Welcome Back To The Wireless Messaging News

The video this week is a “bluesy” song by John Hiatt. John is a great song writer and performing artist. His music as well as his life have been an inspiration to many people.

I had the privilege of meeting John and talking to him for a while — several years ago while I was living in Virginia. It wasn't until I got back home that I realized that one of his songs on a DVD in my collection, was one of my favorites. (Cry Love) I had listened to it many times.

I didn't recognize him because he had aged a little since the DVD was recorded.

So I hope you enjoy “Over The Hill” even though you might not be over the hill (like me).

Apple Begins Selling New Beddit 3.5 Sleep Monitor

Friday December 7, 2018 8:34 am PST

by Joe Rossignol

Apple today began selling a new Beddit sleep monitor on its online store after receiving FCC clearance for the product earlier this week.

The new version has a model number of 3.5 and retails for the same $149.95 price as the previous model 3.0. The new version looks similar to the previous one, but it is ever so slightly smaller and lighter. It remains 2mm thin.

This represents Apple's first update to the sleep monitor since it acquired Beddit in May 2017. It remains an ultra-thin 2mm flexible sensor strip that is designed to be placed under the sheet on top of the mattress and automatically begins tracking sleep-related data when you lie down for sleep.

The data collected includes sleep time and efficiency, heart rate, respiration, temperature, movement, snoring, room temperature, and room humidity. The data can be viewed in the new Beddit 3.5 app or Health app on an iPhone or iPad. The old Beddit app is now designated for model 3.0.

The new version is also listed on Beddit's website. It is compatible with the iPhone 5s or later with iOS 12 or later and all Apple Watch models with watchOS 4.3 or later. [source]

This newsletter has been published almost every Friday for over sixteen years. If you like it, or if you have benefited from any of the news that has been re-published here, a donation or a new advertisement to help cover expenses would be sincerely appreciated. Support has lessened considerably.

Please click on the Donate button in the right-hand column and send what you can.

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

Wireless Messaging

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

Let's get together and share ideas. Our competitors are not other paging companies, they are other technologies.

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.

We need your help. This is probably the only weekly news source about paging and wireless messaging.

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.

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. Click here .

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Japan's final pager provider to end its service in 2019

4 December 2018

Link to an external video.

Japan's last pager provider has announced it will end its service in September 2019 - bringing a national end to telecommunication beepers, 50 years after their introduction.

Around 1,500 users remain subscribed to Tokyo Telemessage, which has not made the devices in 20 years.

Hospital workers favour them as they do not emit electromagnetic waves, the Japan Times reports.

The once-popular devices are able to receive and show wireless messages.

Users would then find a phone to call the sender back.

• My pager: The 'in thing' in the 90s
• 'It's basic technology but important'

Developed in the 1950s and 1960s, they grew in popularity in the 1980s. By 1996, Tokyo Telemessage had 1.2 million subscribers.

However, the rise of mobile phones rendered the pager obsolete, and few remain worldwide.

Emergency services, however, continue to use the reliable technology — including in the UK.

GETTY IMAGES Pagers are still in use in the NHS

A 2017 report estimated that the NHS uses roughly 130,000 pagers — one tenth of those left in the world — at a cost of £6.6m ($8.4m), as well as thousands of fax machines.

Vodafone announced it would end its pager service last year, leaving PageOne as the only operator of a network remaining in the UK.

Japan also continues to use fax machines, despite its technological reputation.

Their cyber-security minister, Yoshitaka Sakurada, announced last month that he had never once used a computer — baffling citizens and fellow politicians.

BBC.com

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.

• Commercial Paging systems.
• Healthcare Paging systems.
• Public Safety Emergency Services Paging systems.
• Demand Response Energy Grid Management.

Built-in custom interface for Prism-IPX ipBSC Base Controller for remote control, management and alarm reporting.

