| Since July 1, 2016: | Telecommunications DepartmentThe 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 continues to update a broadband map that provides a wide variety of information about broadband availability and performance throughout Nebraska. In 2020, the Commission worked to redesign the broadband map. The Commission utilizes FCC Form 477 information which is collected from carriers by the FCC twice per year. The site can be found at http:broadbandmap.nebraska.gov. Telecommunications Relay Service: 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.Nebraska Internet Enhancement Fund (NIEF): In 2020, two different NIEF grants were awarded to recipients totaling $50,000. Two separate grants of $25,000 each were awarded, one to Deuel County and Inventive Wireless of Nebraska to provide fiber for fixed wireless service, and one to Dawes County and Mobius Communications to provide fiber to the home in rural Dawes County.Nebraska Universal Service Fund (NUSF): The department also administers the NUSF 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 opened a proceeding to modernize its Tele-health program. Nebraska High-Cost Broadband Support: The Commission continues to support deployment of broadband capable networks in high-cost areas. The Commission has made adjustments to its program aimed at increasing accountability for NUSF funds and incentivizing broadband buildout in rural areas. In 2015, the Commission made modifications to the high-cost funding mechanism for price cap carriers. Currently, eighty percent of allocated support to price cap carriers must be used for specific, approved broadband deployment projects. In 2018, the Commission reformed the high-cost distribution mechanism for rate-of-return carriers to account for support provided by the FCC through its Alternative Connect America Model (A-CAM) and to target support so that it complements and does not duplicate federal support. Broadband Adoption: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Commission allocated $1 million in support allowing carriers to request reimbursement after providing new broadband service to low-income consumers in order to connect their household with schools and places of work. Carriers could also seek reimbursement for providing free wi-fi hotspots. State 911 DepartmentFollowing the passage of the 911 Service System Act (LB 938) in 2016 the Commission developed a Master Plan for the provision of Next Generation 911 service to the State of Nebraska. The successful completion of that Master Plan culminated in the passage of LB 993 in 2018. Since then, the Commission has assembled the 911 Service System Advisory Committee and several working groups to make recommendations on the development of technical requirements for a Statewide Emergency Services Internet Protocol Network (ESINet) and Next Generation 911 Core Services (NGCS), as well as a new funding mechanism. The Commission is currently engaged in the final steps of securing a contract for the provision of a Statewide ESINet and NGCS.Commissioners and staff continue to be involved with 911 and public safety associations locally and nationwide.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.In 2017, TransCanada filed an application for route approval of the Keystone XL pipeline under the Major Oil Pipeline Siting Act. The Commission fulfilled its statutory obligations under the act and issued a final order later that year.In June 2020, Black Hills Energy filed an application for a general rate increase. This is the first application for a rate increase since 2011. A decision is expected sometime during the 20-21 fiscal year. Transportation DepartmentThe Legislature passed LB 629 in 2015, which gave the Commission authority over Transportation Network Companies (TNCs). Since that time, the Commission has worked with taxi companies, TNCs and the Department of Health and Human Services to provide increasingly better data to the Legislature as part of the TNC Annual Report. In 2019, the Legislature passed LB 79, which paved the way for a new service class of passenger carriers: three-wheeled low-speed vehicles. So far, the Commission has authorized one carrier to provide this service: Tuk-Tuk Omaha.This department continues to meet its statutory obligations of inspecting vehicles, sealing taxi meters and investigating consumer complaints throughout the State.Housing and Recreational Vehicles, 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. |