On January 11, 2017, the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (WTB or Bureau) of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) issued an informal report—“Policy Review of Mobile Broadband Operators’ Sponsored Data Offerings for Zero-Rated Content and Services”—that establishes a draft framework for reviewing mobile broadband providers’ sponsored data and zero-rated offerings and analyzes the
Kelley Drye
D.C. Circuit Affirms FCC’s Net Neutrality Order
By Kelley Drye on
On June 14, 2016, the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit upheld the FCC’s 2015 Open Internet Order, which classified broadband Internet access service (BIAS) as a “telecommunications service” under Title II of the Communications Act of 1934, and imposed on providers a slate of “open Internet” and traditional common-carrier regulations. In…
Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Seeks Comment on Twilio Petition Requesting Classification of Messaging Services Under Title II; Comments Due November 20th, Replies Due December 21st
By Kelley Drye on
Posted in Federal & State Regulatory, Wireless
On October 13, 2015, the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (Bureau) of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or the Commission) issued a Public Notice seeking comment on a Petition for Expedited Declaratory Ruling (Petition) from Twilio Inc. (Twilio), a cloud-based developer-platform for communications services, requesting that the Commission clarify that certain messaging services are “telecommunications…
FCC Appoints Open Internet Ombudsperson
By Kelley Drye on
On June 15, 2015, the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC’s) Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau (CGB) appointed Ms. Parul P. Desai to serve as its first “Open Internet Ombudsperson.”
The FCC created the position of Open Internet Ombudsperson to assist consumers, businesses, and organizations with open Internet complaints and questions and to ensure that those parties…
Mobile App Provider Seeks Clarification on Applicability of the TCPA to OTT Texting Services
By Kelley Drye on
With class action cases proliferating, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) continues to receive petitions seeking guidance on the applicability of its rules to various calling or texting scenarios. In the latest example, the FCC issued a Public Notice seeking comment on a Petition for Declaratory Ruling filed by TextMe, Inc. (“TextMe”). TextMe provides a free…