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NO POLITICS HERE
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. TIME TO HUDDLE UP 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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Prism-IPX Systems is growing and they are looking for more good software developers with communications experience. Additional information is available on their web site.
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Why Extreme Networks Shares Plunged as Much as 40%Today The budding enterprise networking all-rounder is going through some growing pains right now, making for an interesting buy-in opportunity.Anders Bylund What happened So what But the midpoint of Extreme's first-quarter earnings guidance stopped at $0.04 per share, far below the current analyst view of $0.21 and the year-ago period's $0.16.
Now what
Meyercord expects this program to improve his company's operating efficiency and strengthen Extreme's working-capital resources over time, but at the cost of some short-term pain. Call me crazy, but I see this as a tempting buy-in opportunity. Extreme is a well-managed company that happens to be going through some growing pains after a huge buyout spree in 2017, and I actually appreciate management's willingness to make some difficult changes now that should result in stronger results in later reporting periods. The stock is now trading at prices not seen since March of 2017, and at the lowest price-to earnings ratios that Extreme has offered in more than five years. |
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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.
Built-in custom interface for Prism-IPX ipBSC Base Controller for remote control, management and alarm reporting.
Prism-IPX Systems LLC.
11175 Cicero Dr., Alpharetta, GA 30022
Back To Paging Still The Most Reliable Protocol For Wireless Messaging!
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GLENAYRE INFRASTRUCTUREI 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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Apple: No, your iPhone isn't eavesdropping on youby Kaya Yurieff [Video (Tim Cook) at source.] Tech users have long questioned whether mobile devices and smart speakers eavesdrop on their private conversations. Apple answered that question Tuesday with a resounding no. In a letter to federal lawmakers, the tech giant insisted that iPhones do not listen to what users are saying and said third-party app developers don't have access to audio data. "iPhone doesn't listen to consumers except to recognize the clear, unambiguous audio trigger 'Hey Siri,'" Timothy Powderly, Apple's director of Federal Government Affairs, wrote in the letter, which was obtained by CNN. "The customer is not our product, and our business model does not depend on collecting vast amounts of personally identifiable information to enrich targeted profiles marketed to advertisers," he added. Apple (AAPL) issued the statement in response to an inquiry from the Energy and Commerce Committee, which sent letters in July to Tim Cook, Apple CEO, and Larry Page, CEO of Google's parent company Alphabet (GOOG) requesting details about their smartphone data collection practices. (It's unclear whether Alphabet has responded. The company declined to comment). Citing media reports, the lawmakers raised concerns that smartphones could "in some instances" collect data from nearby conversations, even if the user did not intentionally wake the voice assistants with "Hey Siri" or "OK, Google." The letters requested information about how iPhone and Android devices collect audio and location data. They also sought information about any limits Apple and Google place on developers in collecting data from users' devices. In Apple's response, the company said the iPhone displays a visual alert when Siri is listening to someone's request. Its guidelines also require developers to show some sort of visual indicator when their app is collecting audio via the microphone. Users also must explicitly grant access to the microphone, and can revoke that audio access in Settings. "We believe privacy is a fundamental human right and purposely design our products and services to minimize our collection of customer data," Powderly said. Facebook (FB), which has also been accused of listening to user conversations, said it does not capture data from a microphone or camera without permission. It isn't just the tech companies telling consumers not to worry. Some security experts also insist people have nothing to fear, despite repeated claims that our gadgets know so much about us because they eavesdrop on us. "It's categorically untrue that this is happening," said Serge Egelman, director of security and privacy research at Berkeley's International Computer Science Institute. "[Rather], this is really sophisticated machine learning at work. Algorithms are being used to target ads based on your perceived interests." But consumers should remain concerned about the amount of personal information companies and third parties collect about them in general, according to experts. "We really need a baseline privacy law [in the United States] that protects people," said Chris Calabrese, VP of policy at the Center for Democracy & Technology. "We can't just rely on Apple's policies or other big tech companies." CNNMoney's Seth Fiegerman contributed reporting. |
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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
Prism-IPX Systems LLC.
11175 Cicero Dr., Alpharetta, GA 30022 |
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| Leavitt Communications |
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Apple gets its ultimate revenge on Michael Dell with the world’s first trillion-dollar market capThe greatest business turnaround in the history of the world hits another milestone.
