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.
TELECOM
FCC
Broadband Health Conference
The FCC announced that its Connect2Health Task will hold a conference on May 18, 2016, in Houston, Texas to highlight how broadband-enabled health technologies can improve access to mental health care and to discuss associated policy issues. Hosted by the University of Houston Law Center’s Health Law & Policy Institute, Broadband Prescriptions for Mental Health, will explore how connected environments can be used to improve mental health and will spotlight the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine’s efforts in this area. The conference will feature FCC Commissioner Clyburn, among other dignitaries. Topics and demonstrations will include the role of broadband-enabled mental health solutions in providing greater access for underserved communities, the impact of connected environments on behavioral health and social isolation, and other cutting-edge applications in telepsychiatry. The event is part of the Connect2HealthFCC Task Force’s “Beyond the Beltway Series.”
FirstNet
The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) announced that it extended the deadline for proposals for the deployment of the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network (NPSBN) by two and a half weeks, from May 13 to May 31, 2016. The extension follows FirstNet’s review of multiple capability statements submitted by potential offerors. FirstNet issued the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the deployment of the network on January 13, 2016. “Our decision to extend the deadline for final proposals was driven by both the volume and nature of the capability statements as well as requests for extensions we’ve received from interested parties,” said FirstNet Chief Executive Officer Mike Poth. “We believe this date affords prospective offerors the opportunity to fine tune their proposals and finalize any teaming arrangements and/or subcontractors, and we remain on track to award by November 1.” FirstNet released a clarifying amendment (Amendment 11) to the RFP. Additional information can be found on fbo.gov.
