THE REGULATORY MIX AND BLOG ARTICLES

Today's Regulatory Mix:  US Congress PHONE Act, FCC Adopts New Robocall Rules to Promote STIR/SHAKEN Implementation, FCC To Examine 911 Fee Diversion

US Congress PHONE Act

The House of Representatives passed, by voice vote, H.R. 1289, the "Preserving Home and Office Numbers in Emergencies Act of 2020" or "PHONE Act of 2020":   The Act prohibits providers of voice service from reassigning phone numbers of residential subscribers in areas subject to a major disaster declaration, for up to two years after the declaration. 

What will the FCC be tackling next?

Chairman Pai’s theme for the September 30th Open Meeting is “A Big Fall Kickoff,” celebrating the return of professional (and fantasy) football.  In keeping with his theme, he noted that ”[i]n this spirit, the FCC’s September agenda looks like a well-balanced fantasy team.  Just as you would assemble a fantasy roster with a quarterback, running backs, receivers, a tight end, a kicker, and a defense, we’re rolling out a diverse lineup featuring at least one item from each of the Commission’s seven bureaus.” 

Today's Regulatory Mix:  FCC Mandates STIR/SHAKEN, FCC Proposes Elimination of Certain Line Item  Charges, FTC Says Data Shows Increase in Coronavirus-Related Complaints 

FCC Mandates STIR/SHAKEN 

At its Open Meeting this morning, the FCC voted to require all originating and terminating voice service providers to implement STIR/SHAKEN in the Internet Protocol (IP) portions of their networks by June 30, 2021, a deadline that is consistent with Congress’s direction in the recently-enacted TRACED Act.

What will the FCC be tackling next?

Chairman Pai’s theme for the March 31, 2020 Open Meeting is “Robocall Relief Springs Forward.” He explains saying: “This past weekend, Americans across the country lost time that they're never getting back, had their sleep disrupted, and complained about this injustice.  No, I'm not talking about springing our clocks forward for Daylight Savings Time. I'm talking about one of the few constants of American life that are even worse: unwanted robocalls.

Today's Regulatory Mix:  FCC Announces Tentative March 2020 Meeting Agenda, Kansas Adopts KUSF Administrative Penalties for Changing Report Elections, Michigan Enacts Bill Amending Lifeline Law

FCC Announces Tentative March Open Meeting Agenda 

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai released the tentative agenda for the FCC’s March 31, 2020, Open Meeting.  The following items will be considered:

Today's Regulatory Mix:  Joint Agency Report on Broadband Deployment, FCC to Consider STIR/SHAKEN Implementation Rules

Joint Agency Report on Broadband Deployment 

The US. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has submitted the JOINT REPORT in response to SECTION 6212 of the 2018 FARM BILL to Congress.  This report summarizes how USDA, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) are working together to deploy broadband to rural areas.

Today's Regulatory Mix:  FCC Robocall Traceback Efforts, USDA Rural Broadband Grants and  USDA ReConnect Program Application Window and Webinar

FCC Robocall Traceback Efforts

The FCC announced that its Enforcement Bureau sent letters to seven gateway service providers asking for their support in tracking down the originators of illegal spoofed foreign robocalls.

On January 15, 2020, Inteserra issued a Briefing to our service subscribers that explained details of the TRACED Act that has become law. The new federal law addressing robocalling known as the TRACED Act was enacted on December 30, 2019. The Act requires the implementation of STIR/SHAKEN by no later than June 30, 2021, (unless providers have already implemented it) but also requires the FCC to extend the implementation deadline under certain circumstances, including for providers using TDM Networks.

FCC Announces Authorization for CAF II Winning Bidders

The FCC announced it is ready to authorize Connect America Fund Phase II auction (Auction 903) support for the Auction 903 winning bids identified in Attachment A.  To be authorized to receive the total 10-year support amounts the bidders must submit acceptable irrevocable standby letter(s) of credit and Bankruptcy Code opinion letter(s) from their legal counsel for each state where they have winning bids that are ready to be authorized prior to 6:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, April 17, 2019.