Today: FCC Waives Location Accuracy Rules in Areas Affected by Hurricane Maria, US Senate Robocall Inquiry, Indiana Opts-In to FirstNet Plan
FCC Waives Some Location Accuracy Rules in Areas Affected by Hurricane Maria
In light of the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, the FCC’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau has waived the location requirements of 47 C.F.R. § 20.18(h)(1) for providers affected by the Hurricane that utilize a network-based location solution. The waiver will remain in effect until the earlier of: (1) the date the licensee has restored facilities sufficient to enable transmission of 911 location information to PSAPs as contemplate by FCC rules; or (2) December 31, 2017 solely insofar as the loss or incapacity of facilities in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands would impact the licensee’s ability to meet the relevant location accuracy compliance standards.
US Senate Robocall Inquiry
U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), chairman of the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, Insurance, and Data Security, have requested certain detailed information from Adrian Abramovich, the alleged perpetrator of one of the largest spoofed robocall campaigns ever investigated by the FCC. See the Regulatory Mix dated 6/26/17. The committee’s inquiry requests information about his alleged activities, including records of calls made by October 24, 2017. The specific information requested includes:
- when and how he began robocalling and engaging in neighbor spoofing, including the type(s) of devices and technologies used;
- a record of all robocalls he and his businesses have made;
- a description of any relationships between him and third party contractors;
- steps being taken to ensure he and his businesses/affiliates are not currently engaging in robocalling; and
- how he is addressing the apparent harm to consumers, carriers, and misrepresented companies and individuals caused by the alleged spoofing.
Indiana Opts-In to FirstNet Plan
Governor Eric Holcomb announced that Indiana will opt-in to the nationwide public broadband network deployment plan offered by FirstNet and AT&T. “Indiana’s first responders need fast, accurate information to keep Hoosiers safe,” Gov. Holcomb said. “This new communications network will help those on the front lines coordinate better and faster to serve and protect our citizens and communities.”
The list of states joining FirstNet include: Indiana, Virginia, Wyoming, Arkansas, Kentucky, Iowa, New Jersey, West Virginia, New Mexico, Michigan, Maine, Montana, Arizona, Kansas, Nevada, Hawaii, Alaska, Tennessee, Nebraska, Maryland, Texas, Minnesota, Alabama, Idaho, Louisiana, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands.
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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.
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