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.
TELECOM
FCC
Open Meeting
The FCC released the tentative agenda for its next open meeting scheduled for Thursday, December 12, 2013. The agenda is as follows:
- Increasing Consumer Access to In-Flight Mobile Wireless Services: The FCC will consider a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to revise outdated rules and provide airlines with the ability to permit passengers to use mobile wireless services via onboard airborne access systems.
- Improving 911 Reliability: The FCC will consider a Report and Order that takes critical steps to improve the reliability and resiliency of 911 networks nationwide.
- Technology Transitions Policy Task Force Presentation: The FCC will receive a status update on the Task Force’s work towards making near-term recommendations related to the FCC’s expectations and role in the IP transition.
- Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Presentation: The FCC will receive an update on FCC and industry efforts to promote mobile wireless device unlocking.
In connection with the first item, FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler issued the following statement: “Today, we circulated a proposal to expand consumer access and choice for in-flight mobile broadband. Modern technologies can deliver mobile services in the air safely and reliably, and the time is right to review our outdated and restrictive rules. I look forward to working closely with my colleagues, the FAA, and the airline industry on this review of new mobile opportunities for consumers.”
FCC
Inmate Calling Service Rates
The FCC denied two Petitions for Stay of its new Inmate Calling Service (ICS) rules, including rate caps for interstate ICS. The FCC found that the petitions (filed by Securus Technologies, Inc., and Global Tel*Link) failed to meet the established test for granting a stay. The FCC also denied a request to hold in abeyance the Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking portion of the Order. A third petition, filed by a group correctional institutions, will be addressed in a separate order.
As indicated in our November 13, 213, Regulatory Mix, the FCC’s ICS rate cap rules will become effective February 11, 2014. By that date, all rates, fees, and ancillary charges for interstate ICS must be cost based. However, the rule requiring annual reporting and certification and the mandatory one-time data collection will not be effective until after they are approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The FCC will announce the effective date for those requirements after OMB approval has been obtained. Comments on the Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking due December 13, 2013; reply comments are due December 30, 2013.
Texas
The PUC amended its Lifeline and Link Up rules. The amendments are intended to conform the Texas rules to the FCC’s new Lifeline requirements. The rule amendments will become effective November 25, 2013. See TMI Regulatory Bulletin dated 11/18/13.
See sample of CLEC Lifeline Requirements here.
Download a demo version of the Institutiona Rates Summary that includes Inmate Rate Caps.
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