Today:  Sunset of the Inbound International NPA Assignment Guidelines, NTIA Releases Alternative FirstNet Plan NOFO, FCC Further Waives Lifeline Rules for New York

Sunset of the Inbound International NPA Assignment Guidelines

On November 3, 2017, the FCC approved NANPA Change Order 8, which was a result of the Industry Numbering Committee (INC) consensus recommendation to sunset of the International Inbound NPA Assignment Guidelines.  Information concerning the 456 NXX resource can be found on the NANPA website.  

NXX codes from the 456 NPA were made available in 1993 and used to identify carrier-specific services.  The prefix following 456 (456-NXX) identified the carrier.  Use of these numbers enabled the proper routing of inbound international calls destined for these services into and between NANP area countries.  INC agreed to sunset and age the 456 NPA for five years before the NPA is returned to the general purpose code pool. 

NTIA Releases Alternative FirstNet Plan NOFO

The National Telecommunications & Information Administration (NTIA) released a State Alternative Plan Program (SAPP) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).  It provides states with guidance on the FirstNet opt-out application process and can be accessed at www.grants.gov using the Funding Opportunity Number 2018-NTIA-SAPP-01.  If a state wants to assume responsibility for the construction, operation, maintenance, and improvement of its Radio Access Network (RAN) to interoperate with Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network and has received approval of its alternative plan from the FCC, the state must apply to NTIA for the authority to enter into a spectrum manager lease from FirstNet.  The state may also apply for RAN construction grant funding.  The SAPP NOFO lays out the application requirements necessary to meet 5 key statutory demonstrations focused on ongoing interoperability, financial stability, technical ability, and comparable security, coverage, quality of service, and timelines. 

FCC Further Waives Lifeline Rules For New York

The FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau has given the NY Public Service Commission additional time to implement the federal Lifeline federal eligibility program criteria.  The extension was requested due to unforeseen challenges that the NY Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance faced in rolling-out a modified Lifeline eligibility database that meets the federal requirements.  The Order extends New York’s waiver through the earlier of April 30, 2018, or the date on which New York has aligned its eligibility criteria with the FCC’s Lifeline eligibility rules and updated its eligibility database accordingly.  The waiver was originally set to expire on December 1, 2017. 

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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.