• Use as a stand-alone unit or in wide area network.
• Mix with other transmitter brands in an existing paging network.
• Adjustable from 20-250 watts.
• 110/240 VAC or 48VDC.
• Absolute Delay Correction.
• Remote Diagnostics.
• Configurable alarm thresholds.
• Integrated Isolator.
• Superb Reliability.
• Improved amplifier efficiency.
• Most reliable high-powered paging transmitter available.

Prism-IPX Systems LLC.

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

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.

Licensed Adobe Stock Image

Providing Expert Support and Service Contracts for all Glenayre Paging Systems.

The GL3000 is the most prolific paging system in the world and Easy Solutions gladly welcomes you to join us in providing reliable support to the paging industry for many more decades in the future.

Easy Solutions provides cost effective computer and wireless solutions at affordable prices. We can help in most any situation with your communications systems. We have many years of experience and a vast network of resources to support the industry, your system and an ever changing completive landscape.

• We treat our customers like family. We don’t just fix problems . . . We recommend and implement better cost-effective solutions.
• We are not just another vendor . . . We are a part of your team. All the advantages of high priced full-time employment without the cost.
• We are not in the Technical Services business . . . We are in the Customer Satisfaction business.

Experts in Paging Infrastructure

• Glenayre, Motorola, Unipage, etc.
• Excellent Service Contracts
• Full Service—Beyond Factory Support
• Making systems More Reliable and MORE PROFITABLE for over 30 years.

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.

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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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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Who We Are

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

Product Support Services, Inc.
511 South Royal Lane
Coppell, Texas 75019
817-527-6322
sales@pssirl.com
www.pssirl.com

Click on the image above for more info about advertising here.

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-fail-over 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
prism-ipx.com

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
prism-ipx.com

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
prism-ipx.com

Investor Relations — Press Release

Spok to Modernize Communications Throughout Veterans Affairs Hospitals

Strategic partnership with Standard Communications, Inc. enhances care team collaboration across the entire hospital to improve the Veteran experience and safety

SPRINGFIELD, Va.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Dec. 6, 2018 — SPOK, INC., a wholly owned subsidiary of Spok Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: SPOK) and a global leader in healthcare communications,announced a continued strategic partnership with Standard Communications, Inc. (SCI), a VA verified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) and trusted advisor for clinically focused solutions in the VA Healthcare System. The Spok Care Connect^® clinical communication and collaboration platform improves staff efficiency and veteran care while adhering to the standards set by the VA in its Technical Reference Model (TRM).

“We are proud to be working with the VA Medical Centers and believe that this is further validation of the tremendous value we provide to our customers,” said Vincent D. Kelly, president and chief executive officer of Spok Holdings, Inc. “Organizations continue to depend on the Spok Care Connect platform to fully support care team collaboration and decision-making to improve patient safety and outcomes.”

Together, Spok and SCI are helping a growing number of VA hospitals implement SPOK CARE CONNECT to modernize communications and deliver actionable information to the right clinician or staff member on VA approved mobile devices. This includes sending alerts from nurse call systems to the appropriate nurse and delivering radiology test results to the ordering physician to respond quickly to the patient’s needs. To keep patients safe and reduce patient elopement and wandering, real-time location system (RTLS) tracking notifications can also be sent to appropriate hospital staff when a patient begins roaming outside the established boundaries.

“SCI brings a high level of expertise and understanding to the challenges VA Medical Centers are facing daily,” said Hemant Goel, president of Spok Inc. “Improving the patient experience for our Veterans is a top priority. Not only do efficient communications improve patient safety, but care teams are also able to spend more meaningful time with patients.”

The Spok solutions enhance workflows for code processes, critical test results automation, and notification to on-call care teams, nurse call alarming for actionable events, and patient tracking, all of which help improve patient outcomes.

“We are proud to partner with Spok to make it easier for doctors, nurses, and other care team members to provide exceptional care to our Veterans,” said Tom Michie, executive vice president of sales at SCI. “VA hospitals are excited about leveraging a true platform solution they can scale and build upon for years to come.”

About Standard Communications, Inc.

