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The following article is “off topic” but interesting. References to Motorola always catch my eye since I endured over 20 years working for them.

Peak Your Profits: Bob Dylan was right

Marco Eagle
Published 5:02 a.m. ET June 6, 2018

Walmart has agreed to sell an 80% stake in its Brazilian business to private equity firm Advent International. The retailer will take a non-cash written down of about $4.5 billion on the deal. (Photo: courtesy of Walmart Stores Inc.)

Of all the forces acting on us, change can be the most beneficial and the most cruel. As Bob Dylan once sang, “Oh the times, they are a changin’ ... ”

If anybody knew about change, it was Sam Walton, the founder of Walmart. Some claimed Walton’s middle name was “change.” He spent little time on deliberation, but lots of time on action.

This strategy enabled him to be a successful store owner. At the time of Walton’s death in 1992, Walmart’s annual sales were in excess of $55 billion dollars. Today, they surpass $486 billion dollars.

No crystal ball, but …

“The key to success will be a willingness to take long and major risks. The best companies will be better anticipators of change, willing to commit resources freely and determined to stay the course.” Powerful words stated by a man who knew their value and truth — Robert W. Galvin, former chairman of Motorola.

The logo of Motorola at their plant in Toulouse, south western France. (Photo: REMY GABALDA AFP/Getty Images)

Galvin was at the helm of Motorola’s vast corporate transformation in the late 1980s. Under his leadership, Motorola emerged as a world-class supplier in three rapidly expanding (at the time) electronics markets: two-way mobile radios, paging devices and cellular telephones, where they initially emerged as the global leader.

Galvin realized that to be competitive, to win, a company or an individual can’t rest upon their laurels or previous accomplishments. He knew acceptance, comfort and complacency breed mediocrity. Quickly. Devastatingly. And usually unprofitably. Many corporate marketers, entrepreneurs, and businesspeople fear brand loyalty is extinct. Today’s demanding consumers expect quality and value, and if they don’t get it, they’re willing to change.

Their vote is cast at the cash register, online payment link or purchase order. However, leaders and visionaries know change also brings opportunity, even if it must be tempered by a wee bit of humility.

Galvin admitted, “Challenging conventional wisdom is crucial to restoring a company’s competitive edge. You have to acknowledge you don’t know all the ways of doing things best.” (Perhaps, Galvin’s sentiment should have been embraced by future Motorola leaders? In 2001, Motorola’s revenues plunged by almost $8 billion dollars. And their losses approached $4 billion dollars

The preceding is an excerpt from the new 5th edition of Jeff Blackman's bestselling book, “Peak Your Profits.” It’s scheduled for a summer release and will be available on Amazon and at your favorite bookstore.) [ source ]

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 . 

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.

We need your help.

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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May 22, 2018 at 5:27 PM EDT

Iridium Completes Sixth Successful Iridium^® NEXT Launch

MCLEAN, Va., May 22, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Iridium Communications Inc. (NASDAQ:IRDM) announced today that at 12:47:58pm PDT (19:47:58 UTC) SpaceX successfully launched five Iridium NEXT satellites from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The Iridium satellites were joined by the twin spacecraft for the NASA/German Research Center for Geosciences (GFZ) Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-On ( GRACE-FO ) mission, in a unique "rideshare" launch. Shortly after deployment, Iridium confirmed successful communication with all five new satellites, formally bringing the total number of Iridium NEXT satellites in orbit to 55. This leaves just two more launches of 10 satellites each to complete this ambitious launch program. The Iridium NEXT constellation, featuring 66 interconnected low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, will enable never before possible services like the Aireon ^SM global aircraft tracking and surveillance system and its new broadband service, Iridium Certus.

