THE REGULATORY MIX AND BLOG ARTICLES

As the news media recently announced the release of the newest Smart Phone and discussed the various features it contained, even the ability to use a fingerprint for security access, I found myself remembering what seems like only a short time ago when things were much different in the industry.

Okay, I admit it. I am a little bit of a science geek. Growing up in northern California, every kid thought they would be an astronaut or discover more secrets about volcanic activity on the Ring of Fire. I was right there staring at the stars, looking through microscopes at creek water, and magnetizing sewing needles floating on a cork in a bowl of water. Even though I have been working in the telecommunications industry since the late 1980’s and at Technologies Management, Inc. a regulatory consulting firm for last 11 years, I get those school kid goose bumps thinking about Voyager 1 leaving our solar system. Just listen to the sounds of interstellar space from Voyager.

As a Senior Associate Consultant at Technologies Management, Inc. (TMI), I work with telecom providers of every description in every state in the country. In my experience, the overall industry has shown great resilience, determination, and a commitment to community involvement. The same applies to TMI. I say this because I have a special perspective on the non-profit side of the business world.

I live in a historic district in downtown Orlando, FL.  The Historic Preservation Board is very strict regarding what you can or cannot change in this district.   There are not an abundance of options when it comes to making changes to the homes in this area. I think that is acceptable, since the key word is "historic."   There are also not many options when it comes to choosing what utility company you want.  In fact, there are no choices.  You have one utility company that provides electric, water, and sewer and solid waste services.  They call themselves "the reliable one."   They are the "only one."  There is one cable provider, one telecommunications provider, and one gas company.  What's wrong with this picture?

Until recently, when I thought of VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol), I thought about its connection to telecommunications in general and to the work that we do here at TMI. We prepare applications for certification,  state registrations (where applicable), file FCC Form 499 reports, and more for many VoIP providers. 

One of my responsibilities as an Associate Consultant at Technologies Management, Inc. is to ensure that our client's tariffs are compliant with federal and state rules and regulations. This includes preparing revisions to implement any changes. As more and more states are relaxing the requirements for tariff filings and/or allowing optional or voluntary detariffing, it has become somewhat of a dilemma for carriers as to whether they should keep a tariff on file with the Commission or withdraw it.

In my 13 years of experience as a senior associate consultant with TMI, I have prepared and processed many telecom tariff filings for some of the biggest telecommunications carriers. Even in this deregulated, detariffed telecommunications industry, customer notice is still a hot topic with the FCC and State Commissions. Most State Commissions require telecommunications carriers to notify affected customers of any price increases or additions of new rates via a bill message, bill insert, or by direct mail. Some states require carriers to file a copy of the customer notice with the tariff revision.

As a Sr. Associate Consultant at Technologies Management, Inc., I work on a variety of telecommunications tariffs ranging from the traditional local exchange and interexchange tariffs to access service tariffs. However, my forte is institutional telecommunications tariffs. Ever heard of it? For those of you who are unfamiliar with institutional tariffs, in a nut shell, they contain the regulations and rates applicable to automated operator assisted services for use by inmates and other incarcerated persons in correctional institutions. It’s one of the most out-of-the-ordinary and currently talked about industries. The most recent “buzz” in this ever-evolving environment took place at an FCC workshop held on July 10, 2013.

Telecom tariffs contain many items that provide assistance to the consumer.  For example the Telecommunications Relay Service (this fee has different titles depending on the state) which provides assistance to those who are hearing impaired.  It is easy to take for granted the ability to pick up the phone anytime and anywhere and complete a call as long as there is a device and available service. However, there are millions of Americans who require assistance from video relay operators to make calls to anyone from their doctor's office to make an appointment to ordering pizza from their neighborhood pizzeria.