Today: US House NG911 Hearing, FCC NORS, Contraband Wireless Devices In Prisons and Jails, Connecticut Broadband Services
US House NG911 Hearing
The House Communications and Technology Subcommittee announced it will hold a hearing on March 29, 2017, entitled, “Realizing Nationwide Next-Generation 911.” The hearing will examine where the nation currently stands in modernizing 911 services with these next generation technologies and avenues to move this critical component to public safety forward. Subcommittee Chairwoman Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) said: “It’s imperative our 911 systems take advantage of 21st century smartphones and networks. Next week’s hearing will provide our members an opportunity to look at things that are working, things that may not be working, and what we can do to ensure that Americans have the benefits of 21st century technology when they need it most.”
FCC Rules on Contraband Wireless Devices In Prisons and Jails
At its March 23, 2017, Open Meeting the FCC adopted rules intended to simply the process by which Contraband Interdiction Systems (CIS) operators can obtain FCC authorization to install CIS systems. In addition to allowing operators to obtain authorizations faster and with fewer filings, the new rules will require wireless carriers to cooperate with CIS operators and correctional facilities in a timely manner. In addition, the FCC will designate an Ombudsperson to serve as the single point of contact for CIS operators and wireless carriers. In Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, the FCC also seeks comment on additional tools for combating contraband wireless devices in prisons and jails.
FCC NORS 3.0 System
The Federal Communications Commission announced it rolled-out Version 3.0 of its Network Outage Reporting System (NORS) on March 6, 2017. NORS 2.0 was closed effective at 1:00 pm on March 6, 2017. The FCC said that user IDs were created on NORS 3.0 for all current users of the System and that an e-mail was sent to each user informing them of how to get a new password and log on. FCC rules require that wireless, wireline, cable, satellite communications, and interconnected VoIP providers report significant disruptions or outages to their communications systems under certain circumstances. TMI Briefing Service subscribers see Briefing dated 3/22/17.
Connecticut Broadband Services
The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority is seeking comments (due by April 13, 2017) in its investigation of how Conn Gen Stat §16-233 applies to the specified circumstances of a municipality interested in using the municipal gain for purposes of facilitating the provision of broadband services to residents and businesses, including through commercial arrangements with third parties. Click here for specific Authority questions. See the Regulatory Mix dated 1/4/17. TMI Briefing Service subscribers see Briefing dated 8/5/16.
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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.
Spring 2017 Telecom Regulatory Seminar and Workshop May 9 - 10 in Maitland, FL
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