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
The FCC announced that it and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) on September 28, 2016, at 2:20 PM EDT. The secondary test date is scheduled for October 5, 2016, if necessary. All EAS participants must be prepared to participate in a test on both the primary and alternate test dates. The results of the nationwide EAS test will be captured and analyzed using the EAS Test Reporting System (ETRS). The FCC reminded all EAS participants that they: (1) are required to register with ETRS and must complete the filing of ETRS Form One on or before August 26, 2016; (2) must file the “day of test” information sought by ETRS Form Two at or before 11:59 PM EDT on September 28, 2016; and (3) must file the detailed post-test data sought by ETRS Form Three on or before November 14, 2016. The nationwide test will assess the reliability and effectiveness of the EAS.
National Governors Association
At the NGA Summer Meeting, new chairman Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe announced his 2016-2017 initiative, Meet the Threat: States Confront the Cyber Challenge. (#MeetTheThreat) A primary goal of the initiative is for states to develop strategies for strengthening cybersecurity practices as they relate to state IT networks, health care, education, public safety, energy, transportation, critical infrastructure, economic development, and the workforce. The NGA will host several regional summits to bring together policy leaders from every state, as well as private sector experts and federal partners, to highlight innovative practices and identify ways in which state-driven solutions can be replicated nationwide.
New York
The Public Service Commission is considering a Joint Proposal that would provide for a four-year continuation of the current State Universal Service Fund. The Joint Proposal recommends extension of the Fund through December 2020 and a $6.5 million per year maximum funding commitment. The terms of the Joint Proposal would continue the current administrative and eligibility framework. Comments on the Joint Proposal may be filed by August 22, 2016. TMI Briefing Service subscribers see Briefing dated 7/15/16.
Canada - CRTC
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission will impose an obligation on wireless service providers that are not CLECs, but provide voice services. Effective August 19, 2016, these carriers will be required to provide wireless Basic 9-1-1 service in all areas where they operate and where wireless Basic 9-1-1 network access services are available from the relevant ILEC. Where Basic 9-1-1 service is not yet available, this obligation will take effect immediately following the CRTC’s approval of a wholesale wireless 9-1-1 access services tariff. Click here for details of the obligation.
TMI Fall 2016 Telecom Regulatory Seminar & Workshop October 18 & 19 in Maitland, FL.
