Today: FirstNet Releases State plans, Connecticut Allocation of Costs in Broadband Investigation, Texas Lifeline mandate for ILECs

FirstNet Releases State Plans

FirstNet and AT&T provided states and territories across the U.S. with plans to rapidly build the FirstNet network solution, creating new jobs, and driving additional investments in the state.  The FirstNet network will modernize public safety communications and provide first responders with technologies to help them save lives and protect communities.  FirstNet and AT&T said that delivery of the nationwide high-speed data and voice network plans comes three months ahead of schedule.  States and territories have up to 45 days to review the plans.  The states and territories will also have the opportunity to exchange feedback with FirstNet before an official 90-day clock starts for each state or territory governor to make an “opt-in/opt-out” decision on its State Plan.  A governor’s decision to opt-in will open the door for FirstNet and AT&T to immediately begin delivering services to that state or territory’s public safety community. State Plans Info graphic

Connecticut Broadband Investigation - Allocation of Costs

Frontier Communications has requested that PURA review the allocation of consultant expenses made by the OCC and revise same to include all pole owners and attachers who are affected companies.  The charges stem from OCC expenses in the investigation into facilitating the use of the municipal gain for broadband internet services.  Frontier notes that “only three of the four pole owners in Connecticut - Frontier, Eversource, and UI - are being billed by the OCC.”  Frontier goes on to say that “it is clear that all telecommunications and CATV companies that attach to utility poles in Connecticut are affected by this docket.  Nearly all of these entities participated actively in the proceeding - indeed on the very issue of OCC’s request to hire consultants - and most, if not all, have filed comments in opposition to the OCC’s motion.  Accordingly, they are clearly affected companies that should be included in the allocation of consultant expenses.”

Texas Lifeline Mandate For ILECs

Effective September 1, 2017, a new law in Texas will remove the requirement that a deregulated ILEC holding a certificate of operating authority offer Lifeline service.  View the text of the bill here.

_______________________________________________________________

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.