THE REGULATORY MIX AND BLOG ARTICLES

Today's Regulatory Mix:  The FCC Fines Malicious Robocaller Nearly $10 Million, FCC Chairman Pai Delivers Remarks on the Future of American Spectrum Policy, FCC Releases Paper on Local Television News Operations Measured Against Market Size 

FCC Fines Malicious Robocaller Nearly $10 Million

The Federal Communications Commission today fined a robocaller $9,918,000 for illegally using caller ID spoofing with the intent to cause harm. This individual made thousands of spoofed robocalls targeting specific communities with harmful pre-recorded messages.

Today's Regulatory Mix: FCC Reviews Accomplishments of Consumer and Governmental Affairs, Enforcement, and Public Safety And Homeland Security Bureaus,  FCC Reviews Accomplishments of Rural Broadband Auctions Task Force 

FCC Reviews Accomplishments of Consumer and Governmental Affairs, Enforcement, and Public Safety And Homeland Security Bureaus 

The Federal Communications Commission heard reports from leaders of the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, Enforcement Bureau, and Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau on their exceptional work over the last four years.

Today's Regulatory Mix: FCC Enforcement Bureau Reminds EAS Participants of Compliance Obligations, FCC Releases Caller ID Authentication Best Practices

FCC Enforcement Bureau Reminds EAS Participants of Compliance Obligations 

The Enforcement Bureau of the FCC has released an Advisory reminding Emergency Alert System (EAS) participants of compliance obligations. 

Today's Regulatory Mix: FCC Issues January Open Meeting Agenda, FCC's Wireline Competition Bureau Seeks Comment on COVID-19 Telehealth Program Application Evaluation Metrics

FCC Issues January Open Meeting Agenda 

The FCC has issued the agenda for its January 13, 2021, Open Meeting.  Outside of several presentations about the FCC’s accomplishments, the FCC added one item (listed below) that may be of relevance to our readers.  

Today's Regulatory Mix:  California Issues Data Request to All Inmate Providers, FCC Releases 2020 Communications Marketplace Report, FCC Revises Invoicing Rules Regarding E-Rate Program 

California Issues Data Request to All Inmate Providers 

The California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) Communications Division (CD) is requiring a response to a data request from all service providers who provide communications services in California that are utilized by incarcerated people. 

oday's Regulatory Mix:  FCC Commissioners Praise Coronavirus Relief and Omnibus Funding Legislation, FCC Sets Invoice Deadline For COVID 19 Telehealth Program, FCC Performance Testing Waivers

FCC Commissioners Praise Coronavirus Relief and Omnibus Funding Legislation

Both FCC Chairman Ajit Pai and FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel issued statements in response to the communications provisions in the new COVID relief and Omnibus funding bills.

FCC Chairman Pai said, in part:

“I applaud Congress for including in the coronavirus relief and omnibus funding legislation a number of provisions that advance critical national priorities in communications policy.

Today's Regulatory Mix:  FCC Urges Implementation of Direct Dialing From MLTS, FCC Extends Filing Deadline In ICS Case, North Carolina Broadband Grants

FCC Urges Implementation of Direct Dialing From MLTS

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai joined leaders of the Orleans Parish Communications District in their efforts to encourage local businesses to transition their phone systems to support direct-dial access to 911 from multi-line phones systems. 

Today's Regulatory Mix:  FCC to Expedite Release of New Devices and Technologies, FCC Encourages Deployment Of Broadcast Internet Services

FCC to Expedite Release of New Devices and Technologies

The FCC issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking  seeking to enhance its equipment authorization rules to grant limited, early-stage flexibility to innovators to accelerate the deployment of common consumer devices like cellphones, laptops, and Wi-Fi routers after FCC authorization.

Today's Regulatory Mix:  FCC Welcomes Efforts on Wireless Emergency Alert Geo-Targeting, FCC Releases Paper on Positive Impact of Rural Broadband

FCC Welcomes Efforts on Wireless Emergency Alert Geo-Targeting

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai issued a statement praising the Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS), a standards organization, for its efforts to improve the geographic accuracy of Wireless Emergency Alerts. 

Today's Regulatory Mix:  FCC Reminds Providers that Form 477 Mobile Speed and Coverage Data are not Confidential, FCC Further Extends E-Rate and RHC COVID-19 Rule Waivers, FCC Revises Consent Requirements For Calls From Government Contractors

FCC Reminds Providers that Form 477 Mobile Speed and Coverage Data are not Confidential

The FCC’s Office of Economics and Analytics (Office) has reminded reminds mobile broadband service providers that their minimum advertised or expected speed data are no longer treated as confidential on FCC Form 477. As such, speed data will be included in the public releases of provider-specific coverage data, beginning with the December 2019 filing.