SCI is focused on Next Generation Healthcare Optimization helping modernize VA Medical centers by providing an array of VA approved clinical IT solutions that improve VA SAIL scores. The SCI team has a deep understanding of FDA 510K Biomedical technologies, VA clinical workflow practices, Veteran Centered Care, Veteran and Staff safety, and Veteran care processes. SCI designs, installs and operates VA specific solutions providing complete turn-key managed services offerings including onsite resources.

About Spok

Spok, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Spok Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: SPOK), headquartered in Springfield, Virginia, is proud to be a global leader in healthcare communications. We deliver clinical information to care teams when and where it matters most to improve patient outcomes. Top hospitals rely on the Spok Care Connect^® platform to enhance workflows for clinicians, support administrative compliance, and provide a better experience for patients. Our customers send over 100 million messages each month through their Spok^® solutions. When seconds count, count on Spok. For more information, visit SPOK.COM or follow @SPOKTWEETS on Twitter.

Spok is a trademark of Spok Holdings, Inc. Spok Care Connect is a trademark of Spok, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Source: Spok, Inc.

Jill Asby
+1 (952) 230-5363
JILL.ASBY@SPOK.COM

 View source version on businesswire.com:

HTTPS://WWW.BUSINESSWIRE.COM/NEWS/HOME/20181206005071/EN/

WIRELESS INFRASTRUCTURE NEWS

THE NEW SITE IS BUILT!

And not the tower kind . . . the web kind! Our new website is here! Browse our daily news or search stories by category. Utilize our event calendar, post a classified ad or submit a tower shot. Information and resources are organized in an easy-to-navigate, user-friendly platform. Don't forget to download our media kit as you prepare 2019 marketing plans.

Why the change? When we launched as a small blog in 2013, our focus was macro towers. As the industry has evolved, so have we, and as you've probably noticed, we cover anything and everything that is relevant to wireless infrastructure — DAS, small cells, in-building and emerging technology, applicable legislation, broadcasting, data centers, 5G and so much more.

It was time for a fresh look that represented our growth. We will continue to stay on the cutting edge (pun intended) of this industry, delivering breaking, actionable and relevant news to you, each morning.

U.S. Orders Arrest of Chinese Telecom Exec on Canadian Soil

The Chief Financial Officer of Chinese telecom equipment manufacturer Huawei was arrested in a Vancouver airport during a flight change Sunday, at the behest of the U.S. The bail hearing is set for today for Meng Wanzhou, daughter of company founder Ren Zhengfei, reported The Globe and Mail. She faces extradition to the U.S. The Wall Street Journal reported the Justice Department is investigating whether Huawei violated U.S. sanctions on Iran. The DOJ declined to comment.

Huawei has faced increased scrutiny in the U.S. and other countries, as lawmakers and security experts warned of potential national security risks from using Huawei products. The U.S. is concerned the Chinese government could be using Huawei's networking technology to spy on Americans, which the company denies.

The Pentagon in May, ordered stores on American military bases to stop selling smartphones made by Huawei and Chinese rival ZTE. The Trump administration urged America's allies to stop using Huawei telecommunications equipment because the Chinese company poses a security threat, Inside Towers reported.

Recently, New Zealand and Australia prevented telecommunications companies from using Huawei equipment for their 5G mobile networks. UK telecom BT said Wednesday, it would not buy equipment from Huawei for its 5G network core, according to CNN. The company also said it would remove existing Huawei technology from the core of its 4G network within two years.

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 Extends Certain Deadlines Due to Wednesday’s Closure

The FCC was closed on Wednesday, December 5 in observance of the national day of mourning for President George H.W. Bush. As a result, all paper and electronic filings that were due on December 5, 2018, are now due on December 6, 2018, the FCC’s next official business day. The FCC also said December 5, 2018, will not count in computing filing periods of less than seven days, since it will be an FCC holiday. Regarding the December 12, 2018 Open Meeting, the FCC delayed the onset of the sunshine period prohibition, and it will now begin at 11:59 p.m. on December 6, 2018, rather than at 11:59 p.m. on December 5, 2018.

