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.
FCC
Theft of mobile devices
The FCC’s Consumer and Governmental Affairs and Wireless Telecommunications Bureaus released the detailed agenda and speakers for the upcoming workshop on using technical solutions and best practices to reduce the theft of mobile devices. The workshop will be held on June 19, 2014. The workshop may be viewed at http://www.fcc.gov/live. Viewers may submit questions during the workshop via email at livequestions@fcc.gov and on Twitter using the “#MobileTheftWksp” hashtag.
Cybersecurity
In a recent speech before the American Enterprise Institute, FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler reflected on what he envisions as FCC’s role in addressing network security for the communications sector in the Internet age. He discussed a new paradigm for cyber readiness that begins with private sector leadership that recognizes how easily cyber threats cross corporate and national boundaries. Wheeler emphasized that this is a new regulatory paradigm “where the Commission relies on industry and the market first while preserving other options if that approach is unsuccessful.” He outlined the principles which will guide the FCC’s work and said he directed FCC staff to organize its cyber activities around three central pillars. They are: Information Sharing and Situational Awareness; Cybersecurity Risk Management and Best Practices; and Investment in Innovation and Professional Development.
Iowa
The Iowa Utilities Board released an order regarding the July 1, 2014, Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC) annual report filings. ETCs receiving federal high-cost support and ETCs receiving Lifeline support must file their FCC Form 481 reports with the Board or before July 1, 2014. ETCs receiving Mobility Fund Phase 1 must file their FCC Form 690 reports with Board or before July 1, 2014. The Board encourages ETCs to make their filings with the Board as soon as possible in advance of July 1, 2014. The order also contains filing instructions, including how to title the documents in the Board’s electronic filing system (EFS).
Oregon
The Public Utility Commission of Oregon adopted a second stipulation between Staff and various interested parties setting forth ETC filing requirements for 2014. ETCs will not be required to file the annual set of Oregon carrier reports for ETC recertification that would be due by July 15, 2014. Instead, they will file the Oregon portion of various reports filed with the FCC, including Forms 481 and 690. ETCs receiving only low-income support must provide the Oregon PUC with a report that includes all of the information specified in FCC rule 47 CFR §54.422(b) even if they do not submit Form 481 with this information to the FCC. The reports must be filed by the corresponding federal due dates.
Join Technologies Management Inc. (TMI) on June 26 at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT for a webinar on “ October 1, 2014 477 Filing Requirements.” Hal Stringer Manager, IT Solutions for TMI. This Webinar is being offered through the COMPTEL Webinar Program. Webinar registration is free. Deadline for registration is June 25. For more information, please e-mail education@comptel.org or call 202-296-6650.
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