Communication at a distance, especially the electronic transmission of signals via the telephone
Telecommunication
FCC Takes New Steps To Improve Rural Call Completion
The Federal Communications Commission adopted new measures to tackle the problem of failed or poor-quality long-distance calls to rural parts of the United States.
FCC Proposes Modernizing Rules For Smaller Carriers' Business Data Services
The Federal Communications Commission proposed modernizing rules governing business data services (BDS) for certain small rural carriers, known as Alternative Connect America Model, or A-CAM, carriers.
FCC Reaches $40 Million Settlement with T-Mobile on Rural Calling
The Federal Communications Commission reached a settlement concluding its investigation into whether T-Mobile USA violated the Communications Act when it failed to correct ongoing problems with delivery of calls to rural consumers and whether it violated the FCC rule that prohibits providers from inserting false ring tones with respect to hundreds of millions of calls. T-Mobile agreed to pay $40 million to the US Treasury and entered into a compliance plan to prevent future violations.
The Stop Illegal Robocalls Expo will feature technologies, devices and applications to minimize or eliminate the number of illegal robocalls consumers receive. The Expo is free for the public to attend. It will provide a platform for showcasing innovative technologies, devices and applications that will improve consumers' daily lives by combatting illegal robocalls.
Witnesses
Mr. Aaron Foss
Founder, Nomorobo
Mr. Ethan Garr
Chief Product Officer, RoboKiller
Mr. Scott Hambuchen
Executive Vice President, Technology and Solution Development, First Orion Corp.
Ms. Maureen Mahoney
Policy Analyst, Consumers Union
The hearing will examine the problem of malicious spoofing and abusive robocalls designed to defraud consumers, as well as measures being taken by government and industry to protect consumers.
Witnesses
FCC Meeting Agenda for April 2018
The Federal Communications Commission will hold an Open Meeting on the subjects listed below on Tuesday, April 17, 2018:
How Localities Can Prepare for—and Capitalize on—the Coming Wave of Public Safety Network Construction
In the coming months, localities around the nation can expect to begin receiving a flood of applications to construct the first of hundreds—perhaps thousands—of new telecommunications towers up to 300 feet high, plus applications to attach hundreds of thousands of “small cell” wireless devices on buildings, utility poles, and new structures. A major driver of this activity is FirstNet, the federal organization overseeing the deployment of a Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network (NPSBN). These developments will bring clear public safety benefits.
Now that the RAY BAUM’S Act is Law, What's In It?
On March 23, 2018, President Donald Trump signed H.R. 1625, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018. H.R. 1625's 2,232 pages make for a great read, but if you're looking for just the telecommunications policy highlights, let's thumb through straight to Division P, the Repack Airwaves Yielding Better Access for Users of Modern Services Act of 2018 or the RAY BAUM’S Act of 2018 which reauthorizes the Federal Communications Commission and does a whole bunch more. The bill completes a process began three years ago.