Iridium Certus will be the world's first truly global broadband service, providing reliable connections for the aviation, maritime, land-mobile and Internet of Things (IoT) related industries, including essential safety services. And while Iridium is already relied upon by first responders, governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and a variety of industries worldwide, Iridium Certus will bring users an upgraded infrastructure using Iridium's resilient L-band spectrum, but with higher throughputs and faster speeds. Iridium's safety services portfolio includes multiple capabilities including aircraft tracking and communications, emergency voice and data communications, personal tracking and remote monitoring applications. Specific to the maritime industry, Iridium has been recognized as the second-ever satellite communications provider for the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) and plans to begin providing service in early 2020. This is a critical, life-saving service for mariners, and the addition of Iridium will for the first time extend the reach of satellite-enabled GMDSS to even the most remote waterways.

"Our strong presence in the world of safety services is a testament to the unique benefits our network can enable," said Matt Desch, chief executive officer at Iridium. "With every successful launch, we are one step closer to Iridium NEXT being fully operational, which officially starts a new age of satellite connectivity. When it comes to safety communications, especially for those operating in the skies or out at sea, having built-in network redundancy and resiliency enabled by our satellite's crosslinks is paramount, especially during times of distress. We recognize this and feel that as the only network covering the entire planet, we have an inherent responsibility to constantly innovate for this critical arena."

Iridium NEXT is the Company's $3 billion, next-generation, mobile, global satellite network scheduled for completion this year. It will replace the existing network in one of the largest technology upgrades ever completed in space. Today's launch delivered all five Iridium NEXT satellites to orbital plane six where they will immediately begin preparations for the pre-operational testing and validation processes. The network is comprised of six polar orbiting planes, each hosting 11 satellites, blanketing the earth with reliable satellite connectivity. To date, Iridium has completed six launches, all with SpaceX out of its west coast launch facility, Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. A total of eight Iridium NEXT launches are currently planned with SpaceX and will deliver 75 new satellites to orbit. In total, 81 satellites are being built, with 66 in the operational constellation, nine serving as on-orbit spares and six as ground spares.

For more information about Iridium, please visit www.Iridium.com

For more information about Iridium Certus, please visit www.IridiumCertus.com

For more information about Iridium NEXT, please visit www.IridiumNEXT.com

About Iridium Communications Inc.

Iridium is the only mobile voice and data satellite communications network that spans the entire globe. Iridium enables connections between people, organizations and assets to and from anywhere, in real time. Together with its ecosystem of partner companies, Iridium delivers an innovative and rich portfolio of reliable solutions for markets that require truly global communications. The company has a major development program underway for its next-generation network — Iridium NEXT. Iridium Communications Inc. is headquartered in McLean, Va., U.S.A., and its common stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the ticker symbol IRDM. For more information about Iridium products, services and partner solutions, visit www.IridiumNEXT.com .

Forward Looking Statements
Statements in this press release that are not purely historical facts may constitute forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company has based these statements on its current expectations and the information currently available to us. Forward-looking statements in this press release include statements regarding the timing for deployment, development and capabilities of the Iridium NEXT constellation and services to be offered over the constellation, including Aireon, Iridium Certus and safety services. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the words "anticipates," "may," "can," "believes," "expects," "projects," "intends," "likely," "will," "to be" and other expressions that are predictions or indicate future events, trends or prospects. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Iridium to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, uncertainties regarding potential delays in the Iridium NEXT deployment, the development and functionality of Iridium NEXT and related services, approvals with respect to safety services, and the company's ability to maintain the health, capacity and content of its satellite constellation, as well as general industry and economic conditions, and competitive, legal, governmental and technological factors. Other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements include those factors listed under the caption "Risk Factors" in the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on February 22, 2018, and in the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, filed with the SEC on April 26, 2018, as well as other filings Iridium makes with the SEC from time to time. There is no assurance that Iridium's expectations will be realized. If one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if Iridium's underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those expected, estimated or projected. Iridium's forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release, and Iridium undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements.

Iridium

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.

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.

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Experts in Paging Infrastructure

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• Excellent Service Contracts
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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.

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Here’s the sequel to the surprisingly nice BlackBerry KeyOne

By Brian Heater / June 7, 2018

TCL just dropped the sequel to the KeyOne, the company’s surprisingly good keyboard-sporting BlackBerry handset. We reviewed it roughly this time last year, and it was almost enough to restore our faith in the possibilities of BlackBerry as a brand. Almost. Of course, that had much more to do with TCL’s ability to create solid hardware than any residual BB legacy.

