Today: US House Net Neutrality Bill, US House FCC Oversight Hearing, Colorado Sprint and T-Mobile File for PUC Approval of Merger, House Energy and Commerce Committee Probes on Location Sharing Practices
US House “Title VIII” Net Neutrality Bill
Representative Mike Coffman (R, CO) introduced HR 6393, which would add a new section to the Telecommunications Act that covers broadband Internet access service (BIAS). The bill would codify many of the FCC’s 2015 net neutrality provisions, including: no throttling; no blocking; no paid prioritization; and government oversight of interconnection (the “traffic exchange" points between long haul, backbone providers, and the last mile service provided by Internet service providers (ISPs). The bill would also prevent ISPs from charging edge content providers to avoid blocking or throttling. In addition, the bill: (1) contains various consumer protections and transparency provisions; (2) would make ISPs eligible to receive USF funds; and (3) would permit the FCC to require the ISPs contribute to the federal USF. Importantly, the bill would avoid the entire Title II fight altogether by creating the new section in the Telecommunications Act as well as put net neutrality oversight back in the hands of the FCC.
US House FCC Oversight Hearing
The House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, chaired by Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), announced it will hold a hearing on July 25, 2018 entitled, “Oversight of the Federal Communications Commission.” The #SubCommTech members will hear from current FCC commissioners regarding the FCC’s work to close the digital divide, support innovation and 5G, enhance public safety technologies and alerts, strengthen national security, and more. “This subcommittee has been busy this Congress working to improve our nation’s communications systems and infrastructure for the 21st century, including passing the first reauthorization of the FCC since 1990. The FCC has been a solid partner in working towards our shared goals to increase broadband internet access, ensure reliable public safety communications, win the race to 5G, and much more. I look forward to receiving an update from Chairman Pai and the commissioners about the latest progress on these issues,” said #SubCommTech Chairman Blackburn.
Colorado - Sprint and T-Mobile File for PUC Approval of Merger
Sprint and T-Mobile filed a joint application seeking approval of their proposed merger. The document also contains the pre- and post-transaction structure of the companies. In the filing the companies stated that Sprint would become an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of T-Mobile USA. Additionally, the companies advised that Sprint Communications (the certificated entity operating in Colorado) will continue to be an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Sprint Corporation. The companies are requesting an expedited review of the application.
House Energy and Commerce Committee Probes on Location Sharing Practices
The leaders of the committee sent letters to three providers regarding location sharing practices. The committee leaders decided that due to privacy scandals that occurred earlier this year they wanted to know whether the companies were taking appropriate steps to protect sensitive personal information. Full committee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR), Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection Chairman Bob Latta (R-OH), Communications and Technology Chairman Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), and Oversight and Investigations Chairman Gregg Harper (R-MS) signed the letters.
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The Regulatory Mix, Inteserra’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 an Inteserra Briefing.
