Final Report for National EAS Test Due Today, November 14, 2016
November 14, 2016 As detailed in the recent Public Notice released by the FCC’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, all Emergency Alert System (“EAS”) Participants must report detailed information about their performance in the national EAS test held on September 28, 2016 by filing their EAS Test Reporting System (“ETRS”) Form Three by November 14, 2016.
FCC and T-Mobile Resolve Investigation into Insufficient Disclosures of Data Plans Restrictions; T-Mobile Reaches $48 Million Settlement with the FCC
October 31, 2016 On October 19, 2016, the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau entered into a Consent Decree with T-Mobile USA, Inc. (“T-Mobile”) for failing to disclose limits applied to T-Mobile and MetroPCS “Unlimited” data plan (“UDP”) customers under a “de-prioritization” policy. Under the policy, T-Mobile would de-prioritize the data usage of UDP customers who had exceeded a certain threshold of data usage during times of network “contention.” The Consent Decree closed the Bureau’s investigation into whether T-Mobile provided sufficient disclosure of the policy as required by the FCC’s Open Internet Transparency Rule, which has been in effect since November 20, 2011.
FCC and Comcast Resolve Investigation into Improper Subscriber Charges; Comcast to Make $2.3 Million Settlement Payment to U.S. Treasury
October 17, 2016 On October 11, 2016, the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau released an Order announcing that it had entered into a Consent Decree with Comcast Corporation (“Comcast”), closing the Bureau’s investigation into whether Comcast had improperly charged its subscribers for services or equipment they never affirmatively requested. This practice, known as “negative option billing,” is the cable equivalent of the more familiar practice of telecom carriers “cramming” unauthorized charges onto customer bills.
FCC Reminds Video Programming Distributors of Televised Emergency Information Accessibility Obligations, Distributors Must Make Televised Emergency Information Accessible to Persons Who Are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Blind or Visually Impaired
October 3, 2016 On September 30, 2016, the FCC released a Public Notice reminding video programming distributors (“VPDs”), including cable operators and other distributors of video programming, of their obligation to make televised emergency information accessible, as required by FCC rules, to persons who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind or visually impaired. The Public Notice also contains recommendations for compliance measures and a consumer’s guide to filing complaints.
FCC Enters Notice of Apparent Liability Against Telecommunications Provider for Failing to Timely File Telecommunications Reporting Worksheets
September 16, 2016 On September 14, 2016, the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau released a Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture alleging that UnityComm, LLC (“UnityComm”) failed to timely file Telecommunications Reporting Worksheets (“Worksheets”) with the Universal Service Administrative Company (“USAC”).
FCC Sets Fiscal Year 2016 Regulatory Fees; Regulatory Fee Payments Due by 11:59 PM EDT on September 27, 2016
September 7, 2016 On September 2, 2016, the FCC released an Order establishing its Fiscal Year 2016 Regulatory Fees. Regulatory fee payments must be made no later than 11:59 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time, on September 27, 2016. All licensees must use their FRN and password to access the Fee Filer System, and review, create, update, or change the fees owed.