The Key2 builds on the promise of its predecessor, bringing back the physical keyboard and familiar BlackBerry-styled design, constructed around a 4.5-inch touchscreen and aluminum frame. The phone, naturally, runs Android (8.1 to start), loaded up with your standard suite of BlackBerry software, including DTEK. The security app has been updated with a new Proactive Health feature, which offers a full system scan.

As TCL proudly notes, this is the first BlackBerry/BlackBerry-branded device to feature dual rear-facing cameras, so that’s something. The pair of 12-megapixel cameras help deliver the device into 2018 with features like Portrait Mode, Optical Super Zoom and Google Lens.

There’s a chunky 3,500mAH battery and a middling Snapdragon 660, coupled with a generous 6GB of RAM and either 64- or 128GB of storage. Not too shabby, but all of that comes with a $649 price tag, which marks a $100 premium over the KeyOne, which should make this a bit of a tougher pill to swallow for what to many no doubt still feels like a bit of a novelty in the smartphone category.

The Key2 starts shipping this month, and TCL tells me that it plans to keep selling the KeyOne as well, for the time being.

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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  

Legion post gift of $10K means new pagers for firefighters

Updated Jun 7, 4:31 PM; Posted Jun 7, 2:07 PM
By Tony Rhodin, For lehighvalleylive.com

Alpha Volunteer Fire Company Chief Sean McDyer, left, shakes hands with Warren County American Legion Commander Leo Becker, right, as John Dolak American Legion Post 446 Adjutant Tom Fey, center, holds one of the new pagers purchased by the fire department with a Legion donation of $10,000.

The Alpha Volunteer Fire Co. has 20 new pagers courtesy of a $10,000 donation from the John Dolak American Legion Post 446 in the borough, the fire chief reports.

The previous pagers, which alerted firefighters as the dispatch tones sounded a fire call, were 10 years old and no longer being serviced by Motorola, Chief Sean McDyer said. The new pagers provide key information to firefighters, he said.

"This is the second time they've made a donation to us" in recent years, McDyer said. The other time, the department was able to use that $10,000 to buy equipment for a new firetruck.

Pagers are essential for volunteer departments because firefighters could be "at the mall, out to dinner, whatever" when a call comes in, McDyer said.

Legion Adjutant Tom Fey said the post uses the firehouse for its monthly meetings, so "it's our obligation to help the fire company as well."

Fey, a Marine who served from 1969-71, is also a longtime volunteer firefighter, he said.

He asked McDyer what the fire company needed, and the chief said they could use new pagers, Fey said.

"I asked if $10,000 would help you buy pagers," Fey said, and McDyer said that would cover nearly the entire department.

Fey checked with Legion post Commander Joseph Becker and a decision was made to help.

"Our relationship with the fire company is really great," Fey said about the post.

lehighvalleylive

Repair and Refurbishment Services

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

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
• IP54 rating, protection from dust and water ingress
• 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
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

Friday, June 8, 2018	Volume 6 | Issue 112

FCC Moves to Speed Wireline Broadband Infrastructure Deployment

By Leslie Stimson, Inside Towers Washington Bureau Chief

After a contentious discussion, the FCC voted yesterday to make it easier for carriers to migrate from legacy voice and data networks to faster, next-generation networks. The decision impacts infrastructure, such as tower, small cell and other deployment. NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association, said the action will accelerate wireline broadband deployment by removing barriers to infrastructure investment.

Agency officials said its current rules require carriers to adhere to “burdensome” requirements to discontinue a service and notification requirements. “This fixes FCC overreach,” said a Wireline Competition Bureau official, in explaining the Second Report and Order .

FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr cited his experience last week watching a construction crew in Nebraska replacing lower-speed legacy connections with new fiber deployment, to bring 1gbps capacity to a portion of the state that has only eight residents per square mile. “One of the crews can trench up to five miles of new fiber each day. But in the simplest cases, it can take the FCC months just to process a paperwork and green-light the work. With today’s decision, we cut that review time in half,” said Carr.

However FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, now the lone Democrat on the panel, opposed the item, saying it falls short. “We had rules that required carriers to educate their customers about network alterations, and those rules simply required them to answer calls about how service might be changed when old facilities were swapped out for new.” With the vote, the agency “guts those basic consumer protections” and “tosses them out,” she said.

Citing a theoretical example of a grandmother who simply wants to know how a carrier’s network change will affect how much her phone service will cost, Rosenworcel said “she wants to understand what will require a new contract, and at what cost.” But now, “the FCC says she doesn’t need her carrier to provide her with this information because she can check the FCC’s Daily Digest and figure it out for herself. Who are we kidding? This is mean.”

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai responded, “These reforms can free up billions of dollars, which carriers can devote to building new networks instead of propping up old ones. This is especially important in rural America, where the business case for building broadband is often hard.”

The item links regulatory relief to the provision of high-quality replacement services, which will both encourage the building of modern networks and ensure consumers are protected, he added. The change also streamlines notice procedures for an event that affects all networks, which will help carriers restore service more quickly, following events like hurricanes.

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.

Form 481 Filing Deadline Extended to July 16 Except for Rates Below Floor

On June 6, the FCC issued an Order granting, on its own motion, a limited waiver of the filing deadline for the annual FCC Form 481 until July 16. According to the Order, the FCC is currently seeking approval of the most recent modifications to this information collection, including the changes to section 54.313 and FCC Form 481, from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

However, this limited waiver does not extend to the requirement that all ILEC recipients of high-cost support report “all of their rates for residential local service for all portions of their service area … to the extent the sum of those rates and fees are below the rate floor… and the number of lines for each rate specified.” Affected ETCs filed such rates last year on the Rate Floor Form and should do so again by July 2, 2018.

BloostonLaw is experienced in preparing and filing Form 481, as well as meeting the FCC’s requirements to obtain confidentiality for the filings. Carriers interested in obtaining assistance should contact the firm.

BloostonLaw Contacts: Gerry Duffy and Sal Taillefer.

Headlines

FCC Adopts NPRM on Access Stimulation

On June 4 the FCC adopted, ahead of its Open Meeting, a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking comment on various proposals aimed at eliminating the financial incentives for carriers to engage in access stimulation. Comments will be due 21 days after the NPRM is published in the Federal Register, and reply comments will be due 35 days after Federal Register publication.

In the NPRM, the FCC proposes to adopt rules to give access-stimulating LECs two choices about how they connect to IXCs. First, an access-stimulating LEC can choose to be financially responsible for calls delivered to its network so it, rather than IXCs, pays for the delivery of calls to its end office or the functional equivalent. Or, second, instead of accepting this financial responsibility, an access-stimulating LEC can choose to accept direct connections either from the IXC or an intermediate access provider of the IXC’s choice, allowing IXCs to bypass intermediate access providers selected by the access-stimulating LEC. In the alternative, the FCC seeks comment on moving all traffic bound for an access-stimulating LEC to bill-and-keep.

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

FCC Announces Official Agenda for June 7 Open Meeting

On May 31, the FCC issued a Public Notice announcing the official agenda for its June Open Meeting, which is currently scheduled to take place on June 7. The FCC publicly releases the draft text of each item expected to be considered at this Open Commission Meeting with the exception of items involving specific, enforcement-related matters. One-page cover sheets are included in the public drafts to help summarize each item. Links to these materials are embedded in the text below.

