FirstNet Draft Cyber Appendix

FirstNet’s initial draft request for proposals (RFP) in April 2015 discussed cyber security objectives pertaining to the nationwide public safety broadband network (NPSBN) but it was not until last week that additional detail in the draft Cyber Security Appendix was released.  Comments on the draft Appendix are due no later than 1:00PM ET on Friday, October 21, 2015.  

$1.9 Million Fine for Unauthorized Drone Operations

Last week, the FAA proposed a $1.9 million civil penalty against SkyPan International Inc., for unauthorized drone operations.  The FAA alleges that SkyPan made over 60 unauthorized flights in New York and Illinois from March 2012 through December 2014 without obtaining an airworthiness certificate, registering, or securing a certificate of waiver or authorization for any of those flights.  SkyPan must respond to the FAA’s enforcement letter within 30 days.  This is the largest civil penalty proposed against a drone operator. 

FCC Enforcement Advisory

The Enforcement Bureau released an Enforcement Advisory last week regarding Form 477, which must be filed semi-annually by facilities-based providers of broadband connections, telephone service providers, and interconnected VoIP service providers.  The form allows the FCC to collect information about broadband connections to end-user locations, wired and wireless local telephone services, and interconnected VoIP service in individual states.  The Bureau is actively taking enforcement actions against providers who fail to file the required form.  For example, last week, the Bureau entered into a Consent Decree with Rio Verde Wireless LLC for its failure to file Form 477.  Under the settlement, Rio Verde must pay a $10,500 penalty.  

Rural Broadband Provisionally Selected Bids

The Wireline Competition Bureau announced that it plans to authorize rural broadband experiments to support the bids of BARC Electric Cooperative and Northeast Rural Services, Inc.  These bids have been provisionally selected and will be authorized by the Bureau subject to the submission of required Line of Credit and Bankruptcy Code letters by October 14, 2015.  The bids cover two states and total approximately $2,821,652 in support to provide broadband to customers in rural areas.