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 Briefing.
TELECOM
US Congress
In recognition of the President’s designation of October as National Cyber Security Awareness Month, U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, released the following statement, which includes links to various available resources: “The Internet is a powerful tool that the government, businesses, and the public increasingly use to innovate and manage their daily activity. Since it is National Cyber Security Awareness Month, I would like to highlight resources to avoid scams, secure electronic devices, and protect personal information. Our society’s shift to the Internet Age means that the risk will only increase for future cyberattacks and data breaches. Now more than ever, the public must be aware of how to protect their identity and operate safely online.” National Cyber Security Awareness Month is designed to engage and educate public and private sector partners through events and initiatives with the goal of raising awareness about cybersecurity and increasing the resiliency of the nation in the event of a cyber incident.
FCC
Through a blog posting, the FCC’s Chief Information Officer requested feedback on a new Beta (i.e. test) version of the FCC’s website available at https://prototype.fcc.gov. The new Beta site is Drupal-based and responsive, meaning the display will optimize based upon the device you are using to view the site such as PC, mobile phone, or tablet. The Beta website is also connected to the FCC’s document databases, EDOCS and ECFS, via application programming interfaces (APIs). The APIs allow real-time EDOCS and ECFS updates to display in ‘Headlines’ and ‘Most Active Proceedings’. FCC applications will also be updated and increasingly cloud-based, similar to the new Consumer Help Desk. Based on the additional feedback received during the Beta period, the FCC will complete the switch to the new site later this fall.
Verizon Wholesale Operator Services
Verizon has announced planned changes to operator services provided by Verizon to other carriers and wholesale customers, effective on or after July 8, 2016. Pending applicable regulatory approvals, on or after July 8, 2016, the Verizon ILECs will no longer offer the following three types of operator services: Person-to-Person, 3rd Number Billing, and Collect calls in the states of Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia and Washington, D.C.
ENERGY
Massachusetts
The DPU announced an Interim Shopping for Competitive Supply Website (Website) where suppliers can display information about their electric supply products. The Website will allow customers to effectively and efficiently shop for competitive retail electric supply products. The final website will still be in development when the 2015-2016 winter rates take effect. Therefore, the interim website will provide certain pricing information to customers and assist them in shopping for competitive supply products until the Shopping for Competitive Supply Website is operational. Suppliers will be able to list prices for two fixed-price products (such as a six-month and a 12-month product) and information on the broad range of other products that they offer. Any firms that want their products to be listed when the site goes live must fill out a sign-up form by October 12, 2015.
