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.
FCC
ICS Rules
The FCC has started the Paperwork Reduction Act process for its new rules requiring inmate calling service (ICS) providers to file certain annual reports and participate in another one-time mandatory data collection. TMI Briefing Service subscribers see Briefing dated 11/13/15. Interested parties may file comments on both or either proposal by September 30, 2016. Comments may address: (1) whether the proposed collection is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the FCC, including whether the information has practical utility; (2) the accuracy of the FCC’s burden estimate; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology; and (5) ways to further reduce the information collection burden on small business concerns with fewer than 25 employees.
The FCC estimates that the one-time mandatory data collection will take 80 hours per response and that there will be 15 respondents. For the annual reporting, the FCC estimates it will take between 5 hours and 105 hours per response and there will be 15 respondents.
Broadband Health Mapping
The FCC’s Connect2Health Task Force (C2H) is set to unveil a new mapping tool on August 2, 2016. This event, to be held in collaboration with the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease, will highlight a new FCC mapping tool for exploring the potential of connected care and will demonstrate how the tool can be used by a variety of stakeholders to identify collaborations – public/private, network/applications, and outreach/education – that improve connectivity and health. Gaps and opportunities in rural and underserved areas will also be featured.
Iowa
The Utilities Board is considering revisions to its Chapter 22 rules to address technology-neutral standards applicable to all types of voice communications services, including wireline, VoIP, and other types of voice communications services. Among other things, the Board is proposing to add services provided using VoIP technology to its list of deregulated services and rescind most service quality rules and associated reporting. Other changes would increase the interest rate to be paid on deposits, revise the slamming rules to include electronic LOAs, and eliminate other, obsolete rules. A hearing will be held August 9, 2016. TMI Briefing Service subscribers see Briefing dated 6/1/16.
