On August 8, 2024, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“NPRM”) to address the growing use of AI-generated robocalls. The FCC’s NPRM follows a 2023 inquiry proceeding into how the FCC could use its authority under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (“TCPA”) to better protect consumers from unwanted or illegal robocalls.Continue Reading FCC Proposes New Rules Governing AI-Generated Robocalls
On July 26, 2024, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) issued a Public Notice announcing that new pole attachment rules, which the FCC adopted in a December 2023 Report and Order, are effective as of July 25, 2024. The new rules – which we described in a prior blog post – are intended to “speed broadband deployment by making the pole attachment process faster, more transparent, and more cost effective.” Among other things, the FCC’s updated pole attachment rules establish the Rapid Broadband Assessment Team, an intra-agency rapid response team charged with prioritizing and expediting resolution of disputes that impede or delay broadband deployment, and also require utilities to provide pole attachment applicants with information about the status of their utility poles to aid communications providers in planning their build outs. Continue Reading UPDATE: FCC’s New Pole Attachment Rules are Now Effective
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted on April 25, 2024 to reinstate its net neutrality rules by reclassifying broadband internet access service (BIAS) as a “telecommunications service” under Title II of the Communications Act (Act). The FCC’s rules now afford stand-alone BIAS providers with the same statutory protections under Section 224 of the Act for accessing poles and other utility infrastructure that cable and telecommunications providers receive. This could be particularly important considering the anticipated deployments driven by the Broadband Equity And Deployment (“BEAD”) program and other subsidy programs.Continue Reading With Net Neutrality Order, FCC Grants Broadband-Only ISPs New Pole Attachment Protections
Aiming to curb the use of AI, voice cloning technology in robocall scams, on February 8, 2024, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued a unanimous declaratory ruling prohibiting unsolicited robocalls with voices generated by AI. With its ruling, which took effect immediately, the FCC made clear that the federal Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) – meant to curb junk phone calls – also outlaws unsolicited AI-generated robocalls.Continue Reading Battling the Robocall Onslaught: The FCC’s Strategic Measures Against AI-Driven Scams
On December 15, 2023, after more than three years of consideration, and amid the largest ever federal investment in broadband, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) unanimously adopted a new pole-attachment order that dramatically reforms the Commission’s rules and policies governing communications attachments to utility poles.Continue Reading FCC Adopts New Pole Attachment Rules to Promote Broadband Expansion
After more than three years of consideration, amidst the largest federal and state investment in broadband deployment, and anticipating disputes between broadband providers and utility pole owners concerning the terms and conditions of new attachments particularly in broadband expansion areas, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) has released a new pole-attachment order If adopted, the order would dramatically reform the Commission’s rules and policies governing communications attachments to utility poles.Continue Reading FCC To Vote on New Pole Attachments Rules to Promote Broadband Expansion
Consistent with the White House’s Executive Order this week laying out a national policy on AI, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) released a draft Notice of Inquiry (“NOI”) that would look into the implications of emerging Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) technologies on the Commission’s efforts to prevent unwanted and illegal calls and texts under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (“TCPA”).Continue Reading FCC Launches Inquiry into the Risks of AI on Unwanted Robocalls and Texts
On June 26, 2023, the Biden Administration unveiled funding allocations for the $42.5 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (“BEAD”) program meant to rapidly expand affordable, high-speed broadband service across the country.Continue Reading White House Announces $42.5 Billion in Broadband Funding Allocations
On June 5, 2023, Florida governor Ron DeSantis signed into law HB1221, subjecting rural electric cooperatives to pole attachment regulation by the Florida Public Service Commission (“FPSC”) if they provide broadband service.Continue Reading Florida Enacts Pole Attachment Regulations for Electric Cooperatives
Who knew that state sovereignty and urging states’ rights meant prompting federal agencies to bring about change at the local level? That seems to be happening in the field of pole attachment regulation.Continue Reading FCC Assures State Lawmakers of Commitment to Pole Attachment Rules Promoting Broadband Deployment and Competition
On June 13, 2022, the FCC provided notice that the State of Florida has become the 24th state (including the District of Columbia) to certify state-level regulatory jurisdiction over rates, terms, and conditions for pole attachments. Continue Reading Sunshine State Becomes 24th to Certify Regulation of Pole Attachments