ICS Providers, Inmate Advocates Split on Securus Bid for Reporting Extension

Pay Tel Communications and Inmate Calling Solutions supported the Securus motion, which cited litigation over a 2015 ICS order and a delay in Office of Management and Budget approval of the reporting duties (see 1703010008). The June 1 deadline "contravenes the plain language of the Second ICS Order, which demonstrates the Commission intended to give ICS providers time between OMB approval of the reporting requirement and the due date of the first report," said GTL comments posted Wednesday in docket 12-375. ICSolutions' comments expanded on Securus arguments and said a court stay of certain FCC rules hindered provider ability to facilitate rule compliance. In opposition, the Wright Petitioners, Citizens United for Rehabilitation of Errants and Prison Policy Initiative filed joint comments that said the motion "must be denied." They noted the FCC already had extended a previous April 1 deadline by two months, and said providers have been required by rule to "clearly, accurately, and conspicuously disclose their interstate, intrastate, and international rates and Ancillary Service Charges to consumers" since March 1. The Human Rights Defense Center commented that Securus was trying to delay reporting duties the provider helped create in a "carefully constructed consensus proposal" with others. "That we need this level of reporting at all is the direct result of current and past industry practices and the lack of transparency regarding [ICS] rates and fees," HRDC wrote. In reviewing an annual reporting form and instructions, Pay Tel commented it "identified several discrepancies regarding, or questions concerning, the information sought," and it requested various clarifications.