Update 11:49 a.m.: Now it's official! Update 11:35 a.m.: Apple's stock app jumped the gun a bit based on inaccurate data from Yahoo. But man is it close. If the best revenge is living well, then Tim Cook is sticking it to everyone. Apple’s stock passed another significant milestone today, becoming the first company in history to top a market capitalization of a trillion dollars, albeit briefly. That’s a one with 12 zeros.
Of course, it wasn’t always this rosy. On September 29, 2000, Apple’s stock dropped more than 50 percent, from $26 to $13, effectively cutting its market capitalization in half, to around 5 billion, and it didn’t look good for the Mac maker. At the time it was hard to see Apple recovering, but since that fateful day the stock has since split twice and soared to unimaginable levels. To put its market cap in perspective, AAPL is worth two Facebooks, seven Netflixes, 42 Twitters, and 53 Dells. If you remember, Dell founder Michael Dell famously quipped in 1997 that he would “shut (Apple) down and give the money back to the shareholders.” He’s since walked back the statement by saying he would shut down any company that isn’t Dell, but it clearly inspired Steve Jobs, who had this to say at the time: “We are going to be second in logistics and operations and the buying experience, to no-one — including Dell.” While that’s been true for a while now, AAPL’s milestone is a significant one. Not only is the iPhone still selling like hotcakes, Apple has also shown significant growth in its Services and wearables categories, two divisions that were virtually nonexistent just a few years ago. Why this matters: In the scheme of things, it probably doesn’t. Apple will still release new iPhones, iPads, and Apple Watches in the fall, and iOS 13 will still arrive next year. But it’s incredible to witness a company that was nearly worthless just two decades years ago now be valued at over a trillion dollars. |
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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.
Prism-IPX Systems LLC.
11175 Cicero Dr., Alpharetta, GA 30022 |
Wireless Network Planners
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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:
Prism-IPX Systems LLC.
11175 Cicero Dr., Alpharetta, GA 30022 |
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70,000 Subpoenas In Six Months: A Peek at How Carriers Serve the LawBy Jim Fryer, Managing Editor, Inside Towers
The carriers are used to hearing a knock at their door from the feds. They’re not there for someone in the building but want, as Jack Webb used to say in Dragnet*, “just the facts, ma’am.” Verizon recently published its “Transparency Report” showing the staggering number of requests (some in the form of subpoenas and warrants) they have gotten in the past six months. They received 69,596 subpoenas from law enforcement in the United States in the first half of 2018. Subpoenas are generally used by law enforcement to obtain “the type of information that appears on a customer’s phone bill,” according to the report. The subpoenas they received sought information regarding 118,883 information points, such as a telephone number, used to identify a customer. These customer identifiers are also referred to as “selectors.” On average, each subpoena sought information about 1.7 selectors. Verizon does not release contents of communications (such as text messages or e-mails) or cell site location information in response to subpoenas. In addition, they received 30,361 court orders in the first half of 2018. These court orders must be signed by a judge, indicating that the law enforcement officer has made the requisite showing required under the law to the judge. The orders compels the carriers to provide some type of information to the government. A small subset, 4,432, of the orders they received in the past six months required them to provide access to data in real-time. A “pen register order” requires them to provide law enforcement with real-time access to phone numbers as they are dialed, while a trap and trace order compels them to provide law enforcement with real-time access to the phone numbers from incoming calls. Verizon does not provide any content in response to pen register or trap and trace orders. The carrier received 13,552 warrants in the same the period. To obtain a warrant, a law enforcement officer must show a judge that there is “probable cause” to believe that the evidence sought is related to a crime. This is a higher standard than the standard for a general order. A warrant may be used to obtain stored content (such as text message content or e-mail content), location information or more basic subscriber or transactional information. On June 22, 2018, the Supreme Court of the United States decided United States v. Carpenter; a case addressing whether law enforcement may obtain an order or must obtain a probable cause warrant in order to compel a wireless carrier to release historical cell site location information, Inside Towers reported. A majority of the Court concluded that a warrant was necessary. Since the Court’s ruling, Verizon has accepted only probable cause warrants before releasing historical location information. (*yes, I am that old, ed) |
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| Source: | Inside Towers newsletter | Courtesy of the editor of Inside Towers. |
| BloostonLaw Newsletter |
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.
