FCC Launches Proceeding to Determine Future of Universal Service Fund
The FCC ends the year looking toward the future. The recently enacted Infrastructure Act (Act) allocates $65 billion to broadband development.
The FCC ends the year looking toward the future. The recently enacted Infrastructure Act (Act) allocates $65 billion to broadband development.
In a Fourth Report and Order (Order) released December 10, 2021 in Docket 17-97, the FCC has shortened the amount of time provided to small voice service providers that are not facilities-based. They will now be required to implement STIR/SHAKEN in the IP portions of their networks no later than June 30, 2022.
Industry comments and reply comments were filed over the last few weeks regarding the FCC’s request to refresh the record for Docket 17-142. In this proceeding the Commission is attempting to bring additional broadband choices to multiple tenant environments (MTEs) such as apartments, condominiums and shopping malls.
Inmates have always had issues communicating with their friends and family by phone. They are typically poor but must (usually) deal with a monopoly provider free to charge them prices well above cost. It’s been a recognized problem for years in our industry.
Arizona Senator Krysten Sinema is a thorn in Joe Biden’s side. She, along with West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin have opposed his Build Back Better proposal because of the massive price tag, and now she may also oppose his new FCC pick Gigi Sohn
In a widely expected Order in Docket 11-42 released on November 5th, the FCC paused the scheduled phaseout of Lifeline support for voice-only service until December 31, 2022.
Last week, President Biden finally made his picks for FCC Commissioners, and the two women nominated constitute a veritable “dream team” for net neutrality and regulatory advocates. As expected, Biden chose Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel to become permanent FCC Chairman.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) released a comprehensive study on October 21, 2021, analyzing how six major ISPs use their customer data. It is likely to have serious implications for our industry.
Industry comments in Docket 13-97 were filed on October 14, 2021, regarding the FCC’s proposal to add new regulations for VoIP providers to follow when they seek direct access to numbers.
In 2020, the FCC decided that 8YY abuse was out of control. After a contentious proceeding, it adopted rules transitioning certain originating 8YY access charges to bill-and-keep and capping 8YY database query charges at $0.0002.