Welcome Back To The Wireless Messaging News

Jay Moskowitz voted to keep the “bold blue headliners” so I will continue to do so. I worked with and for Jay a couple of times, and if I had to count the most knowledge people about text messaging or paging—that I know—on one hand, he would be one of the fingers. I hesitate to make a list for fear of leaving someone out. Comments and suggestions gladly accepted.

Remember these are people that I know and have worked with:

• Jay Moskowitz
• Bob Webb
• Ira Wiesenfeld
• Ron Mercer
• Jim Nelson
• Allan Angus

(In no particular order.)

Included this week are two articles from RCR Wireless #TBT “Throwback Thursdays” about the good ol' days of Paging. I thought you would find it interesting to compare these forecasts with the reality of what actually happened.

We need your help.

Emergency Radio Communications Wireless Messaging Critical Messaging Two-way Radio Technology Telemetry Science Paging Wi-Fi

Wireless Messaging

This doesn't mean that nothing is ever published here that mentions a US political party—it just means that the editorial policy of this newsletter is to remain neutral on all political issues. We don't take sides.

A new issue of the Wireless Messaging Newsletter is posted on the web each week. A notification goes out by e-mail to subscribers on most Fridays around noon central US time. The notification message has a link to the actual newsletter on the web. That way it doesn’t fill up your incoming e-mail account.

There is no charge for subscription and there are no membership restrictions. Readers are a very select group of wireless industry professionals, and include the senior managers of many of the world’s major Paging and Wireless Messaging companies. There is an even mix of operations managers, marketing people, and engineers — so I try to include items of interest to all three groups. It’s all about staying up-to-date with business trends and technology.

I regularly get readers’ comments, so this newsletter has become a community forum for the Paging, and Wireless Messaging communities. You are welcome to contribute your ideas and opinions. Unless otherwise requested, all correspondence addressed to me is subject to publication in the newsletter and on my web site. I am very careful to protect the anonymity of those who request it.

I spend the whole week searching the Internet for news that I think may be of interest to you — so you won’t have to. This newsletter is an aggregator — a service that aggregates news from other news sources. You can help our community by sharing any interesting news that you find.

Editorial Opinion pieces present only the opinions of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the views of any of advertisers or supporters. This newsletter is independent of any trade association. I don't intend to hurt anyone's feelings, but I do freely express my own opinions.

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Sometimes Good Things Happen.

GLENAYRE INFRASTRUCTURE

Service Contracts

I would like to recommend Easy Solutions for Support of all Glenayre Paging Equipment. This Texas company is owned and operated by Vaughan Bowden. I have known Vaughan for over 35 years. Without going into a long list of his experience and qualifications, let me just say that he was the V.P. of Engineering at PageNet which was—at that time—the largest paging company in the world. So Vaughan knows Paging.

GTES is no longer offering support contracts. GTES was the original group from Vancouver that was setup to offer support to customers that wanted to continue with the legacy Glenayre support. Many U.S. customers chose not to use this service because of the price and the original requirement to upgrade to version 8.0 software (which required expensive hardware upgrades, etc.). Most contracts ended as of February 2018.

If you are at all concerned about future support of Glenayre products, especially the “king of the hill” the GL3000 paging control terminal, I encourage you to talk to Vaughan about a service contract and please tell him about my recommendation.

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There is no charge for subscription and there are no membership restrictions. It’s all about staying up-to-date with business trends and technology.

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#TBT: Paging peaks … this week in 1998

By RCR Wireless News on MARCH 29, 2018

Archived Articles Editor’s Note: RCR Wireless News goes all in for “Throwback Thursdays,” tapping into our archives to resuscitate the top headlines from the past. Fire up the time machine, put on the sepia-tinted shades, set the date for #TBT and enjoy the memories!

STRATEGY ANALYTICS' OUTLOOK ON PAGING CONSERVATIVE

By Reily Gregson on MARCH 30, 1998 Archived Articles, Carriers

Strategy Analytics, a research firm based in Delafield, Wis., gave perhaps the most conservative forecast of the paging industry to date during a teleconference coinciding with the release of its report, titled “U.S. Paging Market Status and Forecast.”

Ann Lynch, a researcher at Strategy Analytics, said that while the paging installed base grew 17 percent last year, and will continue to grow in the coming years, the industry can expect its number to level off and shrink after 2004. “Paging is at the peak of its life cycle, riding the crest of a wave right now,” Lynch said. Annual growth has fallen since its peak in 1995 and will continue to fall through 2003.

The report projected a total installed base of 54.5 million by 2003. Of that number, 45 percent will be numeric users, 38 percent alphanumeric or guaranteed delivery alphanumeric users, 8 percent interactive or canned-response two-way users and 7 percent voice, the group predicted.

“The pressures facing the paging industry today are enormous,” she said. The industry faces Wall Street’s insistence that it get financial control and produce positive cash flow as well as increasing competition from mobile data and digital voice providers who also are offering text messaging solutions.

“All of this meant we had a pretty turbulent year,” Lynch said, referring to the roller coaster of ride stock prices.

Strategy Analytics said what little compound annual growth rate the industry does achieve will come from NPCS services. Last year, SkyTel solved many of its network problems, which resulted in a relaunch that claimed 200,000 customers by year end and attracted major resale agreements with PageNet, Metrocall, PageMart, AirTouch and MobileMedia.

VoiceNow may have been a disappointment, but “as with any new service, I think it’s important to maintain a healthy skepticism,” Lynch said. There is skepticism about the optimistic projections carriers make as well as the pessimistic doom tails told if those projections are not met. PageNet had the burden of needing to establish a large economy of scale to justify the costs of the network. Voice paging is still viable as proven by the success on Conxus’ rollout of essentially the same service. Conxus, without the burden of a large economy of scale, could roll out more slowly.

Other carriers will build out their NPCS licenses as well. As they do, they will aim their products increasingly at the consumer market, Strategy Analytics said.

“It has long been the holy grail of the paging service provider to capture the breadth and scope of the consumer market,” Lynch said. As consumers are more likely to know the name of their service provider than business users, because consumers pay the bill themselves, carriers can more effectively aim their marketing efforts at them, she said.

Further into the future, the pressures on the paging industry will intensify as the bastions of the paging industry-nationwide coverage and in-building penetration-come under threat from PCS and other digital voice services, she said.

Hence, the group is fairly conservative in its estimates of two-way data services, predicting only 8 percent of the total base will use such services. Just as alphanumeric services took time to catch on, so will two-way canned and interactive messaging, Lynch said. “Newer network launches take time to implement,” she said.