BloostonLaw Contacts: Ben Dickens and Sal Taillefer.

Headlines

Carriers Discuss Draft Rate-of-Return High Cost Support Order

As we reported in a previous edition of the BloostonLaw Telecom Update, the FCC is scheduled to consider a Report and Order, Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, and Order on Reconsideration at its upcoming December 12 Open Meeting regarding changes to the High Cost Support mechanisms for Rate-of-Return (RoR) carriers. The Order contains a number of significant changes, including:

1. three separate RoR budgets -- for the Alternative Connect America Cost Model (ACAM) mechanisms, the cost-based RoR support [High Cost Loop Support (HCLS) and Connect America Fund – Broadband Loop Support (CAF-BLS)] mechanisms, and the Connect America Fund – Intercarrier Compensation (CAF-ICC) mechanism;
2. an optional offer to existing ACAM recipients that would increase their funding benchmark from $146.10 to $200 if they accept certain additional 25/3 build-out obligations;
3. a new second ACAM offer (with 25/3 build-out obligations) available to all RoR carriers that did not or were not eligible to elect ACAM support the first time it was offered; and
4. an increased support budget (based upon 2018 HCLS and CAF-BLS calculations without any budget control mechanism decreases, with future inflation adjustments) for cost-based RoR carriers (plus additional 25/3 build-out obligations).

Since the release of the draft, several carriers and carrier associations have provided the FCC with comments through ex parte presentations. On December 4, ITTA filed a letter supporting the draft but recommending a “modest clarification,” to state expressly that existing A-CAM glide path carriers will be offered a revised offer of support with increased deployment obligations and thus become Revised A-CAM I carriers. According to ITTA, this would allow carriers already at the $200 support level to extend the term of their support to 2028 in exchange for a commitment to deliver 25/3 Mbps service. On November 29, NTCA met with Chairman Pai’s office and members of the Wireline Competition Bureau staff to express “strong support” for the draft order. Also on November 29, USTelecom met with Commissioner O’Rielly’s office raised concerns about the potential impacts of a second ACAM offer and the lack of a challenge process to determine overlap.

Carriers interested in participating in ex parte comments on the proposal, or in meeting with FCC staff to discuss the draft Order, should contact the firm for more information.

BloostonLaw Contacts: Ben Dickens, Mary Sisak, and Sal Taillefer.

FCC Seeks Additional Comment on Urban and Rural Rates for Rural Healthcare

On December 4, the FCC issued a Public Notice seeking additional focused comment on certain issues in its proceeding on determining the urban and rural rates used to calculate support in the Telecommunications (Telecom) Program within the Rural Health Care (RHC) Program. Comments are due January 7 and reply comments are due January 21.

Specifically, the FCC is seeking additional comment in its 2017 Promoting Telehealth Notice and Order, in light of recent changes since the comment period in that proceeding on March 5, 2018. Since the close of that comment period, the FCC notes that USAC has undertaken extensive reviews of Telecom Program applications for compliance with FCC’s urban and rural rate rules. In addition, for the first time since the inception of the Telecom Program, several carriers submitted requests for approval of cost-based rural rates to the FCC. The FCC believes that in Telecom Program participants may now be able to give more targeted feedback on the application of the rural rate rule, as well as the FCC’s suggested changes, and that some parties may wish to supplement previously filed comments with additional information.

As we reported in a previous edition of the BloostonLaw Telecom Update, the FCC proposed measures to increase transparency and predictability for participants in the Telecom Program, by requiring urban and rural rates to be determined based on more detailed criteria and by providing participants more flexibility in justifying the rates used to determine program support. The FCC suggested eliminating the distinction between a service provider’s own rates and the rates of other carriers, and allowing rural rates to be the average of all publicly available rates in the rural area where the healthcare provider is located. Given that these measures would significantly reduce the chance that there would be no publicly available rates a service provider could use to calculate a rural rate, the FCC sought comment on whether to retain the ability of service providers to request approval of cost-based rural rates from the FCC or state commissions pursuant to section 54.609(b) of the rules. The FCC also proposed to modify its rules regarding the calculation of the urban rates to require a rate average and sought comment on the best sources for the various rate data required to calculate the average rates and the discount. It also sought comment on how to define the geographic contours of urban and rural areas for the purpose of determining the urban and rural rates. Finally, the FCC sought comment on whether, in lieu of using rate averaging, it should instead adopt a median-based approach.

