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
The FCC announced the establishment of ET Docket No. 14-143 relating to the Technological Advisory Council (TAC) Working Group on Mobile Device Theft Prevention (MDTP). The new docket will allow industry and consumers to share information to supplement the efforts of the working group. The FCC asking for comment and input from the public on proposals, efforts, and materials that will aid the TAC MDTP Working Group in accomplishing the goals and objectives of the Mission Statement and better serve the needs of consumers. The TAC working group is charged with exploring the problem of mobile device theft and developing industry-wide recommendations for the FCC to deter and mitigate mobile device theft.
Kansas
The Kansas Corporation Commission opened a proceeding to consider adjustments to rural ILEC (RLEC) originating switched end office and traffic sensitive transport rates to be effective in July 2015. To aid in facilitating the RLEC’s adjustments, RLECs must file certain information contained in an attachment to the Commission’s order by September 16, 2014. The procedural schedule calls for a Commission order by January 4, 2015.
Separately, the Commission opened a proceeding to consider changes to the Kansas Universal Service Fund (KUSF) assessment effective March 1, 2015. The docket will also determine the affordable local service rate for rate-of-return regulated ILECs. CenturyLink and the RLECs must file their September 30, 2014, access line data and their October 1, 2014, residential and single-line business rates, by rate group, and resulting local revenue increases, by October 17, 2014. Since it is no longer receiving KUSF support, Southwestern Bell Telephone Company need only file its September 30, 2014, access line data by that date. The procedural schedule calls for an evidentiary hearing on January 13, 2015, and a final order by January 23, 2015.
Montana
The PSC scheduled a hearing for September 22, 2014, to consider CenturyLink’s petition for waiver of the statutory requirement to file tariffs or price lists for regulated telecommunications services. Specifically, CenturyLink is seeking to be subject to the same requirements as CLECs. In 2000, the PSC allowed CLECs to cease filing initial tariffs or price lists and to withdraw all tariffs or price lists previously filed. CenturyLink said its request is based on the intense competition it is currently facing in Montana. In August 2014, CenturyLink and the Montana Consumer Counsel filed a Joint Stipulation and Settlement Agreement which would revise CenturyLink’s Alternative Form of Regulation plan and require that certain services remain tariffed. TMI Regulatory Bulletin Service Subscribers, watch for a Bulletin when the Commission issues a final decision.