While fixed applications-such as SkyTel’s agreement with electric utility giant Enron Corp.-will add to paging providers’ customer portfolio in the time it takes to generate user interest, they will constitute only 20 percent of the total 8 percent of the installed base as of 2003, the firm predicted. “We are not totally convinced that paging will capture the lion’s share of that (fixed application) market,” said David Kerr, director of wireless programs at Strategy Analytics. Paging will have to compete in that market with mobile data providers, digital voice providers and mobile satellite providers. “I don’t think we’ll have multiple devices in the home controlled by paging technology anytime soon,” he said.

But the industry will have some cards left to play, Lynch added, as pagers always will be small and unobtrusive with the greatest message reliability at the lowest and predictable flat-rate cost.

Also, consolidation will play a major factor, as the industry huddles together for survival. “We have a situation now where the industry is dominated by a smaller group of increasingly larger operators,” Lynch said, predicting that group could become as small as three or four major players.

“In an increasingly competitive wireless environment, paging is considered the grandfather,” she said. “It’s still holding its own.”

Paging Transmitters 150/900 MHz

The RFI High Performance Paging Transmitter is designed for use in campus, city, state and country-wide paging systems. Designed for use where reliable simulcast systems where RF signal overlap coverage is critical.

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• Use as a stand-alone unit or in wide area network.
• Mix with other transmitter brands in an existing paging network.
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Back To Paging

Still The Most Reliable Protocol For Wireless Messaging!

If you are reading this, your potential customers are reading it as well. Please click here to find out about our advertising options.

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Please see our web site for exciting solutions designed specifically for the Wireless Industry. We also maintain a diagnostic lab and provide important repair and replacement parts services for Motorola and Glenayre equipment. Call or e-mail us for more information.

Rick McMichael has some equipment for sale — left over from the inventory of his business that he recently sold.

If you are interested, please e-mail Rick directly by clicking here.

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Board of Advisors

The Board of Advisor members are people with whom I have developed a special rapport, and have met personally. They are not obligated to support the newsletter in any way, except with advice, and maybe an occasional letter to the editor.

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#TBT: Paging peaks … this week in 1998

By RCR Wireless News on MARCH 29, 2018

Archived Articles Editor’s Note: RCR Wireless News goes all in for “Throwback Thursdays,” tapping into our archives to resuscitate the top headlines from the past. Fire up the time machine, put on the sepia-tinted shades, set the date for #TBT and enjoy the memories!

PAGING: GOLDEN EGG OR GOLDEN CALF?

By Reily Gregson on MARCH 23, 1998 Archived Articles, Carriers

NEW YORK—“The challenge for the paging industry is to reinvent itself so it can become a free cash-flow business, to put the brakes on capital expenditures and drive up revenues while unit growth is declining,” said Brian G. Coleman, a director of Toronto Dominion Securities USA Inc., New York.

The stampede that started in the mid-1990s to paging resellers as a means to boost customer numbers has led to unrealistic inflation in growth expectations. This resulted in an expensive network expansion boom that couldn’t be paid for out of new customer additions because of high churn rates and low average revenue per subscriber associated with these distribution channels, according to Cynthia M. Motz, vice president of Credit Suisse First Boston, New York.

During the past year or so, “the power has shifted back to the carriers, which don’t have to put up with price undercutting from the resellers,” said Jeanine Oburchay, associate director of Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc., New York.

Better control of reseller channels, the shift away from leased pagers and other efforts to improve operations have started to pay off for paging carriers.

“It’s evident from the upgrades in ratings over the past several months that (securities) analysts are getting more comfortable,” Oburchay said.

That sanguine view isn’t shared by Jane Snorek, research director and portfolio manager for Oberweis Asset Management, Aurora, Ill.

“Growth investors want earnings per share and value investors want cash flow, so people in paging stocks would have to be value investors,” she said.

“Paging companies have never gotten over their enormous debt load, even [Paging Network Inc.], the very biggest (carrier) with the most subscribers. We have definitely exited the paging industry.”

However, Coleman said he believes the advent and expansion of enhanced messaging services promises to be one of the most significant revenue growth drivers for the industry.

“The PageWriter is like a mobile e-mail whose utility can’t be duplicated by a cellular or [personal communications services] phone, and it doesn’t require me, as a consumer, to learn anything new,” he said. “There is a ton of life in it. The functionality is exponentially higher than one-way.”

Analysts are mixed about whether the pending introduction of calling party pays in the wireless industry will impact the paging business. The paging industry estimates that about 30 percent to 40 percent of cellular customers also are paging subscribers.

Calling party pays will negatively affect at least some part of the paging industry, Coleman said. “Upscale” advanced messaging services aren’t likely to be negatively impacted by calling party pays because this group of users isn’t likely to use paging as a call screening device, Coleman said.

Oburchay disagrees. “There is no indication that calling party pays will hurt paging.” The European model, in which calling party pays is ubiquitous and paging less popular, doesn’t provide a valid template for the United States. Paging never had much of a presence to begin with in Europe, where there is a single digital standard, she said.

Even plain vanilla paging, which has been around for decades, provides an identifiable and indisputable service for which there remains demand, according to CS First Boston.

“Paging does work, and there are significant differences between the traditional paging product and other wireless services … If you really need to get in touch with someone immediately, statistics indicate that with a pager, that person can be located almost immediately about 90 percent of the time,” Motz wrote in a recent report, “Where’s the Beep?”

However, CS First Boston also sees paging evolving to become more akin to a provider of wireless data, a service that is complementary rather than competitive with other wireless telecommunications.

“The lion’s share of net additions are alphanumeric, and the existing bases are largely one-way cheap beeps,” Coleman said.

There were about 46 million paging subscribers overall at the end of last year, up by nearly 5 million from 1996, according to CS First Boston. Paging revenues totaled nearly $3.75 billion, and are expected to peak at $4.8 billion by 2001, according to the investment bank’s projections.

From 2005 on, CS First Boston estimates paging revenues will stay in the $4 billion annual range on a subscriber base that has stabilized at about 60 million.

“With the exception of certain specific areas such as alphanumeric, two-way or other enhanced messaging products that may evolve in the future, we believe overall subscriber growth will remain relatively flat,” Motz said.

Snorek concurred with this view, saying that, except for incremental increases in overall subscribers, paging carriers are most likely to “cannibalize” each other’s customers, rather than tapping other kinds of wireless subscribers. She called paging “a dying industry in the United States,” and described it as a method of communications that likely will be supplanted by personal communications services.

