| Since July 1, 2012: | Nebraska Telecommunications Infrastructure and Public Safety Department: Wireless E-911: In 2013 the Commission conducted a study to assess the existing enhanced 911 system and the implementation of Next Generation 911 in Nebraska. The Commission submitted its findings to the legislature in April of 2014. In 2015, LR 319 was introduced seeking to study among other things, the administration of Enhanced Wireless 911 Service and proposals to implement Next Generation 911. In 2016, a culmination of those efforts resulted in Legislative Bill 938. This legislation was signed by the Governor on April 18, 2016 and will result in the deployment of Next Generation 911 services throughout the State of Nebraska. Initially, the Commission must develop a master plan to carry out the objectives of the 911 Service System Act. The Commission is pulling its resources to meet the deadlines established by the Legislature. Nebraska Universal Service Fund: The department has continued to promote awareness of the NUSF support available to schools, libraries, rural health care providers and low-income Nebraskans.Nebraska Telephone Assistance Program (NTAP): The Department continues to promote the NTAP through the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services to approximately 65,000 eligible Nebraskans.Nebraska Statewide Tele-Health Network: The Commission continues this partnership with the healthcare community by providing funding for more than 76 Nebraska Hospitals. The Commission recently approved additional funding for bridge upgrades and increased bandwidth on network backbone lines. Nebraska High-Cost Broadband Support: The Commission continues to support carriers deployment of broadband capable networks in high-cost areas. Recently, the FCC enacted significant universal service reform. The Commission has been actively following this and is in the process of making adjustments to complement these changes. In addition to the ongoing support, the Commission has approved 138 broadband projects and funded over 96 cellular towers in rural areas of Nebraska since 2012. The Commission continues to support both wireless and wireline broadband technologies. Broadband Adoption: In 2015, the Commission awarded $500,000 in support for broadband adoption projects. In 2016, the Commission again solicited broadband adoption projects and earmarked $500,000 for that purpose. Communications Department: The department continues to provide the Annual Report on Telecommunications to the Legislature. The reports can be accessed on the Commissions website at www.psc.nebraska.gov under the Communications heading, then, Annual Reports to the Legislature. This report covers topics and statistics related to the telecommunications industry in Nebraska. Highlights of a few of these areas are as follows:Broadband Mapping: The Commission completed its work on its broadband mapping and planning grant awarded by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). The Commission partnered with the University of Nebraska, the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, the Nebraska Information and Technology Commission and the AIM Institute. Nebraskas broadband map and outreach efforts can be found at http:broadband.nebraska.gov.In 2012, the FCC issued an order mandating all incumbent telecommunications carriers to create and submit electronic boundary data to the FCC. The NPSC took a leadership role in the creation of the boundary data map for Nebraska. The Commission continues to update this information and certify boundary data to the FCC. Telecommunications Relay Service: Introduction of captioned telephone (Cap-Tel) service in October 2004. This service utilizes voice recognition and captioning technology for hard of hearing individuals. The committee provided advice and direction on the initiation of this program. The Nebraska Public Service Commission continues to work with the Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing to process applications for the NSTEP program. The TRS Advisory Committee provides continuing advice regarding policies and procedures for the administration of the NSTEP program as well as any relay service issues including those related to the quality of service provided by the relay center. The advisory committee provides recommendations to the Commission annually relative to setting the surcharge necessary to fund the relay service and the NSTEP voucher program for the following year. The relay service surcharge currently is two cents per month. Nebraska Internet Enhancement Fund (NIEF): The Commission, with the assistance of the NIEF Advisory Board, has approved and adopted various documents and forms including a Program Description, Grant Application Guide-lines, a Pre-Application, an Application, a Scoring Sheet and a Progress Report Form. A Pre-Application period is expected to commence b in 2016. The Commission hopes to award grants in the First Quarter of 2017. Natural Gas Department: The Natural Gas Department has been in existence since the passage of the State Natural Gas Regulation Act in 2003. The Department continues to carry out the regulatory functions contained within SNGRA and Commission rules and regulations. Housing and Recreational Vehicles, Transportation, Grain Warehouse and Railroad Departments: For purposes of this report, these departments continue to carry out the regulatory functions assigned to them pursuant to state statutes, rules and regulations and Commission policies. |