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

 

FCC

        Rate-of-Return Study

The FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau released rate-of-return study area density data that will be used in implementing its reforms to rate-of-return carrier high cost support.  See the Regulatory Mix dated 4/4/16.  The Bureau used the study area boundaries submitted to the Bureau as of March 10, 2016, and overlaid 2010 census blocks to determine the land area for each study area.  The Bureau noted that there is a significant range in density among the 1,094 rate-of-return study areas, as shown below.

 rate-of-return_study_chart.png

 

      Altice NV/Cablevision Systems Corp

Stating that they found the transaction in the “public interest,” the FCC approved European telecoms group Altice NV’s acquisition of Cablevision Systems Corp in a $17.7 billion deal that includes assumption of debt. Altice NV, a Dutch firm, needs approval from the state of New York and New York City. If approved, Altice would become the 4th largest provider of cable in the U.S. See FCC Memorandum Opinion and Order here.

        

California

The California Public Utilities Commission notified all carriers that provide Lifeline Telephone Service of the annual adjustment to the household income limitation.  The new income limits are effective from June 1, 2016, through May 31, 2017. Wireline LifeLine Service Providers must file revised tariffs or LifeLine Schedule of Rates and Charges to reflect the new income levels which become effective June 1, 2016.  TMI Briefing Service subscribers see Briefing dated 05/03/16.

 

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