Updated Mobility Fund Phase II Map Now AvailableOn August 1, the FCC issued a Public Notice announcing the release of an updated version of the map of areas presumptively eligible for Mobility Fund Phase II (MF-II) support. The updated map is available on the Commission’s website at www.fcc.gov/maps/mobility-fund-ii-initial-eligible-areas-map/. The updates to the map only increase the area presumptively eligible for support and do not alter the eligibility status of 99.99 percent of the total area (both eligible and ineligible areas) shown on the previous version of the map. The updated version of the map reflects revisions to the underlying coverage and subsidy data. Implementing these changes will reduce the burden on challengers in affected areas. These revisions are due to two factors. First, the Universal Service Administrator Company (USAC) corrected certain subsidy assignments, and staff reprocessed the map data for the affected states. Second, staff incorporated corrected 4G LTE coverage data submitted by one mobile provider for the Oklahoma Panhandle area. BloostonLaw Contacts: John Prendergast and Cary Mitchell. HeadlinesApplications for 28 GHz & 24 GHZ Band Auctions Due Sept. 18; Bidding to Begin November 14On August 2, the FCC announced the short-form deadline and initial auction schedule for county-based Upper Microwave Flexible Use licenses in the 28 GHz Band. Bidding is scheduled to begin November 14th with short-form applications due before 6:00 p.m. ET on September 18, 2018. The 28 GHz auction (Auction 101) will use standard simultaneous multiple round (SMR) auction procedures, with two 425 megahertz blocks available for bid in each US county. Small business and rural service provider bidding credits will be available for eligible applicants. 28 GHz licenses are not available in all counties due to incumbent licensing, so due diligence will be important. Contact us if you want assistance in identifying available licenses in your area. After the 28 GHz auction has ended, the Commission will conduct a separate auction for 24 GHz Band PEA license blocks (Auction 102). Auction 102 will employ a clock auction format, beginning with a clock phase that will allow bidding on generic blocks in each Partial Economic Area in successive bidding rounds. There will then be an assignment phase to allow winners of the generic blocks to bid for frequency-specific license assignments. The 24 GHz licenses will be offered in seven 100 megahertz blocks. The filing window for Auction 102 will run concurrently with the filing window for Auction 101 so clients will likely want to apply for both auctions so they have a “fall back” strategy if they aren’t successful in obtaining 28 GHz licenses in their counties of interest. However, there may be some added wrinkles if clients want to bid for county-based 28 GHz licenses on their own while exploring partnerships or joint ventures for bidding on the larger 24 GHz licenses. With short-form applications due in less than six weeks, clients interested in participating in Auctions 101 or 102 should contact the firm for our questionnaire to develop the necessary information to prepare your short-form. BloostonLaw Contacts: John Prendergast and Cary Mitchell. Chairman Pai Circulates Order Extending Mobility Fund Phase II Challenge ProcessOn August 3, the FCC issued a Press Release announcing that Chairman Ajit Pai has circulated for a vote by his fellow commissioners an Order to extend by 90 days the window to file challenges to the eligibility map for the upcoming Mobility Fund Phase II broadband auction. Mobility Fund Phase II will award, via a reverse auction, up to $4.53 billion to support deployment of 4G LTE mobile service where it is now lacking. The challenge process is one part of the Commission’s efforts to ensure that these limited funds are targeted to areas that lack unsubsidized 4G LTE service. “The FCC has an important role in making sure that modern wireless services and the access they provide to emergency services, voice communications, and information are available to consumers living in and traveling through rural areas. Our Mobility Fund Phase II auction will go a long way toward fulfilling that goal. But it’s critical that we get it right: Our limited universal service funds for mobile service must be effectively and accurately targeted to areas that lack unsubsidized 4G LTE service. That’s why I’m seeking a 90-day extension of our challenge process, which will ensure fulsome participation in the process. I’m urging my fellow commissioners to vote this item quickly, so we can proceed with a robust challenge process, and then move forward with this important auction.” BloostonLaw Contacts: Ben Dickens, Gerry Duffy, and John Prendergast. FCC Elimination of Certain Part 22 Service Rules Effective September 4thThe FCC has adopted revisions to Part 22 of its Rules as it applies to the Cellular Radiotelephone Service and other commercial mobile radio services (CMRS) such as paging and IMTS that are governed by Part 22 of its Rules. In streamlining or eliminating duplicative rules, the FCC believes that it will be removing unnecessary regulatory burdens on licenses and free up resources for investment in new technologies, and providing greater spectrum efficiencies so that carriers can better meet customer demands for advanced wireless services. Record Keeping Rules (Rule Sections 