Today: Nevada Outage Reporting Rules, ITIF Releases Connected Car Principles, States Sue FCC to Restore Net Neutrality Rules, U.S. House Releases More Broadband Legislation 

Nevada Outage Reporting Rules

The Nevada PUC has opened a rulemaking proceeding to amend its rule relating to significant service outage reporting by telecommunications companies.  Comments suggesting amendments to NAC704.2565 in order to update the PUC’s rule should be filed by February 7, 2018.  A workshop to discuss the comments will be held on February 15, 2018. 

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ITIF Releases Connected Car Principles 

The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) has released a report with the intention of aiding policymakers as they navigate the complex regulatory pathway they may encounter in the United States. 

Significantly, ITIF recognized eight policy issues that should aid in guiding those lawmakers. 

• Support vehicle-to-everything (V2X) infrastructure.
• Promote national cooperation and interoperability for V2X.
• Incentivize companies to protect consumers.
• Ensure regulations are technology neutral.
• Rely on transparent industry-led standards for data protection.
• Restrict scope creep for regulators overseeing connected vehicle privacy.
• Allow vehicle owners to access and use their own data.
• Permit after-market modifications and repairs while protecting copyright holders’ rights.

States Sue FCC to Restore Net Neutrality Rules

Almost half of the states in the country have filed a protective petition for review of the FCC’s Internet Freedom Order in the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.  This essentially reserves them the right to sue the FCC and challenge the repeal of Net Neutrality Rules once they become effective.  The states are relying on the argument that the ruling by the FCC was, amongst other things, an abuse of their discretion and a violation of Federal law.  Other advocacy groups have also filed similar petitions in the DC Circuit and the First Circuit (Boston) and additional petitions are expected.  Which court will ultimately hear the challenge will be determined through the judicial lottery procedure.  The date on which the FCC’s order becomes ripe for challenge is also unclear.

U.S. House Releases More Broadband Legislation

Subcommittee on Communications and Technology Chairman Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) announced a second round of bills that are being introduced by #SubCommTech members as part of the subcommittees’ efforts to reduce the regulatory barriers to broadband infrastructure expansion.

• Making Available Plans to Promote Investment in Next Generation Networks without Overbuilding and Waste (MAPPING NOW) Act,, sponsored by Representatives Bill Johnson (R-OH) and Brett Guthrie (R-KY) would reassert the authority of NTIA to conduct a National Broadband Map and initiate the process on how best to develop the National Broadband Map.
• Promoting Exchanges for Enhanced Routing of Information so Networks are Great (PEERING) Act,” sponsored by Representative Billy Long (R-MO), would authorize a matching a grant program through the NTIA to promote peering centers where none exist, or to help an existing one expand if it is the only such facility in a core-based statistical area.  The bill would also authorize eligible recipients under the Universal Service Fund’s E-Rate program and Telehealth program to use such funds to contract with a broadband provider to obtain a connection to a peering facility, or to pay costs of maintaining a point of presence at a peering facility. 
• Wireless Internet Focus on Innovation in Spectrum Technology for Unlicensed Deployment (WIFI STUDY) Act,” sponsored by Representative Ryan Costello (R-PA) would direct the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on the complementary role of unlicensed spectrum in assisting with internet traffic management, and the potential for gigabit WiFi service in spectrum bands below 6 gigahertz.

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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.