Kelley Drye Full Spectrum

Full Spectrum’s FCC Open Meeting Recaps feature instant reaction and analysis following the FCC’s monthly Open Meetings, with an emphasis on the agenda items directly impacting our clients. This month, Partner Chip Yorkgitis and Associate Belen Crisp discuss key actions and topics from the April 21st meeting, including (1:00) a look at the role receiver performance policies or requirements might play in the FCC’s spectrum management responsibilities, (11:05) strengthening Wireless Emergency Alerts, and (16:01) a proposed fine related to a common carrier’s alleged failure to comply with foreign ownership-related requirements. Look out for ongoing coverage of these topics and future meetings.

Full Spectrum returns with our newest series, FCC Open Meeting Recaps. These episodes will feature instant reaction and analysis following the FCC’s monthly Open Meetings, with an emphasis on the agenda items directly impacting our clients. This month, Partners Tom Cohen, Hank Kelly and Chip Yorkgitis discuss key actions and topics from the March 16th meeting, including digital discrimination, pole replacement disputes, and the Connected Care Pilot Program. Look out for ongoing coverage of these topics and future meetings on this feed and on our blog, www.commlawmonitor.com.

In this latest episode of the Inside the TCPA series, Partner Steve Augustino and Associate Chris Laughlin provide an update on the new FCC requirement for voice service providers to develop and implement robocall mitigation programs. Building on their Episode 7 discussion of the STIR/SHAKEN framework, Steve and Chris discuss when providers need to implement mitigation programs and what needs to be included. They also offer recommendations for customizing a program to fit a provider’s needs and how to build a program that is both effective and manageable. STIR/SHAKEN Advisory: https://www.kelleydrye.com/KelleyDrye/media/News-Pubs-and-Events-Images/KelleyDrye-STIR_SHAKEN-Advisory.pdf Robocall Mitigation Plan Checklist: https://www.kelleydrye.com/KelleyDrye/media/News-Pubs-and-Events-Images/KelleyDrye-Robocall-Mitigation-Plan-Checklist.pdf

On December 8, 2020, the Supreme Court will hear argument in the case of Facebook v. Duguid, which is expected to resolve a widening Circuit split regarding the definition of an automatic telephone dialing system (ATDS). In this latest episode of the Inside the TCPA series, Partners Steve Augustino and Paul A. Rosenthal set the stage for the case and discuss the FCC actions leading up to the current status of the ATDS definition. In the second part of this podcast, originally recorded for Kelley Drye’s Ad Law Access podcast (https://soundcloud.com/adlawaccess), Paul does a deeper dive into Facebook v. Duguid and its implications. Kelley Drye’s TCPA Tracker newsletter Visit - www.kelleydrye.com/News-Events/Pub…rs/TCPA-Tracker Subscribe - www.kelleydrye.com/News-Events/Pub…a-tracker?dlg=1

In this latest episode of the Inside the TCPA series, Partner Steve Augustino and Associate Chris Laughlin discuss a series of FCC orders that require implementation of a call authentication framework called STIR/SHAKEN. They cover the FCC’s anti-robocall program, the specifics of STIR/SHAKEN, its implementation requirements and deadlines, and other implications for service providers, including what might be ahead in 2021.

The upcoming election will bring changes to the FCC, regardless of which party wins the White House. In this episode, Communications Partners John Heitmann and Steve Augustino are joined by Dana Wood, co-chair of Kelley Drye’s Government Relations and Public Policy (GRPP) practice, for a discussion of the potential organizational and policy changes under the next administration. The conversation features the future of the digital divide, the race to 5G, Section 230, anti-robocall activities, and more. Look out for post-election coverage from Kelley Drye’s Communications and GRPP groups.

In this edition of Full Spectrum’s recurring series on FCC enforcement, Partner Steve Augustino and Special Counsel Brad Currier feature a “decision of the month” illustrating key FCC enforcement trends. For September, they cover the proposed fine against BarrierFree, where the FCC took a hard look at broadband reporting requirements and the continuing violation theory. Steve and Brad discuss why all providers should pay attention to the BarrierFree decision and offer lessons for providers and other entities with FCC reporting obligations. Steve and Brad also briefly recap the summer in FCC enforcement and effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on FCC enforcement.

