Welcome Back To The Wireless Messaging News

The Power of Millimeter Wave - Verizon

Verizon
Published on May 23, 2018

We believe 5G is an exponential improvement to what we have today. This year is the year that we’re going to offer a commercial product to our customers. In millimeter wave we have a massive amount of bandwidth.

We’re seeing testing speeds of over a gigabit per second as well as extremely low latency. It’s really high frequency so everybody thinks it doesn’t go very far, but it’s a really big height and so that’s what allows you to gain the super-fast speeds.

We’re here on top of this parking garage. We’re 3,000 feet away from our radio node. The cool thing about this is we did not move the radio node, it’s pointing down to serve the customers in that area. But here, even 3,000 feet away we’re still getting gig speeds.

So we’ve driven about a 3rd of a mile away from the radio node, it’s located over there behind the trees. We’re still getting very good speeds even though we have foliage in between.

Our radio node is tucked in behind those apartments over there. The signal is actually bouncing off of the buildings. Even at this distance with non-line of sight, we’re still getting almost a gig.

We’re here doing our in building test. This right here is our CPE equipment. We’re going through the wall, over here, also through the window & our radio is way out there at the tower. And we’re still getting really good speeds & signal.

Essentially what beam-forming does is compensate for any signal loss by switching automatically to the strongest beam. The selection of the beam is done instantaneously so you get really solid coverage using millimeter wave spectrum.

What we’ve learned over the past year is that the millimeter wave signal is much more resilient than anyone’s expected.

This is going out to customers & it’s got the Verizon name behind it, so it has to be reliable & robust.

Right now we’re only using half of our spectrum. I’m excited to get this build out completed & unleash the full potential of 5G. [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.

IT'S FREE

* required field

If you would like to subscribe to the newsletter just fill in the blanks in the form above, and then click on the “Subscribe” button.

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

Advertiser Index

MissionCritical Communications April-May 2018: 20-25

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.

• 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.

SUBSCRIBE HERE

The Wireless Messaging News
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.

Can You Help The Newsletter?

You can help support The Wireless Messaging News by clicking on the PayPal Donate button above. It is not necessary to be a member of PayPal to use this service.

Newspapers generally cost 75¢ $1.50 a copy and they hardly ever mention paging or wireless messaging, unless in a negative way. If you receive some benefit from this publication maybe you would like to help support it financially?

A donation of $50.00 would certainly help cover a one-year period. If you are wiling and able, please click on the PayPal Donate button above.

Facebook Just Made Two-Factor Authentication
Easier to Set Up

By Emily Price
May 23, 2018 12:15pm

Image: Facebook

Facebook is making it easier to set up two-factor authentication on your account, and allowing those who want to use a third-party authenticator app instead of their phone number to receive their authentication code.

If you’re not familiar, two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security to your account. When you log in with your password on a new device or in a way that’s a bit unusual, you’ll be prompted to enter a numerical code as well that you either receive via text message or through an app. The idea is that even if someone else manages to get your password they won’t be able to access your account.

If you don’t already have it set up, you should. Most services offer the feature these days, including Twitter and Gmail and you want it set up on everything you have.

Previously you needed to give Facebook your phone number in order to use two-factor authentication. Which, if for obvious reasons you didn’t want to hand over meant you couldn’t use the feature.

Now, you can use a third-party app such as Google Authenticator, which constantly generates new codes (so you can access them even if you don’t have a cell signal) in addition to a phone number.

For people who don’t have the feature set up at all, Facebook will also walk you through the process with prompts to make it a little less confusing.

To get started, go to the Settings menu within the Facebook app or your desktop and then select “Security and Login” and then “Use two-factor authentication.”

lifehacker

Kansas City

Premium Newsletter Supporter

Premium Newsletter Supporter

Canyon Ridge Communications

Premium Newsletter Supporter

ProPage Inc.

Newsletter Supporter

Metropolitan Communications

Newsletter Supporter

e*Message Wireless Information Services Europe

Newsletter Supporter

Lekkerkerk, Netherlands

Newsletter Supporter

Donate to have your company's logo added.

Incyte Capital Holdings LLC
Dallas, Texas

Premium Newsletter Supporter

Le Réseau Mobilité Plus
Montreal, Quebec

Newsletter Supporter

Communication Specialists

Newsletter Supporter

Cook Paging

Premium Newsletter Supporter

MethodLink

Premium Newsletter Supporter

Citipage Ltd.
Edmonton, Alberta

Newsletter Supporter

Click on the image above for more info about advertising.

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

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, May 25, 2018	Volume 6 | Issue 103

United Tower Alliance: Drone Inspections – The First National Solution!

