Reminder: CPNI Certification due March 1, 2024; Telecom Carriers and Interconnected VoIP Service Providers Must File
Customer Proprietary Network Information (“CPNI”) Certifications must be filed with the FCC by March 1. Under the FCC’s rules, all providers of telecommunications and interconnected VoIP services must file a CPNI Certification with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) which describes, in detail, the policies and procedures a service provider has instituted to safeguard CPNI and […]
FCC Chair Announces Anticipated Wind Down of Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)
We wish to bring to your attention the recent developments concerning the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) initiated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Overview: FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel announced the impending steps to wind down the ACP due to the projected exhaustion of funding by April. The ACP has been instrumental in providing high-speed internet access to nearly 23 million […]
FCC’s Authorization of 850 MHz of Unlicensed 6 GHz Spectrum for Internet of Things Effective March 8, 2024: New Opportunities Proliferate for High-Speed Advanced Technologies, Including Augmented and Virtual Reality
In November 2023, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC” or “Commission”) released its Second Report and Order, Second Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, and Memorandum Report and Order on Remand (“R&O”) which provides for expanded and flexible use of the U–NII–5 (5.925–6.425 GHz) and U–NII–7 (6.525–6.875 GHz) bands. The crux of the R&O is the Commission’s promulgation […]
Corporate Transparency Act Goes into Force; Most Businesses Must Report Beneficial Ownership Information to FinCEN: Existing Companies Have Until 2025 To File; New Entities Must File Within 90 Days of Formation
On January 1, 2024, the bipartisan Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA”) went into force. It requires most entities to report and timely update the information about their primary owners and officers (beneficial owners) with the Department of Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”). Existing entities have until January 1, 2025, to file the initial report, but […]
REMINDER: Important Regulatory Compliance Deadline – One-Time Information Collection Filing Window for International Section 214 Authorization Holders
As delineated in our previous client advisory, The Federal Communications Commission (the “FCC” or the “Commission”) is conducting a one-time collection for all international section 214 authorization holders. The purpose of the information request is to update the Commission’s records regarding foreign ownership. All Authorization Holders are required to file their responses in the One-Time […]
Potential $100M Settlement for Verizon Mobile Phone Customers over Discretionary Surcharge Practices Involving Administrative or Cost Recovery Fees
Most telecom service providers impose various “discretionary” surcharges on their customers. A discretionary surcharge is one that is not mandated by any law or regulation, but is otherwise permitted, subject to certain strictures and limitations. Such discretionary surcharges may include “Administrative,” “Cost Recovery,” or similarly named fees. An anticipated multi-million dollar class action settlement is […]
New Robocall Mitigation Rules Take Effect January 8, 2024 and FCC Releases Quarterly Traceback Reports; Compliance is Critical
As delineated in our previous client alert, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC” or “Commission”) has promulgated new robocall mitigation requirements on U.S. voice service providers (“VSPs”). Most of the new rules will be effective as of January 8, 2024. Note that one of the rules – the FCC’s mandate for filing updated robocall mitigation plans […]
Recent 11th U.S. Circuit Court Decision on FCC’s Authority and Delegation of Universal Service Fund Oversight
We would like to bring to your attention a recent development in the legal landscape concerning the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) authority in overseeing the distribution of government advanced telecommunications subsidy funds. On December 14, the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued a ruling affirming the FCC’s constitutional authority to delegate the administration of […]
FCC’s Updated Breach Notification Rules – Key Changes and Implications for VOIP, TRS and Other Providers of Telecommunications Services
Yesterday, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to adopt the updated breach notification rules for telecommunications, interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service providers (carriers), and telecommunications relay service (TRS) providers. This significant development, highlighted in the draft Report and Order, aims to address the evolving landscape of data breaches and enhance the protection of […]
FCC USF Fee Factor Increases to 34.6% from 34.5% for Q1 2024
The FCC Managing Director issued a Public Notice on December 14, 2023, announcing the proposed Universal Service Fund (“USF”) contribution factor for the first quarter of 2024 will be .1% higher from the previous quarter’s 34.5%. Any reforms of the USF contribution system will likely take months — and potentially longer — to materialize in any meaningful […]
Important Regulatory Compliance Deadline – One-Time Information Collection Filing Window for International Section 214 Authorization Holders
Earlier today, the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Office of International Affairs (OIA) released a Public Notice announcing the opening of a one-time information collection filing window for all companies holding an International Section 214 Authorization (FCC 214 License or 214 Authorization) to provide the FCC with updated foreign ownership information. As our firm previously advised […]
FCC Releases Enforcement Advisory and Outlines Carrier Obligations to Prevent SIM Fraud
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has issued an Enforcement Advisory addressing the increasing threat of fraudulent Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) swapping schemes. The Enforcement Advisory comes on the heels of the Commission’s proposed a $20 million fine against Q Link Wireless and Hello Mobile Telecom for apparent failures to protect subscribers’ CPNI, violating data security […]
International Cybersecurity Consortium Led by U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and UK NCSC Adopt Guidelines for Secure AI System Development, Setting Baseline Standards for the Industry’s Self-Regulation
23 domestic and international cybersecurity organizations representing all continents, with contributions from several Big Tech companies and research institutions, recently published the Guidelines for Secure AI System Development. This publication marks a significant step in addressing the intersection of artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and critical infrastructure. The Guidelines, complementing the U.S. Voluntary Commitments on Ensuring Safe, Secure, […]
Key EU Institutions Reach Agreement on Artificial Intelligence Act; Final Text to Be Released in 2024; The New Act Expected to Have a Worldwide Impact
Late Friday night, following the months-long Trilogue[1] negotiations between the European Parliament, Council, and Commission the EU reached a provisional agreement on the proposal on harmonized rules on artificial intelligence (AI), also known as the Artificial Intelligence Act. Much like the GDPR, it is expected to have a worldwide impact. The draft aims to ensure […]
FCC To Collaborate with the Attorneys General of Connecticut, Illinois, New York, and Pennsylvania to Address Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Enforcement
On Wednesday, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced the formalization of agreements with four states—Connecticut, Illinois, New York, and Pennsylvania—to collaboratively address privacy, data protection, and cybersecurity enforcement. Through the signing of memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with the attorneys general of these states, the FCC aims to establish a unified approach, leveraging shared expertise and […]
FCC Seeks Comment on the Impact of Artificial Intelligence on FCC’s Efforts to Protect Consumers from Unwanted Robocalls and Robotexts Under TCPA
On November 15, 2023, the FCC adopted a Notice of Inquiry (NOI) that seeks comment to better understand the impact of emerging artificial intelligence (AI) technologies as part of the FCC’s efforts to protect consumers from unwanted and illegal telephone calls and text messages under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). The NOI seeks comment […]
