FCC Releases Enforcement Advisory for CPNI Officer Certification- Filing Due March 1, 2016
February 12, 2016 On February 5, 2016, the FCC released its annual Enforcement Advisory reminding telecommunications carriers and interconnected VoIP providers that their annual reports certifying compliance with the FCC’s Customer Proprietary Network Information (“CPNI”) rules are due on or before March 1, 2016.
FCC Adopts Order Requiring Cable Operators to Maintain Public Files Online
February 1, 2016 On January 29, 2016, the FCC released an Order requiring cable operators to post their cable system public inspection files to the FCC’s online database. With this Order, the FCC extended the requirement to post public file information to an online database that the FCC will maintain – previously only applicable to broadcast TV stations – to DBS operators, broadcast radio stations, satellite radio stations, and cable systems.
ISPs Experience Recent Uptick in Copyright Infringement Notices following $25 Million Dollar Verdict against Cox
January 19, 2016 A $25 million dollar verdict against Cox Communications for willful contributory copyright infringement based on the actions of its end-users has reportedly caused an uptick in copyright notices containing similar claims.
December 11, 2015 On December 4, 2015, the FCC’s integration ban officially sunset. Repeal of the integration ban for set-top boxes was part of the STELA Reauthorization Act of 2014 (“STELAR”), signed into law by President Obama last December.
FCC Approves Order Harmonizing Pole Attachment Rates
December 1, 2015 On November 24, 2015, the FCC’s five Commissioners unanimously approved an Order on Reconsideration, which revises the federal pole attachment rate formula to better equate the telecommunication rate to the cable rate.
FCC Denies Good Faith Retransmission Consent Complaint Against DirecTV
November 16, 2015 On November 6, 2015, the FCC’s Media Bureau released an Order denying a complaint filed by seven commonly controlled broadcast stations (collectively, “Northwest”) against DirecTV. In the complaint, Northwest alleged that DirecTV violated its duty to negotiate retransmission consent in good faith by not sharing pricing information from recent negotiations to substantiate its positions that Northwest’s prices were above market levels following a request from Northwest.