The Regulatory Mix

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 (Bureau) announced the opening of its Public Safety Support Center (PSSC).  The PSSC is a web-based, one-stop portal to enable Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) and other public safety entities to request support or information from the Bureau and to notify it of problems or issues impacting the provision of emergency services.  The PSSC will handle notifications of service outages, complaints related to carrier provision of location information, and register issues or submit inquiries regarding PSAP or Public Safety operations or FCC rules and regulations.  Types of notifications and requests include: (1) 911 Service Outage; (2) Phase 1/Phase 2 Deployments; (3) E911 Location Accuracy; (4) Text-to-911 Service; (5) Fraudulent/Non-Service Initialized 911 Calls; (6) Request an Update to Master PSAP Registry; (7) Interference to Public Safety Services or Devices; and (8)Tower Lighting Outages.  The PSSC is distinct from the FCC’s Consumer Complaint Center, which will continue to handle consumer inquiries and complaints, including consumer complaints about access to 911 emergency services.  The PSSC is accessible at https://www.fcc.gov/public-safety-support-center.

 

911

The National Association of State 911 Administrators (NASNA) released a white paper addressing best practices for coordination between 911 and emergency management agencies.  The document is intended be used as a tool for local and state 911 managers and authorities to identify practical things they can do to ensure that 911 is part of what emergency managers do.  The document addresses opportunities for cooperation and collaboration and best practices and includes a discussion of success stories in Pennsylvania, Washington, Texas, and New Hampshire.

 

NTIA

The National Telecommunications & Information Administration’s BroadbandUSA initiative released a guide  to key federal programs that offer funding for broadband-related projects.  The guide is intended to answer questions from communities on how to access federal funding to support broadband planning, public access, digital literacy, adoption, and deployment.  The guide discusses funding available through the Appalachian Regional Commission, the FCC, the Agriculture Department’s Rural Utilities Service, the Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration, and the Institute of Museum and Library Service’s Office of Library Services.  The guide will be updated periodically. 

 

New York

In June 2015, the PSC requested comments on a Department of Public Service (DPS) assessment on the state of telecommunications in New York.  Comments were originally due by August 24, 2015.  TMI Regulatory Bulletin Service subscribers see Bulletin dated 7/9/15.  In August 2015, the PSC extended the deadline for comments to October 23, 2015, “in order to facilitate meaningful input, accommodate various schedules, and promote the fair, orderly and efficient conduct of this proceeding.” 

 

FCC 911 Reliability Certifiction Assistance

 

VoIP (Digital Phone) Requirements

 

Contact Us About  Inteserra

 

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