In April, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) adopted its Net Neutrality Order which once again reclassified Broadband Internet Access Service (BIAS) as a Title II, common carrier service. ...more
Regulated Entities - The Vermont Public Utility Commission (“PUC” or “Commission”) is responsible for the general administration of Vermont public utilities, specifically including those responsible for electrical...more
Recently enacted Texas legislation significantly reduces right-of-way fees paid to Texas cities by companies that provide telecommunications and cable services. This legislation could influence right-of-way compensation laws...more
On Thursday, August 1, 2019, the FCC took several actions to address persistent, decades-long efforts by local governments to convert their control over local rights-of-way into ever-increasing revenue streams from cable...more
On October 25, 2018, the FCC released a draft Report and Order that would expressly allow cable operators to provide certain written customer communications electronically. As part of the FCC’s “Modernization of Media...more
The FCC is poised to issued two orders: a $2 billion unfunded mandate “Small Cell” order that imposes rules akin to state small cell laws (such as SB 649 vetoed in 2017 by California Gov. Jerry Brown)....more
Annual Section 43.62(b) International Circuit Capacity Report - Each year the FCC collects data regarding capacity held on international terrestrial, satellite and submarine cable facilities, the status of the circuits,...more
Pillsbury’s communications lawyers have published FCC Enforcement Monitor monthly since 1999 to inform our clients of notable FCC enforcement actions against FCC license holders and others. This month’s issue includes: - ...more
Qualcomm is reportedly set to acquire NXP Semiconductors for just shy of $40 billion in a deal that would help Qualcomm move beyond smartphone chips and into the broader internet of things....more
Since 2008, cable customers have been suing cable operators across the country claiming operators violate the antitrust laws by forcing customers to lease set-top boxes from the operator to access “premium” cable services. ...more
Big news yesterday from the Oregon Supreme Court: The City of Eugene, Ore. may lawfully impose a fee on Comcast’s use of rights of way to provide cable modem service/Internet service. Cable operators like Comcast...more
As we have previously advised, the FCC’s proposed rulemaking to “protect the privacy of customers of broadband and other telecommunications services” (the “NPRM”) proposes sweeping changes to the ways that Internet Service...more
On November 24, 2015, the FCC issued an Order on Reconsideration (“Reconsideration Order”) updating the telecommunications carrier pole attachment formula in its rules. The Reconsideration Order granted a four-year old...more
As Kelley Drye reported in an earlier post, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is considering rules that would impose on submarine cable system licensees, and possibly users, network outage reporting obligations...more
On Friday, October 30, 2015, the Assigned Commissioner to a rulemaking at the California Public Utility Commission (“CPUC”) issued a Proposed Decision to extend the state’s pole, conduit and right of way access rights to...more
The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) prohibits non-emergency calls to cell phone numbers using automatic telephone dialing systems (ATDS) or prerecorded voice messages absent the called party’s prior express consent....more
On October 1, Chairman Wheeler announced that he has circulated a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking among his fellow Commissioners that would seek comment on simplifying the FCC’s foreign ownership approval process for broadcast...more
On Friday, June 12 – barring a judicial stay – many of the FCC’s “Open Internet” rules will become effective. A significant consequence of the reclassification of retail broadband Internet access service (BIAS) as a...more