FCC Takes More Actions Under Its “Delete, Delete, Delete” Initiative

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is continuing efforts to streamline its regulations under its “Delete, Delete, Delete” initiative.

In the latest round, the Commission voted to remove 11 outdated and “useless” rule provisions from its regulations. The FCC says that this round of changes covers 39 “regulatory burdens,” 7194 words, and 16 pages.

Specifically, the changes repeal restrictions on phone booth enclosures and captioning on analog TV receivers, as well as auction provisions that reportedly expired 20 years ago and references to telegraph rules that were repealed decades earlier.

The FCC’s actions under its “Delete, Delete, Delete” initiative are based on a Proceeding it issued in March of this year (see GN Docket No. 25-133), under which the Commission intends to eliminate what it believes to be unnecessary or overly burdensome rules.

FDA Launches Regulatory Accelerator for Digital Health Devices

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced a new initiative to support the more efficient development of digital health devices.

Managed by the Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH), the FDA’s Regulatory Accelerator initiative offers developers of digital health and software-based medical devices access to several new online resources. These resources include:

• A “Resource Index” that features a visual guide to currently available tools, guidances, and engagement opportunities (e.g., webinars) designed to support innovators through every stage of device development, including the regulatory review and approval process;
• “Orientation Meetings” that provide developers with an overview and additional information on the submission process for FDA market approval; and
• A “Medical Device Software Guidance Navigator” that identifies specific FDA guidances applicable to particular digital health device and their alignment with the agency’s electronic Submission Template and Resource (eSTAR).

The FDA says that the intention behind its Regulatory Accelerator initiative is to help developers of innovative digital health devices learn more about FDA requirements and the FDA review process. The goal is to help foster a more efficient review of FDA submissions, allowing developers to bring innovative digital devices to market more quickly.

EU Commission Takes Steps to Ensure National Transposition of EU Directives

The Commission of the European Union (EU) is taking legal action to ensure that EU Member States transpose EU directives into national laws.

According to a recent article posted on the Commission’s website, formal notices have been sent to a number of Member States that have failed to transpose any of six specific EU directives into national law by the required dates. In some cases, the Commission has also opened infringement proceedings against some Member States that have failed to communicate with the Commission about their transposition efforts.

Of particular note is the Commission’s actions in connection with its Directive (EU) 2023/2413 intended to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy in all sectors of the economy, including building environments and the transportation industry. EU Member States were required to complete the transposition of the provisions of the directive into national law by the end of May of this year. However, 26 Member States have failed to notify the Commission of the status of their transposition efforts.

In response, the Commission has sent letters of formal notice to each of the 26 Member States, giving them two months to complete their transposition of the Directive and to notify the Commission of their actions. Failure to act could result in further legal action by the Commission.

Parties to Pay $100 Million for Fraud Related to Lifeline Program

A Florida-based telecommunications carrier and its owner have agreed to pay more than $100 million to settle criminal charges and civil allegations in connection with their participation in a program that provided discounted phone services to qualified consumers.

The company, Q Link Wireless of Dania Beach, Florida, and its owner Issa Asad will pay $110,637,057 in connection with its participation in the Lifeline Program, an FCC initiative intended to provide low‑income consumers with discounted rates for their telecommunications services.

Specifically, Q Link and Asad reportedly submitted fraudulent payment claims under the Lifeline Program for customers who failed to use their cellphones consistent with the Program’s minimum usage requirements (at least once every 30 days), receiving more than $38 million in payments from Lifeline.

As part of its settlement with the FCC, Q Link and Asad pled guilty to charges that they conspired to commit wire fraud and theft of government funds.

Further, according to the FCC, the parties provided “false and fabricated” records to support their fraudulent claims of customers’ phone use and the payments due to them.

As part of its settlement with the FCC, Q Link and Asad pled guilty to charges that they conspired to commit wire fraud and theft of government funds. The parties also pleaded guilty to money laundering. Finally, Q Link and Asad agreed to cooperate with the FCC in transitioning its Lifeline customers to other Lifeline telecommunications service providers and not to participate in any program administered by the FCC.