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

FCC Releases Draft Appendices to Communications Marketplace Report

On December 4, the FCC issued a Public Notice announcing the release of the appendices to the Communications Marketplace Report. The draft appendices, which can be found here, include the data collected and analyzed by Commission staff in developing the draft Communications Marketplace Report. A draft version of the Communications Marketplace Report, scheduled for consideration at the Commission’s December 12, 2018 Open Meeting, can be found here.

The broadband deployment data in the appendices reflect updates to data received and processed after the release of the draft Communications Marketplace Report on November 21, 2018. The updated data will be used to prepare the final version of the Communications Marketplace Report. Accordingly, certain figures reported in the final version of the Communications Marketplace Report may differ from those in the publicly released draft. For example, some of the numbers reported in Figure D-3 of the publicly released draft will need to be amended by 0.1% to reflect amended data in Appendices C-1 and C-3.

Further, the mobile wireless market appendices released today include various static mobile wireless coverage maps. Similar to other mobile wireless coverage maps released in past years, dynamic versions of these coverage maps will be published online after adoption and release of the Communications Marketplace Report.

BloostonLaw Contacts: Ben Dickens and Gerry Duffy.

Law & Regulation

House Committee to Hold Hearing on RAY BAUM’S Act

On December 11, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce’s Subcommittee on Communications and Technology will hold a hearing entitled “RAY BAUM’S Act: A Bipartisan Foundation for Bridging the Digital Divide.” Mr. Curtis LeGeyt, Executive Vice President, Government Relations, National Association of Broadcasters; Mr. Tim Donovan, Senior Vice President, Legislative Affairs, Competitive Carriers Association; Mr. Jeff Cohen, Chief Counsel, APCO International; and Mr. Bohdan Zachary, General Manager, Milwaukee Public Broadcast Station have been invited to be witnesses.

RAY BAUM’S Act, named for former Energy and Commerce Committee Staff Director Ray Baum, who lost his battle with cancer earlier this year, does the following:

• Reauthorizes the FCC and includes reforms to ensure the FCC continues to improve its efficiency and transparency.
• Enacts key provisions from the Senate-approved MOBILE NOW Act to boost the development of next-generation 5G wireless broadband by identifying more spectrum – both licensed and unlicensed – for private sector use and reducing the red tape associated with building wireless networks.
• Authorizes a repack fund to address the shortfall in funding available to relocate broadcasters being displaced following the successful Incentive Auction, and set up new relocation funds for translators, low-power television, and radio stations that will be impacted by the repack – supplemented by a consumer education fund.
• Includes a spectrum auction deposit “fix” which allows the FCC to deposit upfront payments from spectrum bidders directly with the U.S. Treasury. This step is important as future auctions are in limbo until the upfront payment mechanism is resolved.
• Directs the FCC to craft a national policy for unlicensed spectrum that includes certain specific considerations and recommendations.
• Advances proposals that would help the FCC and law enforcement protect consumers from fraudulent telephone calls, and to educate Americans about their options to stop these illegal calls.

The hearing will be broadcast here.

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

Comment Deadlines Established for BDS Proceedings

On November 29, the FCC issued a Public Notice announcing the establishment of comment deadlines for the Second Further Notice and Further Notice in the business data services (BDS) proceedings, WC Docket Nos. 17-144, 16-143, 05-25; RM-10593. Comments are due January 14 and reply comments are due February 12. The FCC also announced that the secure data enclave containing highly confidential data filed in the price cap BDS proceeding will reopen on December 5, 2018 and close on March 1, 2019 unless an interested party demonstrates the need for continuing access.