22.301 and 22.303) – At the outset, the FCC has eliminated two record keeping rules which are no longer necessary. These rules – which involved station inspections (Rule Section 22.301) and retention of hard copy records – including station licenses (Rule Section 22.303) – were deemed to be outdated and no longer necessary, and in fact, have not been imposed on licensees in similar wireless services. With respect to Rule Section 22.303, the FCC noted that it no longer mails printed authorizations in the normal course following the grant of an application, so licensees cannot comply with the hard-copy requirement unless they themselves print, or request that the Commission’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau print and mail, an authorization every time an application is granted. The FCC noted that Official Copies are available to licensees on-line and that Reference Copies are available to the public through the FCC’s Universal Licensing System. As a result, the FCC found that this requirement was no longer in the public interest. Because Rule Section 22.303 involves a records retention requirement, the elimination of this rule will not be effective until approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is received. Station Control Points – Rule Section 22.325 – Currently, the FCC’s Rules require Part 22 licensees to “have at least one control point and a person on duty who is responsible for station operation.” Because of technological changes in how station networks are managed, the FCC found that this rule is “technologically obsolete” since networks are routinely monitored by automatic and remote mechanisms. The FCC also noted that there is no similar provision for competing CMRS services regulated under Parts 24 or 27 of the FCC’s Rules. Equal Employment – Rule Section 22.321 – While the FCC is eliminating Rule Section 22.321 as being duplicative, it has made clear that its requirements are not going away. Rather, the FCC has determined that Rule Section 90.168 applies to all CMRS providers, and imposes Employment reporting/complaint requirements. As a result, our CMRS clients will still need to make their annual Form 395 and Report of Employment Complaint filings. Responsibility for Mobile Stations and Stations Authorizations – Rule Sections 22.3 and 22.927 – Rule Section 22.3 requires stations in the Public Mobile Services (such as paging, cellular, etc.) to be used and operated only in accordance with applicable Commission rules and only with a valid license authorization granted by the FCC. Rule Section 22. 3 also states that subscriber operations are included in the underlying license authorization issued under Part 22 of the FCC’s Rules. Because the provisions contained in Rule Section 22.3 are included in Rule Section 1.903, the FCC has determined that Rule Section 22.3 is duplicative and no longer needed. Likewise, Rule Section 22.927, which addresses operation of subscriber radios/handsets (including those that are roaming on their system), has been deemed to be no longer relevant. This is because this rule was developed in cellular’s infancy and because it has not been applied to other advanced wireless services that compete with cellular. The FCC declined to eliminate Rule Section 22.925 – Prohibition of on Airborne Operations of Cellular Telephones – because this item is being considered in another proceeding. The FCC also declined to eliminate Rule Section 22.143 – Pre-grant Construction. Applicants may continue to commence construction 35 days after publication of an acceptance for filing Public Notice provided that certain conditions are met. BloostonLaw Contacts: John Prendergast and Richard Rubino. Law & RegulationFCC Adopts New Electronic Filing and Record-keeping System for the EASIn an order that was published in the Federal Register last week, the FCC took steps to modernize and improve the Emergency Alert System (EAS) by establishing a comprehensive online filing system which combines the existing EAS Test Reporting System (ETRS) with a new system for states to file their State EAS Plans. The new Alert Reporting System (ARS) will replace paper-based filing requirements and is expected to minimize recurring filing burdens on the State Emergency Communications Committees (SECCs). This will also allow the FCC, FEMA and other authorized agencies to better access up-to-date information about the EAS. As an initial matter, we note that the new ARS is not yet in operation, so companies that are required to participate in the upcoming Nationwide EAS Test on September 20th (i.e. wireless cable television systems, digital broadcast systems, digital television broadcast stations, Satellite Digital Audio Radio Service, digital cable and digital audio broadcasting systems, and wireline video systems) are reminded that they must still register in ETRS and complete the filing of ETRS Form One on or before August 27, 2018. In reports following previous nationwide tests of the EAS, the FCC’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau (PSHSB) indicated that although the tests satisfied their primary purposes, there remained “strong evidence that many test participants do not understand their roles in the EAS structure and are unfamiliar with the State EAS Plans that inform them of those roles.” The new requirement that SECCs file their State EAS Plans with the FCC and ARS