Vol. 18, No. 28
July 5, 2022
INCOMPAS Files 2022 Communications
Marketplace Report Comments with FCC
INCOMPAS filed comments on last week with the FCC for the 2022 Communications Marketplace Report, providing a robust and detailed look at the entire communications marketplace. 

INCOMPAS asserted that the fixed broadband marketplace, as well as the business data services marketplace, remain highly concentrated in most geographic areas. INCOMPAS also highlighted the fact that customers are using both fixed and mobile connectivity and that the FCC should treat these markets separately in its analysis. 

INCOMPAS has urged the FCC to implement policies that will promote more choice, enabling more opportunities for competition to thrive, and in turn, for consumers to benefit with internet access that delivers faster speeds, better customer service, and affordable prices.

“For over 40 years, INCOMPAS has been the leading advocate for pro-competition policies that unleash innovation and investment, create jobs, and save consumers money," said INCOMPAS CEO Chip Pickering. "Our comments for the FCC’s 2022 Communications Marketplace Report provide a roadmap for improving the fixed and mobile broadband marketplace, removing barriers to deployment and expanding the streaming revolution. This is critical for competitive providers who are working to deliver more choice and better, faster networks throughout the U.S. In the coming weeks and months, INCOMPAS will highlight specific policies detailed in our comments to help the FCC improve the speeds, services, and choices available to all American families and small businesses.”
FCC Opens Broadband Data Collection Filing Window
Last week, the FCC’s Broadband Data Task Force officially opened the inaugural Broadband Data Collection (BDC) filing window. Facilities-based broadband service providers may now begin to file in the BDC system data that reflects where they make mass-market internet access service available as of June 30, 2022.

The data collection applies to “facilities-based providers” of fixed and mobile broadband internet access. This definition includes those that are using a UNE or BDS to provide BIAS services, and in most cases, if you are required to file FCC Form 477, you must also submit data in this new collection system. The data must be filed no later than September 1, 2022.  
Filers should submit their data in the BDC system. The FCC hosted a webinar last week to demonstrate for filers how to use the BDC system, and a recording of the webinar will be added to the tutorials available on the “Education” tab.

For more information on the FCC’s data collection effort and to look up the categories of broadband providers that must file availability data, please visit the Filers page. Also, more information on how to log in, navigate the BDC system, and submit data can be found in the detailed BDC System User Guide and related video tutorials, available at the online BDC Help Center.
FCC Closes Robocall Loophole
Starting on June 30, certain small phone companies must comply with FCC rules to implement caller ID authentication tools on their networks, just as large voice service providers have been required to do since June 30, 2021.

Last week's announcement is the latest in a series of actions by the FCC’s Robocall Response Team to cut off the flood of unwanted robocalls hitting consumers and business phone networks. These small phone companies are suspected of facilitating large numbers of illegal robocalls and, as a result, the FCC rolled back an extended caller ID authentication implementation timeline granted to them in its original 2020 rules.