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
At its April 17, 2015 Open Meeting, the FCC adopted rules for the Citizens Broadband Radio Service that create a new spectrum band and authorize advanced spectrum sharing among commercial and federal operators. Specifically, the Report and Order adopts spectrum sharing techniques to create a new three tiered commercial radio service spanning 3550 MHz to 3700 MHz. The action adds 100 megahertz of spectrum newly available for wireless broadband to the 50 megahertz of spectrum already available for commercial use in that band. The use of advanced spectrum-sharing technology will allow wireless broadband systems to share spectrum with military radars and other incumbent systems, while protecting important federal missions. At the same time, the FCC adopted a Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking comment on several focused topics related to implementation of the rules adopted in the Report and Order.
West Virginia
The PSC seeks comment on whether a new statute affects the provision of telecommunications relay service in the state. In March 2015 the PSC proposed amendments to the Rules Governing Certification and Operation of Telecommunications Relay Service. Comments on the proposed rules may be filed no later than May 18, 2015. TMI Regulatory Bulletin Service subscribers see Bulletin dated 3/24/15. The Governor recently signed Senate Bill 576 into law, which takes effect June 8, 2015. Under the new law, the PSC will not have jurisdiction of internet protocol enabled communications service or VoIP enabled communications service. TMI Regulatory Bulletin Service subscribers see Bulletin dated April 17, 2015. Therefore, the PSC is now seeking comments regarding the effect of the new law, if any, upon the process to obtain a certificate of convenience and necessity to provide TRS service as well as the operation of TRS service in West Virginia. Comments on any impact of the law will also be due no later than May 18, 2015.
