THE REGULATORY MIX AND BLOG ARTICLES

Earlier this month, the Alabama Public Service Commission proposed to exert much more extensive regulatory control over carrier operations than either it or any other state has to date.  The Order starts out with a broad and informative discussion of prominent issues facing the industry and regulators in Alabama, including new technologies, video visitation, types of services offered, rate caps, surcharges and fees, etc.  It effectively “tees up” the topics to be addressed in more detail later on.  As one reads along, however, the tone of the order changes more into that of a staff recommendation, and less of an invitation to participate and provide input.  Ultimately, the text appears to transform into language consistent with a final order.   The “proposed” rules and requirements appear to be a foregone conclusion, even to the extent of including a January 2014 start date for the “proposed” reporting requirements.

The Regulatory Mix, TMI’s daily blog of 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 Regulatory Bulletin.

The Alabama 9-1-1 Board announced the new statewide 9-1-1 service fee rate. It applies to all technologies including landline, VoIP, and wireless connections that are technically capable of accessing the 9-1-1 system.