system is expected to provide a baseline level of uniformity across State EAS Plans, in terms of both format and terminology, while affording sufficient flexibility to accommodate filers’ unique needs. The Commission believes an online filing system will be an efficient tool for reviewing alerting architecture because it will provide an end-to-end picture of the EAS distribution architecture for each state. Cross-referencing data from electronically filed State EAS Plans with data collected from the ETRS will also make it easier to identify problems such as single points of failure. Finally, moving to an online system will reduce burdens on SECCs by pre-populating data fields in State EAS Plans with information from other FCC databases, enabling SECCs to readily update and revise their plans. In a statement, the FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel said the new rules provided needed changes to the EAS, but added that more work remains. “The FCC can do more by acting as a convening force to report and incentivize best practices for emergency alerting,” she said. “In addition, we need to act with dispatch on the other aspects of this docket that this order does not address, including false alerting. Especially in light of the false emergency alert earlier this year in Hawaii, this work should be our priority.” The EAS came under public scrutiny early this year after a false alert of an imminent ballistic missile attack was sent to Hawaiian citizens. A PSHAB report last January found that a combination of human error and inadequate safeguards contributed to the transmission of the false alert. BloostonLaw Contacts: Cary Mitchell FCC Adopts Items at August Open MeetingOn August 2, the FCC adopted the following items at its monthly Open Meeting. Each brief description below contains a link to the final, as-adopted version of the item.
BloostonLaw Contacts: Ben Dickens, Gerry Duffy, and John Prendergast. IndustryUSDA Announces $97 Million in Rural Broadband Investment in 11 StatesOn August 1, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $97 million in 12 projects to provide or improve rural broadband service in 11 states. USDA is making the investments through the Telecommunications Infrastructure Loan Program and the Community Connect Grant Program. Below are a few examples of the investments USDA is making:
These projects will improve the quality of service in rural communities in Arizona, Iowa, Idaho, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Wyoming. “A person’s location should not determine whether he or she has access to modern communications infrastructure,” Secretary Perdue said. “That is why USDA is partnering with businesses and communities by investing in state-of-the-art broadband e-connectivity to remote and rural areas. These investments will expand access to educational, social and business opportunities for 22,000 subscribers to help grow their rural communities and America’s economy.” DeadlinesAUGUST 29: COPYRIGHT STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS. The Copyright Statement of Accounts form plus royalty payment for the first half of calendar year 2014 is due to be filed August 29 at the Library of Congress’ Copyright Office by cable TV service providers. BloostonLaw Contact: Gerry Duffy. SEPTEMBER 4: FCC FORM 477, LOCAL COMPETITION AND BROADBAND REPORTING FORM. Normally due September 1, this year’s filing falls on a federal holiday, pushing the deadline back to the next business day. Three types of entities must file this form.
BloostonLaw Contacts: Ben Dickens and Gerry Duffy. OCTOBER 1: FCC FORM 396-C, MVPD EEO PROGRAM REPORTING FORM. Each year on September 30, multi-channel video program distributors (“MVPDs”) must file with the FCC an FCC Form 396-C, Multi-Channel Video Programming Distributor EEO Program Annual Report, for employment units with six or more full-time employees. Because September 30 falls on a Sunday this year, the filing will be due the following business day on October 1. Users must access the FCC’s electronic filing system via the Internet in order to submit the form; it will not be accepted if filed on paper unless accompanied by an appropriate request for waiver of the electronic filing requirement. Certain MVPDs also will be required to complete portions of the Supplemental Investigation Sheet (“SIS”) located at the end of the Form. These MVPDs are specifically identified in a Public Notice each year by the FCC. BloostonLaw Contacts: Gerry Duffy and Sal Taillefer. OCTOBER 15: 911 RELIABILITY CERTIFICATION. Covered 911 Service Providers, which are defined as entities that “[p]rovide[] 911, E911, or NG911 capabilities such as call routing, automatic location information (ALI), automatic number identification (ANI), or the functional equivalent of those capabilities, directly to a public safety answering point (PSAP), statewide default answering point, or appropriate local emergency authority,” or that “[o]perate[] one or more central offices that directly serve a PSAP,” are required certify that they have taken reasonable measures to provide reliable 911 service with respect to three substantive requirements: (i) 911 circuit diversity; (ii) central office backup power; and (iii) diverse network monitoring by October 15. Certifications must be made through the FCC’s portal. BloostonLaw Contacts: Mary Sisak and Sal Taillefer. Calendar At-a-GlanceAugust September October November