“While there will be some improvement in operating cash flow and significant increases in free cash flow as growth in these companies slows down, the absolute level of free cash flow generated will be relatively small compared with the debt levels that have been amassed, dampening valuation prospects for awhile,” Motz said.

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Prism-IPX is a leader in providing reliable communications systems using modern designs to meet today’s demands for critical message alerting and delivery. Prism-IPX designs versatile and robust Critical Message Management systems using paging and other wireless technologies for high performance and dependable communications.

What We Make

Prism-IPX Systems products include full-featured radio paging systems with VoIP input, IP based transmitter control systems and paging message encryption. Other options include e-mail messaging, remote switch controllers, Off-The-Air paging message decoders and logging systems.

Contact Us  

Repair and Refurbishment Services

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511 South Royal Lane
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817-527-6322
sales@pssirl.com
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For Sale – Apollo Pilot XP A28 Alpha Numeric Pagers w/Charging Cradle

• $70 each, discount available for volume purchases
• Freq Range:450-458MHz & 462-470MHz
• Format: POCSAG, Wide or Narrow Band
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• Powered by a standard AAA rechargeable battery

Contact Information Shawn Pasienza shawnP@criticalalert.com (904) 203-1158

For Sale: Power-One 24VDC Linear Power Supplies $70 each Max output: 3.6 Amps Input: 100/120/220/230/240 VAC 50/60Hz

Internet Protocol Terminal

The IPT accepts Internet or serial messaging using various protocols and can easily convert them to different protocols, or send them out as paging messages.

An ideal platform for hospitals, on-site paging applications, or converting legacy systems to modern protocols.

Additional/Optional Features

• Database of up to 5000 subscribers.
• 4 serial ports on board.
• Up to 8 phone lines (DID or POTS).
• Can be configured for auto-failover to hot swap standby.
• 1RU rack mount unit appliance—no moving parts.
• Easily secure legacy system messages leaving site for HIPAA compliance.
• Only purchase the protocols/options you need.
• Add Paging Encryption for HIPAA compliance on site.

Prism-IPX Systems LLC.

11175 Cicero Dr., Alpharetta, GA 30022
Ph: 678-242-5290 Email: sales@prism-ipx.com
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Specialists in sales and service of equipment from these leading manufacturers, as well as other two-way radio and paging products:

	Motorola SOLUTIONS
	Motorola MOBILITY

Paging Data Receiver PDR-4

The PDR-4 is a multi-function paging data receiver that decodes paging messages and outputs them via the serial port, USB or Ethernet connectors.

Designed for use with Prism-IPX ECHO software Message Logging Software to receive messages and log the information for proof of transmission over the air, and if the data was error free.

• Option—decode capcode list or all messages.
• Large capcode capacity.
• Serial, USB and Ethernet output.
• POCSAG or FLEX page decoding, special SA protocols.
• Receivers for paging bands in VHF, UHF, 900 MHz.
• Message activated Alarm Output.
• 8 programmable relay outputs.
• Send notifications of a system problem.

• Synthesized Receiver Tuning.
• Selectivity better than 60 dB.
• Frequencies 148-174, 450-470, 929-932 MHz.
• Image Rejection better than 55 dB.
• Spurious Rejection better than 55 dB.
• Channel Spacing 12.5 or 25 kHz.
• Power 5VDC.
• Receiving Sensitivity 5µV at 1200 bps.

Prism-IPX Systems LLC.

11175 Cicero Dr., Alpharetta, GA 30022
Ph: 678-242-5290 Email: sales@prism-ipx.com
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Wireless Network Planners
Wireless Specialists

R.H. (Ron) Mercer Consultant 217 First Street East Northport, NY 11731
Telephone: 631-786-9359
www.wirelessplanners.com
wirelessplannerron@gmail.com

Brad Dye, Ron Mercer, Allan Angus, Vic Jackson, and Ira Wiesenfeld are friends and colleagues who work both together and independently, on wireline and wireless communications projects.

Click here for a summary of their qualifications and experience. Each one has unique abilities. We would be happy to help you with a project, and maybe save you some time and money.

Note: We do not like Patent Trolls, i.e. “a person or company who enforces patent rights against accused infringers in an attempt to collect licensing fees, but does not manufacture products or supply services based upon the patents in question.” We have helped some prominent law firms defend their clients against this annoyance, and would be happy to do some more of this same kind of work.

Some people use the title “consultant” when they don't have a real job. We actually do consulting work, and help others based on our many years of experience.

“If you would know the road ahead, ask someone who has traveled it.”
— Chinese Proverb

Remote AB Switches

ABX-1 switches are often used at remote transmitter sites to convert from old, outdated and unsupported controllers to the new modern Prism-IPX ipBSC base station controllers. Remotely switch to new controllers with GUI commands.

ABX-1

ABX-3 switches are widely used for enabling or disabling remote equipment and switching I/O connections between redundant messaging systems.

ABX-3

Common Features:

• RJ45 for A, B and Common connectors.
• Manual push button or use Prism IP commands to switch one or more relays.
• Single or Dual Port Control card for IP or Serial connection.
• Form C relay—control local connection.
• Power Loss Indicator.
• Rear Panel Connector for controlling the switch externally.
• Power Source: 5VDC for ABX-1; 12VDC for ABX-3.

Prism-IPX Systems LLC.

11175 Cicero Dr., Alpharetta, GA 30022
Ph: 678-242-5290 Email: sales@prism-ipx.com
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Friday, April 20, 2018	Volume 6 | Issue 78

Senators Demand Cell Surveillance Info

A bipartisan group of Senators is urging the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to publicly release more information about cell surveillance devices detected in the nation’s capital area.

So-called International Mobile Subscriber Identity-catchers, or IMSI-catchers — work by tricking cell phones into locking onto the device instead of a legitimate cell tower. Once they are deployed, they collect metadata and potentially communication data from calls and texts, by forcing phones to downgrade to a 2G network to make the interception easier. Phones using 3G or 4G networks can authenticate towers, Inside Towers reported.

“The American people have a legitimate interest in understanding the extent to which U.S. telephone networks are vulnerable to surveillance and are being actively exploited by hostile actors,” wrote Sens. Ron Wyden (D-OR), Cory Gardner (R-CO) and Ed Markey (D-MA) in a letter to DHS official Christopher Krebs. DHS recently confirmed the use of the devices in the D.C. metro, but the lawmakers are pushing for a briefing on the matter made for federal employees, to be made public. Specifically, they want to know how many and what types of devices DHS found and who used them, reports The Hill.

