THE REGULATORY MIX AND BLOG ARTICLES

Today's Regulatory Mix:  California Opens Proceeding To Consider Regulation of Inmate Calling Service Rates, USDA Announces Additional Broadband Funding

California Opens Proceeding To Consider Regulation of Inmate Calling Service Rates

The California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has opened a proceeding to consider whether, and if so how, it should regulate the rates, terms, and conditions of telecommunications services provided to incarcerated people in California.

Today's Regulatory Mix: USDA Announces Broadband Funding for Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Montana and South Dakota, FCC Signs Memorandum of Understanding for 5G Networks

USDA Announces Broadband Funding for Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, and South Dakota

The USDA announced over $66 million in new ReConnect broadband funding in five states.

In Idaho, USDA announced two investments.  Midvale Telephone Company will use a $5.4 million ReConnect grant and $5.4 million ReConnect loan

Today's Regulatory Mix: USDA Rural Broadband Grants in Tennessee, DOD Announces $600 Million for 5G Experimentation and Testing at Five Installations, Virginia Allocates $30 Million in CARES Act Funding to Fast-Track Broadband Projects

DOD Announces $600 Million for 5G Experimentation and Testing at Five Installations

The Department of Defense (DoD) has announced $600 million in awards for 5G experimentation and testing at five U.S. military test sites, representing the largest full-scale 5G tests for dual-use applications in the world.

Today's Regulatory Mix:  FCC Adopts New Rules To Increase Use Of 4.9 GHz Spectrum Band, USDA Rural Broadband Grant In Indiana, FCC Announces Agenda for October Open Meeting

FCC Adopts New Rules To Increase Use Of 4.9 GHz Spectrum Band

The FCC adopted rules permitting expanded use of 50 megahertz of mid-band spectrum in the 4.9 GHz (4940-4990 MHz) band that is currently underused.  Under the new rules, states are allowed to lease this spectrum to third parties to boost wireless broadband, improve critical infrastructure monitoring, and facilitate public safety use cases.

There has been a lot of talk lately about Section 230 of the Communications Act in the news.  This section gives protection to interactive computer services for their content moderation practices.  In July 2020, the NTIA filed a petition with the FCC seeking new rules regarding the scope and applicability of Section 230. 

Today's Regulatory Mix:  FCC Announces September Agenda, US House Telecom Legislation, FTC Data Security Workshop for Small Businesses

FCC Announces September Agenda

The FCC announced the final agenda for its for its September Open Meeting scheduled for September 30, 2020.

Today's Regulatory Mix: Broadband Report Released from the US Telecom Broadband Association, USDA Broadband Funding in South Carolina

New Broadband Report Released

New research by USTelecom—The Broadband Association shows the decreasing cost and increasing value of broadband service in the United States between 2015-2020.  Using FCC and other public data, the research assesses recent trends in residential fixed broadband pricing and reveals during the 2015-2020 period, there were substantial reductions in price for both the most popular and highest-speed broadband internet services and significant improvements in overall broadband speeds.

Today's Regulatory Mix: FCC Connected Care Pilot Program Guidance, the FCC's Rosenworcel Releases New Podcast, USDA Announces Broadband Funding for Rural Tennessee and North Carolina

FCC Connected Care Pilot Program Guidance

The FCC issued a Public Notice providing additional information and guidance for potential applicants interested in applying for its Connected Care Pilot Program.

Today's Regulatory Mix: New York Reminds Consumer to be Alert of Utility Company Calls, Global Telecom Regulators  Release Best Practices for COVID-19 Recovery, FCC Fee Filer is Open for FY 2020 Payments

New York Reminds Consumers to be Alert of Spoofed Utility Company Calls

In a news release, the New York DPS is reminding consumers of a phone scam in which scammers, pretending to be from a utility company, call individuals and threaten to suspend electricity services unless they receive a payment immediately.  Payment has been requested by means of untraceable services such as gift cards, including money transfer apps, including Cash App.

day's Regulatory Mix: The FCC, Department of Health, and Department of Agriculture Team Up for Rural Health, The FTC Signs Antitrust Cooperation Framework with Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom

The FCC, Department of Health, and Department of Agriculture Team Up for Rural Health

The FCC announced that it has partnered with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the Rural Telehealth Initiative, a joint effort to collaborate and share information to address health disparities, resolve service provider challenges, and promote broadband services and technology to rural areas in America.