Telecom regulatory update federal and state issues

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 (our popular subscription service).

TELECOM

 

Iowa

The Iowa Utilities Board is asking for additional comment in its rulemaking considering the adoption of procedures and time limits for pole attachments to poles owned by electric and telecommunications utilities. The Board requests comment on the following: (1) whether notice is required for service drops and overlashing; (2) if notice is proposed, should the rules specify the type of notice; and (3) suggest language that will meet the requirements of the pole occupant for service drops and overlashing and continue to ensure the safety of the service drop and overlashing. Comments should be filed by August 19, 2013.

 

New York

The Public Service Commission announced that it will hold public statement hearings in Utica, Watertown, and Syracuse to receive public comment on options for area code relief in the 315 area code region. (The 315 area code serves all or part of 18 northern and central New York counties.) The meetings will be held on August 5th, August 6th, and August 7th respectively. At the meetings Staff will describe the 315 area code relief options under consideration. Question and answer periods will follow.

 

Wyoming

The Public Service Commission granted CenturyLink’s petition for a contested case hearing to reconsider the Wyoming Universal Service Fund assessment level for the 12 months beginning July 1, 2013, the PSC’s determination of the statewide weighted average and the associated 130% benchmark, and the distributions to be made to Qwest and United. CenturyLink alleges that: (1) the Fund Manager incorrectly calculated the USF distributions for the 2013-2014 Fiscal Year resulting in recommended distributions to Qwest and United that are more than both should receive; (2) for the most recent five fiscal years combined, the companies received less USF support than they should have; and (3) if they receive too much USF support for the current fiscal year, the assessment level for Wyoming customers is too high. TMI will continue to monitor this proceeding.

 

Regulatory Briefing

 

Telecom Regulatory Fees and Assessments

 

Technologies Management, Inc. is hosting the Free 1/2 Day  VoIP Workshop at COMPTEL PLUS on Thursday, September 16, 2013. Sessions begin at 8:30 a.m. at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Conference Center in Orlando, Florida. Click this link for details.