Today:  FCC Rules on Blocking of Robocalls, Maine Hearing on MTEAF, Vermont Opts-In to FirstNet

FCC Adopts Rules to Facilitate Blocking of Robocalls and Seeks Additional Comment

The Federal Communications Commission has adopted rules allowing voice service providers to block certain calls that are likely to be robocalls.  Specifically, the rules will allow, but not require, providers to block calls from phone numbers on a Do-Not-Originate (DNO) list and those that purport to be from invalid, unallocated, or unused numbers.  Comments on the Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking are due January 23, 2018; reply comments are due February 22, 2018.

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Maine Hearing on Revisions to MTEAF

The PUC initiated a rulemaking to amend Ch. 285 – Maine Telecommunications Education Access Fund (MTEAF) to conform with PL 2017 ch. 244 “An Act to Ensure Continued Availability of High-speed Broadband Internet at Maine’s Schools and Libraries” enacted in June 2017.  A public hearing will be held on December 5, 2017.  Written comments on the proposed rule may be filed no later than December 15, 2017, in Docket Number 2017-00283. 

Vermont Opts-In to FirstNet Plan

Vermont Gov. Phil Scott decided to opt-in to the federal FirstNet plan to deliver a wireless broadband network to the state's public safety community.  “It is important that Vermont’s first responders have the best service and access to an interoperable network that is expected to advance and adapt with new technology through the next 25 years,” said Gov. Scott.  “Vermont faced the choice of building its own network or using the federal solution.  After thoroughly considering the technological, financial, and operational aspects of both options, I believe the federal plan will more quickly and sustainably provide our public safety community with the network it needs to continue its valuable service to Vermont.”  Vermont is the 34th state/territory to announce its decision to opt in to the FirstNet network solution and the 8th state to do so after evaluating proposals from both FirstNet and other potential vendors.

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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.