regulatory mixThe 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

Preemption

The FCC is seeking comment on two petitions asking it to preempt state laws that restrict the ability of municipalities to provide broadband service. The first petition was filed by the Electric Power Board, an independent board of the City of Chattanooga, Tennessee that provides electric and broadband service in the Chattanooga area. The second petition was filed by the City of Wilson, which provides electric service in six counties in eastern North Carolina and broadband service in Wilson County. Both Petitioners allege that state laws restrict their ability to expand their broadband service offerings to surrounding areas where customers have expressed interest in these services, and they request that the FCC preempt such laws. Comments are due August 29, 2014; reply comments are due September 29, 2014.

 

NDBEDP

The FCC announced the selection of the Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youth and Adults (HKNC) for certification to participate in the National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program (NDBEDP) for the state of Iowa, effective August 1, 2014. The new selection was made because the entity currently serving Iowa informed the FCC that it would they be unable to continue to participate in the NDBEDP and would be relinquishing its certifications.  See the Regulatory Mix dated 7/7/14

 

Kansas

The State Corporation Commission of Kansas has waived its regulations related to paper filing and copies of filings. It encourages parties having business before the Commission to electronically file all documents via the Commission’s website, e-filing EXPRESS. It said that paper filings “should only be made as a last resort.”  The regulations related to paper filing and copies of filings will be waived until the Commission formally revises its rules to require electronic filing. In a companion order, the Commission also authorized any party filing via the Commission’s Electronic Filing System, e-filing EXPRESS, to serve that filing electronically without serving an original hard copy.

 

Learn about TMI’s Telecom Regulatory Workshop & Seminar October 23 & 24, 2014.

 

VoIP (Digital Phone) Requirements

 

Telecom Regulatory Fees and Assessments

 

Regulatory Briefing