The lawmakers’ interest mirrors that of FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel. If the reports are true, she said at this week’s meeting, “someone needs to explain how foreign actors are transmitting over our airwaves without approval from this agency. The security of our communications is at stake right here, right now in Washington and this agency owes the public more than silence.”

Wyden has been urging the FCC to do more to hold carriers accountable for securing their networks against security threats. The agency took a step in that direction on Tuesday when it opened a proceeding to bar carriers that use equipment or technology from companies determined to be a national security threat from receiving Universal Service Funds, Inside Towers reported.

Selected portions [sometimes more — sometimes less] of the BloostonLaw Telecom Update and/or the BloostonLaw Private Users Update — newsletters from the Law Offices of Blooston, Mordkofsky, Dickens, Duffy & Prendergast, LLP — are reproduced in this section of The Wireless Messaging News with kind permission from the firm. The firm's contact information is included at the end of this section of the newsletter.

FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn Announces Intention to Step Down

On April 17, at the FCC’s Open Meeting, Commissioner Clyburn announced that it would be her last FCC meeting as Commissioner. Clyburn is one of the two Democrat Commissioners serving on the FCC. She did not provide a specific date on which she would be stepping down.

Of the news, Chairman Ajit Pai congratulated Commissioner Clyburn, calling her “a tremendous leader and a committed public servant throughout her time here.” Commissioner Rosenworcel said “It has been an honor to work alongside her to put consumers first and bring connectivity to those at greatest risk of being left behind—urban, rural, and everywhere in between.” Commissioner Carr thanked Commissioner Clyburn for her many years of dedicated service to the FCC. Commissioner O’Rielly said: “I am saddened to hear my friend and colleague, Commissioner Clyburn, announce her intention to leave the Commission in the very near future. I’ve had the pleasure of working with her on several projects and her commitment to her principles always impressed me.”

BloostonLaw Contacts: Ben Dickens, Gerry Duffy, and John Prendergast.

Headlines

FCC Adopts Items at April Open Meeting

On April 17, the FCC adopted the following items:

• Protecting National Security Through FCC Programs: a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to ensure that universal service support is not used to purchase equipment or services from companies posing a national security threat to the integrity of communications networks or the communications supply chain. (WC Docket No. 18-89). If your company is using switches or other equipment manufactured by Huawei or other foreign manufacturers, your operations may be affected by this rulemaking proposal. Please contact the firm is you have any questions or wish to participate in comments.
• Spectrum Frontiers Auctions Public Notice: a Public Notice that would seek comment on the procedures for the auctions of Upper Microwave Flexible Use Service licenses in the 28 GHz and 24 GHz bands. (AU Docket No. 18-85) (See story below)
• Streamlining Licensing Procedures for Small Satellites: a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that proposes a new, alternative application process designed for a class of satellites referred to as “small satellites.” (IB Docket No. 18-86)
• Rural Call Completion: a Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that will adopt new measures, and seek comment on others, to better tackle the problem of call completion and ensure that calls are completed to all Americans—including those in rural America. (WC Docket No. 13- 39)
• Business Data Services for Model-Based Rate-of-Return Carriers: a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to enable model-based rate-of-return carriers to elect incentive regulation for their lower-speed business data services offerings, and to remove ex ante pricing regulation for packet-based and higher-speed circuit-based offerings. (WC Docket No. 17-144)
• Cable Channel Lineup Requirements: a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking proposing to eliminate the requirement that cable operators maintain a channel lineup at their local office and seeking comment on eliminating the requirement that certain cable operators make their channel lineup available via their online public inspection file. (MB Docket Nos. 18-92, 17-105)

The FCC removed the following item from the agenda before the meeting:

• Rules Governing Ancillary/Supplementary Services: a Report and Order that would revise Section 73.624(g) of its rules to reduce broadcaster reporting obligations relating to the provision of ancillary or supplementary services. (MB Docket Nos. 18-264, 17-105)

The full text of the adopted items are linked in the descriptions above, where available.

BloostonLaw Contacts: Ben Dickens, Gerry Duffy, and John Prendergast.

FCC Seeks Comment on Specifics for Auction of 24 GHz and 28 GHz (LMDS) Spectrum

The Federal Communications Commission voted to begin the process of conducting 5G spectrum auctions later this year. The first 5G auction, featuring 28 GHz band licenses carved out of the LMDS band, will begin on Nov. 14 as Auction 101. A second 5G auction of the 24 GHz band will start immediately after the 28 GHz auction concludes, as Auction 102. In the meantime, the FCC has issued an April 17 Public Notice seeking detailed comments on the procedures to govern these auctions. Comments are due May 9, and Reply Comments are due May 23. Interested clients should contact us to participate in comments to make sure the rules reasonably allow participation by small and rural bidders.

FCC Chair Ajit Pai released a statement saying: "It may not be flashy, but this is a vital step toward promoting U.S. innovation in 5G wireless services, the Internet of Things, and many technological firsts in these previously-underused, high-band frequencies."

The auctions will offer 1.55 GHz of 5G spectrum divided into approximately 6,000 geographic licenses. Seven 100 MHz blocks of 24 GHz band will be sold as Partial Economic Area (PEA)-sized licenses, i.e., the license size used in the recently completed 600 MHz auction. For the 28 GHz spectrum that the FCC is carving out of the existing LMDS allocation, the Commission is (for now) offering two 425 MHz spectrum blocks on a county basis, which should make it easier for small bidders to seek licenses. There have been multiple efforts to have the FCC sell this spectrum in much larger license sizes. Both bands will be shared with incumbent satellite operations.

Some of the notable proposed auction requirements include:

• Anonymous bidding, and strict prohibitions on communicating bids and bid strategies with others, as it has done for most recent auctions.
• For Auction 101 and Auction 102, a $25 million cap on the total amount of bidding credits that may be awarded to an eligible small business in each auction (i.e., $25 million in each auction).
• A $10 million cap on the total amount of bidding credits that may be awarded to an eligible rural service provider in Auction 101 and Auction 102 (i.e., $10 million in each auction).
• For the 24 GHz clock auction, intra-round bidding (so that a bidder could put their final offer on the table if it will be exceeded in the next formal round).
• No package bidding allowed (i.e., all or nothing bids on a group of licenses, which generally would favor larger bidders)
• For the 24 GHz auction, a separate Assignment phase, in which winning bidders can bid additional money in order to exercise choice over which specific frequencies they receive (similar to the 600 MHz auction). This allows a winner to, e.g., assemble contiguous spectrum.

