Telecom groups said the FCC should narrow its definition of "continuing violations" of rules to exclude four types of infractions. Noting a petition to reconsider a decision setting treble damages for rule violations on payments to USF and other funding programs, CTIA, Incompas, NCTA and USTelecom said the agency's definition "is inconsistent with the one-year statute of limitations for non-broadcast Notices of Apparent Liability ('NALs') contained in the Communications Act" and with court precedent. The one-year statute of limitations "is intended to create 'repose' and does not continue because the violation either has not been 'cured' or has continuing effects," said their filing Wednesday in docket 16-330 on a meeting with Enforcement Bureau Chief Rosemary Harold and other staffers. They said continuing violations shouldn't include: "(1) failure to make (or timely make) a required regulatory filing; (2) the inclusion of incorrect information in a regulatory filing; (3) failure to make (or timely make) a required [USF] or other regulatory payment; and (4) failure to return improperly received funds to the USF or other FCC funds." They noted then-Commissioner Ajit Pai voiced views "consistent with our position" in NAL dissents after their petition.

The federal government, not just the FCC, has been hit with a wave of fake comments in rulemaking proceedings, and the government needs to go after bad actors and find a way to make sure feedback is real, FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel said Monday at the State of the Net conference. Critics of the overturn of the 2015 net neutrality rules alleged many comments were fake (see 1712130051), but Rosenworcel said the problem goes much deeper. “There is a concerted effort to exploit our openness,” she said. “It deserves a concerted response.”

The federal government, not just the FCC, has been hit with a wave of fake comments in rulemaking proceedings, and the government needs to go after bad actors and find a way to make sure feedback is real, FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel said Monday at the State of the Net conference. Critics of the overturn of the 2015 net neutrality rules alleged many comments were fake (see 1712130051), but Rosenworcel said the problem goes much deeper. “There is a concerted effort to exploit our openness,” she said. “It deserves a concerted response.”

The federal government, not just the FCC, has been hit with a wave of fake comments in rulemaking proceedings, and the government needs to go after bad actors and find a way to make sure feedback is real, FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel said Monday at the State of the Net conference. Critics of the overturn of the 2015 net neutrality rules alleged many comments were fake (see 1712130051), but Rosenworcel said the problem goes much deeper. “There is a concerted effort to exploit our openness,” she said. “It deserves a concerted response.”

The FCC received wide and nuanced input on ways to ensure or facilitate unblocking of calls erroneously blocked by anti-robocalling measures. Many urged mandatory challenge mechanisms or other new rules to speed unblocking of legitimate calls, while others resisted potential regulations. More comments were posted Tuesday and Wednesday in docket 17-59 on a November Further NPRM attached to an order encouraging providers to block illegal calls. Previous comments mostly expressed skepticism about unblocking regulation (see 1801230062). Noting a 2015 order authorizing consumer-initiated call blocking, collections group ACA International said the FCC should adopt "call blocking mitigation mechanisms that apply both to provider-initiated and consumer-initiated call blocking." The Professional Association for Customer Equipment, Alorica and the Consumer Relations Consortium urged the FCC to require carriers to offer call-blocking mitigation services for call originators and recipients, along with speedy agency complaint procedures. The Electronic Transactions Association backed an FCC challenge mechanism if it promotes "centralized feedback" as part of an industry standard. Hiya backed a challenge mechanism and the Retail Energy Supply Association urged numerous new FCC requirements. SiriusXM said it's being harmed by aggressive blocking of legal calls and proposed various rules to facilitate unblocking. NTCA said providers that block calls should be required to send callers with blocked numbers an "intercept message" notifying them of the action and possible remedial steps. Consumer groups don't oppose an unblocking mechanism if there are safeguards but sought new FCC actions to combat illegal robocalling. The National Association of Federally-Insured Credit Unions also urged the FCC to stay focused on cracking down on unlawful robocalls, and wait to undo harmful effects until litigation over the 2015 order is resolved. Colonial Penn Life Insurance backed the FCC initiative if it acts to ensure legitimate marketers aren't snared. USTelecom opposed a challenge-mechanism requirement and asked the FCC to back industry-led unblocking efforts. Verizon said the FCC should encourage industry efforts, saying much depends on whether blocking is opt-in or opt-out. NCTA said the FCC should monitor voluntary call blocking before deciding on new rules. Comcast opposed possible new reporting duties but suggested the FCC require voice providers to create their own user-friendly webpages for reporting erroneous call blocking. First Orion said industry parties need leeway to develop their own challenge mechanisms, and Transaction Network Services suggested a challenge mechanism is tricky to implement. ITTA opposed possible new industry reporting duties for voice providers. Incompas asked to hold off on such obligations for now, and "not rush to implement any solutions" that could harm upstart competitors until reliable robocall detection is available industrywide.

