week’s inauguration.”

FCC Webinar on Universal Service

The FCC’s Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau’s Office of Intergovernmental Affairs announced a webinar on January 24, 2017, to provide an overview of the FCC’s Universal Service programs. This free, one-hour webinar is particularly tailored to the needs and interests of state and local government offices, agencies, and public officials.  The webinar will introduce participants to each of the components of the Federal Universal Service Fund: Connect America (or High Cost); E-Rate (Schools and Libraries); Rural Health Care; and Lifeline (Low-Income). The webinar will also explain how the programs are funded and how the funds are distributed, and will include an opportunity to pose questions about the Universal Service Fund to FCC staff.

Colorado PUC Commissioner Appointed

Wendy Moser was appointed to the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) effective January 9, 2017, by Gov. John Hickenlooper to fill the remaining two years of a vacated position.  Prior to her appointment, Ms. Moser was senior manager at Charter Communications, where she was responsible for government franchise relations, public affairs policies and procedures, and regulatory requirements in multiple western states.  She has more than 25 years of experience in regulatory law, including stints at Qwest and Black Hills Energy.