THE REGULATORY MIX AND BLOG ARTICLES

Today's Regulatory Mix: FCC Releases Report on 2019 Nationwide Emergency Alert Test, FTC Files Complaint Against Telemarketers

FCC Releases Report on 2019 Nationwide Emergency Alert Test

The FCC has released its 2019 Nationwide Emergency Alert System (EAS) Test Report.  The report contains details about a nationwide test conducted on August 7, 2019, of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) using only the broadcast-based distribution system by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (Commission or FCC).

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.

Canada Combats Spoofed Calls; Works with FCC and Completes First Official Cross-Border Call Using SHAKEN/STIR 

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) announced it has taken further steps to combat caller ID spoofing and determine the origins of nuisance calls. The CRTC expects telecommunications service providers will implement STIR/SHAKEN by September 30, 2020.  This is the latest step in the CRTC’s broader efforts to combat nuisance and unsolicited calls.  In the past year, the CRTC has encouraged service providers to offer their customers call-filtering services that provide advanced call-management features.

New Hampshire Enacts Bill Calling for Study on 5G Technology

A recently enacted bill calls for the creation of a Commission to study the environmental and health effects of 5G technology.  The Commission’s study will include earlier generation technologies as well.  The purpose of the study is to examine the advantages and risks associated with 5G technology, with a focus on its environmental impact and potential health effects, particularly on children, fetuses, the elderly, and those with existing health compromises.