Today: FCC Q2 2017 Inflation Adjustment for Cable Operators, FCC License for Project Loon, Alabama Opts-In to FirstNet Plan, Iowa Text-to-911  

FCC Releases Q2 2017 Inflation Adjustment for Cable Operators

The FCC announced the most recent inflation adjustment factors for cable operators.  For operators filing quarterly using FCC Form 1240, the 2Q 2017 inflation factor is 1.0101%.  Operators calculating the Inflation Factor for a True-Up Period that includes some portion of the second quarter of 2017 should enter the inflation factor on the appropriate lines of Worksheet 1 of FCC Form 1240 as “0.0101.” Operators using this factor for calculating the Projected Period Inflation Segment of FCC Form 1240 should enter this number on Line C3 (January 1996 version), or Line C5 (July 1996 version) as “1.0101”.  Operators filing FCC Form 1210 may make an annual adjustment based on inflation occurring from June 30 of the previous year to June 30 of the year in which the inflation adjustment is made.  The inflation factor for the twelve months ended June 30, 2017 is 1.0159.  Operators who wish to take this year’s inflation adjustment using FCC Form 1210 should enter the figure “1.0159” on Lines I5 and J5 of the form.  Operators may take this year’s inflation adjustment between October 1, 2017 and August 31, 2018.  

FCC Grants License for Project Loon to Operate in Puerto Rico

The FCC has granted an experimental license for Project Loon, led by Google's parent company Alphabet, to help provide emergency cellular service in Puerto Rico. Chairman Ajit Pai commented:

 “More than two weeks after Hurricane Maria struck, millions of Puerto Ricans are still without

access to much-needed communications services,” said Chairman Pai. “That’s why we need to

take innovative approaches to help restore connectivity on the island. Project Loon is one such

approach. It could help provide the people of Puerto Rico with access to cellular service to

connect with loved ones and access life-saving information. I’m glad the FCC was able to grant

this experimental license with dispatch and I urge wireless carriers to cooperate with Project Loon to maximize this effort’s chances of success.”

Project Loon is a network of balloons that provides connectivity to users on the ground. Now that the experimental license has been approved, it will attempt to initiate service in Puerto Rico. See the complete release here.

Alabama Opts-In to FirstNet Plan

Governor Kay Ivey announced that Alabama will join the FirstNet First Responder Network.  “Keeping Alabama’s residents, visitors and first responders safe is of the highest concern,” Governor Ivey said.  “From volunteer emergency responders in our rural communities to those on the front lines in more populated areas, our public safety community deserves access to the tools they need most.  This collaboration with FirstNet and AT&T will allow us to provide our first responders increased capabilities to communicate as effectively and efficiently as possible, while also ensuring that our residents and businesses have the best possible services provided to them in times of emergency.”

Iowa Text-to-911

Gov. Kim Reynolds announced Text-to-911, a new public safety tool available to Iowans.  Text-to-911 is a statewide system that allows cell phone users to send text messages to 911 in an emergency.  Right now, 94 of Iowa’s 113 emergency call centers are able to accept text messages from at least one cell phone carrier.  The remaining call centers are expected to have the capability by the end of the year.  “Text-to-911 is a prime example of how we’re using technology to make Iowa a safer place for everyone,” Gov. Reynolds said. “Iowans are able to send a text to 911 when a voice call would put them in danger or when a medical condition makes it impossible for them to speak.”  Six wireless carriers currently, or will in the near future, provide their customers with the ability to text 911.  The carriers are: AT&T, iWireless, Sprint, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular and Verizon.

____________________________

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.

Seats are almost all gone for TMI's Fall 2017 Telecom Regulatory Seminar & Workshop. Click on the image below for more info.