At the meeting, the FCC will consider:

• Next Steps to Open Spectrum Frontiers for 5G Connectivity a Third Report and Order, Memorandum Opinion and Order, and Third Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would continue efforts to make available millimeter wave spectrum, in bands at or above 24 GHz, for fifth-generation wireless, Internet of Things, and other advanced spectrum-based services. It would finalize rules for certain of these bands and seek comment on making additional spectrum available in the 26 GHz and 42 GHz bands for flexible terrestrial wireless use, sharing mechanisms in the Lower 37 GHz band, and earth station siting criteria for the 50 GHz band. (GN Docket No. 14-177; WT Docket No. 10- 112)
• Wireline Infrastructure a Second Report and Order that will revise the Commission’s section 214(a) discontinuance processes, network change disclosure processes, and Part 68 customer notification process to remove barriers to infrastructure investment and promote broadband deployment. (WC Docket No. 17-84).
• Eliminating Disparate Treatment of Rural Broadband Providers an Order granting forbearance from applying Universal Service Fund contribution requirements to rural carriers’ broadband Internet access transmission services. (WC Docket No. 17-206)
• 8YY Access Charge Reform a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking which proposes taking further steps in reforming intercarrier compensation by transitioning interstate and intrastate originating 8YY end office and tandem switching and transport charges to bill-and-keep and capping and limiting 8YY database query rates. (WC Docket Nos. 10-90, 07-135; CC Docket No. 01-92)
• Text-Enabled Toll-Free Numbers a Declaratory Ruling and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that will clarify the Commission’s rules regarding the authorization required to text-enable a toll-free number, and propose further safeguards to promote the innovative use of toll free numbers while protecting the integrity of the toll free numbering system. (WC Docket No. 18-28)
• Slamming and Cramming Rules a Report and Order to protect consumers from slamming (the unauthorized change of a consumer’s telephone provider) and cramming (the placement of unauthorized charges on a consumer’s telephone bill), including rules to address sales call misrepresentations and abuses of the third-party verification procedures. (CG Docket No. 17-169)
• Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service Reform a Report and Order, Declaratory Ruling, Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, and Notice of Inquiry to adopt measures, and seek comment on others, to ensure that Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service (IP CTS) remains sustainable for people with hearing loss who need it. (CG Docket Nos. 13-24, 03-123)
• Leased Commercial Access; Modernization of Media Regulation Initiative a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that tentatively concludes that the Commission should vacate its 2008 Leased Access Order, and invites comment on ways to modernize the existing leased access rules. (MB Docket Nos. 07-42, 17-105)

The following items were removed from the agenda on June 5:

• Audacy Corporation Space Station Authorization an Order and Authorization that recommends granting Audacy’s request to construct, deploy, and operate a proposed non-geostationary satellite (NGSO) constellation to provide continuous, high-speed, low-latency relay services to other NGSO spacecraft operators through Audacy’s proposed satellites and gateway earth stations. (IBFS SATLOA- 20161115-00117)
• O3b Market Access Request an Order and Declaratory Ruling that recommends granting a request to modify O3b’s existing U.S. market access grant by adding new non-geostationary satellites and new frequency bands in order to provide broadband communication services in the United States. (IBFS SAT-MOD-20160624-00060)
• Updating the Intercarrier Compensation Regime to Eliminate Access Arbitrage a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that proposes measures to eliminate access arbitrage in the intercarrier compensation regime. (WC Docket No. 18-155) Open Meetings are streamed live at www.fcc.gov/live and can be followed on social media with #OpenMtgFCC.

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

Trump Nominates Geoffrey Starks to take Clyburn’s Seat

On June 1, President Trump nominated Geoffrey Starks to replace outgoing Commissioner Mignon Clyburn. As we reported in a previous edition of the BloostonLaw Telecom Update, Commissioner Clyburn stepped down after the last FCC Open Meeting. Starks currently serves as assistant bureau chief of the FCC's enforcement bureau, also served as senior counsel at the U.S. Justice Department, the White House said in a statement. His nomination, which is subject to Senate confirmation, was backed by Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer. Reuters reports that Starks’ nomination is expected to be considered in the coming months along with a new term for Republican Commissioner Brendan Carr. If confirmed, his tenure would run through June 30, 2022.

In a statement, outgoing Commissioner Clyburn said, “I congratulate Geoffrey Starks on his nomination to become the next FCC Commissioner. He is a sharp communications attorney committed to public service. I wish him all the best during the confirmation process.”

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

FCC Extends Comment Deadline for USTelecom Forbearance Petition

On June 1, the FCC issued an Order granting in part various requests for an extension of time to file comments and reply comments in response to a petition for forbearance filed by USTelecom. Comments are now due August 6, and reply comments are now due September 5.

