Today: US Congress Non-Emergency Mobile Number Bill, US Congress Hearing On Telecommunications Supply Chain and National Security, FCC Announces Settlement For Failure To Obtain Merger Approval
US Congress Non-Emergency Mobile Number Bill
Congresswomen Susan W. Brooks (R-IN) and Anna Eshoo (D-CA) introduced H.R. 5700, the National Non-Emergency Mobile Number Act. The bill directs the FCC to facilitate the creation of a unified wireless number for critical non-emergency situations on our nation’s highways. “This commonsense, bipartisan bill ensures our 911 telecommunicators can focus on responding quickly and efficiently to phone calls reporting time-sensitive and urgent emergency matters,” said Brooks. “When people are traveling from state to state, the short non-emergency number people call to report an instance deserving of attention but may not classify as an emergency varies across state lines. Designating a code for this specific use promotes a more cohesive and effective public safety response. This bill will make it easier for travelers to contact public safety officials when reporting non-emergency situations and enables our 911 telecommunicators to focus on helping people who are dealing with an emergency.”
“In an interconnected nation, it is essential that we have a streamlined communication system across all states,” said Eshoo. “The National Non-Emergency Mobile Number Act simplifies travelers’ access to assistance in non-dire times, regardless of what state they’re in and eases unnecessary call traffic to 911. I’m proud to partner with Rep. Brooks on this straightforward legislation that will allow emergency call centers to focus on urgent matters and save the lives of those in danger.”
In response to HR5700, FCC Commissioner O’Rielly issued a statement saying: “I applaud Representatives Brooks and Eshoo for introducing the National Non-Emergency Mobile Number Act. This is a commonsense bill that will bring uniformity to wireless short codes used today by states to redirect non-emergency calls on the highway away from 9-1-1 call centers and to state highway patrols. Just as we have one, unified number to call in times of need, it is logical to have one unified short code to call when travelers see car malfunctions or suspected drunk drivers along the highway. This bill is an important first step in eliminating traveler confusion and potentially to saving lives.”
US Congress Hearing On Telecommunications Supply Chain and National Security
The House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, chaired by Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), announced today a hearing for Wednesday, May 16, 2018 entitled, “Telecommunications, Global Competitiveness, and National Security.” The hearing will examine the convergence of a number of priorities for #SubCommTech, including expanding broadband access, promoting competition in both wireline and wireless markets, and protecting our telecommunications infrastructure from national security threats. Members will discuss the many steps making up the supply chain for equipment in U.S. telecommunications networks, and how government and industry respond to threats and opportunities. “Our upcoming hearing will focus on a critical balance we must strike for consumers – supporting technological innovation and America’s global competitiveness, while at the same time preventing bad actors from disrupting the telecommunications supply chain. As we continue our work to close the digital divide and lead the race to 5G, we must be prepared to prevent and mitigate threats from those seeking to diminish America’s standing in the world. I look forward to hearing from our panel of expert witnesses about these complex and significant issues,” said Chairman Blackburn.
The FCC recently opened a proceeding to consider whether it should adopt a rule prohibiting recipients of Universal Service Fund (USF) support from using that money to purchase or obtain any equipment or services produced or provided by a company posing a national security threat.
Inteserra Briefing Service subscribers see Briefing dated 5/8/18.
FCC Announces Settlement For Failure To Obtain Merger Approval
The FCC’s Enforcement Bureau entered into a Consent Decree to resolve its investigation into whether Clarity Telecom, LLC d/b/a Vast Broadband (Vast) violated the FCC’s rules by selling certain assets to Long Lines Metro, LLC (Metro) prior to receiving approval from the FCC. To settle this matter, Vast admitted that it failed to obtain the required FCC approvals (domestic and international) prior to the sale of assets to Metro, will implement a compliance plan, and will pay a $16,000 settlement amount. The assets involved were customer accounts and assets used in the provision of residential and commercial cable television services, VoIP telephony, local exchange and interexchange services, and high-speed Internet services in the states of Iowa and South Dakota.
Vast and Metro filed applications for approval of the sale of assets and requests for special temporary authority (STA) after the transaction was completed. The STAs and applications were eventually granted. Shortly thereafter, the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau issued a Letter of Inquiry regarding these matters, which resulted in the negotiation of a Consent Decree. Among other things, Vast must establish operating procedures, including a compliance manual and employee training, to ensure it complies with the FCC’s transfer of control rules. (The FCC has determined that transactions involving the sale of a telecommunications provider’s customer base should be treated as transfers of control requiring prior approval.) It must also file periodic compliance reports for two years.
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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.
