Session initiation protocol 603 is “the best and most pragmatic solution to provide callers with actionable information,” said USTelecom in reply comments to the FCC’s Further NPRM on call blocking notifications Tuesday in docket 17-59 (see 2202010031). SIP code 603 is a "pragmatic and effective means of providing immediate notification," said AT&T, and SIP code 607 is "unnecessary." Verizon backed mandating 603 “when terminating service block calls based on analytics.” Efforts to improve redress processes “should continue to be left to the industry stakeholders to address,” said Transaction Network Services, saying 603 “provides sufficiently actionable information.” The Voice on the Net Coalition, Incompas and Cloud Communications Alliance disagreed, saying “failure to implement SIP codes 607 and 608 will result in legitimate calls being blocked and in onerous redress processes.” The groups backed phasing out the use of 603. SIP code 603’s “lack of specific, actionable information makes it an unsustainable long-term option,” said TCN. “Additional standards body work could clarify questions raised and resolve technical issues that remain” for all three codes, said NTCA.
Rescind recent guidance that "expresses a clear preference for networks built by municipalities, non-profits and electric co-ops," said USTelecom in a letter to federal, state, local, and tribal leaders Thursday on the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act. The Treasury Department and USDA's rules favoring these entities are "concerning" given their "well-documented propensity to fail at building and maintaining complex networks over time." Funding decisions "should be based solely on how best to connect unserved and underserved" areas, USTelecom said, "not on a provider's status as a public or private entity." States should also "think holistically" about their broadband plans and use the FCC's forthcoming maps "to ensure deployment funds go to their intended use," it said. Don't regulate broadband as a Title II utility, the group said, saying net neutrality and consumer privacy laws should "apply equitably across the internet ecosystem."
ISP associations challenging California’s net neutrality law will seek rehearing en banc at the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, said a Thursday stipulation by California and ACA Connects, CTIA, NCTA and USTelecom at the U.S. District Court for Eastern California. The parties agreed discovery at the lower court (case 2:18-cv-02684) should be stayed until the 9th Circuit rules on the rehearing petition. The appeals court last month upheld California’s law (see 2201280035).
The Senate Commerce Committee’s Wednesday follow-up confirmation hearing on Democratic FCC nominee Gigi Sohn changed next to nothing about the dynamics driving her prospects for winning the chamber’s approval, said lawmakers and communications policy observers in interviews. Committee Democrats, even those who were latecomers to supporting Sohn, said during and after the hearing they still back her. Panel Republicans remained steadfastly opposed to the nominee, in part citing what they viewed as her still-insufficient candor about her role as a board member for Locast operator Sports Fans Coalition and her January commitment to temporarily recuse herself from some FCC proceedings involving retransmission consent and broadcast copyright matters.
USTelecom announces Executive Vice President Allison Remsen is now also the association’s first chief strategy officer … Michigan Public Service Commission moves Shatina Jones to equity and inclusion officer, new post.
State and local governments sought close coordination as billions of broadband dollars come from the federal infrastructure law, in comments we received. Comments were due Friday on NTIA’s request for comments on implementing broadband programs in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). Industry groups sought NTIA assurance the broadband equity, access and deployment (BEAD) and middle mile programs would be technologically neutral. Advocacy groups wanted maximum stakeholder participation and a focus on equitable deployment.
Lumos/NorthState adds from USTelecom Mike Saperstein as head-government affairs and general counsel; Nora Mitchell from Segra becomes corporate controller; Saperstein succeeds Mary McDermott, who retires ... NTIA names Common Sense Media Washington Director April McClain-Delaney deputy assistant secretary, Commerce-communications and information; and former Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke as special representative for broadband.
Industry disagreed on allowing use of session initiation protocol 603 as a permanent notification option for blocked calls, in comments posted Monday in docket 17-59 (see 2201040034). The code allows call recipients to block a call without identifying a reason. The FCC Wireline Bureau previously partially granted USTelecom’s request for reconsideration and clarification that SIP code 603 could be used during the transition to SIP codes 607 and 608 (see 2112150039).
The Senate Commerce Committee will “probably” postpone planned Wednesday votes on Democratic FCC nominee Gigi Sohn and FTC nominee Alvaro Bedoya amid expectations that Senate Communications Subcommittee Chairman Ben Ray Lujan, D-N.M., would be unable to appear at the meeting after having a stroke, Chair Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., told reporters Tuesday afternoon. Also see our news bulletin. Sohn’s prospects of making it through the committee were already uncertain as a handful of uncommitted panel members kept mum about their intentions.
CTIA, Edison Electric Institute, NCTA and USTelecom representatives met virtually last week with FCC staff about progress being made by an industry Cross-Sector Resiliency Forum. “Highlighting the development of the Cross-Sector contact list and recent coordination between communications providers and electric companies, some participants noted an improvement in coordination ahead of rolling blackouts -- aiding communications providers’ ability to plan for the impact on network services,” said a filing posted Monday in docket 11-60. “There is more work to be done,” the groups said. They met separately with staff from the Public Safety Bureau and an aide to Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel.