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
Average Schedule Formula
The FCC is seeking comment on the National Exchange Carrier Association, Inc.’s (NECA) proposed modification to the average schedule formulas for interstate settlements for the period July 1, 2015, through June 30, 2016. The formula changes would increase settlement rates by 6.6% at constant demand. NECA said that most of the settlement increases are attributed to increases in Common Line (CL) and Non-DSL formulas for medium and large study areas. These increases in CL and Non-DSL formulas are attributable to significant increases in Cable and Wire Facilities investment reported by sample average schedule study areas, higher account growth, and significant reductions in access lines and Non-DSL demand. The increases are partly offset by decreases in the DSL Basic formula. Comments are due February 17, 2015; reply comments are due February 27, 2015.
Wi-Fi Blocking
The FCC issued an Enforcement Advisory warning hotels and other commercial establishments that blocking of personal Wi-Fi networks or hot spots is prohibited and that persons or businesses causing intentional interference to Wi-Fi hot spots are subject to enforcement action. The Advisory states that: “[n]o hotel, convention center, or other commercial establishment or the network operator providing services at such establishments may intentionally block or disrupt personal Wi-Fi hot spots on such premises, including as part of an effort to force consumers to purchase access to the property owner’s Wi-Fi network. Such action is illegal and violations could lead to the assessment of substantial monetary penalties.” The Advisory notes that, since it announced its Consent Decree with Marriott International, Inc. See the Regulatory Mix dated October 6, 2014, the Enforcement Bureau has received several complaints that other commercial Wi-Fi network operators may be disrupting the operation of personal Wi-Fi hot spots. The Bureau is currently investigating these complaints and “will take appropriate action against violators.” Consumers that have reason to believe their personal Wi-Fi hot spot has been blocked can file a complaint with the FCC at www.fcc.gov/complaints or by calling 1-888-CALL-FCC.
TMI Telecom Regulatory Semianr and Workshop April 30 – May1, 2015 in Maitland, Florida.