On Aug. 7, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to propose new rules to require callers to disclose if they are using artificial intelligence (AI) in robocalls and robotexts. If adopted, the new rules would set...more
As part of the massive 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), Congress directed the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to issue rules facilitating consumers’ “equal access” to broadband internet access...more
On Feb. 8, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued a unanimous declaratory ruling confirming the Telephone Consumer Protection Act’s (TCPA) restrictions on the use of “artificial or prerecorded voice” include...more
As abusive robocalls remain unpopular both politically and, in general, universally among the American people, lawmakers have once again thrown out the opening salvo in efforts to legislate against them this week with the “Do...more
The Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) has adopted an order that will restructure the way lead generators collect consumer consent to receive robocalls or robotexts from sellers. Many businesses, particularly small...more
On Oct. 19, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted 3-2 to advance Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel’s proposal to once again adopt “net neutrality” rules. As it had in 2015, the FCC also proposes to classify broadband...more
The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (“TCPA”) and implementing rules by the Federal Communications Commission (“Commission”) bar many types of calls or texts without first having obtained the consent of the called party....more
Blocking Texts Highly Likely to Be Illegal -
Until now, the FCC has focused on curbing illegal robocalls. It has now turned its attention to illegal robotexts, which the agency notes have been increasing rapidly. In an...more
The Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) released an order finding that ringless voicemails constitute calls subject to the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (“TCPA”). Companies sending prerecorded or artificial messages...more
On Sept. 27, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that details the FCC’s initial proposal to protect consumers from illegal text messages used to defraud consumers. The...more
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has established a new program, the Enhanced Competition Incentive Program (ECIP), designed to further help close the digital divide by fostering increased access to wireless...more
Several Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives, including the chairman of the House Oversight and Reform Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy, recently introduced the Robotext Scam Prevention Act (HR...more
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently moved forward proposals that could add extensive record-keeping requirements and make other material changes for compliance for impacted businesses and financial services providers...more
On Feb. 23, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) published a draft Notice of Inquiry (NOI) that would seek comment on how to prevent and eliminate discrimination of broadband access as directed by Congress in the...more
A recent FCC order bans certain types of contractual arrangements between building owners and telecommunications carriers or cable operators. The order: (1) bars exclusive revenue sharing agreements and graduated revenue...more
On Sunday, Aug. 1, the group of senators negotiating the bipartisan infrastructure package unveiled the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The $1.2 trillion package contains $550 billion in new infrastructure spending,...more
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (“NTIA”) has published a Notice of Funding Opportunity (“NOFO”) for the $1 billion tribal connectivity grant program. Applications are due by Sept. 1, 2021. Of...more
Need for Clarity Becomes Even More Urgent Amid Competing Interpretations, Lack of Guidance -
The 11th Circuit recently delivered a blow to serial plaintiffs by holding that a website is not a place of public accommodation...more
The Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the restriction in the Telephone Consumer Protection Act barring use of autodialers to make calls and text messages to cell phones does not apply to programmed lists of telephone...more
The past several months have seen a number of new funding opportunities for the deployment, adoption and affordability of broadband services on tribal lands. This alert provides a quick update on these various opportunities....more
To ring in the New Year, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) released an order imposing strict limits on the number of non-telemarketing, prerecorded or artificial voice calls that can be made to residential phone...more
Illegal robocalls are more than annoying, they often involve fraudulent schemes. These calls can be particularly pernicious when made to hospitals or health facilities. Hospitals face a wide range of illegal robocalls,...more
The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) bars certain types of automated calls without first obtaining the consent of the called party. Indeed, with uncapped statutory damages, the TCPA is a staple of the plaintiff’s bar,...more
With former Vice President Joe Biden winning the 2020 presidential election and Republicans poised to maintain control of the Senate, the American Indian Law & Policy Group looks ahead to 2021 and beyond to see how this...more
Jan. 6, 2021, is the deadline to begin automatically sending location information along with 911 calls made from fixed phone lines in hotels, apartment complexes, offices or other businesses locations. ...more