Special Access

According to Chairman Wheeler, the FCC will vote on a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking at its scheduled April 28 Open Meeting that will propose a less stringent, competitively neutral regulatory scheme for interstate special access services, treating Ethernet-based and TDM-based special access services equally, limiting rate regulation, and detariffing special access services.  As outlined, the planned NPRM tracks aspects of the joint letter filed by Verizon and InCompas (a CLEC/IXC association) that proposes a new framework for regulating special access.

SCADA Enforcement

Last week the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau levied a $12,000 fine and compliance plan on a licensee for allowing Temporary Fixed units to operate at locations for more than one year.  American Time & Signal Company (ATS) operates wireless synchronized clock systems.  The FCC granted ATS a waiver to allow licensing of its temporary fixed transmitters as mobiles, but because several of its transmitters operated at fixed locations for more than one year prior to the grant of the waiver request, the Commission found it to be in violation of its rules. 

PSAP Task Force

The FCC’s Task Force on Optimal Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) Architecture (TFOPA) will hold its seventh meeting on May 6, 2016 to hear presentations from Working Group 1--Optimal Approach to Cybersecurity; Working Group 2--Optimal Approach to NG911 Architecture Implementation; and Working 3--Optimal Approach to NG911 Resource Allocation.  The meeting will be held in the Commission’s meeting room at FCC headquarters in Washington, DC from 1:00-4:00 p.m.

FirstNet Board and RFP Extension

FirstNet announced a deadline extension for proposals for the deployment of the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network by two and a half weeks, from May 13 to May 31, 2016.  FirstNet initially issued its Request for Proposals for the network on January 13, 2016 (Vol. XIII, Issue 3).  In other news, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) issued a Notice announcing a call for expressions of interest from individuals who would like to serve on FirstNet’s board.  Four of the 12 appointments of non-permanent members will expire in August, 2016.  Current board members are eligible to be reappointed.  Expressions of interest will be accepted until May 20, 2016.FCC Forms 499Q Due May 2

The filing deadline for the quarterly Telecommunications Reporting Worksheet Form 499-Q for Filing Contributions to Universal Service Support Mechanisms falls on a weekend this year so the due date is May 2, 2016.  The USF contribution factor for the 2nd quarter is 17.9%, reflecting a modest reduction from the 1st quarter’s 18.2%.