Some stakeholders in the wireless industry have been lobbying for the FCC to conduct one big auction of multiple millimeter wave spectrum bands. T-Mobile is one of those arguing for more bands bundled together, saying the 28 GHz band is already heavily encumbered by Verizon thanks to acquisitions in the secondary market. In the top 50 markets, only 2% of the 28 GHz spectrum is available, according to T-Mobile. The Public Notice proposes that the two auctions have separate application and bidding processes, and asks for comment on procedures. Notably, the FCC proposes to use its standard simultaneous multiple-round (SMR) auction format for Auction 101 (28 GHz), which has been the procedure for most spectrum auctions, and a clock auction format for Auction 102 (24 GHz), which is more akin to the 600 MHz auction.

CTIA applauded the announcement about the 28 and 24 GHz auctions, but desires that the FCC move forward with an auction that includes the 24, 28, 37/39 and 47 GHz bands, i.e., most of the higher band spectrum currently earmarked for 5G. Competitive Carriers Association (CCA) President Steve Berry echoed this thought: “It is disappointing that the Spectrum Frontiers 28 GHz and 24 GHz Competitive Bidding Procedures Public Notice, adopted by the FCC today in its Open Meeting, does not include all available mmW bands, adding the 37 GHz, 39 GHz, and 47 GHz bands as CCA originally requested,” he said in a statement. “Limiting the amount of spectrum on which carriers can bid means fewer opportunities for carriers to utilize this valuable resource for the benefit of consumers. The FCC must ensure that all carriers have the opportunity to access mmW spectrum at auction, including additional mmW bands which would speed deployment of 5G technologies.”

BloostonLaw contacts: John Prendergast, Cary Mitchell, and Richard Rubino.

FCC Issues Recommended Voluntary “Best Practices” to Combat Disaster Outages

On April 16, the FCC’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau (PSHSB) issued a Public Notice encouraging service providers to implement the following industry best practices, as previously recommended by the FCC’s Communications Security, Reliability and Interoperability Council:

• Minimize Impact of Maintenance Windows. Network operators and service providers should be aware of the dynamic nature of peak traffic periods and should consider scheduling potentially service-affecting procedures (e.g., maintenance, high-risk procedures, growth activities) to minimize the impact on end-user services.
• Monitor 911 Network Components. Network operators, service providers, and public safety entities should actively monitor and manage the 911 network components using network management controls, where available, to quickly restore 911 service and provide priority repair during network failure events. When multiple interconnecting providers and vendors are involved, they will need to cooperate to provide end-to-end analysis of complex call-handling problems.
• Ensure Real-World Testing Conditions. Service providers and network operators should consider validating upgrades, new procedures and commands in a lab or other test environment that simulates the target network and load prior to the first application in the field.

In addition, the PSHSB assesses that the following practices could prevent or mitigate similar outages in the future:

• Registration Traffic. Include registration traffic in the highest priority category of network traffic. Attach critical alarms to failures in the registration process.
• Data Packet Monitoring. Monitor traffic to detect when data packets do not progress across a network element.
• Redundancy Failover. Fail over to redundant equipment when the number of error messages within a determined period of time exceeds a certain threshold, rather than continuing to try to use the equipment that is generating the error messages.
• Redundancy During Maintenance. When performing maintenance activity on multiple pieces of equipment that have the same function for redundancy, perform maintenance on only one piece of equipment at a time. Once successful maintenance has been verified, maintenance activity can begin on the next piece of equipment.

The PSHSB also recommends that communications service providers visit the Bureau’s new network reliability page on its website to help ensure that network providers, public safety entities, and the general public can readily find the Bureau’s work in promoting industry best practices. The website can be found at http://www.fcc.gov/network-reliability-resources.

BloostonLaw Contacts: Mary Sisak and Cary Mitchell.

Wireless Signal Booster Rules Effective May 18, Further Comment Sought

On April 18, the FCC published in the Federal Register its Second Report and Order and Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on improving wireless coverage through the use of signal boosters. Accordingly, the Order is effective May 18, and comments and reply comments on the Further Notice are due on May 18 and June 18, respectively.

In the Second Report and Order, the FCC removed the personal use restriction on Provider-Specific Consumer Signal Boosters, thereby allowing small businesses, public safety entities, and other organizations to take advantage of signal boosters' benefits. Specifically, whereas the existing rules restricted Provider-Specific Consumer Signal Boosters to personal use, the FCC will now permit any subscriber—an individual, business or other entity—with a proper registration to use these boosters. According to the FCC, “[t]his approach will have cognizable public interest benefits by permitting more entities to take advantage of the recognized benefits of Provider-Specific Consumer Signal Boosters.”

In the Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, the FCC proposes to expand the service bands on which all Consumer Signal Boosters may operate, develop consumer advisory requirements suitable for any embedded Consumer Signal Boosters (whether Provider-Specific or Wideband), and facilitate enterprise use of both Provider-Specific Consumer Signal Boosters and Wideband Consumer Signal Boosters. Specifically, the FCC seeks comment on:

• whether and how the FCC can expand the number of spectrum bands for which Consumer Signal Boosters are authorized, and on whether to permit the operation of Consumer Signal Boosters in certain additional wireless radio service spectrum bands and how its technical rules would need to be amended to accommodate the additional bands;
• in determining which, if any, new bands are appropriate for use with Consumer Signal Boosters, the FCC considers: (1) Whether the band is used to provide services to consumers or other non-licensee users such as public safety responders (assuming they are using commercial spectrum rather than spectrum specifically designated for public safety); (2) whether a meaningful number of the licensees in the band will consent to Consumer Signal Booster operation; (3) the impact of other technologies and operations both within the band and in adjacent bands and whether Consumer Signal Booster operation would harm other users within the band or in adjacent bands (and vice versa); and (4) whether the current technical rules for signal boosters must be adjusted to accommodate any such new service bands;
• whether it should authorize the operation of Consumer Signal Boosters in the 600 MHz (617-652 MHz and 663-698 MHz), WCS (2305-2320 MHz and 2345-2360 MHz), and BRS/EBS (2495-2690 MHz) bands; and

• whether there are costs associated with adding additional spectrum bands to the signal booster regime, and what the benefits, quantifiable and otherwise, of permitting operation of Consumer Spectrum Boosters on additional bands would be.

