Iowa Declines to Adopt Rate Caps for Inmate Calling Services
The Iowa Utilities Board (Board) has declined to adopt new inmate calling service (ICS) rules, including rate caps. Significantly, the Board found that most companies providing ICS in Iowa qualify as alternative operator service (AOS) companies, which are subject to Board regulation. As such, they must file tariffs with the Board for review and approval, which provides a flexible process to review the terms and costs of service.
Inteserra Briefing Service subscribers see Briefing dated 1/7/19
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The Regulatory Mix Today: Iowa Declines to Adopt Rate Caps for Inmate Calling Services, Michigan Readopts UNE/Local Interconnection and Customer Migration Rules, 4Competition Coalitions Adds Participants to Oppose Sprint/T-Mobile Merger
Michigan Readopts UNE/Local Interconnection and Customer Migration Rules
The Michigan Public Service Commission (PSC) readopted its rules for the provision of unbundled network elements (UNEs) and local interconnection as well as customer migration. The PSC also retained statutorily mandated Lifeline discounts.
Inteserra Briefing Service subscribers see Briefing dated 1/7/19
4Competition Coalition Adds Participants to Oppose Sprint/T-Mobile Merger
Several rural wireless carriers and WISPA (the Wireless Internet Service Providers Association) joined the 4Competition Coalition, an alliance of concerned companies, public interest groups, labor unions and industry associations speaking out against the Sprint/T-Mobile merger. The American Antitrust Institute and Demand Progress Education Fund also joined the coalition, highlighting the diverse roster of organizations and companies opposed to the deal. See the announcement here.
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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.