Special EditionFCC Announces Availability of FY2018 ITSP and CMRS Regulatory Fee DataToday, the FCC announced that Interstate Telecommunications Service Providers (ITSPs) and Commercial Mobile Radio Service (CMRS) providers may view their ITSP/CMRS data in the FCC’s Fee Filer electronic payment system. In order to view this data, it will be necessary to log into the Fee Filer system at www.fcc.gov/feefiler. For ITSPs, the regulatory fee will be based upon the revenue information that was included in your FCC Form 499-A filing on April 1, 2018, as revised. Line 14 of the worksheet, which is viewable in the Fee Filer system, identifies the subject revenues that will be used as the basis for the payment of FY 2018 regulatory fees. If you disagree with this revenue amount, it will be necessary to file a revised Form 499-A with USAC to change your revenue figures. When Fee Filer opens to accept FY 2018 regulatory fee payments, the Form 159-W ITSP worksheet will reflect the FY 2018 regulatory fee amount due. For CMRS providers, the regulatory fee will be based upon the subscriber porting and OCN information that has been filed with the FCC. Since the FCC is no longer mailing CMRS assessment letters to licensees, it will be necessary to log into the Fee Filer system if you wish to verify the accuracy of your data. If you wish to revise the subscriber count, please follow the prompts accordingly to make changes. After a revision is made, the Commission will either approve or disapprove the requested revision. Any requests to correct subscriber counts must be made by August 24, 2018 so that the Commission has sufficient time to update its Fee Filer payment system before opening it up for payment of regulatory fees. BloostonLaw Contact: Richard Rubino
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Here’s How to Stop Your iPhone from Listening to You
By Mike Murphy, Quartz AUGUST 9, 2018 ... and tracking where you're going.We’ve all heard the (continually refuted) rumors that Facebook’s apps secretly listen to our conversations to figure out what ads to show us. While Facebook has categorically denied that it’s listening to users (really, it’s just very good at targeting ads), U.S. lawmakers had similar concerns about the devices and services offered by Apple and Google. Apple sent a response to U.S. Reps. Greg Walden, Marsha Blackburn, Gregg Harper, and Robert Latta, Tuesday to queries about what its devices were able to listen to and ascertain about its users when they weren’t aware the devices were doing so. The questions followed similar queries raised to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg during his hearings before Congress in April. In the letter, which was shared with Quartz, Apple called out that its business is not reliant on customers’ data, unlike some of its Silicon Valley counterparts. “Not all technology companies operate in the same manner—in fact, the business models and data collection and use practices are often radically different from one another,” the company said. Apple’s letter detailed all the ways users can turn off location tracking, Siri listening (more on that below), and data collected from third-party apps. Although Apple says it builds “technical controls into iOS and iPhone to ensure customer data has strong protections” and analyzes each app that requests permission to be listed on its App Store to ensure they follow Apple’s rules, it cannot always control where information users supply to third-party apps, like Facebook, goes. “Apple does not and cannot monitor what developers do with the customer data they have collected, or prevent the onward transfer of that data, nor do we have the ability to ensure a developer’s compliance with their own privacy policies or local law,” Apple wrote. “Apple has the right to terminate a developer’s account immediately upon notice for engaging in prohibited behavior, including but not limited to impermissible uses of user data,” it added. How to Turn Off Siri But if you’re still concerned that Siri might be tuning in when you don’t want her to, here’s how to turn the digital assistant off:
This will turn off Siri, but if there are nefarious apps out there, circumventing Apple’s regulations that say developers have to make it clear when their apps are listening to users, there’s no real way to stop that. You could tape over the microphones on your phone, as many have taken to doing for their laptop webcams. But that would be quite difficult, as there are a few of them in awkward places. How to Turn Off Location Tracking Apple’s iPhones use a combination of GPS, cellular towers, and nearby WiFi hotspots to figure out where you are, and apps are supposed to only have access to this information if you’ve explicitly given them permission. If you want to ensure no third-party apps are tracking your location when you don’t want them to be, head to Settings > Privacy > Location Services, and turn off the green toggle. But be warned: This will mean that services that require your location to work properly, like Uber or weather apps, won’t be able to do so. On that same screen, you can turn off location tracking for individual apps, too. So instead of turning off all tracking, you can turn off certain apps you’d prefer didn’t know where you were at all times. |
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