Carriers interested in filing comments or reply comments are invited to contact the firm for more information.

BloostonLaw Contacts: John Prendergast and Cary Mitchell.

Law & Regulation

Comments on Rural Call Completion FNPRM are Due June 4

As noted above, the FCC adopted a Second Report and Order and Third Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on rural call completion issues at the April 17 Open Meeting. Comments on the FNPRM are due June 4, and reply comments are due June 19.

In the FNPRM, the FCC seeks comment on rules to implement the recently enacted RCC Act, which directs the FCC to establish registration requirements and service quality standards for intermediate providers. The FCC also seeks comment on sunsetting the recording and retention rules established in the RCC Order upon implementation of the RCC Act. In particular, proposals include:

• Requiring that any intermediate provider register with the FCC if that provider offers or holds itself out as offering the capability to transmit covered voice communications from one destination to another and charges any rate to any other entity (including an affiliated entity) for the transmission.
• Registration be filed via a portal on the FCC’s website, be made publicly available on that website, and include the following information: (1) the intermediate provider’s business name(s) and primary address; (2) the name(s), telephone number(s), email address(es), and business address(es) of the intermediate provider’s regulatory contact and/or designated agent for service of process; (3) all business names that the intermediate provider has used in the past; (4) the state(s) in which the intermediate provider provides service; and (5) the name, title, business address, telephone number, and email address of at least one person as well as the department within the company responsible for addressing rural call completion issues.
• Require intermediate providers to implement the following best practices: (1) prevent “call looping,” a practice in which the intermediate provider hands off a call for completion to a provider that has previously handed off the call; (2) “crank back” or release a call back to the originating carrier, rather than simply dropping the call, upon failure to find a route; and (3) not process calls so as to “terminate and re-originate” them.
• Require intermediate providers to have processes in place to monitor their own rural call completion performance when transmitting covered voice communications.

Carriers interested in filing comments or reply comments may contact the firm for more information.

BloostonLaw Contacts: Ben Dickens, Gerry Duffy, and Mary Sisak.

Senate Commerce Committee Holds Hearing on Robocalling

On April 18, U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, convened a hearing on Wednesday, April 18, 2018, at 10:00 a.m. entitled, “Abusive Robocalls and How We Can Stop Them.” The hearing examined the problem of malicious spoofing and abusive robocalls designed to defraud consumers, as well as measures being taken by government and industry to protect consumers.

“Abusive robocalls are persistently annoying and at worst they are a means for significant fraud and theft,” said Thune. “Our hearing will examine where such robocalls come from, how they work, and what steps can be taken to identify and deter them from happening.”

Witnesses at the hearing were: Ms. Lois Greisman, Associate Director, Marketing Practices Division, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Federal Trade Commission; Ms. Rosemary Harold, Chief, Enforcement Bureau, Federal Communications Commission; Mr. Adrian Abramovich, former President of Marketing Strategy Leaders (dissolved 1/29/2016); Mr. Scott Delacourt, Partner, Wiley Rein LLP and U.S. Chamber of Commerce representative; Mr. Kevin Rupy, Vice President, Law and Policy, United States Telecom Association; and Ms. Margot Saunders, Senior Counsel, National Consumer Law Center.

An archived webcast of the hearing can be found here.

BloostonLaw Contacts: Mary Sisak and Sal Taillefer.

FCC Reaches $40 Million Settlement with T-Mobile Over Rural Calling

On April 16, the FCC announced that it reached a settlement concluding its investigation into whether T-Mobile USA, Inc. violated the Communications Act when it failed to correct ongoing problems with delivery of calls to rural consumers, and whether it violated the FCC rule that prohibits providers from inserting false ring tones with respect to hundreds of millions of calls. T-Mobile agreed to pay $40 million to the U.S. Treasury and entered into a compliance plan to prevent future violations.

The FCC’s Enforcement Bureau opened an investigation following rural carrier and consumer complaints that T-Mobile callers were unable to reach consumers served by three rural carriers in Wisconsin. Although TMobile reported to the FCC that the problems had been “resolved,” the FCC continued to receive complaints that calls were failing. In addition, call completion complaints filed directly with T-Mobile showed patterns of problems with call delivery to consumers in at least seven other rural areas. The investigation also revealed TMobile’s practice of injecting false ring tones into certain calls. T-Mobile reported that it had done so on hundreds of millions of calls and admitted that its actions violated the FCC’s prohibition of injecting false ring tones on any calls.

Chairman Ajit Pai stated: “It is a basic tenet of the nation’s phone system that calls be completed to the called party, without a reduction in the call quality—even when the calls pass through intermediate providers. The FCC is committed to ensuring that phone calls to all Americans, including rural Americans, go through.”

Commissioner Clyburn had a different take: “Today’s consent decree attempts to address massively deceptive and harmful violations of the Commission’s rules likely impacting billions—yes, billions—of telephone calls to rural areas over the past several years … [w]ith a severely mismatched consent decree, negotiated by the Chairman’s office. The $40 million civil penalty, which will be paid to the U.S. Treasury, is dwarfed by larger, unpaid fines recently proposed against individual robocallers—and the volume of potential violations here outpaces any robocalling action the Commission has taken. And the compliance plan does not contain any concessions that would explain such a massive discount.”

BloostonLaw Contacts: Ben Dickens, Gerry Duffy, and Mary Sisak.

Industry

FCC Releases Summaries of Independent IP CTS Testing

On April 11, the FCC announced the release of two summaries prepared by the MITRE Corporation detailing the results of the first two phases of independent testing performed to assess the quality and usability of Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service (IP CTS) devices and services, as well as automated speech-to-text (STT) technologies. The FCC engaged MITRE to conduct this research to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of, and consumer response to, various approaches to delivering IP CTS, pursuant to a TRS research initiative launched in 2013.

In Phase 1, MITRE conducted (1) a survey of 540 IP CTS consumers, to identify user demographics and usability issues; (2) lab testing of four IP CTS devices and services and two STT engines, to identify performance measures for the project; and (3) controlled usability testing of 20 IP CTS users, employing four IP CTS devices and services to establish a baseline of usability metrics based on consumer assessments. MITRE’s report on this survey, “IP CTS Devices: Summary of Phase 1 Activities,” can be viewed here.

