On May 2, the FCC released its tariff investigation order and further notice of proposed rulemaking (FNPRM) on business data services, also known as special access services.

The Commission is seeking comment on a new regulatory framework for the provision of business data services and identifying tariff and other contractual terms/conditions that are unreasonable under the Act.

Comments are due on June 28, and reply comments are due July 26.

FCC to Address Public Safety, Network Reliability and Connect America Fund at May Meeting

The FCC last week announced the items on the tentative agenda for its May 25 Open Commission Meeting:

Updating the Public Inspection File Requirements: The Commission will consider a NPRM that seeks comment on proposals to eliminate the requirement that commercial broadcast stations retain copies of letters and emails from the public in their public inspection file and the requirement that cable operators reveal the location of the cable system's principal headend.

Enhancing Public Safety and Network Reliability Through Communications Outage Reporting: The Commission will consider a Report and Order and FNPRM to update its Part 4 communications network outage reporting requirements.

Connect America Phase II Auction: The Commission will consider a Report & Order adopting rules to implement a competitive bidding process for high-cost universal service support from Phase II of the Connect America Fund.

The Open Meeting is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 25 at FCC headquarters in Washington, D.C.

FCC Approves Charter-Time Warner Cable-Brighthouse Merger

On May 5, the FCC approved - with conditions - the application filed by Charter Communications, Inc., Time Warner Cable Inc., and Advance/Newhouse Partnership approval to transfer control of certain licenses and authorizations from Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks to Charter Communications.

An Order detailing the Commission's reasoning and the conditions will be issued soon.