As we reported in a previous edition of the BloostonLaw Telecom Update, USTelecom filed its Petition on May 4, 2018. Specifically, USTelecom seeks forbearance from ILEC-specific unbundling and resale mandates in Section 251(c)(3) and (4) and associated Section 251 and 252 obligations; Section 272(e)(1)' s RBOC-specific time interval requirements for nondiscriminatory treatment of affiliates and non-affiliates regarding requests for service, and the long distance separate affiliate requirement for independent ILECs set out in Section 64.1903 of the Commission's rules; and Section 271(c)(2)(B)(iii)' s RBOC-specific competitive checklist item regarding access to poles, ducts, conduit, and rights-of-way.

According to USTelecom, “forced sharing of facilities or services at mandated discounts reduces incentives for investment and innovation, to the detriment of consumers” and “mandates that make legacy facilities and services available at artificially low rates reduce incentives for competitors to deploy their own broadband facilities, diverting resources that could be put to better use, such as expanding the incumbent's own broadband capabilities.” USTelecom further argues that regulation also inherently imposes significant administrative and compliance costs on both regulators and regulated companies.

Carriers interested in participating in the proceeding should contact the firm for more information.

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

Law & Regulation

FCC Proposes Fines for Marketing Rule Violations

In the last week, the FCC proposed two fines for apparent violations of FCC equipment marketing rules. Specifically, on May 30 proposed a penalty of $590,380 against Bear Down Brands, LLC, doing business as Pure Enrichment (Pure Enrichment or Company), and on June 7 the FCC proposed a penalty of $2.8 million against ABC Fulfullment Services LLC, doing business as HobbyKing USA, LLC.

According to the Pure Enrichment Notice of Apparent Liability, the FCC received a complaint in March 2017that Pure Enrichment was marketing humidifiers that were not compliant with FCC requirements. Specifically, the complaint alleged that certain humidifiers marketed by Pure Enrichment had no identification showing whether the model was tested and compliant with the FCC requirements. The complaint noted that the humidifiers use an ultrasonic disc that oscillates at a high frequency to create fine water particles to be dispersed into the air. According to the complaint, the electronic circuits that control these humidifiers can put out radio frequency emissions that may interfere with other appliances if not properly tested under the Commission’s rules. The FCC found that Pure Enrichment apparently willfully and repeatedly marketed 14 models that are Part 15 and Part 18 devices in violation of the Commission’s equipment marketing rules over a three year period.

The HobbyKing NAL stated that through its website HobbyKing.com, HobbyKing markets devices that provide a video link between transmitters mounted on unmanned aircraft systems and users flying drones. While HobbyKing represented that its transmitters operated in designated amateur radio bands, the FCC’s investigation found that sixty-five models of devices marketed by HobbyKing could also apparently operate outside those bands. Radio frequency-emitting devices that can operate outside of radio frequency bands designated for amateur use must obtain FCC certification yet the devices in question marketed by HobbyKing apparently were not certified by the Commission.

BloostonLaw Contacts: John Prendergast and Cary Mitchell.

FCC Announces Procedure to Obtain Confidential Information for 2018 Access Charge Tariff Filings

On June 4, the FCC issued a Public Notice describing the process necessary for carriers to obtain access to confidential information provided with the 2018 annual access charge tariff filing in support of a carrier’s tariff review plan (TRP). Because there will be limited time for review before annual access tariffs become effective, the FCC suggests that carriers complete the necessary declaration ahead of time to expedite obtaining and reviewing confidential information.

Specifically, before anyone may obtain access to Confidential Information, counsel, or such other designated person, must execute the appended Declaration. A copy of the declaration is available here. The party requesting access must provide to the Submitting Party and the Commission a copy of the appended Declaration for each Authorized Representative within five (5) business days after the appended Declaration is executed.

Carriers seeking access to Confidential Information, or seeking to object to disclosures of Confidential Information, should contact the firm for more information.

