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!
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 […]
California Attorney General’s First CCPA Settlement Sends Strong Messages about Do Not Sell Enforcement and Will Cost Sephora $1.2 million
On August 24, 2022, the California Attorney General announced the first public settlement under the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 (CCPA), resolving an action against Sephora, Inc., a beauty product retailer, for ignoring requests from California customers not to sell their personal information, and for deceptively advertising to California residents that the company does […]
Reconnect 4 Rural Broadband Funding Application Window Opens On September 6, 2022
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 […]
FCC Punts Expansion of Universal Service Contribution Base and Changes to Contribution Methodology off to Congress
On August 15, 2022, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC” or the “Commission”) released a report to Congress on the future of the federal Universal Service Fund (FUSF) (the Report). The Report is required by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and offers recommendations for modifications to the FCC’s existing universal service programs in light […]
DC Circuit Upholds FCC Order Reallocating Part of 5.9 GHZ Band for Unlicensed Use
On August 12, 2022, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit (“D.C. Circuit”) struck down a challenge to a 2020 Report and Order by the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC” or “Commission”) which reallocates 45 MHz of the 5.850-5.925 GHz spectrum band (“5.9 GHz band”) for commercial unlicensed use, including Wi-Fi and similar services. […]
Public Knowledge, et al., Amends Petition Asking FCC to Classify Interconnected VoIP as a Title II Telecommunications Service
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 […]
Proposed NANPA Fund Contribution Factor of 0.00853% Announced by FCC (More than 1/3 Higher than Prior Year Factor of 0.00535%)
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 […]
FCC Warns Voice Providers to Immediately Comply with STIR/SHAKEN Rules or Face Enforcement Action
On August 1 2022, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) initiated an e-mail blast to “non-facilities-based” voice service providers (“VSPs”) that are not listed in the Robocall Mitigation Database as STIR/SHAKEN compliant; directing that they must be fully compliant by August 31, 2022. Those VSPs that are not compliant by that date will be subject to […]
MachineGenius Settles with FCC for $400K Over Non-Compliant TRS User Eligibility Self-Certifications
MachineGenius— a conditionally certified Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service (“IP CTS”) provider — has recently entered into a Consent Decree with the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC” or the “Commission”), ending an investigation into the company’s violations of the Commission’s IP CTS user eligibility certification rules. In collecting the required eligibility self-certifications, the company neglected to […]
FCC Orders All U.S. Voice Providers to Immediately Mitigate Robocall Traffic from Auto Warranty Scammers; Failure to Heed FCC Directive Could be Embarrassingly Costly
On June 21, 2022, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC” or “Commission”) issued an Order, directing all U.S.-based voice service providers (“VSPs”) to immediately investigate and stop carrying traffic from a known robocall scam marketing auto warranties made by or on behalf of the following: (1) Roy Cox, Jr.; (2) Aaron Michael Jones; (3) their individual […]
Form 477 & Broadband Data Collection (BDC) Program Compliance Deadline Fast-Approaching; FCC Goal of Ensuring Greater Data Accuracy Brings Greater Burdens, Complexity, and Consequences for Filers
The Federal Communication Commission (FCC) is updating its current broadband mapping with more detailed and precise information on fixed and mobile broadband via the Broadband Data Collection (BDC) Program. BDC submissions are required by all facilities-based fixed and mobile broadband Internet access providers and due by September 1, 2022. While the new BDC Program filing […]
FCC Proposes Updates to Intercarrier Compensation Regime Rules to Eliminate Access Arbitrage; Includes Potentially Onerous and Costly Compliance Reporting Duty Imposed on Entire IP-Enabled Services Industry Sector
In 2019, the Commission adopted the Access Arbitrage Order, in which it revised its Access Stimulation Rules to prohibit local exchange carriers (LECs) and Intermediate Access Providers from gaming the intercarrier compensation regime by inflating traffic volumes to maximize access charge revenues. To crack down on new ways carriers are manipulating traffic to evade the […]
Texas USF Assessment Set to Increase from 3.3% to 24% on August 1, 2022
Solix, the administrator for the Texas Universal Service Fund (TUSF), recently announced a massive increase to the TUSF contribution factor, which shall be raised from 3.3% to 24% effective August 1, 2022. As a result of Order 50796, the ‘Remittance and Support Worksheet for TUSF Recipients (RMT1)’ and ‘Remittance Worksheet for Non-TUSF Recipients (RMT2)’ within […]
FCC Proposes to Fine Verizon $100K for Failing to Produce Accessibility Records
Last week, the FCC issued a Notice of Apparent Liability (“NAL”) proposing to fine Verizon $100K for failing to produce adequate records concerning the accessibility of its Premium Visual Voicemail service to customers with disabilities. In a previous client advisory, we reported the Commission granted a consumer complaint alleging that Verizon’s voicemail service is inaccessible, […]
FCC Broadens TRS Fund Contribution Formulas to Add Intrastate VRS and IP Relay Revenues; Updates TRS Contribution Factors
On June 30, 2022, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC” or the “Commission”) released an Order expanding the Interstate Telecommunications Relay Services Fund (the “TRS Fund”) contribution base for Video Relay Service (“VRS”) and Internet Protocol Relay Service (“IP Relay”). The Order updates FCC TRS rules to require telecommunications carriers, as well as both interconnected and […]
FCC Establishes Registration Grace Period for VRS and IP CTS; Proposes Further Changes to VRS Regulations
On June 30, 2022, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC” or the “Commission”) released an order and notice of proposed rulemaking (“NPRM”) collectively, the “Order” — updating the Commission’s regulations governing Video Relay Service (“VRS”) and Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service (“IP CTS”), and proposing additional regulatory changes under these telecommunications relay service (“TRS”) programs. The […]
