Today’s Regulatory Mix: FCC’s Final Supply Chain Reimbursement Program Procedures Announced, FTC Merger Review Process to be Adjusted due to Increase in Merger Filings, NTIA’s Minority Communities Grant Program Window Opens
FCC’s Final Supply Chain Reimbursement Program Procedures Announced
The FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) has released final Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program Procedure, Cost Catalog, and Replacement List. Acting Chairwoman Rosenworcel has announced a “target date” of October 29, 2021, to open the Reimbursement Program filing window to begin accepting applications. The Bureau also finalized the Catalog of Eligible Expenses and Estimated Costs and List of Categories of suggested Replacement Equipment and Services which will be made available on the Commission’s website.
FTC Merger Review Process to be Adjusted Due to Increase in Merger Filings
The Federal Trade Commission announced that it is adjusting its process for reviewing mergers to deal with a surge in merger filings.
In a new blog post, FTC Bureau of Competition Director Holly Vedova notes, “for deals that we cannot fully investigate within the requisite timelines [under the Hart Scott Rodino Act], we have begun to send standard form letters alerting companies that the FTC’s investigation remains open and reminding companies that the agency may subsequently determine that the deal was unlawful. Companies that choose to proceed with transactions that have not been fully investigated are doing so at their own risk.”
When sent, the letters will remind companies that the FTC may subsequently determine that their deal is unlawful and seek to undo the transaction.
The Federal Trade Commission works to promote competition, and protect and educate consumers. You can learn more about how competition benefits consumers or file an antitrust complaint.
NTIA’s Minority Communities Grant Program Window Opens
The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s announced that a Notice of Funding Opportunity has been released for the $268 million Connecting Minority Communities (CMC) Pilot Program. Applications for funding are due by 11:59 p.m. EST on Dec. 1, 2021. The CMC Pilot Program is devoted to expanding broadband access and connectivity to eligible historically black colleges or universities, tribal colleges or universities, and minority-serving institutions. It is one of three broadband grant programs funded by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. Under the program, grants may be used to purchase broadband service or equipment, hire IT personnel, operate a minority business enterprise or a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization, and facilitate educational instruction, including remote instruction.
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The Regulatory Mix, Inteserra’s blog of telecom related 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 an Inteserra Briefing.
