Today’s Regulatory Mix: FCC Acting Chair Rosenworcel Proposes Rules to Combat Rise of Robotexts, FCC Extends Deadline for Comments on the FNPRM Inmate Calling Services Proceeding, RWA Files Ex Parte to Tell FCC that Early 3G Sunset Harms Rural Americans
FCC Acting Chair Rosenworcel Proposes Rules to Combat Rise of Robotexts
Federal Communications Commission Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel shared a proposed rulemaking that would require mobile wireless providers to block illegal text messaging, building on the agency’s ongoing work to stop illegal and unwanted robocalls. As the FCC continues to combat unwanted robocalls, it recognizes that it must adapt to the latest scamming trends—including the rise of robotexts.
“In a world where so many of us rely heavily on texting to stay connected with our friends and family, ensuring the integrity of this communication is vitally important,” said Acting Chairwoman Rosenworcel. “We’ve seen a rise in scammers trying to take advantage of our trust of text messages by sending bogus robotexts that try to trick consumers to share sensitive information or click on malicious links. It’s time we take steps to confront this latest wave of fraud and identify how mobile carriers can block these automated messages before they have the opportunity to cause any harm.”
If adopted by a vote of the full Commission, the rulemaking would explore steps to protect consumers from illegal robotexts, including network level blocking and applying caller authentication standards to text messaging.
FCC Extends Deadline for Comments on the FNPRM Inmate Calling Services Proceeding
The FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau has extended the deadline for filing reply comments on the fifth further notice of proposed rulemaking (FNPRM) in the agency’s WC docket 12-275 inmate calling services (ICS) proceeding.
RWA Files Ex Parte to Inform FCC That Early 3G Sunset Harms Rural Americans
The Rural Wireless Association (RWA) filed an ex parte to apprise the Federal Communications Commission of the results of RWA’s member survey concerning the ongoing impact of the 3G sunset on rural consumers, and of the need for the carriers to implement Voice over Long-Term Evolution (VoLTE) roaming before 3G is shut down nationwide. RWA carrier members across the country are receiving reports from their rural customers of degraded or nonexistent 3G coverage in advance of the 3G sunset deadlines announced by nationwide carriers.
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.
