Today:  FCC Agenda for October Meeting, Maryland County Meeting On Cell Towers, Nebraska NIEF Grant Applications, New Hampshire Opts-Out of FirstNet Plan 

FCC Agenda For October Meeting

The FCC announced the final agenda for its October 24, 2017 Open Meeting.  It includes:

• Rules and Policies Regarding Calling Number Identification Service (Caller ID):  A Report and Order that would enable law enforcement and security personnel to obtain quick access to blocked Caller ID information needed to investigate threatening calls.  It also would amend the FCC’s rules to allow non-public emergency services, such as private ambulance companies, to obtain blocked Caller ID information associated with calls requesting assistance.
• Nationwide Number Portability:  A NPRM and NOI that proposes to amend the FCC’s rules and seeks comment on industry models to move toward complete nationwide number portability to promote competition between all service providers and increase network routing efficiencies.
• Promoting Investment in the 3550-3700 MHz Band:  A NPRM that would seek comment and propose changes to the Priority Access License rules in the 3550-3700 MHz (3.5 GHz) band to increase incentives for investment, encourage more efficient spectrum use, and promote faster and more widespread network deployments.
• Amendment of FCC Rules Governing Hearing Aid-Compatible Mobile Handsets: A Report and Order and Order on Reconsideration on hearing aid compatibility (HAC) that would update the volume control standard for wireline telephones, extend wireline HAC requirements to cover telephones used with advanced communications services, adopt a volume control rule for wireless handsets, and delete from the FCC’s rules an obsolete wireless HAC standard.
• Section 43.62 Reporting Requirements for U.S. Providers of International Services: A Report and Order that would: (1) eliminate the Traffic and Revenue Reports and (2) streamline the Circuit Capacity Reports

The FCC will also consider two broadcast items.

Maryland County Meeting Over Cell Towers

The Montgomery County Government has invited citizens to a Community Meeting on October 23rd regarding the Montgomery County Zoning Draft Amendment to replace neighborhood street lights and power poles with mini cell towers.  The County Council is considering a newly drafted zoning on cell antennas in residential zones.  The plan would eliminate public notice, public hearings, and the setbacks for antennas to single family homes. 

Nebraska NIEF Grant Applications

The PSC announced that it is now taking pre-applications from counties and municipalities wishing to apply for grants from the Nebraska Internet Enhancement Fund (NIEF).  Pre-applications will be accepted beginning October 17th through November 10th.  The PSC utilizes pre-applications to determine whether potential projects meet the requirements for a NIEF grant award.  The grants focus on areas of the state that are unserved or underserved.  Pre-applications are required before an invitation to submit a formal application is issued.  The formal application period will begin on December 11, with final awards for the new grant period to be made in March.

New Hampshire Opts Out of FirstNet Plan

Governor Chris Sununu issued the following statement after signing an executive order establishing the FirstNet Opt-Out Review Committee, which will be tasked with reviewing the regulatory and financial risks to the State of New Hampshire associated with the pursuit of an opt-out plan. 

“New Hampshire’s Statewide Interoperability Executive Committee (SIEC) has determined from a technical standpoint that an opt-out of FirstNet is far and away our best option, as evidenced by their unanimous 15-0 vote.  The State must nevertheless conduct a thorough review of the financial and regulatory viability of Rivada’s opt-out plan.  As part of this review, we will seek clarification of certain proposed fees, as well as clarification of penalties that may be imposed by FirstNet if an opt-out were to fail.  These fees and penalties appear to be arbitrary and primarily designed to deter states from opting out of FirstNet plans.  That is why I am calling on key officials at the federal level to assist us as we examine the numbers released by FirstNet and to ensure that states are being afforded their right to make their decisions with correct information.  Executive Order 2017-08

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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.