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’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau announced an update to its Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) Text-to-911 Readiness and Certification Registry. The Registry lists PSAPs that are ready to receive text-to-911 messages and provides notice to CMRS and other providers of interconnected text messaging services of the date of PSAP readiness. Covered providers must begin routing 911 text messages to requesting PSAPs within six months of the notice date. The updated Text-to-911 Registry reflects recent information reported to the Bureau since the Bureau’s April 7, 2015, update as well as clarifications to previously submitted information. See the Regulatory Mix dated 4/8/15. The Registry lists each PSAP by FCC PSAP ID and name, the county of operation, the primary point of contact for coordinating text-to-911 service, the method by which the PSAP will accept texts, the state or local governing entity authorizing the PSAP to accept texts, the notice date of PSAP readiness, and the date of compliance for covered providers. The Registry is available here.
New Mexico
The Public Regulation Commission found that CenturyLink QC qualifies as a mid-size carrier and should be regulated under the Commission’s rules for mid-size carriers. Rules relating to interconnection and intercarrier disputes will continue to apply to CenturyLink until the Commission orders otherwise. CenturyLink was directed to file a petition for rulemaking addressing any necessary changes in the mid-size carrier rules and the interconnection rules by May 23, 2015. CenturyLink’s regulation as a mid-size carrier will take effect May 1, 2015. TMI Regulatory Bulletin Service subscribers see Bulletin dated 4/23/15.
Washington
In February 2015, the Utilities and Transportation Commission staff filed a complaint against Qwest Corporation d/b/a CenturyLink QC (CenturyLink). The complaint alleges violations of Commission rules arising from a 911 service outage affecting Washington residents on April 9-10, 2014. The Commission will hold an evidentiary hearing in this matter on December 7 and 8, 2015.
ENERGY
Pennsylvania
The PUC announced a series of enhancements to www.PAPowerSwitch.com, the agency’s consumer-education website with information on shopping for electric suppliers, consumer alerts and reminders, educational videos and more. New PAPowerSwitch upgrades incl
- Easier navigation on a streamlined homepage;
- A zip code search on the homepage, leading to a graphic snapshot about savings opportunities, rates and options in a specific area;
- Larger and brighter consumer alerts on the homepage, notifying viewers of upcoming default rate changes, and other pertinent reminders;
- A prominent “Education” button, directing users to videos and information about switching power, understanding your bill, how to choose a supplier, fixed and variable rates and consumer rights and protections; and
- A “Ways to Save” button, guiding consumers to a factual page on opportunities to conserve energy and save money.