Today:  FCC Extends Filing Dates in Form 477 Proceeding, FCC September Open Meeting Agenda Announced,  Texas and Idaho Opt In to FirstNet Plan 

FCC Extends Filing Dates in Form 477 Proceeding

The FCC extended the time for filing comments and reply comments in its proceeding considering changes to its Form 477 data program.  Comments are now due October 9, 2017, and reply comments are due October 24, 2017.  They had been due September 25, 2017, and October 9, 2017, respectively.  The extension of time was granted in response to a request filed jointly by the American Cable Association, NCTA – The Internet & Television Association, NTCA – The Rural Broadband Association, the USTelecom Association, and the Wireless Internet Service Providers Association.  They asked for additional time because the “proceeding involves practical and factual questions related to how voice and broadband providers currently collect and report subscription and deployment information, and the impact of any changes to those existing practices” and required extensive coordination with their member companies, some of whom were impacted by recent hurricanes. 

Are you looking for additional information regarding this Proceeding? You will find it in our complete TMI Briefing dated 8/18/17.

For more information regarding TMI's Briefing Service click here.

FCC September Open Meeting Agenda Announced

The FCC announced the final agenda for its September 26, 2017, Open Meeting.  Audio/Video coverage of the meeting will be broadcast live from the FCC Live web page at www.fcc.gov/live.  The FCC will consider the following items:

• Revisions to Reporting Requirements Governing Hearing Aid-Compatible Mobile Handsets  - A NPRM that seeks comment on revisions to the wireless hearing aid compatibility annual reporting requirement to provide relief to non-nationwide service providers.
• Toll Free Assignment Modernization – A NPRM that proposes to amend the FCC’s rules to allow for use of auctions to assign certain toll free numbers and considers other means to modernize the administration and assignment of toll free numbers.
• 911 Access, Routing, and Location in Enterprise Communications Systems – A NOI that seeks comment on the provision of 911 by enterprise communications systems that serve businesses, hotels, educational institutions, and government entities.
• 20th Mobile Wireless Competition Report - A Report analyzing the state of competition in the mobile wireless industry.
• Amendment of Parts 74, 76 and 78 of the Commission’s Rules Regarding Maintenance of Copies of FCC Rules – A NPRM that proposes to eliminate rules requiring certain broadcast and cable entities to maintain paper copies of FCC rules.
• Cable Television Technical and Operational Standards –A Report and Order that modernizes cable television technical rules to reflect the cable industry’s use of digital transmission systems.
• Revitalization of the AM Radio Service – A Third Report and Order that will relax or eliminate certain rules pertaining to AM broadcasters employing and maintaining directional antenna arrays.
• Update To Parts 2 and 25 Concerning Non-Geostationary, Fixed-Satellite Service– A Report and Order and FNPRM that recommends updating and streamlining the FCC’s rules to facilitate the licensing of the next generation of non-geostationary, fixed-satellite service systems.

The FCC will also hear a presentation from its Public Safety & Homeland Security Bureau on the FCC’s response to recent hurricanes and will consider an enforcement action (no details provided).

Texas and Idaho Opt In to FirstNet Plan

Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced his decision to partner with FirstNet to deliver a wireless broadband network to the state’s public safety community.  "The safety and security of Texas communities is my number one priority, and I want to provide our first responders with the best technology possible," said Governor Abbott. "As we saw in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, our first responders are often the last and only hope for safety in rapidly-changing and life-threatening situations, but this partnership with FirstNet and AT&T, allows Texas’s fire, police, EMS and other public safety personnel to be better equipped when responding in these emergencies."

Idaho announced decision to join list of states to accept the FirstNet plan to deliver a wireless broadband network to the state’s public safety community.  "Idaho is pleased to be joining with other states in participating in FirstNet's deployment of the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network," Governor Otter said. "Timely, reliable and accurate information is critically important to ensuring that our first responders can most effectively protect our citizens. This plan provides us with the opportunity to utilize the best technology available to help maximize public safety in Idaho and across the nation."

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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.