The Regulatory Mix, TMI’s daily blog of regulatory activities, is a snapshot of PUC, FCC, legislative, and occasionally court, issues that our regulatory monitoring team uncovers each day. Depending on their significance, some items may be the subject of a TMI Regulatory Bulletin.
TELECOM
U.S. House of Representatives
In his statement regarding the perspectives of former FCC Chairmen and the #CommActUpdate hearings, Representative Henry A. Waxman (D-CA), Ranking Member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, stated that:
“Having enforceable open Internet “rules of the road” means that consumers are in control of their experiences online – not the phone and cable companies that have a near monopoly on Internet access services. I’m pleased that Chairman Wheeler has stated his intention to expeditiously adopt a new set of rules following the court’s guidance. I look forward to working with the Chairman and my colleagues in Congress to make sure these pro-consumer, pro-competition policies will continue to guide the expansion of broadband services.
Our fight for the open Internet is grounded in basic principles that have undergirded communications policy for nearly a century. This Subcommittee is now embarking on a journey to update the Communications Act, and regardless of the advancements in network architecture or transmission protocol, the principles of competition and consumer protection remain as sound today as in 1934. I know Chairman Wheeler recognizes the importance of these values, and the action the FCC plans to take later this month to initiate technology transitions trials reflects that.”
See Representative Waxman’s full release here.
FCC
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (Court) granted in part several motions for stay of the FCC’s Order on Interstate Inmate Calling Services. FCC Cost-Based Rates for Inmate Calling Services, Interim Safe Harbor, and Annual Reporting and Certification Requirement provisions which were adopted under the FCC’s Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ICS Order) have been stayed pending the Court’s resolution of the petitions for review. The Court has directed the parties (Securus Technologies, Inc., Global Tel Link, CenturyLink Public Communications, and the Mississippi Department of Public Corrections) to submit their briefings by February 12, 2014. TMI Regulatory Bulletin Service subscribers see FCC Bulletin dated 1/14/14.
Connecticut
The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority is undertaking an analysis of comments and conducting a review of all regulations under its jurisdiction in order to identify any that are outdated, unnecessarily burdensome, insufficient, or ineffective. Any persons familiar with PURA’s proceedings and any stakeholders in the electric, gas, water, or telecommunication industries may submit comments/suggestions concerning the repealing or amending of any regulations in Title 16 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies. (§§16-247 and 16-250 apply to telecommunications.) Comments, which are due no later than January 27, 2014, should include the regulation numbers, the action recommended (repeal or amend), and a brief explanation.
Texas
PUC Staff will hold a workshop on February 14, 2014, regarding the amendments to the Substantive Rules (§§ 26.403 & 26.404) in response to recent legislation (S.B. 583) relating to eligibility for support from the universal service fund. Prior to the Workshop, Staff will provide a list of topics to be discussed and a copy of the draft rule. TMI Regulatory Bulletin Service subscribers see Texas Bulletins dated 12/16/13 and 10/1/13.
