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Today's Regulatory Mix: FTC & FCC Send Letters to More VoIP Providers Facilitating Illegal Coronavirus-related Robocalls

FTC & FCC Send Letters to More VoIP Providers Facilitating Illegal Coronavirus-related Robocalls

In an FTC news release, along with the FCC, both commissions announced they have sent joint letters to three companies providing VoIP services, warning them that routing and transmitting illegal coronavirus-related scam robocalls is itself illegal and may lead to federal law enforcement against them.

Today's Regulatory Mix: USDA Announces End of Round One for ReConnect Program with Iowa Award, FTC Obtains Final Order Against Do Not Call Violators

USDA Announces End of Round One for ReConnect Program with Iowa Award

USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue announced that USDA is investing more than $500,000 to provide broadband service in unserved and underserved rural areas in Iowa. This investment is part of USDA’s round one investments through the ReConnect Pilot Program.

Today's Regulatory Mix: FCC Releases Report on 2019 Nationwide Emergency Alert Test, FTC Files Complaint Against Telemarketers

FCC Releases Report on 2019 Nationwide Emergency Alert Test

The FCC has released its 2019 Nationwide Emergency Alert System (EAS) Test Report.  The report contains details about a nationwide test conducted on August 7, 2019, of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) using only the broadcast-based distribution system by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (Commission or FCC).

Today's Regulatory Mix: Senator Introduces National Broadband Plan Bill, FTC Seeks Comment on Health Data Breach Rule, Representatives Introduce Universal Broadband Act

Senator Introduces National Broadband Plan Bill 

Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, announced the National Broadband Plan for the Future Act, legislation that instructs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to update the National Broadband Plan, as well as study how the coronavirus pandemic has changed the way Americans live, learn, and work online.

Today's Regulatory Mix:  California to Hold Virtual Broadband Access Workshop, California Issues Proposed Decision Approving Sprint/T-Mo0. bile Merger; Sets 5G Network  Milestones, FTC Launches New Online Tools for Sharing Data About International Scams

California PUC to Hold Virtual Broadband Access Workshop 

The California PUC announced it would hold a virtual workshop on April 23, 2020, to consult with local governments, broadband providers, consumers, and other stakeholders on cost-effective strategies for expanding broadband access in unserved areas of the state. 

Today's Regulatory Mix:  FCC Mandates STIR/SHAKEN, FCC Proposes Elimination of Certain Line Item  Charges, FTC Says Data Shows Increase in Coronavirus-Related Complaints 

FCC Mandates STIR/SHAKEN 

At its Open Meeting this morning, the FCC voted to require all originating and terminating voice service providers to implement STIR/SHAKEN in the Internet Protocol (IP) portions of their networks by June 30, 2021, a deadline that is consistent with Congress’s direction in the recently-enacted TRACED Act.

Today's Regulatory Mix:  FTC  Warns Service Providers Against "Assisting and Facilitating" Illegal Coronavirus-Related Telemarketing Calls, FCC Announces New COVID-19 Telehealth Program , FCC Home Network Tips for the Coronavirus Pandemic, FCC Supports Tribal Connectivity in New Mexico

FTC Warns Service Providers Against ‘Assisting and Facilitating’ Illegal Coronavirus-Related Telemarketing Calls 

In a press release, the FTC announced its staff sent letters to nine Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service providers and other companies warning them that “assisting and facilitating” illegal telemarketing or robocalls related to the coronavirus or COVID-19 pandemic is against the law.

Today's Regulatory Mix:  FCC Grants TRS Waivers in Light of COVID-19, FCC Waives E-Rate and RHC Gift Rules, FTC Outlines Response to COVID-19 

FCC Grants TRS Waivers in Light of COVID-19 

The FCC has granted Telecommunications Relay Service providers temporary waivers to better enable American Sign Language interpreters to work from home in order to maintain relay services during the current coronavirus pandemic for individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind, or have a speech disability. 

51 State Attorneys General and 12 Major Carriers Announce Anti-Robocall Principles

In a press release the Attorney General of North Carolina announced they joined 50 other Attorneys General and 12 phone companies to create a set of principles aimed at thwarting illegal robocalls.  In the release the AG advised that the phone companies have agreed to adopt eight principles to fight illegal robocalls.

Senate Bill Would Give the FTC Jurisdiction Over Telecom Companies

Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) introduced the Protection from Robocalling Act to combat the dramatic increase in illegal robocalls. The bill amends the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Act by removing in its entirety (i.e., not merely for purposes of regulating robocalling activity) the provision that exempts common carriers regulated by the FCC from the FTC’s jurisdiction.