Today:  FCC Forum on Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, FCC wireless Resiliency Cooperation Framework, FCC Secure Data Enclave for Highly Confidential BDS Data  

FCC Forum on Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai announced that the FCC will hold a Form on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning on November 30, 2018.  The forum will convene experts in the AI and machine fields to discuss the future of these technologies and their implications for the communications marketplace. 

In his statement, Chairman Pai explained that, “Artificial intelligence and machine learning hold tremendous potential for the technological transformation of society. From healthcare and education to finance and transportation, they will disrupt the way we interact with the world around us. Because so much of AI intersects with the Commission’s technological and engineering work, we want to explore what it means for the future of communications. I look forward to bringing in experts to discuss this important issue, so that the FCC and the American public can learn about what’s on the horizon.”

FCC Wireless Resiliency Cooperation Framework

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai announced that the FCC has launched a comprehensive review of the Wireless Resiliency Cooperative Framework.  The voluntary framework was created by the wireless industry and approved by the FCC in 2016.  It is intended to promote resilient wireless communications during disasters through measures related to roaming and mutual aid as well as coordination efforts. The framework set out a five-pronged approach for enhancing coordination during an emergency.

To aid this review, FCC Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau Chief Lisa M. Fowlkes sent letters to participating carriers, asking them to supply information regarding how they’ve implemented the framework in disaster situations over the past two years.  The letters request detailed lists of mutual aid and roaming agreements carriers have established with each other, as well as any instances where such agreements were modified, impeded, or even declined outright.  The also seek information on each company’s implementation of industry best practices. 

“The American people expect quick and effective recoveries from natural disasters like Hurricane Michael and other storms,” said Chairman Pai. “That’s why we are re-examining the last Administration’s framework to make sure all wireless carriers are meeting communities’ needs and doing everything they can to promptly restore service after a natural disaster.”

FCC Secure Data Enclave for Highly Confidential BDS Data

The FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) announced that the secure data enclave hosted by NORC at the University of Chicago (NORC Data Enclave) used by authorized parties for accessing and analyzing highly confidential data filed in the price cap business data services (BDS) proceeding will reopen for purposes of commenting on the Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking relating to rate-of-return carrier BDS services.  The NORC Data Enclave will reopen after the summary of the Second Further Notice is published in the Federal Register and will close 14 days after reply comments on the Second Further Notice are due, unless at least one interested party provides a timely and compelling argument demonstrating that continued access to the data is necessary to their meaningful participation in the proceeding.

The NORC Data Enclave contains market data that the FCC collected from BDS providers and purchasers and certain “best efforts” providers in price cap areas for the BDS proceeding in 2015.

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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.