Earlier this year, Facebook agreed to pay $550 million to settle an Illinois class action alleging that the company collected facial recognition data of users without disclosure, in violation of the state’s 2008 Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA). That large of a payment grabbed attention of both companies and the plaintiffs’ bar. In this episode, Special Counsel Mike Dover and Senior Associate Janine Fletcher-Thomas discuss biometric privacy rights with a special focus on Illinois’ BIPA, which is the only law in the country that allows individuals and classes to bring a private lawsuit for violations without actual injury, spawning a huge wave of litigation. With the use of biometrics increasing, Janine and Mike explain the basics of the law, how it may affect your business, recent class actions, what companies should be doing now to protect themselves, and what to expect in the future.

On April 2, 2020, the FCC issued a Report and Order establishing the COVID-19 Telehealth Program. The program will provide $200 million in funding, appropriated by Congress as part of the CARES Act, to help health care providers provide connected care services to patients at their homes or mobile locations. In this episode, Partner John Heitmann and Special Counsel Denise Smith discuss healthcare provider eligibility criteria, funding coverage, and key application considerations. They also provide an update on awards granted. At the time of the recording, the FCC had awarded a total 104.98 million dollars over nine funding rounds, to 305 health care providers. This podcast follows April 28th webinar, a recording of which is available here: https://www.kelleydrye.com/News-Events/Events/Seminars/COVID-19-and-Beyond-How-to-Connect-to-New-FCC-Tele.

With the COVID-19 economic disruptions and Chairman Pai’s Keep Americans Connected Pledge, planning for the possibility of telecom customers filing for bankruptcy takes on increased importance. In this episode, we provide an overview of the bankruptcy process and the rights and responsibilities of communications service providers when their customers enter into bankruptcy protection. Communications Partner Steve Augustino is joined by Partner Jason Adams and Associate Meaghan McLoughlin from Kelley Drye’s Bankruptcy practice group to give service providers the essential information they need to know to protect themselves before a bankruptcy petition is filed. In addition, they discuss the unique issues the Keep Americans Connected Pledge creates in a bankruptcy proceeding involving an affected customer.

In this latest episode of the Inside the TCPA series, Partner Steve Augustino and Senior Associate Brad Currier take a closer look at shifting strategies to provide effective enforcement of TCPA violations. Unlike TCPA actions of the past, which focused primarily on the entity that is placing the call, these new TCPA actions rely upon new approaches to enforcement, involving both new targets and new enforcers. Steve and Brad discuss how the government (importantly, not just the FCC) is looking “up the chain” in enforcement matters to target service providers who allegedly assist unlawful robocalling and spoofing practices. The theories used are different and involve varying degrees of allegedly culpable conduct, but the significance is in WHO the government is targeting, and HOW the government is seeking to modify behavior. If this approach continues, service providers may face new risks and may need new compliance strategies.

Our "Tuning into Spectrum" series takes a close look at hot topics and issues in radio spectrum. Following their recent episode on the FCC’s C-Band Proceeding addressing use of the 3.7-4.2 GHz spectrum range, Partners Chip Yorkgitis and Josh Guyan are back to discuss the recently released draft Report and Order, which is expected to be adopted at the FCC's February 28th meeting. The Order would transition the use of the C-Band to make the 280 megahertz from 3.7 – 3.98 GHz available for flexible use through an auction to be held this year.

Our "Tuning into Spectrum" series takes a close look at hot topics and issues in radio spectrum. Recently, in a letter to Senator Kennedy (R-LA), Chairman Pai stated that he intends to conduct a public auction of the 3.7-4.2 GHz spectrum range (commonly referred to as the C-Band) that would clear 280 megahertz for flexible use to be allocated by auction and allot 20 megahertz to a guard band. In this episode, Associate Avonne Bell and Partners Chip Yorkgitis and Josh Guyan discuss the issues that remain unresolved, including the impact on satellite operators and MVPDs, technical issues, a possible transition to fiber in some areas, and C-Band-related legislation. After this podcast was recorded, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai indicated his intention to include a C-band item on the agenda for the FCC’s next Open Meeting on February 28, 2020.

From smart homes and self-driving vehicles to drones and healthcare monitoring, Internet of Things (IoT) capabilities are a hot topic for both manufacturers and consumers. This episode spotlights one of the key areas for everyone involved – maintaining security of IoT devices. Partners John Heitmann and Steve Augustino discuss cybersecurity developments, like the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) baseline recommendations for securable devices. John and Steve describe how NIST has taken the lead in this area and what the current recommendations might mean for future regulation.

