THE REGULATORY MIX AND BLOG ARTICLES

Today's Regulatory Mix:  FTC  Warns Service Providers Against "Assisting and Facilitating" Illegal Coronavirus-Related Telemarketing Calls, FCC Announces New COVID-19 Telehealth Program , FCC Home Network Tips for the Coronavirus Pandemic, FCC Supports Tribal Connectivity in New Mexico

FTC Warns Service Providers Against ‘Assisting and Facilitating’ Illegal Coronavirus-Related Telemarketing Calls 

In a press release, the FTC announced its staff sent letters to nine Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service providers and other companies warning them that “assisting and facilitating” illegal telemarketing or robocalls related to the coronavirus or COVID-19 pandemic is against the law.

Today's Regulatory Mix: FCC Announces March Open Meeting by Teleconference Due to COVID-19,  US House Energy and Commerce Leader Calls on Providers to Offer More Data for Mobile Hotspots During COVID-19, US Senate Keeping Critical Connections Act 

FCC Announces March Open Meeting By Teleconference Due to COVID-19 

The FCC announced that, due to the current COVID-19 pandemic and related agency telework and headquarters access policies, its March 31, 2020, Open Meeting will be in a wholly electronic format and will be open to the public on the Internet via live feed from the FCC’s web page at www.fcc.gov/live and on the FCC’s YouTube channel. Because of these special circumstances, the items on the agenda (see below) are expected to be voted on circulation prior to the meeting. 

Today's Regulatory Mix:  FCC Confirms That Community Use of E-Rate-Support Wi-Fi Networks is Permitted, FCC's Carr Praises Internet Providers' New Plans for Low-Income and Student Access, US Congress Secure 5G and Beyond and Broadband DATA Act

FCC Confirms That Community Use Of E-Rate-Supported Wi-Fi Networks Is Permitted 

The FCC confirmed that schools and libraries that are closed due to the coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak that they are permitted to allow the general public to use E-Rate-supported Wi-Fi networks while on the school’s campus or library property. Specifically, libraries may offer access to E-Rate funded services on their premises as well as services that are

Today's Regulatory Mix:  FCC Cable Industry Pricing Report, FCC Commissioner Statement on Stay at Home Orders, FCC COVID-19 TCPA Declaratory Ruling 

FCC Cable Industry Pricing Report  

The FCC has directed  certain cable operators to respond to a price survey questionnaire designed to solicit information concerning rates for basic service, cable programming service, and equipment used to receive such services.   The information will be used for its statutorily required report on cable industry prices.

Today's Regulatory Mix:  FCC Grants TRS Waivers in Light of COVID-19, FCC Waives E-Rate and RHC Gift Rules, FTC Outlines Response to COVID-19 

FCC Grants TRS Waivers in Light of COVID-19 

The FCC has granted Telecommunications Relay Service providers temporary waivers to better enable American Sign Language interpreters to work from home in order to maintain relay services during the current coronavirus pandemic for individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind, or have a speech disability. 

Today's Regulatory Mix:  FCC Announces More Companies Signed on to the Keep Americans Connected Pledge, FCC Rural Health Care Funding to Help With COVID-19, FCC Releases Form 477 Data 

FCC Announces More Companies Signed on to the Keep Americans Connected Pledge 

The FCC announced that 116 more broadband and telephone service providers have taken his Keep Americans Connected Pledge.  This means that 185 companies in total have now taken the Pledge.

Today's Regulatory Mix:  Bill to Protect American Networks from Suspect Foreign Equipment Becomes Law, FCC Responds to COVID-19, FCC Concludes Auction 103

Bill to Protect American Networks From Suspect Foreign Equipment Becomes Law 

The President signed into law the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act (H.R. 4998) into law to help secure America’s telecommunications supply chain.  The bipartisan bill: 

Today's Regulatory Mix:  FCC Changes Venue of Federal Advisory Council Meeting Due to COVID-19, South Dakota to Prohibit Misleading Caller ID for Phone Calls, US Congress Secure 5G and Beyond Act

FCC Changes Venue of Federal Advisory Council Meeting Due to COVID-19

The FCC announced that the March 17, 2020, meeting of its Communications Security, Reliability, and Interoperability Council VII (CSRIC) will be held by conference call instead of in-person.  The meeting was moved to a wholly electronic format in light of travel restrictions affecting members of the CSRIC related to the ongoing increase in coronavirus (COVID-19) cases.