Today:  FCC Proposal to Assist Efforts to Restore Communications Networks In Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands, National Cyber Security Awareness Month, US DOJ Approved CenturyLink Acquisition of Level 3  

FCC Proposal To Assist Efforts To Restore Communications Networks In Puerto Rico And U.S. Virgin Islands     

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai released the following statement on a proposed order that would enable carriers in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to use their Universal Service Fund allocations to more quickly rebuild networks:

“Hurricane Maria caused catastrophic damage to communications networks in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.  [Yesterday,] as part of the FCC’s ongoing work to assist with restoration efforts, I shared with my colleagues an order that would quickly make available up to $76.9 million of funding to repair wireline and wireless communication networks and restore communications services in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. 

“I look forward to working with my colleagues on this Order.  Given the urgent situation in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, I am asking Commissioners to approve it as soon as possible.  If this proposal has not been adopted by the FCC’s October 24 meeting, we will vote on it then.”

October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month

National Cyber Security Awareness (NCSAM), the annual campaign and combined efforts between private industry and public agencies, was created to enable companies and individuals to make better, smarter cybersecurity choices. NCSAM events and initiatives have been designed to raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity, provide the tools and resources needed to stay safe online, and increase the resiliency of the Nation in the event of a cyber incident. For a listing the weekly events planned for October 2017, see The Department of Homeland Security.

Week 1:  October 2-6 – Theme: Simple Steps to Online Safety.

All members of the public can take some simple actions to protect themselves online and to recover in the event a cyber incident occurs.  Week 1 will address the top consumer cybersecurity concerns, provide simple steps to protect against these concerns, and help the public understand what to do if they fall victim to cybercrime.

US DOJ Approves CenturyLink Acquisition of Level 3 with Conditions

The US Department of Justice has approved the acquisition of Level 3 by CenturyLink subject to divestiture of two sets of assets within six months and appointment of a divestiture trustee to oversee the divestiture process.  The combined company must divest the assets of the CLEC operations in the Boise, Tucson, and Albuquerque metropolitan markets.  CenturyLink may retain the customers unless the customer chooses to transfer their service to the new provider.  The combined company must transfer virtually all facilities, equipment, and rights that were required by Level 3 to operate the metro network in that market.  In addition, the combined company must divest dark fiber on 30 intercity pairs specified in the order.  The fibers must be sold as an indefeasible right-of-use (IRU) providing the buyer the rights to the fibers for 25 years.  The contract must include the option for two five-year renewals at 20% of the price paid for the original IRU.  The addresses of the IRU termination points are in the Proposed Final Judgment and include a mix of CenturyLink and Level 3 sites.

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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.

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