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Today's Regulatory Mix: Senators Introduce Bipartisan Telehealth Bill, FCC Commissioner Rosenworcel Releases New Podcast Episode

Senators Introduce Bipartisan Telehealth Bill

In a press release, U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Angus King (I-Maine), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), and Ed Markey (D-Mass.) announced the introduction of the Health Care Broadband Expansion During COVID-19 Act.  The new bipartisan bill directs $2 billion to help health care providers increase their broadband capacity and expand telehealth services during the current public health crisis.

Today's Regulatory Mix: FCC Approves More Telehealth Applications, FCC Announces New Members to NANC and Working Groups

FCC Approves More Telehealth Applications

In a press release, the FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau approved an additional 43 funding applications for the COVID-19 Telehealth Program. Health care providers in both urban and rural areas of the country will use this $16.87 million in funding to provide telehealth services during the coronavirus pandemic.  To date, the FCC’s COVID-19 Telehealth Program, which was authorized by the CARES Act, has approved funding for 132 health care providers in 33 states plus Washington, DC for a total of just over $50 million in funding.

Today's Regulatory Mix: FTC & FCC Send Letters to More VoIP Providers Facilitating Illegal Coronavirus-related Robocalls

FTC & FCC Send Letters to More VoIP Providers Facilitating Illegal Coronavirus-related Robocalls

In an FTC news release, along with the FCC, both commissions announced they have sent joint letters to three companies providing VoIP services, warning them that routing and transmitting illegal coronavirus-related scam robocalls is itself illegal and may lead to federal law enforcement against them.

Today's Regulatory Mix: FCC Releases Tentative Agenda for June Open Meeting; Will Vote on Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Auction Procedures

FCC Releases Tentative Agenda for June Open Meeting; Will Vote on Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Auction Procedures

The FCC has released a tentative agenda for its June 9, 2020, Open Meeting.  Some of the items include:

• Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Final Auction Procedures – The Commission will consider a Public Notice that would establish procedures for the Phase I auction) of the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (Auction 904), awarding up to $16 billion in support over 10 years for deployment of broadband services in unserved areas.  
  
• State/Local Approval of Wireless Equipment Modifications – The Commission will consider a Declaratory Ruling and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would clarify, and seek comment on changes to, the Commission’s rules implementing section 6409(a) of the Spectrum Act of 2012 in order to accelerate the deployment of communications infrastructure by facilitating the upgrade of existing sites for 5G networks. 

Today's Regulatory Mix: FCC Chairman Proposes Procedures for RDOF Auction, FCC Commissioner Carr Announces 5G Upgrade Order

FCC Chairman Proposes Procedures for RDOF Auction

The FCC announced that Chairman Ajit Pai shared with his colleagues draft procedures for the upcoming $16 billion Phase I Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) auction (Auction 904).

Today's Regulatory Mix: USDA Announces End of Round One for ReConnect Program with Iowa Award, FTC Obtains Final Order Against Do Not Call Violators

USDA Announces End of Round One for ReConnect Program with Iowa Award

USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue announced that USDA is investing more than $500,000 to provide broadband service in unserved and underserved rural areas in Iowa. This investment is part of USDA’s round one investments through the ReConnect Pilot Program.

Today's Regulatory Mix: FCC Announces Over 750 Providers Extend Keep Americans Connected Pledge, House Committee Announces Forum with FCC Chairman

FCC Announces Over 750 Providers Extend Keep Americans Connected Pledge

The FCC announced that 774 broadband and telephone providers have taken the Keep Americans Connected Pledge and extended that commitment through June 30.  

Today's Regulatory Mix: U.S. Senate Unanimously Passes 988 Suicide Hotline Bill

U.S. Senate Unanimously Passes 988 Suicide Hotline Bill

The U.S. Senate has passed the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020, sending it to the House of Representatives for their potential approval. 

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: Senator Introduces National Broadband Plan Bill, FTC Seeks Comment on Health Data Breach Rule, Representatives Introduce Universal Broadband Act

Senator Introduces National Broadband Plan Bill 

Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, announced the National Broadband Plan for the Future Act, legislation that instructs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to update the National Broadband Plan, as well as study how the coronavirus pandemic has changed the way Americans live, learn, and work online.