CommLaw Monitor
FCC Expands Anti-Spoofing Prohibitions to Foreign-Originated Calls, Text-Messaging Services
On August 1, the FCC took another step in its ongoing effort to combat deceptive and unlawful calls to consumers. This action once again sets its sights on a common target : concealment or alteration of the originating…
Does the Universal Service Fund Need a Cap? A Divided FCC Begins its Inquiry
On Friday, May 31, 2019, the FCC released a much-anticipated notice of proposed rulemaking (“NPRM”) to consider the adoption of an overall budget cap on the Universal Service Fund (“USF”), separate from any individual…
FCC Plans to Eliminate Rural “Rate Floor,” Heading Off Potential Price Hikes
The FCC plans to adopt an order eliminating the controversial rural “ rate floor ” that restricts the amount of Universal Service Fund (“USF”) support received by some carriers to build and maintain networks in…
After a 10-year Proceeding, the FCC Classifies Wireless Messaging as an Information Service
At the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) December Open Meeting, commissioners voted to approve a Declaratory Ruling (“Ruling”) that classifies native forms of wireless messaging, short message service (“SMS”)…
Finally Naming the Duck? Eighth Circuit Decides VoIP is an Information Service, Preempts Minnesota Regulation
After more than twenty years, VoIP’s unclassified status may be coming to an end. Last month, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a decision in Charter Advanced Services LLC v. Lange in which it considered…