INCOMPAS News -- April 14, 2025

Vol. 21, No. 15

April 14, 2025

INCOMPAS Files Comments in 'Delete, Delete, Delete' Proceeding

Last week, INCOMPAS filed comments in response to the FCC's deregulatory proceeding entitled "Delete Delete Delete." Specifically, the association asked the FCC to:

Remove regulatory hurdles and streamline deployments that will enable faster and more cost-effective broadband networks to be built. As part of this effort, the FCC can modify its rules to address barriers to access and reexamine reporting requirements related to the Broadband Data Collection
Exempt all privacy and data security rules under Part 64, Subpart U of the FCC's rules from application to the provision of telecommunications services to enterprise customers
Extend its 2017 reforms on international reporting by eliminating the quarterly reporting requirements that apply to U.S. international carriers classified as dominant on an international route
Repeal or modify Public Safety Answering Point outage reporting requirements it adopted in 2022 that providers have found to be operationally burdensome and occasionally confusing for 911 special facilities; and
Simplify the rules associated with compliance with the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) to clarify the scope and application, consolidate requirements by category and eliminate duplicative sections.

“INCOMPAS welcomes this opportunity to suggest rules and regulations that, upon further examination, are unnecessary, outdated or affirmatively detrimental to advancing the goals and objectives of the Commission, particularly the timely and competitive deployment and operation of telecommunications services,” said Christopher L. Shipley, Executive Director of Public Policy at INCOMPAS.

“Given INCOMPAS’ diverse membership, our comments represent a variety of areas where the Commission can take action to reduce the regulatory burden on providers, including in the deployment of broadband networks, TCPA regulation, and unnecessary reporting requirements for international carriers and voice service providers," he added. "These suggestions are intended to help our providers redirect resources to the deployment and operation of competitive telecommunications services and we look forward to working with the Commission on this important goal.”

INCOMPAS' Pickering to Speak

at Cloud Connections 2025

INCOMPAS CEO Chip Pickering will be a featured speaker at Cloud Connections 2025 on April 16.

In the session, The New Regulatory Landscape - How it Could Reset the Future for Legacy and AI Services, Chip will join CCA President Joe Marion to discuss the evolving role of administrative agencies and Congress, as well as the impact of new Executive Orders under the current administration. Hear about:

INCOMPAS AI initiatives, referencing findings from the association's Artificial Intelligence Competition Center.
Implications of AI policy for data center and cloud service providers
Pivotal transitions from PSTN/TDM to IP-based environments
How these regulatory shifts are reshaping the landscape for legacy systems and cutting-edge AI services

On-Demand: Trust-to-Revenue Marketing Approach Webinar

Last week, INCOMPAS featured a webinar, Trust-to-Revenue Marketing Approach: A Communications Industry Framework for Closing More Deals, led by The Business Growers.

The webinar is now available on-demand. Watch and learn:

The complete "omnipresence" framework that positions your company at every crucial touchpoint in the buying process
How to leverage your technical expertise to build customer confidence (without coming across as arrogant)
Proven strategies for competing against larger providers with bigger marketing budgets
A multi-channel approach to influence your reputation across Google Search, LinkedIn, email, SMS and in-person events
Time-saving tricks that make reputation management sustainable for busy communications industry leaders

FCC Issues Tentative Agenda for April 28 Open Meeting

The FCC issued a tentative agenda for its April 28, 2025, open meeting, where it will consider:

Caller ID Authentication on Non-IP Networks to Block Robocalls - An NPRM that proposes to develop a framework for evaluating whether non-IP caller ID authentication solutions are developed and reasonably available, as required by the TRACED Act, proposes to conclude certain existing solutions satisfy those requirements and require providers that continue to rely on non-IP networks implement non-IP caller ID authentication solutions;
Modernizing Spectrum Sharing for Satellite Broadband - An NPRM that would promote efficient spectrum sharing between geostationary and nongeostationary satellite systems;
Utilizing the Lower 37 GHz Band - A report and order, sixth report and order and FNPRM establishing a licensing framework for use of the 37–37.6 GHz band (lower 37 GHz band);
Clarifying Foreign Ownership Rules - An NPRM that would set clear expectations about the FCC’s review under Section 310(b) of the act of foreign investment in common carrier wireless, aeronautical radio and broadcast licensees to reduce unnecessary burdens on the industry while continuing to protect the public interest.

Pricing Reduced for Reassigned Numbers Database

The FCC announced reduced pricing for its reassigned numbers database, which is designed to prevent a consumer from getting calls intended for someone who previously held their phone number. The FCC said in addition to a 20% savings on all existing subscription tiers, it added two new subscription tiers to better meet industry needs.

Effective Date of Delivery Restriction Rule Delayed Until 2026

The FCC's Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau issued an order delaying the effective date of Section 64.1200(a)(10) (delivery restrictions) to the extent the rule requires callers to treat a request to revoke consent made by a called party in response to one type of message as applicable to all future robocalls and robotexts from that caller on unrelated matters. The bureau delayed the effective date for this requirement until April 11, 2026, to allow affected parties a reasonable opportunity to implement modifications to communications systems.

Executive Order Directs Review of Agency Regulations

President Trump issued a Presidential Memoranda directing federal agencies, following the 60-day review period ordered in the February 2025 executive order, to identify unlawful and potentially unlawful regulations, to take steps to effectuate the repeal of any regulation, or the portion of any regulation, that clearly exceeds the agency’s statutory authority or is otherwise unlawful. The order also said priority should be given to regulations in conflict with 10 Supreme Court decisions listed in the order.

The memoranda seeks to bypass the normal public notice and comment process by suggesting it is unnecessary where repeal is required as a matter of law to ensure consistency with the Supreme Court rulings. Several public interest groups have already indicated they intend to challenge the Administration's interpretation of Administrative Procedure Act requirements in court.

House Commerce Approves High-Cost Program Vetting Bill

The House Committee on Energy and Commerce approved 20 bills on April 8 including:

Rural Broadband Protection Act (H.R. 2399), which would require the FCC to establish a vetting process for prospective applicants for high-cost universal service support funding
National Telecommunications and Information Administration Reauthorization Act of 2025 (H.R. 2482)
Promoting Resilient Supply Chains Act of 2025 (H.R. 2444)

The bills now move to the full House for consideration.

Rep. Taylor Introduces Rural Broadband Legislation

Rep. Dave Taylor (R-OH) introduced the Bridging the Broadband Gap Act, which would prioritize the affordability and expansion of broadband to rural communities through satellite and fixed-wireless broadband. The bill would also allow states to use funds from the BEAD Program to pay for 50% of the initial cost of a satellite or fixed wireless receiver, $30 of each monthly bill for the first year of service and give service priority to counties in the bottom 50% of a state’s per capita income.

Bill Sets Penalties for Damaging, Theft of Broadband Lines

Reps. Laurel Lee (R-FL) and Marc Veasey (D-TX) introduced the Stopping the Theft and Destruction of Broadband Act, which would impose penalties for those who damage or steal broadband lines.

Senate and House Hearing Overview

Last week the Senate and House held a series of communications-related hearings:

INCOMPAS | www.incompas.org