Technology, Communications & Media

The FCC adopted new obligations for certain U.S.-based voice service providers that accept foreign-originated calls with U.S. numbers before transmitting the calls to another U.S.-based provider and proposed FCC rule changes to combat robocalling.

The next-generation of wireless technologies – known as 5G – is expected to revolutionize business and consumer connectivity. Leading policymakers – federal regulators and legislators – are making it a top priority to ensure that the wireless industry has the tools it needs to maintain U.S. leadership in commercial 5G deployments.  This blog provides monthly updates on FCC actions and Congressional efforts to win the race to 5G.

Our TCPA newsletter discusses the FCC’s growing partnerships with states to combat robocalls, the latest cease-and-desist letters, FCC clarifications regarding the RND, and the Eighth Circuit’s ruling in Beal v. Outfield Brew House.

The FCC expands its robocalling investigation partnerships, sends cease-and-desist letters to additional companies, issues clarifications regarding the RND, and discusses its efforts to combat scam calls. 

The Eighth Circuit’s Beal v. Outfield Brew House ruling rejected plaintiffs’ misreading of the Supreme Court’s 2021 Facebook decision and should help bolster TCPA defendants’ arguments nationwide.

Read about the FCC Enforcement Bureau’s proposed record fine of $45 million, which would be issued against a Florida-based company for alleged robocalls advertising that states’ health insurance open enrollment periods had been reopened due to COVID-19.

Our TCPA newsletter discusses the FCC’s increased collaboration with states to combat robocalling and its proposed record fine of $45 million for health care–alleged robocalls and a District of Maryland dismissal of a TCPA case concerning a fax about a free webinar.

In its dismissal of a TCPA case concerning a fax about a free webinar, Family Health Physical Medicine v. Pulse8, the District of Maryland noted that the fax did not contain an offer to buy or sell anything. 

Read about the FCC’s increased collaboration with states to combat robocalling, including investigatory partnerships with four states and agreements between the Commission’s Enforcement Bureau and the state attorneys general of Colorado and Vermont.

Mintz’s TCPA litigation team discusses some plaintiffs’ attempts to argue that text messages can be considered “voices” under TCPA and may thus constitute TCPA violations.

This article covers the FCC Enforcement Bureau’s cease-and-desist letters to Great Choice Telecom and TCA Voip, resulting from their alleged transmission of illegal robocalls.

Our TCPA newsletter discusses a proposed Declaratory Ruling that would require callers to obtain consent from consumers before delivering “ringless voicemail” messages; the FCC’s cease-and-desist letters to Great Choice Telecom and TCA Voip; and what constitutes a “voice,” post-Facebook.

This article covers FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel’s proposed Declaratory Ruling that would require callers to obtain consent from consumers before delivering a “ringless voicemail” message directly to a voicemail mailbox.

This article outlines the December 28, 2021 TRACED Act Annual Report to Congress, including data on TCPA complaints, related FCC actions, and other TCPA-related content.

Our TCPA newsletter covers new FCC guidance for callers using the Reassigned Numbers Database (RND), the TRACED Act Annual Report to Congress, a Ninth Circuit decision on the LiveVox Platform, and a circuit split focused on fax communications and what constitutes an “unsolicited advertisement” under the TCPA.

This article covers the FCC’s new guidance on the Reassigned Numbers Database (RND), which can help high-volume callers avoid TCPA liability.