In this edition of Full Spectrum’s recurring series on FCC enforcement, Partner Steve Augustino and Senior Associate Brad Currier cover a flurry of interesting enforcement items released late this summer. These include the first pure “cramming” action of Rosemary Harold’s tenure as Chief of the Enforcement Bureau, a Consent Decree violation, and more actions for causing interference to licensed operations. Steve and Brad also discuss recent high-profile enforcement actions stemming from the alleged misuse of emergency alert tones by CBS, ABC, AMC Networks, and Discovery. CenturyLink Settlement: https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-reaches-550000-cramming-settlement-centurylink-0 Cumulus Fine: https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-proposes-233000-fine-against-cumulus-media Interference Advisory: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-19-807A1.pdf Proposed CBS Fine: https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-proposes-272000-fine-cbs-misuse-emergency-alert-tone ABC Settlement: https://www.fcc.gov/document/eb-reaches-settl

In this edition of Full Spectrum’s recurring series on FCC enforcement, Partner Steve Augustino and Senior Associate Brad Currier highlight a recent trend of FCC Commissioner taking enforcement matters into their own hands by launching investigations. While Commissioners have long used their position to bring attention to potential enforcement issues, they have recently begun directly targeting entities with detailed inquiries. Recent examples include Commissioner O’Rielly regarding E-Rate overbuilding, Commissioner Carr regarding use of educational broadband services (EBS) spectrum, and Commissioner Rosenworcel regarding the sale of customer location information by the major nationwide carriers. Steve and Brad cover all of these investigations while discussing the significance and implications of this new approach. Rosenworcel Letters: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-357278A2.pdf O'Rielly Letter: https://www.fcc.gov/document/comm-orielly-letter-superintendent-clay-cochise-county-schools

In this edition of Full Spectrum’s recurring series on FCC enforcement, Partner Steve Augustino and Senior Associate Brad Currier provide their takeaways from a recent Federal Communications Bar Association event featuring FCC Enforcement Bureau Chief Rosemary Harold and her deputies. The event provided insights on the Bureau’s key enforcement focus areas not available from the FCC’s public releases, including developments involving the Bureau's new Fraud Division, robocalling enforcement, and more “bread and butter” unauthorized operations issues. Steve and Brad also discuss some best practice tips provided by the Bureau Chief and her staff related to self-disclosures of violations and the use of tolling agreements in complex investigations. The event shows that there still is much to talk about on FCC enforcement, even in the dog days of summer.

“Inside the TCPA” offers a deeper focus on TCPA issues and petitions pending before the FCC. Each episode tackles a single TCPA topic or petition that is in the news or affecting cases around the country. In this episode, Partner Steve Augustino and Associate Chris Laughlin discuss the FCC’s efforts to reduce the volume of illegal robocalls. Steve and Chris refresh the audience on illegally spoofed calls and discuss the FCC’s efforts to urge carriers to implement call blocking and call authentication techniques, including the SHAKEN/STIR framework.

Our "Tuning into Spectrum" series takes a close look at hot topics and issues in radio spectrum. Thanks to technological advancements, a major development in recent years has been the growing prospects for innovative use of higher spectrum bands. In this episode, Associate Avonne Bell talks with Partners Chip Yorkgitis and Josh Guyan about the FCC’s heightened focus on millimeter wave spectrum. They discuss the connection to 5G, potential impacts on federal meteorological and passive services, the use of an incentive auction in a new setting, innovative proposals for spectrum access, and more. Look out for additional spectrum updates in the coming months in this continuously evolving environment.

In February 2019, the FCC issued an Enforcement Advisory warning marketers of LED signs that their products must be authorized, properly labeled, and contain the required user disclosures before being marketed in the United States. The Enforcement Advisory followed a slew of enforcement actions in 2018 totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars in penalties against importers and retailers of LED signs for violations of the FCC’s equipment marketing rules. In this special edition of Full Spectrum’s enforcement series, Partner Steve Augustino and Associate Brad Currier do a deep dive on the FCC’s LED sign enforcement initiative, breaking down the FCC’s equipment authorization rules, how they apply to LED signs, and what importers, retailers, and others in the LED sign supply chain need to do now in order to avoid FCC enforcement action later. Enforcement Advisory: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-19-90A1.pdf Supplemental Materials: https://www.kelleydrye.com/KelleyDrye/media/News-Pubs-and-Events-Imag