In the Second Further Notice, the FCC sought comment on its proposal to eliminate ex ante pricing regulation of price cap carriers’ TDM-based transport services. In the Further Notice, the FCC sought comment on the appropriate regulatory framework to apply to lower capacity (at or below the capacity of a DS3) TDM-based transport services provided by rate-of-return carriers that elect incentive regulation provided for in the accompanying Report and Order.

In the Second Further Notice, the FCC indicated it would make available to interested parties highly confidential data filed in a data collection that is part of the record in the price cap BDS proceeding. Access to this data is available through the FCC’s secure data enclave, which will reopen as noted above.

Interested parties seeking to file comments or access confidential information should contact the firm for more information.

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

Industry

Incentive Auction Task Force Grants Additional 600 MHz Licenses

On November 30, the FCC issued a Public Notice announcing that additional 600 MHz licenses have been granted. Applications were granted and licenses issued to 10 applicants on June 14, 2017, 15 applicants on July 19, 2017, 8 applicants on November 1, 2017, 13 applicants on January 9, 2018, 4 applicants on January 30, 2018, 1 applicant on July 3, 2018, and 1 applicant on July 26, 2018. The FCC’s review of the long-form application of one other winning bidder in Auction 1002 is ongoing. A subsequent public notice will announce the action taken on that long-form application.

These licenses were part Auction 1002, which completed in April of 2017. This auction raised (in net bids) a total of $19,318,157,706, with 50 bidders placing winning bids for a total of 2776 licenses. The FCC long-form applications (FCC Form 601) of all the winning bidders have been previously accepted for filing and most of those have been granted.

A list of the licenses granted on November 30 can be found here.

Deadlines

FEBRUARY 1: FCC FORM 499-Q, TELECOMMUNICATIONS REPORTING WORKSHEET. All telecommunications common carriers that expect to contribute more than $10,000 to federal Universal Service Fund (USF) support mechanisms must file this quarterly form. The FCC has modified this form in light of its decision to establish interim measures for USF contribution assessments. The form contains revenue information from the prior quarter plus projections for the next quarter. Form 499-Q relates only to USF contributions. It does not relate to the cost recovery mechanisms for the Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) Fund, the North American Numbering Plan Administration (NANPA), and the shared costs of local number portability (LNP), which are covered in the annual Form 499-A that is due April 1.

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

FEBRUARY 1: FCC FORM 502, NUMBER UTILIZATION AND FORECAST REPORT. Any wireless or wireline carrier (including paging companies) that have received number blocks—including 100, 1,000, or 10,000 number blocks—from the North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA), a Pooling Administrator, or from another carrier, must file Form 502 by February 1. Carriers porting numbers for the purpose of transferring an established customer’s service to another service provider must also report, but the carrier receiving numbers through porting does not. Resold services should also be treated like ported numbers, meaning the carrier transferring the resold service to another carrier is required to report those numbers but the carrier receiving such numbers should not report them. Reporting carriers are required to include their FCC Registration Number (FRN). Reporting carriers file utilization and forecast reports semiannually on or before February 1 for the preceding six-month reporting period ending December 31, and on or before August 1 for the preceding six-month reporting period ending June 30.

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

Calendar At-a-Glance

December
Dec. 7 – Comments are due on Sprint Petition on IP Relay Rate-making.
Dec. 10 – Comments are due on Kari’s Law and RAY BAUM’s Act NPRM.
Dec. 10 – Comments are due on Implementation of National Suicide Hotline Improvement Act.
Dec. 11 – Reply comments are due on 3.7-4.2 GHz Band NPRM.
Dec. 12 – Comments are due on Citizens Broadband Radio Transition Deadline Waiver.
Dec. 13 – Reply comments are due on Adequate Replacement Test Interoperable Devices.
Dec. 13 – Reply comments are due on Phase I Testing for U-NII-4 (5.9 GHz) Devices
Dec. 14 – Reply comments are due on Cable Franchising FNPRM.
Dec. 24 – Reply comments are due on Sprint Petition on IP Relay Rate-making.
Dec. 24 – Reply comments are due on Citizens Broadband Radio Transition Deadline Waiver.
Dec. 27 – PRA comments are due on Intermediate Provider Registry.

