Today:  CRTC enables access to enhanced 911 Services, FCC announces certified NDBEDP entities, FCC process for obtaining Confidential Information for 2017 Access Filings

CRTC Enhanced 911 Services

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) directed all telephone and mobile wireless companies to update their networks in order to be ready to provide next-generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) services.  The CRTC said it wants to ensure that Canada’s 9-1-1 system takes advantage of these technological advancements to improve public safety.  The incumbent telephone companies will be responsible for the construction, operation, and maintenance of the NG9-1-1 networks, with CRTC oversight. The networks must be ready to provide NG9-1-1 voice services by June 30, 2020 and NG9-1-1 text messaging services by December 31, 2020.

FCC Newly Certified NDBEDP Entities

The FCC’ Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau (CGB) announced the entities newly certified to participate in the National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program (NDBEDP) in 13 additional states and territories.  These certifications become effective July 1, 2017. On a rolling basis, CGB will release additional public notices announcing entities selected for certification under the permanent NDBEDP after reviewing applications and supplemental materials received for each state.

• The Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youth and Adults (HKN) was certified as the entity to administer the NDBEDP in the states of Florida, Hawaii, Iowa, and New York and for American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands. 
• The Georgia Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing was certified to administer the NDBEDP for Georgia. 
• The Affiliated Blind of Louisiana Training Center was certified administer the NDBEDP for Louisiana.
• The Perkins School for the Blind was certified to administer the NDBEDP for Montana.
• The New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired was certified to administer the NDBEDP for New Jersey.
• The North Carolina Division of Services for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing was certified to administer the NDBEDP for North Carolina.
• The Wisconsin Bureau of Aging and Disability Resources was certified to administer the NDBEDP for Wisconsin.

FCC Process For Obtaining Confidential Information For 2017 Access Filings

The FCC released a Public Notice describing the process to be used by carriers seeking to obtain access to confidential information provided with the 2017 annual access charge tariff filing in support of a carrier’s tariff review plan (TRP).  Carriers seeking access to such information must comply with the protective order attached to the Public Notice.  Because there will be limited time for review before annual access tariffs become effective, the FCC suggests that carriers complete the necessary declaration ahead of time to expedite obtaining and reviewing confidential information.

The FCC also notified carriers that it has corrected several errors in the TRP spreadsheets previously released on April 24, 2017.  The corrected spreadsheets are attached to the Public Notice.

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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.