In Phase 2, MITRE conducted usability testing of four IP CTS devices and services and three STT engines, with 11 users participating. In its summary, MITRE presents consolidated test results from this assessment and provides qualitative and quantitative performance measures for the IP CTS devices, services, and STT engines, as well as recommendations for further research and service improvement. This MITRE report, “IP CTS – Summary of Phase 2 Usability Testing Results,” can be viewed here.

FCC Releases Results of Nationwide EAS Test

On April 16, the FCC’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau released the results of the September 27, 2017 nationwide Emergency Alert System (EAS). According to the report, demonstrated that FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) continues to deliver high-quality, effective, and accessible EAS alerts, and that EAS Participants’ results show improvement in several areas. Specifically, 95.8% of test participants successfully received the test alert, as compared to 95.4% in 2016, and 91.9% of test participants successfully retransmitted the test alert, as compared to 85.8% in 2016.

Test data, however, also reveal that technical issues affect EAS Participants’ ability to receive EAS alerts effectively over IPAWS. For example, 58.1% of test participants first received the test over-the-air rather than from IPAWS (as compared to 56.5% in 2016), and thus were unable to deliver the CAP-formatted digital audio, Spanish, and text files, which likely would have improved alert accessibility to non-English speakers and those with disabilities. Additionally, filings from representatives of people with disabilities show that interference with closed captioning and other EAS Participant practices impeded the full accessibility of the test.

The full report can be found here.

FCC and FTC To Co-Host Robocall Blocking Expo on April 23

On April 16, the FCC announced that it will co-host, along with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), a “Stop Illegal Robocalls Expo” on Monday, April 23, 2018, from 10 a.m. to noon, at the Pepco Edison Place Gallery, 702 Eighth Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20068. The Expo, which is free and open to the public, will “showcase innovative technologies, devices, and applications to minimize or eliminate the number of illegal robocalls consumers receive.”

FTC Acting Chairman Maureen K. Ohlhausen and FCC Chief of Staff Matthew Berry will give brief remarks at the Expo, which will feature demonstrations from the following companies: AT&T;Call Control; Comcast Corporation; Digitone Communications; First Orion Corp.; Hiya; Neustar Communications; Nomorobo; Reverd LLC; Scammer Jammer; South Coast Telecom Inc.; TelTech Systems; T-Mobile; TNS; Verizon; VTech Communications, Inc.; and YouMail.

BDAC Chair Arrested for Wire Fraud

On April 12, the Wall Street Journal reported that former chief executive officer of Quintillion Networks was arrested on charges of forging contracts to induce firms to make more than $250 million in investments. According to the article, Elizabeth Pierce “allegedly convinced two investment companies that the firm had secured contracts for a high-speed fiber-optic system that would generate hundreds of millions of dollars in future revenue…” In prepared remarks U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman said, “those sales agreements were worthless because the customers had not signed them. Instead, as alleged, Pierce had forged counter-party signatures on contract after contract. As a result of Pierce’s deception, the investment companies were left with a system that is worth far less than Pierce had led them to believe.”

Pierce was the chairman of the FCC’s Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee from its inception until it she resigned in September of 2017.

Deadlines

MAY 31: FCC FORM 395, EMPLOYMENT REPORT. Common carriers, including wireless carriers, with 16 or more full-time employees must file their annual Common Carrier Employment Reports (FCC Form 395) by May 31. This report tracks carrier compliance with rules requiring recruitment of minority employees. Further, the FCC requires all common carriers to report any employment discrimination complaints they received during the past year. That information is also due on May 31. The FCC encourages carriers to complete the discrimination report requirement by filling out Section V of Form 395, rather than submitting a separate report.

BloostonLaw Contacts: Richard Rubino.

MAY 31: FCC FORM 395, EMPLOYMENT REPORT. Common carriers, including wireless carriers, with 16 or more full-time employees must file their annual Common Carrier Employment Reports (FCC Form 395) by May 31. This report tracks carrier compliance with rules requiring recruitment of minority employees. Further, the FCC requires all common carriers to report any employment discrimination complaints they received during the past year. That information is also due on June 1. The FCC encourages carriers to complete the discrimination report requirement by filling out Section V of Form 395, rather than submitting a separate report.

BloostonLaw Contacts: Richard Rubino.

JULY 2: FCC FORM 481 (CARRIER ANNUAL REPORTING DATA COLLECTION FORM). All eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs) must report the information required by Section 54.313, which includes outage, unfulfilled service request, and complaint data, broken out separately for voice and broadband services, information on the ETC’s holding company, operating companies, ETC affiliates and any branding in response to section 54.313(a)(8); its CAF-ICC certification, if applicable; its financial information, if a privately held rate-of-return carrier; and its satellite backhaul certification, if applicable. Form 481 must not only be filed with USAC, but also with the FCC and the relevant state commission and tribal authority, as appropriate. Although USAC treats the filing as confidential, filers must seek confidential treatment separately with the FCC and the relevant state commission and tribal authority if confidential treatment is desired.

BloostonLaw Contacts: Ben Dickens, Gerry Duffy, and Sal Taillefer.

JULY 2: MOBILITY FUND PHASE I ANNUAL REPORT. Winning bidders in Auction 901 that are authorized to receive Mobility Fund Phase I support are required to submit to the FCC an annual report each year on July 1 for the five years following authorization. Each annual report must be submitted to the Office of the Secretary of the FCC, clearly referencing WT Docket No. 10-208; the Universal Service Administrator; and the relevant state commissions, relevant authority in a U.S. Territory, or Tribal governments, as appropriate. The information and certifications required to be included in the annual report are described in Section 54.1009 of the FCC’s rules.

BloostonLaw Contacts: John Prendergast and Sal Taillefer.

JULY 31: FCC FORM 507, UNIVERSAL SERVICE QUARTERLY LINE COUNT UPDATE. Line count updates are required to recalculate a carrier's per line universal service support, and is filed with the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC). This information must be submitted on July 31 each year by all rate-of-return incumbent carriers, and on a quarterly basis if a competitive eligible telecommunications carrier (CETC) has initiated service in the rate-of-return incumbent carrier’s service area and reported line count data to USAC in the rate-of-return incumbent carrier’s service area, in order for the incumbent carrier to be eligible to receive Interstate Common Line Support (ICLS). This quarterly filing is due July 31 and covers lines served as of December 31 of the previous year. Incumbent carriers filing on a quarterly basis must also file on September 30 (for lines served as of March 31); December 30 (for lines served as of June 30, 2014), and March 31, for lines served as of September 30 of the previous year).

BloostonLaw contacts: Ben Dickens, Gerry Duffy, and Mary Sisak.