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

Industry

DoJ Talks T-Mobile/Sprint Merger

Last week, U.S. Justice Department antitrust chief Makan Delrahim, who is leading a review of the proposed $26.5 billion merger of T-Mobile US Inc. with Sprint Corp., said the elimination of one major competitor in wireless service “isn’t necessarily a deal killer.” Bloomberg reports that Delrahim said, when answering whether the U.S. would allow the number of major players in mobile phone service to shrink to three from four. “I don’t think there’s any magical number that I’m smart enough to glean about any single market,” he told reporters following a speech at the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington.

As Gizmodo notes , Delrahim’s statement is “a much more flexible position on the matter than the previous administration,” and that “[u]nder President Obama, the DOJ drew a hard line on any merger that would drop the mobile market below four major providers.”

Deadlines

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 16: 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 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

June
Jun. 7 – Comments are due on Robocall Database FNPRM.
Jun. 15 – Reply Comments are due on 3.7-4.2 GHz spectrum use.
Jun. 18 – 15-Day Tariff Filings are due.
Jun. 18 – Reply comments are due on Wireless Signal Booster FNPRM.
Jun. 18 – Comments are due on Over-the-Top VoIP Compensation Petition.
Jun. 18 – Comments are due on A-CAM BDS Migration NPRM.
Jun. 19 – Reply comments are due on Rural Call Completion FNPRM.
Jun. 21 – Deadline to elect revised model-based support.
Jun. 25 – Reply comments are due on RoR Reform 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. 2 – Reply Comments are due on USF Equipment Spending Safeguards.
Jul. 2 – Reply comments are due on A-CAM BDS Migration NPRM.
Jul. 3 – 15-Day and 7-Day Tariff Filings effective.
Jul. 3 – Reply comments are due on Over-the-Top VoIP Compensation Petition.
Jul. 5 – Reply comments are due on Status of Gov’t Relocation from AWS Bands.
Jul. 6 – Comments are due on Expansion of 4.9GHz Band Use NPRM.
Jul. 9 – Reply comments are due on Robocall Database FNPRM.
Jul. 31 – FCC Form 507 (Universal Service Quarterly Line Count Update) is due.
Jul. 31 – Carrier Identification Code (CIC) Report is due.

August
Aug. 6 – Reply comments are due on Expansion of 4.9GHz Band Use NPRM.
Aug. 6 – Comments or oppositions due on USTelecom Petition for Forbearance.

September
Sep. 5 – Replies are due on USTelecom Petition for Forbearance.

President Nominates Enforcement Bureau Official to FCC

Acting on a recommendation from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, President Donald Trump has nominated FCC Enforcement Bureau Assistant Chief Geoffrey Starks to fill the Commission's sole open seat. If confirmed by the US Senate, Starks would fill the seat vacated by Mignon Clyburn. Both are Democrats. Republican nominees have a 3-2 advantage on the FCC, which is headed by Chairman Ajit Pai. Starks' term would end in 2022. Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel is the other Democrat on the FCC.

An attorney who holds degrees from Harvard University and Yale Law School, Starks has worked in government for most of his career and joined the FCC staff in late 2015. Before taking his current job in the Enforcement Bureau, Starks worked for the Justice Department.

Rosenworcel congratulated Starks on his nomination and said he would be “a welcome addition” to the Commission. Clyburn called Starks “a sharp communications attorney committed to public service.” Republican Commissioner Michael O'Rielly said Starks “will bring a new voice to important debates before the Commission.”

Poverty

“In a country well governed, poverty is something to be ashamed of. In a country badly governed, wealth is something to be ashamed of.”

— Confucius, Chinese teacher and philosopher

— Plutarch, Greek historian

“Extreme poverty anywhere is a threat to human security everywhere.”

— Kofi Annan, Seventh Secretary-General of the United Nations

“Poverty is the parent of revolution and crime.”

— Aristotle, Greek philosopher

“Poverty is the worst form of violence.”

— Mahatma Gandhi, Indian political and spiritual leader

— Eli Khamarov, writer

PFC and ATD join against poverty