Technology, Communications & Media

We’ve written previously about the role of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in regulating wireless medical devices, chiefly in determining the operating frequency and certain technical rules that ensure co-existence with other devices and wireless users. As part of that process, manufacturers must submit prototypes of new devices for testing and review by independent third party test labs and certification bodies (TCBs). The FCC prohibits responsible parties, such as manufacturers and resellers, from importing, marketing, or selling any device subject to this equipment approval process prior to obtaining approval from a TCB, which comes in the form of a grant of equipment certification.

Read about a 2nd Circuit holding that equipment that merely stores and dials telephone numbers constitutes an ATDS and the 7th Circuit’s holding that a $280 million penalty against DISH for illegal telemarketing was insufficient.

Read about a petition filed by financial institutions with the FCC seeking a ruling that TCPA’s emergency purposes exception applies to communications about the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mintz’s April TCPA Digest covers a circuit split on what an Automatic Telephone Dialing System is under the TCPA and a petition at the FCC for a TCPA emergency exception for COVID-19 communications.

In preparation for accepting applications for funding under the its COVID-19 Telehealth Program, which will make available $200 million in appropriated funds to support telehealth services during the COVID-19 pandemic, the FCC has released a Public Notice with guidance on how eligible health care providers can ready themselves to participate. The FCC will release a separate Public Notice shortly announcing the date it will begin accepting applications for funding. Applications will be accepted through an online portal, the web address and opening date for which will also be posted on the FCC’s Keep Americans Connected page.

Read about the FCC’s order to adopt two telehealth programs offering $300 million to support health care providers, the COVID-19 Telehealth Program and the Connected Care Pilot Program.

Read about the FCC’s plans to provide $200M for health care providers and patients during the COVID-19 pandemic and up to $100M to study telehealth services.

This alert reviews a March 20 FCC declaratory ruling clarifying that COVID-19–related texts qualify as emergency exceptions under TCPA.

This month’s digest reviews the FCC’s order mandating STIR/SHAKEN implementation by June 30, 2021 and provides insight on TCPA cases including Barr, which could invalidate the TCPA’s ATDS provisions.

This month’s digest reviews the FCC’s order mandating STIR/SHAKEN implementation by June 30th, 2021 and provides insight on TCPA cases including Barr, which could invalidate the TCPA’s ATDS provisions.

This month’s TCPA digest reviews the FCC’s order mandating STIR/SHAKEN implementation by June 30, 2021 and provides insight on TCPA cases including Barr, which could invalidate the TCPA’s ATDS provisions.

This alert outlines the FCC’s proposed procedures for the first phase of the groundbreaking Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) auction, which will begin on October 22, 2020.

Voice Service Providers, FCC in Thick of SHAKEN/STIR Implementation; Comments Sought on Reassigned Numbers Database Tech Requirements

This newsletter covers recent TCPA appellate decisions by the 7th and 11th Circuit Courts and provides an update on the industry’s progress on call blocking.

What’s Covered by TCPA? 7th Circuit Upholds Wireless Carrier Exemption; 11th Circuit Rejects Broad Definition of ATDS

Angela Kung and Laura Stefani discuss key areas in which telecommunications touches non-traditional businesses and what companies need to be thinking about in 2020.