The FCC received wide and nuanced input on ways to ensure or facilitate unblocking of calls erroneously blocked by anti-robocalling measures. Many urged mandatory challenge mechanisms or other new rules to speed unblocking of legitimate calls, while others resisted potential regulations. More comments were posted Tuesday and Wednesday in docket 17-59 on a November Further NPRM attached to an order encouraging providers to block illegal calls. Previous comments mostly expressed skepticism about unblocking regulation (see 1801230062). Noting a 2015 order authorizing consumer-initiated call blocking, collections group ACA International said the FCC should adopt "call blocking mitigation mechanisms that apply both to provider-initiated and consumer-initiated call blocking." The Professional Association for Customer Equipment, Alorica and the Consumer Relations Consortium urged the FCC to require carriers to offer call-blocking mitigation services for call originators and recipients, along with speedy agency complaint procedures. The Electronic Transactions Association backed an FCC challenge mechanism if it promotes "centralized feedback" as part of an industry standard. Hiya backed a challenge mechanism and the Retail Energy Supply Association urged numerous new FCC requirements. SiriusXM said it's being harmed by aggressive blocking of legal calls and proposed various rules to facilitate unblocking. NTCA said providers that block calls should be required to send callers with blocked numbers an "intercept message" notifying them of the action and possible remedial steps. Consumer groups don't oppose an unblocking mechanism if there are safeguards but sought new FCC actions to combat illegal robocalling. The National Association of Federally-Insured Credit Unions also urged the FCC to stay focused on cracking down on unlawful robocalls, and wait to undo harmful effects until litigation over the 2015 order is resolved. Colonial Penn Life Insurance backed the FCC initiative if it acts to ensure legitimate marketers aren't snared. USTelecom opposed a challenge-mechanism requirement and asked the FCC to back industry-led unblocking efforts. Verizon said the FCC should encourage industry efforts, saying much depends on whether blocking is opt-in or opt-out. NCTA said the FCC should monitor voluntary call blocking before deciding on new rules. Comcast opposed possible new reporting duties but suggested the FCC require voice providers to create their own user-friendly webpages for reporting erroneous call blocking. First Orion said industry parties need leeway to develop their own challenge mechanisms, and Transaction Network Services suggested a challenge mechanism is tricky to implement. ITTA opposed possible new industry reporting duties for voice providers. Incompas asked to hold off on such obligations for now, and "not rush to implement any solutions" that could harm upstart competitors until reliable robocall detection is available industrywide.

Facebook spent significantly more in Q4 lobbying than during the previous year’s period, lobbying disclosures show. It spent $3 million, up from the $1.7 million last year. In addition to Facebook's report, the company reported paying firms including BakerHostetler; Blue Mountain Strategies, David Wade/GreenLight Strategies, Harbinger Strategies, Ogilvy Government Relations, Peck Madigan Jones, Signal Group Consulting, Steptoe & Johnson, Subject Matter and theGROUP $445,000 for technology policy work, including cybersecurity, advertising transparency and platform integrity.

Facebook spent significantly more in Q4 lobbying than during the previous year’s period, lobbying disclosures show. It spent $3 million, up from the $1.7 million last year. In addition to Facebook's report, the company reported paying firms including BakerHostetler; Blue Mountain Strategies, David Wade/GreenLight Strategies, Harbinger Strategies, Ogilvy Government Relations, Peck Madigan Jones, Signal Group Consulting, Steptoe & Johnson, Subject Matter and theGROUP $445,000 for technology policy work, including cybersecurity, advertising transparency and platform integrity.

Next Century Cities praised an FCC proposal to keep a 25 Mbps broadband benchmark in a draft report circulated by Chairman Ajit Pai (see 1801180053). "Maintaining this federal standard is essential to ensuring that all Americans are adequately connected to high-speed broadband services. We are glad the FCC shifted from its original plan to reduce broadband quality and instead will stay with the current 25/3 Mbps standard, and does not see mobile as ‘a full substitute’ for the high-quality broadband all Americans deserve,” said Deb Socia, executive director. NCC said the FCC backed off declaring mobile a substitute "after public pressure" from the "#MobileOnly Challenge" it and others organized (see 1712180057). “If we want to keep our economy chugging along, then we must put broadband networks and the internet on a bullet train to the future," Incompas CEO Chip Pickering said. "Increasing the fixed broadband benchmark to one Gigabit would encourage greater competition, lower prices, and unleash investment." Pickering lauded Pai and the commission for their "continued focus on broadband deployment," and urged them to take new actions to spur competition: "We support the Commission adopting policies that lower barriers for competitors, such as One Touch, Make Ready for pole attachments. The FCC should also clarify that it will not preempt any city or state that enables broadband competition in multi-tenant buildings, and it should open a rulemaking that makes clear that exclusive access arrangements are not permitted. Consumers living in condos or apartments have a right to competition too.”

Next Century Cities praised an FCC proposal to keep a 25 Mbps broadband benchmark in a draft report circulated by Chairman Ajit Pai (see 1801180053). "Maintaining this federal standard is essential to ensuring that all Americans are adequately connected to high-speed broadband services. We are glad the FCC shifted from its original plan to reduce broadband quality and instead will stay with the current 25/3 Mbps standard, and does not see mobile as ‘a full substitute’ for the high-quality broadband all Americans deserve,” said Deb Socia, executive director. NCC said the FCC backed off declaring mobile a substitute "after public pressure" from the "#MobileOnly Challenge" it and others organized (see 1712180057). “If we want to keep our economy chugging along, then we must put broadband networks and the internet on a bullet train to the future," Incompas CEO Chip Pickering said. "Increasing the fixed broadband benchmark to one Gigabit would encourage greater competition, lower prices, and unleash investment." Pickering lauded Pai and the commission for their "continued focus on broadband deployment," and urged them to take new actions to spur competition: "We support the Commission adopting policies that lower barriers for competitors, such as One Touch, Make Ready for pole attachments. The FCC should also clarify that it will not preempt any city or state that enables broadband competition in multi-tenant buildings, and it should open a rulemaking that makes clear that exclusive access arrangements are not permitted. Consumers living in condos or apartments have a right to competition too.”