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 Congress Hearing on Protecting Internet Freedom

The Senate Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Oversight, Agency Action, Federal Rights and Federal Courts has scheduled a hearing on September 14, 2016 entitled “Protecting Internet Freedom: Implications of Ending U.S. Oversight of the Internet. ”  In August 2016, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration announced that the Commerce Department intends to allow the IANA (Internet Assigned Numbers Authority) functions contract with the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) to expire as of October 1, 2016.  See the Regulatory Mix dated 8/17/16.

FCC Business Data Service Data Collection (SADC) 

The FCC released another list of additional parties that have signed an acknowledgement of confidentiality (AOC) and that seek to review the data gathered through the FCC’s Business Data Services (special access) data collection.  The list includes persons that signed an AOC since the FCC’s last Public Notice.  Companies that submitted confidential or highly confidential information in response to the SADC have until September 12, 2016, to object to the disclosure of their data and information to any of the parties on the list.

Massachusetts Performance Assurance Plan (PAP)

The Department of Telecommunications and Cable established a procedural schedule involving three bill credit waiver requests submitted by Verizon Massachusetts under the company's Performance Assurance Plan (PAP).  Verizon noted that a 50-day work stoppage by a segment of its workforce impacted its ability to meet certain performance metrics under the PAP for the April, May, and June reporting periods.  In order to ensure that any CLECs not  previously notified have an opportunity to respond, the Department will permit replies to the Verizon Petitions to be filed no later than September 12,2016.  Replies should be filed with all parties listed on the Department’s Service List.  The Department will issue a ruling on the Verizon petitions no later than September 27, 2016. Click here for copy of the Procedural Notice.

Maine Emergency Fire Dispatch Protocols

A new Public Utilities Commission rule chapter establishes standards for implementation and administration of emergency fire dispatch protocols by Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) and other Emergency Fire Dispatch Agencies.  The new rule (Chapter 5 of the Emergency Services Communications Bureau) became effective on September 3, 2016.  Click here for a copy of the adopted rule approved by the Secretary of State. 

TMI Fall 2016 Telecom Regulatory Seminar & Workshop in Maitland, FL October 18 & 19. See fees and registration info here.

As usual, the seats for attendees are filling up quickly!