Category: Blog

Divided FCC Mandates New Customer Data Breech Rules

Divided FCC Mandates New Customer Data Breech Rules

On December 13, 2004, in Docket 22-21 a split FCC voted 3-2 to update and broaden its 16-year-old data breach notification rules to ensure “that providers of telecommunications, interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), and telecommunications relay services (TRS) adequately safeguard sensitive customer information.” The Report and Order (Order) was opposed by the two Republican […]

FCC Order Seeks Elimination of Illegal Robotexting

FCC Order Seeks Elimination of Illegal Robotexting

At its upcoming December 13, 2023, meeting, the FCC is expected to adopt a Second Report and Order, Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM) and Waiver Order (Waiver) in Docket 02-278 as its attempts to stop the growing problem of illegal robotexting.  According to the Commission, the Order would enlist service providers in the […]

FCC Adopts Broadband Digital Discrimination Rules

In a Report and Order (Order) and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) adopted November 15, 2023, in Docket 22-69 a split FCC adopted rules to prevent and eliminate broadband digital discrimination. The Commission takes this action do to the Congressional 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act which requires it to adopt rules ensuring that […]

Mobile Providers Must Increase Accessibility to Wireless Emergency Alerts

On October 19, 2023, the FCC released a Third Report and Order (Order) in Docket 15-91, adopting rules to improve Wireless Emergency Alerts. These include making WEA messages available in more than a dozen additional languages, including American Sign Language (ASL); adding increased functionality; and providing public information on where and how WEA is available. […]

FCC Proposes to Reinstate Net Neutrality

Despite warnings that it is not needed, and that it will almost certainly be rejected by the Supreme Court, the new fully staffed FCC re-introduced Net Neutrality at its October 19, 2023, meeting.  The new Net Neutrality proposal will be subject to industry comments in a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in Docket 23-320.  Comments will be due on December 14, 2023.

Democratic Legal Experts Urge FCC to Avoid Net Neutrality Fight

It is no secret that Democrats are chomping at the bits to re-institute the Obama-era Net Neutrality rules.  Under that administration, the FCC classified broadband Internet access service as a telecommunications service regulated under Title II of the Telecommunications Act after years of light Title I regulation.  While this ensured that the ISPs could not discriminate against particular Internet traffic it also gave the Commission authority over ISP rates, terms and conditions.  Moreover, critics claimed that such imposing regulations stifled investment and innovation.

FCC Order Would Reduce VoIP Provider Access to Telephone Numbers

As we welcome Anna Gomez to the FCC as its fifth commissioner, we ought to be prepared for an avalanche of new regulations, including the return of net neutrality, additional control of broadband services and an increased focus on consumer protections.