December 3, 2007: FCC issues the 2007 edition of the Emergency Alert System Handbook for cable TV systems. Read the press release by clicking here, then download the manual by clicking here.
November 30, 2007: The FCC has issued proposed new rules regarding cable TV picture quality. Quoting from the introduction in the Report and Order in CS Socket No. 98-120,
"In this Third Report and Order and Third Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking ('Third
Report and Order” and “Third Further Notice,” respectively), we adopt rules to ensure that cable subscribers will continue to be able to view broadcast stations after the transition, and that they will be able to view those broadcast signals at the same level of quality in which they are delivered to the cable system. We announce these rules now to ensure that cable operators and broadcasters have sufficient time to prepare to comply with them. We also seek comment on several issues related to implementation of these rules. We are mindful that the mandatory carriage rules serve their purpose only when such stations are viewable by all cable subscribers, including those who will only have analog sets after the transition. Furthermore, we act with the knowledge that Congress intended that the benefits of the digital transition should accrue to all consumers."
There are some very interesting wrinkles that occur via the proposed rules. To read more, follow this link to the dedicated page discussing these issues.
James T. Kirk: "Scotty, I need more power!"
Updated April 2008:
The CTIA has sued the FCC to block the implementation of 47 C.F.R. § 12.2. You can read their suit, filed on November 23, 2007, by clicking here. Then, you can click here to read the initial schedule for the pre-trial activities, which the court produced on November 26, 2007.
The FCC's March 2008 brief for oral arguments before the Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit (scheduled for May 8, 2008) may be read via this link.
Working backwards, the FCC had delayed the effective date of its new rules requiring back-up power of telecommunications facilities. 47 C.F.R. § 12.2, originally scheduled to go into effect on August 10, 2007, had been postponed until October 9, 2007.
The delay was due to a request by the CTIA to administratively stay the orders pending further hearings. To frame CTIA's concerns regarding the rules, and the likely basis of the claims it will assert in the lawsuit, read CTIA's 64-page petition to the Commission by clicking here.
Local governments should be keenly interested in this rule, and be equally interested in the effect on new and existing cell sites that this rule may cause.
If you have not seen the rule, here it is as it was originally proposed by the Commission, and published in the Federal Register (72 Fed. Reg. 37,655):
§ 12.2 Backup power.
Local exchange carriers (LECs),
including incumbent LECS (ILECs) and
competitive LECs (CLECs), and
co22mmercial mobile radio service
(CMRS) providers must have an
emergency backup power source for all
assets that are normally powered from
local AC commercial power, including
those inside central offices, cell sites,
remote switches and digital loop carrier
system remote terminals. LECs and
CMRS providers should maintain
emergency back-up power for a
minimum of 24 hours for assets inside
central offices and eight hours for cell
sites, remote switches and digital loop
carrier system remote terminals that are
normally powered from local AC
commercial power. LECs that meet the
definition of a Class B company as set
forth in § 32.11(b)(2) of the
Commission’s rules and non-nationwide
CMRS providers with no more than
500,000 subscribers are exempt from
this rule.
Then, on Reconsideration, the FCC published the final rule in the Federal Register on October 11, 2007 (72 Fed. Reg. 57,879)
March 22, 2007: The FCC initiates a rulemaking that may result in the voiding of exclusive video service contracts for multiple dwelling units and other multi-tenant properties.
Click Here to jump to a page linking all of the information and Commission statements.
March 22, 2007: The FCC has
declared that wireless internet access is an "Information Service" under the Telecom Act.
This new designation elevates the status of wireless internet to a classification afforded greater protections against local regulation.
Quoting the Commission's press release, "[The designation] thus ensures that wireless broadband Internet access services are
similarly free from unnecessary regulatory burdens. Competition among all of these broadband
services will provide consumers with more and better services at lower prices."
Click here to jump to a page linking all of the information and Commission statements.
 On December 20, 2006, the Commission adopted a report regarding cable rate increases, and then the Commissioners voted 3-2 to adopt rules to speed telcos' access and entry into the video delivery market.
Local government authority and consumer protections will likely suffer.
December, 2006: The FCC is taking on the issue because Congress did not act on telco entry during the current term. Local governments and others (including some Commissioners) say that the FCC's rules are legislative, rather than regulatory.
Expect the rules to be released in the next 30 days or so. Expect the lawsuits to be filed in the Federal Circuit court about 47 seconds later.
To listen to the Commission's meeting audio of the two agenda items related to cable, click here to read more and hear more .
 Birds v. Towers: New FCC Rules? November, 2006: The Commission is considering new rules to protect birds from coming into contact with radio towers. Comments are due in January, with reply comments due in February. Click here to read more.
(Story updated 4/22/07)
Oops! You've received an FCC Notice of Violation (NOV). How what? Click here to find out! |
