Intelligent Telecom Data Solutions
In the forty years I have been covering the telecommunications industry there has never been a year filled with more new regulations propagated by the FCC than this year. Between treating ISPs as public utilities, fighting so-called broadband discrimination, and lately requiring broadband labeling, the Commission continues to hamper investment in the Internet and stymies […]
On April 26, the FCC released a Second Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Notice) in Docket 18-336, proposing improvements for wireless call routing to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline that would connect callers in crisis to behavioral health resources in their current state or county. Calls to 988 are today routed based on the calling phone’s […]
It’s only April, but it has already been a bad year for ISPs. Yesterday, the FCC voted to reinstate the Net Neutrality rules, including reclassifying broadband Internet access service as a telecommunications service. For now, all ISPs will be treated as public utilities like electric companies. It won’t stand for long, but for now, Title […]
In its most predictable decision ever, the FCC is going to use its April 25, 2024, meeting to approve a Declaratory Ruling, Order, Report and Order and Order on Reconsideration in Docket 23-320 to once again make Net Neutrality the law of the land. The Commission’s actions will almost certainly be appealed to the federal […]
The comment period has ended in the ongoing FCC proceeding to reinstate the federal Net Neutrality rules in Docket 23-320. There should be no doubt that despite the vehement opposition from broadband providers, the Commission has already decided to (1) reclassify broadband Internet access service (BIAS) as a Title II telecommunications service; (2) forbid blocking, […]
In November, in a Report and Order (Order) in Docket 22-69, the FCC adopted rules to prevent and eliminate broadband digital discrimination. The Commission took this action to comply with the 2021 Federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which requires that all Americans have equal access to reliable, high-speed broadband services without discrimination. With these […]
On February 22, 2024, the FCC released its annual Section 706 Report (Report), in Docket No. 22-270, titled “Inquiry Concerning Deployment of Advanced Telecommunications Capability to All Americans in a Reasonable and Timely Fashion.” The latest 706 Report is the Commission’s first since Congress passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the first to […]
In a Declaratory Ruling in Docket 23-362, released on February 8, 2024, the FCC unanimously found that calls made with AI-generated voices are “artificial” and therefore unlawful under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). The ruling is effective immediately and will provide state attorneys general with a new weapon to pursue the bad actors in […]
At its upcoming meeting on February 15, 2024, the FCC is expected to approve an Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Further Notice) in Docket 02-278 that would use the federal Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) to (1) strengthen the ability of consumers to reject unwanted robocalls and robotexts; (2) make it easier for […]
The FCC is poised to require Commercial Mobile Radio Service (CMRS) providers to implement location-based routing for all 911 calls. The Report and Order (Order) in Docket 18-64 is expected to be approved at the Commission’s January 25, 2024, meeting. The agency explains its reasoning. Americans expect that every 911 call will be answered by […]