Today’s Regulatory Mix:  California Issues Data Request to All Inmate Providers, FCC Releases 2020 Communications Marketplace Report, FCC Revises Invoicing Rules Regarding E-Rate Program 

 

inmate phonesCalifornia Issues Data Request to All Inmate Providers 

The California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) Communications Division (CD) is requiring a response to a data request from all service providers who provide communications services in California that are utilized by incarcerated people.  A response is not required if a provider (including affiliates/third parties) does not provide intrastate communications services in California utilized by incarcerated people.  Inteserra Briefing Service subscribers see Briefing dated 12/30/21 

 

 

FCC Entrance Feb 2020 Shutterstock-1FCC Releases 2020 Communications Marketplace Report 

The FCC has released its 2020 report on the communications marketplace.  Every two years, the FCC is required to publish a Communications Marketplace Report that, among other things, assesses generally the state of competition across the broader communications marketplace, including competition to deliver voice, video, audio, and data services among providers of telecommunications, providers of commercial mobile service, multichannel video programming distributors, broadcast stations, providers of satellite communications, Internet service providers, and other providers of communications services. 

With this second 2020 Communications Marketplace Report, the FCC fulfills the requirement set forth in RAY BAUM’S Act of 2018 to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the state of competition in the communications marketplace in the United States.  As required, this Report assesses the state of all forms of competition in the communications marketplace; the state of deployment of communications capabilities; barriers to competitive entry, including market entry barriers for entrepreneurs and other small businesses.  Further, this Report describes the actions taken by the FCC in the previous two years to address challenges and opportunities in the communications marketplace. It also discusses the actions taken by the FCC to help Americans in the face of the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic.  Finally, this Report discusses the FCC’s agenda for continuing to address the challenges and opportunities in front of us over the next two years. 

 

COVID 19 STATE REGULATORY ACTION LIST

 

 

FCC Revises Invoicing Rules Regarding E-Rate Program 

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has issued an order to allow E-Rate applicants and service providers up to 120 days to submit invoices after the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) approves a post-commitment request.  This rule change will become effective 30 days after publication in the Federal Register (Register).  Any applicants or service providers that were unable to timely file an invoice due to a delay of a USAC post-commitment change or resolution of a successful appeal for funding years 2014 or later may request a waiver within 60 days from the Order’s publication in the Register.  Inteserra Briefing Service subscribers see Briefing dated 1/4/21 

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The Regulatory Mix, Inteserra’s blog of telecom related 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 an Inteserra Briefing.