FCC Releases Open Internet Enforcement Advisory, Aims for Tougher Enforcement of Transparency Rule
August 4, 2014 On July 23, the FCC released two statements reminding broadband Internet access service providers (“BIASPs”) of their continuing disclosure obligations under the FCC’s Open Internet rules that have been in effect since 2011. First, the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau released an enforcement advisory warning BIASPs that the FCC intends to more closely scrutinize their service offering disclosures mandated by the Open Internet Order to ensure that the disclosures accurately describe broadband providers’ network management practices, performance and commercial terms, and conform to their public advertisements and other public statements.
FCC Fines Cable Operator $2.25 Million for Unauthorized Retransmission of Broadcast Signals
July 11, 2014 On July 7, 2014, the FCC issued a Forfeiture Order fining TV Max $2,250,000 for retransmitting six broadcast station signals without the broadcaster’s consent. The FCC’s action this week affirmed the forfeiture originally proposed last summer in a Notice of Apparent Liability.
June 16, 2014 On May 22, 2014, the United States Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) announced that it will begin accepting applications for Community Connect grants to bring broadband to unserved rural areas. Any broadband provider may apply for a Community Connect grant. The application deadline is July 7, 2014.
June 3, 2014 With a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“NPRM”) released May 15, 2014, the FCC is focusing again on the highly controversial subject of net neutrality. The proposed regulations include enhanced transparency rules, modification of the no-blocking rule, and prohibitions on commercially unreasonable practices.
May 5, 2014 Last month, the FCC’s Media Bureau partially granted a Hawaiian broadcaster’s must-carry complaint. The case centered on an issue concerning principal headend designation but also raised viewability concerns that were left to further proceedings.
FCC Further Extends HD Set-Top Box Home Networking Deadline- Small Cable Operators Now Have Until September 1, 2015 to Comply
April 17, 2014 On April 4, 2014, the FCC’s Media Bureau released an Order granting TiVo’s request to extend, until June 1, 2015, the requirement that all new HD set-top boxes include an IP-output port that complies with an open industry standard for home networking. Small cable companies that serve 400,000 or fewer subscribers received an additional three months, until September 1, 2015, to come into compliance.