Groups Seek FCC Extension of Small Broadband Provider Transparency Exemption
Trade groups urged the FCC to extend an exemption for small broadband providers from compliance with enhanced transparency rules under the 2015 net neutrality order. The current exemption expires Dec. 15. Until the FCC or Congress "comprehensively addresses the future"…
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of the exemption, "it is of paramount importance that the Commission act in the near term to prevent small BIAS [broadband internet access service] providers from having to comply with additional, unnecessary obligations," said a filing Thursday in docket 14-28 from the Competitive Carriers Association, NTCA, Wireless Internet Service Providers Association and American Cable Association. The Office of Management and Budget still hasn't approved the new rule, without which "the absence of an exemption would create substantial confusion and uncertainty," the groups said. "Regarding the scope of the further exemption, the Associations urged the Commission to consider Congressional support for the Small Business Broadband Deployment Act, which provides an extended exemption from the enhanced transparency rules to small BIAS providers serving 250,000 subscribers or less," said their filing on meetings with aides to Commissioners Mike O’Rielly and Mignon Clyburn. CTIA in October called on the agency to make the exemption permanent (see 1611070047). An FCC draft item on the exemption circulated on Oct. 25 (see 1611070047).