Today’s Regulatory Mix: Emergency Broadband Benefits Program Underway, Federal Legislation Would Clarify FCC’s Ability to Regulate Inmate Calling Rates, NANPA Begins 488 NPA Code assignments in Florida 850 NPA
Emergency Broadband Benefits Program Underway
The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, the $3.2 billion federal initiative designed to lower the cost of high-speed internet for eligible households during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, launched today. In an announcement released by the FCC, Acting FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel predicted “This program will have a tremendous, positive impact on so many American households. It’s an investment in American families and a vote of confidence in the economic power of getting us all online.”
Federal Legislation Would Clarify FCC’s Ability to Regulate Inmate Calling Rates
United States Senators Rob Portman (R., Ohio), Tammy Duckworth (D., Ill.), Brian Schatz (D., Hawaii), and Cory Booker (D., N.J.) reintroduced the Martha Wright-Reed Just and Reasonable Communications Act (S 1541). According to a statement released by Senator Portman’s office, this legislation would authorize the FCC to regulate intrastate as well as interstate prison telecommunications services. “Without such policies in place, inmates and their families are forced to rely on a system that lacks adequate competition and often charges unreasonable rates,” the statement contends.
NANPA Begins 448 NPA Code Assignments in Florida 850 NPA
The North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA) sent an email today advising carriers that all assignable Central Office (CO) Codes in the Florida 850 NPA have been assigned. NANPA will start assigning CO codes from the new 448 NPA.
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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.