Today:  Ohio ETC Rolling Lifeline Recertification Obligation, FCC to Observe National Day of Mourning for President George H.W. Bush, FTC Eighth Hearing on Competition and Consumer Protection 

Ohio ETC Rolling Lifeline Recertification Obligation 

The PUC of Ohio issued an entry reminding carriers that Ohio is one of the states where ETCs are subject to state jurisdiction.  “Therefore, all designated Ohio Lifeline ETCs are reminded of the rolling recertification obligation and the requirement of filing the applicable “Annual Lifeline Eligible Telecommunications Carrier Certification Form” (FCC Form 555) with the FCC and USAC by January 31, 2019.  Additionally, such recertification information should be electronically submitted to the Commission Staff at: LLReCert@puc.state.oh.us.” 

FCC to Observe National Day of Mourning for President George H.W. Bush

The FCC announced it will close on December 5, 2018, in observance of the National Day of Mourning for President George H.W. Bush.  All paper and electronic filings due on December 5 are now due on Thursday, December 6, 2018, the FCC’s next official business day.  Additionally, December 5 will not count in computing filing periods of less than seven days since it will be a FCC holiday. 

Due to the unexpected closure, the FCC also determined that it is in the public interest to delay the onset of the sunshine period prohibition associated with the FCC Open Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, December 12, 2018.  Accordingly, the FCC modified its rules so that the sunshine period prohibition will begin at 11:59 PM on Thursday, December 6, rather than at 11:59 PM on Wednesday, December 5, 2018.

FTC Eighth Hearing on Competition and Consumer Protection

The FTC announced details  for its eighth Hearing on Competition and Consumer Protection in the 21st Century.  This session continues with an examination of acquisitions involving ownership interests in competing companies. 

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The Regulatory Mix, Inteserra’s 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 an Inteserra Briefing.