The FCC gave utilities and schools some relief from Telephone Consumer Protection Act enforcement in a ruling approved by commissioners over a partial dissent by Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel. The FCC granted “substantial relief” to Blackboard, a communications program used by schools, and the Edison Electric Institute and American Gas Association, which jointly sought ability to notify utility customers without violating the TCPA.
President Barack Obama on Aug. 4 extended the Commerce Department’s authority to control U.S. exports under the Export Administration Regulations through Aug. 17, 2017 (here). The move extends a national emergency associated with the expiration of the Export Administration Act, which initially lapsed in 1994 and has since been renewed annually through executive action. Former President George W. Bush issued Executive Order 13222 to declare the national emergency, and the Aug. 4 executive action affirms that the emergency still exists.
Building on new operational rules for small commercial drones that will take effect later this month, government officials and representatives from the unmanned aircraft systems industry said they're eyeing even bigger technological advancements like collision avoidance and better connectivity that will permit more sophisticated operations in remote and populated locations. A White House workshop Tuesday with academic, industry and government representatives touted achievements thus far but also pointed to challenges, signaling the need for more collaboration and innovation on technology, policy and regulations to move the sector forward. Spectrum was discussed briefly, privacy hardly at all.
Building on new operational rules for small commercial drones that will take effect later this month, government officials and representatives from the unmanned aircraft systems industry said they're eyeing even bigger technological advancements like collision avoidance and better connectivity that will permit more sophisticated operations in remote and populated locations. A White House workshop Tuesday with academic, industry and government representatives touted achievements thus far but also pointed to challenges, signaling the need for more collaboration and innovation on technology, policy and regulations to move the sector forward. Spectrum was discussed briefly, privacy hardly at all.
Building on new operational rules for small commercial drones that will take effect later this month, government officials and representatives from the unmanned aircraft systems industry said they're eyeing even bigger technological advancements like collision avoidance and better connectivity that will permit more sophisticated operations in remote and populated locations. A White House workshop Tuesday with academic, industry and government representatives touted achievements thus far but also pointed to challenges, signaling the need for more collaboration and innovation on technology, policy and regulations to move the sector forward. Spectrum was discussed briefly, privacy hardly at all.
TracFone and others urged the FCC to undo its planned phaseout of Lifeline support for stand-alone voice service, as parties commented on petitions for reconsideration of the agency order extending the low-income subsidies to broadband and revising program administration (see 1603310056). Consumer advocates and some Lifeline providers opposed various recon requests by telco and cable trade groups (see 1606240077). NCTA and USTelecom opposed a Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission petition to clarify the state role on FCC-designated Lifeline broadband providers (see 1607200057), while Sprint supported clarification. Comments were due Friday, and some were posted Monday in docket 11-42.
TracFone and others urged the FCC to undo its planned phaseout of Lifeline support for stand-alone voice service, as parties commented on petitions for reconsideration of the agency order extending the low-income subsidies to broadband and revising program administration (see 1603310056). Consumer advocates and some Lifeline providers opposed various recon requests by telco and cable trade groups (see 1606240077). NCTA and USTelecom opposed a Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission petition to clarify the state role on FCC-designated Lifeline broadband providers (see 1607200057), while Sprint supported clarification. Comments were due Friday, and some were posted Monday in docket 11-42.
FirstNet will give public safety operatives better situational awareness, FirstNet said in a blog post Thursday. “For our nation’s first responders, having a common operating picture during emergencies and day-to-day scenarios is essential,” FirstNet said. “When emergencies happen in remote areas, public safety often lacks access to a radio signal or broadband connections that could help with response operations.”
The National Emergency Number Association said the transition from text telephone (TTY) to real-time text (RTT) technology is critical, but the FCC should take into account concerns of 911 call centers. NENA recommended a phased rollout to address public safety concerns. Industry'smajor concern has been that the FCC not micromanage how carriers deploy RTT, but NENA raised another matter (see 1607260020).
NASHVILLE -- A growing number of public safety answering points support text-to-911, but there’s more work to be done, an FCC official said Monday at the NARUC Summer Committee Meetings. On the same telecom committee panel, a 911 analyst for the Colorado Public Utilities Commission said he has had to bust myths to convince PSAPs to support emergency SMS. In 2014, the FCC required all carriers to support text-to-911 nationwide, but it was left up to PSAPs and local jurisdictions when to support the capability.