Today:  New US House Telecommunications Subcommittee Staff, FCC approves 2017 average schedule formula, Connecticut Pose Attachment Hearing

New Staff for US House Telecommunications Subcommittee

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR) and Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) announced two additions to the staff of the Communications and Technology Subcommittee.  Robin C. Colwell will serve as Chief Counsel for the Subcommittee beginning in July. She has served as FCC Commissioner Mike O’Rielly’s Chief of Staff and Senior Legal Advisor since December of 2014. Prior to that Robin served as a Legislative Counsel for Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) and as a Counsel at the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation’s Subcommittee on Tourism, Competitiveness, and Innovation.  Timothy J. Kurth will serve as Senior Professional Staff on the Subcommittee.  Kurth returns to Capitol Hill after a career in the private sector. Kurth worked in Congress from 1995 - 2004, including as the senior advisor on technology and telecommunications issues for the Speaker of the House, Congressman J. Dennis Hastert (R–IL), and prior to that as Hastert’s legislative assistant during his time on the House Commerce Committee. 

FCC Approves 2017 Average Schedule Formula

The FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau approved NECA’s proposed revisions to the formulas for average schedule interstate settlement disbursements.  The modifications relate to settlement payments for common line and consumer broadband-only loops.  NECA said that the formula changes would, on average, increase settlement rates by 0.37 percent, at constant demand levels, compared to those rates which are currently in effect. 

Connecticut Pole Attachment Hearing

The PURA will conduct a public hearing to consider the pole attachment disputes concerning: (1) inconsistencies between The United Illuminating Company’s (UI) current pole attachment practices and the PURA prior Decisions on pole attachment licensing, make-ready work, and the duties of the single pole administrators (SPA); and (2) conflicts between the provisions of UI’s proposed new Pole Attachment Agreement for Telecommunications Carriers and Cable Television Companies and the PURA’s prior rulings on pole attachment matters.  The hearing will be held on July 12, 2017.  Click here to read the full text of the PURA Interim Decision (which called for an expanded scope and hearing).

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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.