On November 17, 2022, the FCC released an Order and Further Rulemaking adopting rules requiring Internet service providers (“ISPs”) to display — at the point of sale — labels that disclose information about:  Prices and fees (including introductory rates or discounts) applicable to the services being purchased, Data allowances and broadband speeds, and Information about …

FCC Orders all ISPs to Implement Broadband ‘Nutrition Labels’ Disclosing Charges, Speeds, Limitations and Other Terms of Service Read More »

On October 24, 2022, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) released Decision 21-10-021 in Rulemaking Docket 21-03-002 wherein the CPUC adopted the Administrative Law Judge’s proposed order implementing a new surcharge mechanism that fundamentally transforms California’s universal service, lifeline and public interest programs, commonly known in the industry as the “California Combined surcharge” (CA Combined)(the …

California Transforms CA Combined Surcharge; Effective April 2023, Access Line Based Contribution Methodology Replaces Revenue-Based System Read More »

As delineated in a recent Client Advisory, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC” or “Commission”) is proposing new rules to mitigate malicious robotext campaigns. The FCC is soliciting public comments on whether to require mobile wireless providers to, among other things, find and actively block illegal texts, as well as ideas to apply caller ID authentication …

CALL TO ACTION! Seeking Additional Stakeholders Interested in Filing Joint Comments in FCC’s RoboText Mitigation Rulemaking Proceeding; Must Act Fast! Read More »

The FCC’s Robocall Response Team today announced first-of-their-kind Enforcement Bureau orders to begin removing seven voice service providers from the agency’s Robocall Mitigation Database. The orders demanded that Akabis, Cloud4, Global UC, Horizon Technology Group, Morse Communications, Sharon Telephone Company, and SW Arkansas Telecommunications and Technology show cause within 14 days as to why the …

FCC Enforcement Bureau Orders 7 Providers to Show Cause Why They Should Not Have Traffic Blocked for Alleged Non-Compliance With Robocall Mitigation Rules Read More »

Yesterday, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released a Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture (NAL), proposing a $153,000 penalty against PayG, LLC, d/b/a Skyswitch, for its alleged failure to: (a) cooperate with the revenue reporting verification functions (i.e., “contributor audits”) performed by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) on behalf of the FCC, (b) file …

FCC Proposes $153,000 Penalty Against VoIP Provider Whose Outsourced Compliance Vendor Allegedly Failed to Respond to USAC Read More »

TIME-SENSITIVE REGULATORY COMPLIANCE NOTICE:  Annual Regulatory Fees Payable to the Federal Communications Commission Due No Later than September 28, 2022 Nearly all Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) licensees and other regulated entities must pay regulatory fees annually to offset costs associated with the FCC’s enforcement, public service, international, policy, and rulemaking activities. Fee amounts …

FCC Annual Regulatory Fees Due by September 28th – 25% PENALTY for Late Payment Read More »

On August 30, 2022, the California Public Utilities Commission (“CPUC” or “Commission”) issued an Order Instituting a Rulemaking to consider issues related to licensing of interconnected VoIP (“I-VoIP”) providers.  In particular, the CPUC will examine its authority to regulate nomadic I-VoIP providers, specifically to (a) collect state Universal Service Fund (“USF”) surcharges; and (b) adopt …

FOR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION! California Opens Rulemaking Proceeding to Determine Future Regulatory Framework Applicable to VoIP Services; Clock is Ticking and the Time to Voice Your Concerns is Now! Read More »

The United State Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) has announced that it will begin accepting applications for the next round of funding through its Rural Development Broadband ReConnect Program (“ReConnect 4”) beginning September 6, 2022. The application window closes on November 2, 2022. Reconnect 4 provides loans, grants, and loan/grant combinations to facilitate broadband deployment in …

Reconnect 4 Rural Broadband Funding Application Window Opens On September 6, 2022 Read More »

On August 11, 2022, Public Knowledge, Communications Workers of America, Center for Rural Strategies, National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates, Next Century Cities, the Public Utility Law Project of New York, and the Utility Reform Network (hereafter, Public Knowledge, et. al), filed an amended petition for declaratory ruling, asking the FCC to classify interconnected …

Public Knowledge, et al., Amends Petition Asking FCC to Classify Interconnected VoIP as a Title II Telecommunications Service Read More »

The FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau recently announced the proposed North American Numbering Plan (NANP) administration fund size estimate and contribution factor for the fiscal year October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2023 (Fiscal Year 2023). Proper funding of NANP administration ensures that consumers will continue to have access to the numbering resources essential to the …

Proposed NANPA Fund Contribution Factor of 0.00853% Announced by FCC (More than 1/3 Higher than Prior Year Factor of 0.00535%) Read More »