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.
The Regulatory Mix will be on hiatus July 2, 2015 – July 5, 2015 in observance of the public holiday for Independence Day.
TELECOM
California
The PUC Staff issued a memo urging the Commission to file comments in response to the First Responder Network Authority’s (FirstNet) Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network (NPSBN) Special Notice (Notice issued April 27, 2015). Staff noted that the Notice includes draft sections FirstNet may include in a subsequent request for proposal (RFP) used to procure services to build the NPSBN. FirstNet requests comments from interested parties including states, tribes, territories, public safety entities, and potential vendors on its proposed acquisition strategy and approaches. Staff recommends that the PUC file comments urging FirstNet to ensure:
- adequate financing for the network;
- adequate network coverage, both in terms of geographic area (urban, rural and unpopulated) and harmonized network throughput;
- adequate speeds and performance testing; and
- that FirstNet require the latest commercially available technology.
Comments must be submitted by July 27, 2015.
Michigan
The PSC rule applicable to emergency 9-1-1 services on multiline telephone systems (MLTS) has been approved by the Secretary of State and became effective on June 24, 2015. It establishes the responsibilities applicable to MLTS operators regarding the installation of equipment and software necessary to provide specific location information for a 911 call. Michigan statute requires MLTS users to implement the technology by December 31, 2016, unless the user meets one of the exemption criteria listed in the rules. TMI Regulatory Bulletin Service subscribers see Bulletin dated 3/13/15.
Nebraska
The PSC is seeking comment on the status of direct access to emergency services from Multi-line Telephone Systems (MLTS). The PSC will also examine whether MLTS equipment is being updated so that emergency services can be reached by dialing both 9-1-1 and X-9-1-1. Response to a list of specific questions are due by July 6, 2015. A public workshop will be held June 30, 2015.
Washington
The Utilities and Transportation Commission issued an order exempting compliance with certain rules and delegating authority to the Executive Director and Secretary to suspend filings. The state Legislature has not yet passed a budget for the upcoming biennium, which begins July 1, 2015. If the Legislature fails to pass a budget, state government will shut down, and the Commission will close, effective 12:01 a.m. on July 1, 2015, until the Legislature approves and the Governor signs a 2015-2017 biennial budget.
