The Regulatory Mix, TMI’s daily blog of regulatory activities, is a snapshot of PUC, FCC, legislative, and occasionally court issues that our regulatory monitoring team uncovers each day. Depending on their significance, some items may be the subject of a TMI Briefing.
FCC
Slamming Fine
The FCC announced a $29.6 million proposed fine against four related IXCs that the FCC says apparently perpetrated “an array of fraudulent, deceptive and manipulative practices that targeted consumers with Hispanic surnames.” The FCC is accusing the companies of violating multiple statutory provisions and FCC rules involving slamming, cramming, misrepresentation, and deceptive marketing. The fine is for a total of 142 slamming and cramming complaints and 66 instances of misrepresentation. Watch for our upcoming blog “FCC Proposes HUGE Fine for Slamming, Cramming, and More!” scheduled for 2/17/16 for more details.
Capitalism in Communications
In a recent blog entitled “Defending Capitalism in Communications,” Commissioner O’Reilly said that “American capitalism, and its role in the communications industry, should be embraced, celebrated, and exported throughout the world. Instead, it is under continuous assault domestically by self-defined progressives and ultra-liberals, who have found sport in using misguided rhetoric and false pretenses to denigrate one of the core tenets of American society. They demonize company executives, decry profits and income, promote class warfare and push policy positions favoring government-provided services over private sector solutions. Beyond being disingenuous and inflammatory, these views completely ignore the extraordinary benefits that the American capitalistic system brings to communications services.”
He goes on to identify some of the benefits of capitalism, including that it: connects willing a buyer and seller in the marketplace; minimizes the need for government interference; protects consumers efficiently and sufficiently; facilitates profits and economic growth; and fosters entrepreneurialism.
TMI Spring 2016 Regulatory Seminar& Workshop – April 19th – 20th in Maitland, FL