Telecom Alert: Annual CPNI Certifications; Rip-and-Replace Applications; EAS Pleading Cycle; Emergency Connectivity Fund [Vol. XIX, Issue 7]
Annual CPNI Certifications Due March 1
The FCC issued an Enforcement Advisory last week reminding telecommunications carriers and interconnected VoIP providers of their obligation to file their annual certification documenting compliance with the Customer Proprietary Network Information rules (“CPNI”) by March 1, 2022. CPNI includes sensitive personal information about customers, and the Commission’s rules seek to ensure that CPNI is adequately protected from unauthorized access. Failure to comply with the requirements may lead to enforcement action, including monetary forfeitures of up to $220,213 for each violation or each day of a continuing violation, up to a maximum of $2,202,123. For more information, please contact Jim Baller (baller@khlaw.com; 202.434.4175) or Sean Stokes (stokes@khlaw.com; 202.434.4193).
Rip-and-Replace Applications Announced
Last week, the Wireline Competition Bureau released a Public Notice announcing the applications filed for the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program (the “Program”) (Vol. XVIII, Issue 32). The Bureau received 181 applications, of which 162 have been initially found acceptable for filing. The gross cost estimate demand for support from the $1.9 billion Program is nearly $5.6 billion. The Bureau also extended the application review period by an additional 45 days, moving the deadline for acting on the submitted applications to June 15, 2022. For more information, please contact Greg Kunkle (kunkle@khlaw.com; 202.434.4178).
Emergency Alert System Pleading Cycle
The FCC’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Notice of Inquiry seeking comment on ways to improve the clarity and accessibility of the visual message associated with the nationwide tests of the Emergency Alert System (“EAS”) was published in the Federal Register last week. The Commission proposes using a predetermined script as the visual message for legacy EAS nationwide tests and revising associated terminology to improve clarity. Comments and reply comments are due by March 11, 2022, and March 28, 2022, respectively. For more information, please contact Wes Wright (wright@khlaw.com; 202.434.4239).
Nearly $126 Million in Emergency Connectivity Fund Committed
The FCC announced it is committing $125,962,023.72 in the latest round of the Emergency Connectivity Fund. This round of commitments will support 340 schools, 20 libraires, and 6 consortia, which are approved to receive over 330,000 connected devices and over 39,000 broadband connections. The fund has committed over $4.5 billion since it was launched. For more information, please contact Casey Lide (lide@khlaw.com; 202.434.4186).