The Nebraska Public Service Commission will investigate why required redundancy failed in Lumen and Windstream’s back-to-back 911 outages (see 2309050015), the PSC said Tuesday. The commission voted 5-0 to launch the probes. “The disruptions in 911 service that occurred in these two separate incidents is unacceptable,” said Nebraska PSC Chair Dan Watermeier. “The Commission expects 911 service providers to maintain diverse and redundant connections between 911 centers and their networks.” The PSC will ask in docket 911-075 why the Lumen fiber cuts led to a statewide outage, said one order Tuesday. In the Windstream probe, the agency will look into why a fire and power loss at one facility resulted in 911 disruptions over a large part of southeast Nebraska, said a separate order in docket 911-076. Windstream stands "ready to engage constructively" with the Nebraska PSC, a spokesperson said. Lumen didn't comment by our deadline.
The California Public Utilities Commission missed the deadline to appeal a U.S. District Court for Northern California opinion on a USF surcharges dispute with T-Mobile’s MetroPCS, the carrier said Monday. For that and other reasons, the CPUC should reject the CPUC Consumer Protection and Enforcement Division’s objections (see 2309010014) to MetroPCS’ motion to dismiss the investigation in docket I.22-04-005, the carrier said. “MetroPCS clearly cannot be penalized for declining to comply with Resolutions that have been declared unlawful and unenforceable.”
Washington awarded $14.5 million in digital navigator grants, the state broadband office said Monday. Digital navigator “programs open equal opportunities for people to thrive, especially community members who may be struggling to reach their full potential,” said Washington Commerce Department Director Mike Fong. The state granted about $10.2 million to the Equity in Education Coalition, about $3.8 million to Community Health Network of Washington and nearly $431,000 to the Nisqually Indian Tribe. Commerce received 26 applications requesting more than $115 million, it said.
The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission plans to vote Sept. 21 on whether to resume proceedings on revoking LTD Broadband’s eligible telecom carrier (ETC) designation (docket 22-221). Commissions will also consider whether to grant Minnesota Telecom Association and the Minnesota Rural Electric Association’s motion to suspend LTD’s ETC designation in the meantime, said an agenda posted Friday. In comments last month, LTD told the commission there’s no urgent need to resume the proceeding (see 2308220051), while Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison (D) and industry and public interest groups said the matter mustn’t be delayed any further (see 2308140032). Also at the meeting, the PUC plans to consider annual ETC certifications for receiving federal USF support (docket 23-8).
Colorado proposed how it will run its challenge process for NTIA’s broadband, equity, access and deployment (BEAD) program. The state broadband office released the draft first volume of its initial proposal Friday, seeking comment by Oct. 9. NTIA allocated Colorado $826.5 million for BEAD.
California legislators supported drafting a digital equity bill of rights. The Assembly voted 69-0 Thursday to concur with Senate amendments to AB-414. It passed the Senate unanimously Tuesday (see 2309070042) and goes next to Gov. Gavin Newsom (D). Also Thursday, the Senate voted 38-0 to pass AB-41, which aims to tighten digital equity requirements in the state’s video franchise law but is opposed by a public interest group (see 2308170044). The Assembly must concur with Senate amendments. Assembly members voted 89-0 Thursday for SB-60, which would require social media platforms to remove posts on illegal drug sales. The Senate must concur with Assembly edits.
The District of Columbia Council Judiciary and Public Safety Committee plans a hearing Oct. 5 at 9:30 a.m. on the Office of Unified Communications. The committee will also hear testimony on a bill (B25-0344) meant to enhance transparency and accuracy at the 911 center (see 2306160024), said a hearing notice posted Thursday.
Missouri’s Public Counsel “supports a renewed look” at the state’s relay service fund, the office commented Thursday at the Missouri Public Service Commission in case TO-2024-0033. The PSC sought comment last month on the continued need for the state’s TRS fund and to review the program’s current 10 cent per line monthly surcharge (see 2308140044). The office cited a declining number of subscribers and technological advancement as reasons to review the Relay Missouri Fund. “If this analysis were to indicate that certain telecommunications services would be lost for deaf, hearing-impaired, and/or speech impaired Missourians, and that the Relay Missouri Fund should continue, it may be worthwhile to revisit the Fund and determine whether changes should be made to better reflect the types of services needed today.”
The Treasury Department awarded Oklahoma $167.7 million through the Capital Projects Fund Friday. The funding will support broadband infrastructure projects through the state's grant program, said a news release. Oklahoma estimates it will connect about 20,000 homes and businesses.
Ohio will provide free broadband job training through a partnership with Goodwill Columbus, Ohio State University and other organizations, Gov. Mike DeWine (R) said Thursday. Ohio needs about 32,000 skilled workers to prepare broadband infrastructure, said DeWine. “Providing this training now will ensure that broadband companies can access and spend the coming infrastructure investments to ultimately position Ohio as a prime destination for new, innovative companies seeking access to the next generation of wired and wireless communications.”