In 2016, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC” or “Commission”) initiated a rulemaking proceeding proposing changes to the process of reviewing certain Section 214 and submarine cable landing license applications, conducted by the group of Executive Branch agencies commonly referred to as “Team Telecom.” That proceeding largely stalled after the comment cycle ended later that year. However, a Statement issued earlier this week by FCC Commissioner Michael O’Rielly endeavors to reignite movement on the long-pending issue of Team Telecom review process reform.
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Federal Communications Commission Draft Order Proposes Possible Elimination and Further Streamlining of Section 43.62 Annual International Reports
In advance of its October 24, 2017 Open Meeting, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) has released a Draft Report and Order (Draft Order) for Commission consideration that, if adopted, would eliminate the Section 43.62 annual International Traffic and Revenue Report (International Traffic Report) and streamline the Section 43.62 annual Circuit Capacity Report (Circuit Capacity Report). As we reported in March, the Commission previously released a notice of proposed rulemaking seeking comments on whether it should retain, modify or eliminate the annual International Traffic Report and Circuit Capacity Report filed by certain providers of international telecommunications. The Draft Order is not final and may differ from the final item released after the Open Meeting. However, if the Draft Order is adopted as currently drafted, it could offer some welcome relief for reporting international providers.
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International Bureau Reminds Filers – Section 43.62 International Traffic and Revenue Reporting Requirement Temporarily Waived
As we reported in an earlier blog post, on May 1, 2017, the Federal Communications Commission’s (Commission) International Bureau (Bureau) issued an Order temporarily waiving the annual Section 43.62 International Traffic and Revenue Reporting (the Traffic and Revenue Report) requirement. The Traffic and Revenue Report filing, normally due by July 31 each year, is
International Bureau Temporarily Waives Section 43.62 International Traffic and Revenue Reporting Requirement
By an International Bureau (Bureau) Order (Order) released yesterday that temporarily waives the International Traffic and Revenue Reporting (the Traffic and Revenue Report) requirement, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) appears to be moving steadily toward its overhaul of the Section 43.62 international reporting requirements. As Kelley Drye reported in recent posts (here and here
Comment Deadlines Set for FCC’s Latest International Reporting Streamlining Rulemaking
As Kelley Drye reported in a post late last month, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is considering eliminating the FCC Rule 43.62(b) annual International Traffic and Revenue reporting obligation and streamlining the Rule 43.62(a) annual Circuit Capacity reporting requirements. The FCC last overhauled these international reporting requirements a mere four years ago. The FCC’s
FCC Proposes Eliminating Annual International Traffic and Revenue Report and Streamlining Annual Circuit Capacity Report
At its March 23, 2017 Open Meeting, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) voted unanimously to adopt a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) seeking comment on a proposal to reduce certain reporting requirements for international telecommunications service providers (International Service Providers). In particular, the FCC proposes to eliminate, in its entirety, the annual International Traffic and Revenue Report, in which International Service Providers report details regarding their international telecommunications services. The NPRM also seeks comments on ways to streamline the annual Circuit Capacity Report in which International Service Providers report on satellite, terrestrial, and submarine cable system usage and capacity.
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Comment Deadlines Set for FCC Rulemaking Seeking to Expedite the Team Telecom Application Review Process
As Kelley Drye reported in an earlier post, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is moving quickly on efforts to expedite review of certain FCC applications, including, but not limited to, Section 214 and submarine cable-related applications, by the Executive Branch agencies known as Team Telecom. In a May 2016 request to the FCC, the
Details of Mandatory Network Outage Obligations for Submarine Cable Operators Released
As we noted in a prior post, on June 24, 2016, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) adopted new mandatory network outage reporting requirements for submarine cable licensees. The Commission’s Submarine Cable Network Outage Reporting Order (Order), released Tuesday, identifies Commission expectations and provides exact rule language for the reporting requirements which had been described at only a high-level during the Commission’s June Open Meeting. The reporting requirements apply to all submarine cable licensees and will become effective six months after Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval. While the OMB approval process could extend for several months or more, affected submarine cable licensees should familiarize themselves with the reporting rules and begin developing internal mechanisms and procedures to ensure compliance once the rules become effective.
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FCC Proposes Rules to Expedite Initial Stages of the Team Telecom Application Review Process
The Federal Communications Commission (“Commission” or “FCC”) is looking to jump start the initial steps of the Executive Branch process of reviewing certain applications, including Section 214 and submarine cable-related applications. In a May 2016 request from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (“NTIA”), NTIA proposed rule changes designed to facilitate more rapid opening stage review by the Executive Branch agencies known as Team Telecom (which includes the Departments of Justice, Homeland Security, Defense, Commerce, State, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and United States Trade Representative) of certain applications. Toward that end, last Friday, the FCC adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“NPRM”) soliciting comments on rules to expand the information required when certain applications are filed. The proposed rules would potentially have broad applicability, including some rules extending to applications lacking traditional levels of reportable foreign ownership. Both domestic and international carriers and submarine cable operators should review the NPRM to determine if participation in the proceeding would advance their interests. Comments and reply comments will be due, respectively, within 30 and 45 days of NPRM publication in the Federal Register.
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FCC Imposes Mandatory Network Outage Reporting Requirements on Submarine Cable Licenses
The Federal Communications Commission (Commission) today adopted mandatory network outage reporting requirements for submarine cable licensees less than a year after proposing to do so. This mandatory reporting reflects a significant change from the voluntary submarine cable outage reporting system currently in place. The new rules will apply to all submarine cable licensees, regardless