Today: FCC Chairman Lays Out Priorities, FCC Announces Newly Certified NDBEDP Entities, Colorado Annual Customer Education Notice

FCC Chairman Lays Out Priorities

In testimony before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said that the FCC’s focus for FY2018 will be to advance four strategic goals outlined in it budget request: (1) closing the digital divide; (2) promoting innovation; (3) protecting consumers and public safety; and (4) reforming the FCC’s processes.  He said that “[m]y commitment as Chairman is to do as I have promised without straying into activities that exceed our legal authority or go beyond the core competencies of our agency.”  Among other things, he committed to working on implementing the Connect America Fund Phase II and Mobility Fund Phase II reverse auctions; removing regulatory barriers to broadband deployment by making it easier for companies to transition from copper to fiber; continuing to make more high-band, middle-band, and low-band spectrum available for mobile broadband; and combating unwanted and unlawful robocalls.  He also said the FCC would continue efforts to reform its internal processes and IT systems. 

FCC Announces Newly Certified NDBEDP Entities

The FCCs’ Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau (CGB) announced the entities newly certified to participate in the National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program (NDBEDP) in 8 additional states and the District of Columbia.  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 Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind was certified to administer the NDBEDP for Alabama;
• Assistive Technology of Alaska was certified to administer the NDBEDP Alaska;
• The Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired was certified to administer the NDBEDP for California
• The University of Delaware – Center for Disabilities Studies was certified to administer the NDBEDP for Delaware;
• The Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind was certified to administer the NDBEDP for the District of Columbia;
• The Chicago Lighthouse Serving the Blind, Visually Impaired, Disabled and Veteran Communities was certified to administer the NDBEDP for Illinois;
• The Missouri Assistive Technology was certified to administer the NDBEDP for Missouri;
• The Nebraska Assistive Technology Partnership was certified to administer the NDBEDP for Nebraska; and
• The Institute on Disabilities – Temple University was certified to administer the NDBEDP for Pennsylvania.

Colorado Annual Customer Education Notice

The Public Utilities Commission of Colorado has issued an order directing each telecommunications service provider that collects the Colorado Universal Service Charge from its end users to provide an annual customer education notice describing this rate element.  TMI Briefing Service subscribers see Briefing dated 6/19/17.

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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.