JULY 31: CARRIER IDENTIFICATION CODE (CIC) REPORTS. Carrier Identification Code (CIC) Reports must be filed by the last business day of July (this year, July 31). These reports are required of all carriers who have been assigned a CIC code by NANPA. Failure to file could result in an effort by NANPA to reclaim it, although according to the Guidelines this process is initiated with a letter from NANPA regarding the apparent non-use of the CIC code. The assignee can then respond with an explanation. (Guidelines Section 6.2). The CIC Reporting Requirement is included in the CIC Assignment Guidelines, produced by ATIS. According to section 1.4 of that document: At the direction of the NANPA, the access providers and the entities who are assigned CICs will be requested to provide access and usage information to the NANPA, on a semi-annual basis to ensure effective management of the CIC resource. (Holders of codes may respond to the request at their own election). Access provider and entity reports shall be submitted to NANPA no later than January 31 for the period ending December 31, and no later than July 31 for the period ending June 30. It is also referenced in the NANPA Technical Requirements Document, which states at 7.18.6: CIC holders shall provide a usage report to the NANPA per the industry CIC guidelines . . . The NAS shall be capable of accepting CIC usage reports per guideline requirements on January 31 for the period ending December 31 and no later than July 31 for the period ending June 30. These reports may also be mailed and accepted by the NANPA in paper form. Finally, according to the NANPA website, if no local exchange carrier reports access or usage for a given CIC, NANPA is obliged to reclaim it. The semi-annual utilization and access reporting mechanism is described at length in the guidelines.

BloostonLaw Contacts: Ben Dickens and Gerry Duffy.

Calendar At-a-Glance

April
Apr. 27 – Reply comments due on Jurisdictional Separations Reform.

May
May 1 – FCC Form 499-Q (Quarterly Telecommunications Reporting Worksheet) is due.
May 3 – Comments are due on FCC CVAA Report.
May 9 – Comments on 5G auction procedures
May 18 – Comments are due on Wireless Signal Booster FNPRM.
May 23 – Reply Comments on 5G auction procedures
May 31 – FCC Form 395 (Annual Employment Report) is due.

June
Jun. 2 – E911 horizontal location accuracy benchmark certification due to be filed.
Jun. 4 – Comments are due on Rural Call Completion FNPRM.
Jun. 5 – Comments are due on Status of Gov’t Relocation from AWS Bands.
Jun. 18 – 15-Day Tariff Filings are due.
Jun. 18 – Reply comments are due on Wireless Signal Booster FNPRM.
Jun. 19 – Reply comments are due on Rural Call Completion FNPRM.
Jun. 25 – Petitions to suspend 15-Day Tariff Filings are due.
Jun. 26 – 7-Day Tariff fillings are due.
Jun. 27 – Petitions to suspend 7-Day Tariff Filings are due.
Jun. 28 – Replies to Petitions to suspend 15-Day Tariff Filings are due.
Jun. 29 – Replies to Petitions to suspend 7-Day Tariff Filings are due.

July
Jul. 2 – FCC Form 481 (Carrier Annual Reporting Data Collection Form) is due.
Jul. 2 – FCC Form 690 (Mobility Fund Phase I Auction Winner Annual Report) is due.
Jul. 3 – 15-Day and 7-Day Tariff Filings effective.
Jul. 5 – Reply comments are due on Status of Gov’t Relocation from AWS Bands.
Jul. 31 – FCC Form 507 (Universal Service Quarterly Line Count Update) is due.
Jul. 31 – Carrier Identification Code (CIC) Report is due.

Meet Chat, another new Google messaging service that’s still not as good as Apple’s iMessage

Chris Smith @chris_writes April 20th, 2018 at 6:50 AM

Tweet Ever since Apple rolled out iMessages, Google has been trying to catch up, but the company never managed to come up with an instant messaging app that was just as good, or secure, as Apple’s.

Long-time Android fans have witnessed the SMS/instant messaging mess on Android, as Google rolled out plenty of apps over the years supposed to offer users better chatting experiences. But the company wasn’t able to deliver anything close to an iMessage competitor. Until now?

Google Chat is supposedly the chat app that will bring the Android texting experience closer to iPhone, according to an in-depth The Verge report on the new app.

However, we’ll tell you from the get-go, that Chat will not have one of the best features of iMessage. Apple’s default iPhone texting app comes with end-to-end encryption for messages sent as iMessages. The app turns texts into regular SMS messages when they’re sent to Android users, in which case they’re handled by carriers rather than Apple’s servers.

Google Chat is based on the RCS, or Rich Communication Services, a new standard for SMS texts. A whole bunch of carriers and device makers already support RCS messaging, and Google is working with all of them to bring RCS to Android as Chat. Apple is notably absent from that list. It’ll be surprising if it decides to support RCS going forward, given its stance on user data privacy and security.

Because Chat will work via the infrastructure of mobile operators, which are more open to providing access to text messaging records to police, it won’t be end-to-end encrypted. One other important reason for not encrypting it is Google’s own needs. Google Assistant has to work inside the Chat app, and that means it needs to see the messages that are exchanged in it. It’s just like Allo, the previous iMessage alternative from Google that the company is now dumping in favor of Chat.

One reason for carriers to hate iMessage is that it doesn’t produce any sort of revenue for them. These texts are sent via the Internet between iOS devices, so carriers can’t tax them. Sure, you pay for the data, but iMessage is one of the mobile chat apps that started killing SMS a few years ago.

The politically correct answer for the lack of encryption and the need of carrier control is that Google wants to keep Android an open platform, which means it doesn’t want to force a proprietary Chat experience on carriers and device makers. You know, like Apple did with iMessage. Google’s Anil Sabharwal, who’s overseeing the Chat project, explains it so:

We can’t do it without these [carrier and OEM] partners. We don’t believe in taking the approach that Apple does. We are fundamentally an open ecosystem. We believe in working with partners. We believe in working with our OEMs to be able to deliver a great experience.

That said, if you’re okay with an iMessage-like experience without the encryption, then you can expect Chat to work on your Android devices at some point later this year. Or next year. There’s no clear rollout because Chat functionality depends both on carrier and device support.

And yes, you can expect a desktop version of Chat to work on your computer. iMessage too works on both mobile and desktop computers.

You’ll still have access to other encrypted chat apps on Android, including WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal, although none of them will ever replace the default SMS app on your handset.

Check out The Verge’s Chat preview video:

“Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none.”

― William Shakespeare, All's Well That Ends Well

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