Regulatory

December 10, 2012 — Julius Genachowski, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman, recently announced the creation of the Technology Transitions Policy Task Force that will work to answer the following policy question: “In a broadband world, how can we best ensure that our nation’s communications policies continue to drive a virtuous cycle of innovation and investment, promote competition, and protect consumers?” Areas that the Task Force will focus on include: IP interconnection, 21st century communications networks, business broadband competition, and voice services.

December 2012— On December 19, 2012, the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC’s) Chairman Julius Genachowski will present the FCC’s Chairman’s Awards for Advancement in Accessibility to eight projects exemplifying significant innovation in communications technology that benefits individuals with disabilities.

November 21, 2012 - The next open meeting of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will be held on Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 1:00pm EST. Agenda items include: a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking related to broadband services; a Report and Order related to increasing support for rural health care services; and a Report, Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking related to Next Generation 911 (NG 9-1-1) services that would develop and deploy Text-to-911.

November 19, 2012—The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in November to implement specific provisions of the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (CVAA). The FCC seeks comments regarding making emergency information, video description, and the equipment used to deliver the information more accessible to individuals who are blind or visually impaired.

November 1, 2012—The Wireless Telecommunications Bureau is seeking public input on the effectiveness of Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules regarding hearing aid compatibility (HAC) of wireless handsets. The Bureau previously released a 2010 Review PN that addressed the compatibility and accessibility of various wireless phones to people with hearing aids and cochlear implants. However, there have been technological advances since the 2010 Review PN and in this new Public Notice (PN), the Bureau is interested in how these advances have affected HAC.