Today: Kansas - FCC CAF Auction Winner Files ETC Application, FCC Seeks Further Comment on Proposals to Reduce Barriers to Infrastructure Investment, FCC Deactivates DIRS after Hurricane Florence, FTC Sends Refunds in Cramming Case
Kansas - FCC CAF Auction Winner Files ETC Application
IdeaTek Telcom, LLC (IdeaTek) has filed to become an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier in Kansas after becoming a winning bidder in the FCC CAF II auction. IdeaTek is seeking ETC designation so that it may receive support from the Federal USF, including support from the FCC high-cost FUSF programs through funds awarded under the CAF II auction program.
FCC Seeks Further Comment on Proposals to Reduce Barriers to Infrastructure Investment
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted a Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM) yesterday to address how local franchising authorities’ (LFAs) may regulate cable operators. This item, originally included on the September Open Meeting Agenda scheduled 9/26/18, was moved from the meeting and released today.
The Second FNPRM tentatively concludes, with certain limited exceptions, that cable-related, in-kind contributions required under a franchise agreement, such as free or discounted cable service to local governments, should be treated as “franchise fees” subject to the statutory five percent cap on such fees.
The item also tentatively concludes that LFAs are prohibited by federal law from using their video franchising authority to regulate most non-cable services offered over cable systems by incumbent cable operators, including information services, such as broadband Internet access service. Under this proposal, LFAs would not be precluded from regulating institutional networks.
In addition, the Second FNPRM seeks comment on whether to apply the proposals and tentative conclusions discussed in the Second FNPRM, as well as prior Commission decisions addressing LFA regulation of cable operators, to state-level franchising actions and state regulations that impose requirements on local franchising.
FCC Deactivates DIRS after Hurricane Florence
The FCC announced that it has deactivated its Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS) for Hurricane Florence. Communications providers do not need to provide any additional reporting in DIRS in connection with this event. The FCC will, however, continue to monitor the status of communications services and work with providers and government partners as needed to support remaining restoration efforts.
FTC Sends Refunds in Cramming Case
The Federal Trade Commission announced it is sending out 22,671 refund checks to people who lost money to a mobile cramming operation that placed tens of millions of dollars in charges on their mobile phone bills without their permission.
The refunds stem from a major FTC crackdown first announced in 2013. As part of the scheme, the defendants sent text messages containing celebrity gossip alerts, horoscopes, or “fun facts” to consumers and placed monthly subscription fees for these “services” on their mobile phone bills without their authorization.
This is the third round of refunds issued as part of the FTC’s crackdown on mobile cramming. The latest round of refunds, totaling $2,107,156.24, comes from assets recovered as part of a settlement with Tatto, Inc. The average check amount is $92.95.
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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.