January
Jan. 9 – Reply comments are due on Kari’s Law and RAY BAUM’s Act NPRM.
Jan. 10 – Comments are due on Cable Rate Regulation Revision FNPRM.
Jan. 31 – FCC Form 555 (Annual Lifeline ETC Certification Form) is due.

February
Feb. 1 – FCC Form 499-Q (Quarterly Telecommunications Reporting Worksheet) is due.
Feb. 1 – FCC Form 502 (Number Utilization and Forecast Report) is due.
Feb. 11 – Comments are due on Cable Rate Regulation Revision FNPRM.

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Best regards, Newsletter Editor 73 DE K9IQY Licensed since 1957	Brad Dye P.O. Box 266 Fairfield, IL 62837 USA	If you are curious about why I joined Mensa, click here .	U.S. Navy Radioman Second Class Petty Officer	American Radio Relay League	A Public Library of Paging and Wireless Messaging Information Web Site
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Jesus associated with all kinds of people.

Often that meant people who others found distasteful. Indeed, his behaviour was viewed as scandalous: “. . . the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, ‘This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.’” (Luke 15:2 NIV11)

One of the most impressive characteristics of Jesus is that he was willing and able to associate with people from all strata of society. And even those considered beyond the borders of respectable society.

He was able to talk meaningfully with the poor and the ruling classes.

Can you think of anyone he encountered who was not welcome in his presence? He affirmed the value of children, the sick, those with contagious diseases, the poor, the rich, fellow Jews and Gentiles, men and women, even the hated rulers from Rome (Matt 19.14, 9.20, 8.2; Lk 7.12, 19.5; John 4.9; Matt 8.5).

There has never been anyone quite like him. But most important of all, I’m glad He’s willing to be associated with me!

—Malcolm Cox [source]

Brad’s note: I have some Christian friends who won't speak to me because they don't approve of things that I have done (or they think that I have done). I always thought the authentic Christian faith was about forgiveness not about judging one another. Judgmentalism is incompatible with love and humility

George Washington and Hanukkah

Although the truth of the story is impossible to prove, there is an account about George Washington and the meaning of Hanukkah that has become part of American lore:

For centuries, the lights of the Hanukkah menorah have inspired hope and courage. They may have also been responsible for inspiring then-General George Washington to forge on when everything looked bleak when his cold and hungry Continental Army camped at Valley Forge in the winter of 1777/8. The story is told that Washington was walking among his troops when he saw one soldier sitting apart from the others, huddled over what looked like two tiny flames. Washington approached the soldier and asked him what he was doing. The soldier explained that he was a Jew and he had lit the candles to celebrate Hanukkah, the festival commemorating the miraculous victory of his people so many centuries ago over the tyranny of a much better equipped and more powerful enemy who had sought to deny them their freedom. The soldier then expressed his confidence that just as, with the help of God, the Jews of ancient times were ultimately victorious, so too would they be victorious in their just cause for freedom. Washington thanked the soldier and walked back to where the rest of the troops camped, warmed by the inspiration of those little flames and the knowledge that miracles are possible.

[source]

Hanukkah

The eight-day Jewish celebration known as Hanukkah or Chanukah commemorates the re-dedication during the second century B.C. of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, where according to legend Jews had risen up against their Greek-Syrian oppressors in the Maccabean Revolt. Hanukkah, which means “dedication” in Hebrew, begins on the 25^th of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar and usually falls in November or December. Often called the Festival of Lights, the holiday is celebrated with the lighting of the menorah, traditional foods, games and gifts.

[source]

John Hiatt — “Over The Hill”

New West Records Published on Sep 12, 2018 From the new album “The Eclipse Sessions,” available October 12: http://geni.us/jhtes?track=yt Director: Michael Kessler Song: Over the Hill Artist: John Hiatt