Telecom Alert: CPNI Certifications Due; USDA Invests $2.7B in Electric Coops; Guard Band Licensee, Band Manager Reports Due; ECF Funding [Vol. XX, Issue 6]

Annual CPNI Certifications Due March 1

The FCC issued an Enforcement Advisory last week reminding telecommunications carriers and interconnected VoIP providers of their obligation to file their annual certification documenting compliance with the Customer Proprietary Network Information (“CPNI”) rules by March 1, 2023. CPNI includes sensitive personal information about customers, and the Commission’s rules seeks to ensure that CPNI is adequately protected from unauthorized access. Failure to comply with the requirements may lead to enforcement action, including monetary forfeitures of up to $237,268 for each violation or each day of a continuing violation, up to a maximum of $2,372,677.

USDA Invests $2.7B in Electric Coops, Utilities

Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) announced it is investing $2.7 billion to help electric cooperatives and utilities expand and modernize the nation’s rural electric grid and increase grid security. The USDA is investing in 64 projects through the Electric Loan Program, which makes insured loans and loan guarantees to nonprofit and cooperative associations, public bodies, and other utilities. The funding will benefit nearly two million people and business across twenty-six states and will include $612 million to help install and upgrade smart grid technologies.

Guard Band Licensee, Band Manager Reports Due

The FCC issued a Public Notice last week reminding 700 MHz Guard Band licensees and 220 MHz Band Managers of their obligation to file their annual reports by March 1, 2023. The annual reports contain information detailing the manner in which the spectrum is being used. The information should accurately convey the current level of service being offered in each licensed area, including information regarding coverage provided by Licensee’s operations and any spectrum lease agreements.

ECF Funding

The FCC announced that it is committing over $30 million in a new funding round through the Emergency Connectivity Program (the “Program”). The commitment will support applications from all three application windows and will support over 200 schools, 15 libraries, and 1 consortium. To date, the Program has provided support to approximately 10,000 schools, 1,000 libraries, and 100 consortia.