The United Tower Alliance (UTA) is comprised of 18 industry leading tower contractors. These local performance partners conduct detailed UAV tower inspections anywhere in the USA. The UTA provides local operators with a client centered single point of contact.

“The UTA was formed in 2017, because a group of industry experts wanted to bring high value to the telecommunications industry,” said Ean Mercer, Managing Partner. “Our professionals are world class firms whose operations are already trained to deliver tower services. We just added great useable data and consistent deliverables to their unparalleled safety.”

Why utilize UTA tower inspections? Our professional grade UAVs are faster, safer and more cost-effective when properly flown by a trained pilot. UTA’s operators can accomplish in hours what a traditional inspection might discover with two climbers doing a full day’s work.

“We wanted to provide a safe, efficient and cost-effective choice as a place to start your infrastructure checkup,” said Mercer. “We’re also committed to consistency. Whether a project is completed in Charlotte, Chicago or Chino, the deliverables are identical, never compromising quality.”

So, the UTA has local expertise and a national footprint? Yes! Each “local area” of the United States is cared for by seasoned wireless infrastructure firms with vast knowledge of the market and distinctive traits for that geography. In an emergency, a UTA partner can be on-site quickly, anywhere in the country. The company also offers a single point of contact for each customer to streamline the process.

“It’s really best of both worlds. Customers get a local professional who knows their area and navigates any quirks that arise. However, they still have direct access to the UTA NOC, so organizationally there’s a culture that demands delivery of a truly high-quality client experience,” said Mercer.

But anyone can fly a drone, right? “There are novice drone enthusiasts, but our belief is that much more training and experience is necessary to deliver a quality inspection report,” said Mercer.

That’s why all UAV Operators working with UTA are trained above and beyond the FAA’s Part 107 requirements. “Most organizations stop at Part 107, but that’s where we begin,” said Mercer. “Our pilots all receive specialized training that exceeds government standards and is tailored specifically for tower inspection flights.”

The company conducts rigorous advanced training through the UTA Flight Academy. In addition, all UTA Performance Partners are participants in the NATE/STAR^® Initiative. Safety and quality are never out of style with our pilots!

How are the UTA’s deliverables unique? “We deliver accurate data quickly to our customers,” said Mercer. “Our secure platform delivers images and data that can be viewed anywhere and used immediately after the client logs on to the secure portal.” he added.

The UTA’s custom-built operator portal allows use on site and ensures completion of each part of the client task list. This integrity features a user ease and easy to view format that serves the pilot as well as the client.

“Our mission is to serve the need for quality tower inspections on a greater scale, with flexibility, consistency, and professional expertise. UTA brings actionable data to the customer in almost real time – we work at the speed of wireless,” said Mercer. The customer can effortlessly view a report of what they own and its condition on the tower.

UTA is headquartered in the west but our performance partners serve you across the entire USA, coast to coast. Wherever you are. . . We’re already there!

For more information or to schedule an inspection, visit www.flyuta.com.

Ergen’s Planned $10B 5G Spend is Big News at Connect (X)

Charlie Ergen, chairman and co-founder of DISH discussed his company’s foray into the wireless business in Charlotte, NC at Connect (X). He told attendees, “There are incumbents who do a great job connecting to your phone but the future is going to be connecting to machines. How do you build that network?”

In an on-stage interview with former FCC Commissioner Robert McDowell, now a partner at law firm Cooley, Ergen said: “We know how to partner with people who know more than we do,” said Ergen. “We have signed some master lease agreements with tower companies,” mentioning a $500 million to $1 billion buildout in the initial phase.

Phase two will be a cost of “at least $10 billion,” Ergen said, to build a national wireless network – the first time that number has been made public, according to two WIA sources at the show. The initial phase consists of a national wireless network focused on narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT), with phase two expected to be a 5G network.

The large dollars amounts being discussed excited tower and other executives at the show. “An investment of this much money is very good news for the wireless infrastructure industry,” said Wireless Infrastructure President/CEO Jonathan Adelstein, in an interview with Inside Towers yesterday.

Dish has ordered radios from some vendors at the show and Ergen said his company plans to begin testing the network this fall.

“Once we start construction, then we start planning for [a] 5G network. The 600 MHZ spectrum is not cleared for us nationwide until 2020,” said Ergen. He acknowledged: “We don’t have any customers and we are not as knowledgeable as people who are already in this business. We’re incentivized to reinvent ourselves,” he said, adding it took five years to build the DISH business, competing against Direct Broadcast Satellite, TCI and others. Now DISH has 13 million customers.

By Leslie Stimson, Inside Towers Washington Bureau Chief

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.

REMINDER: ISP Transparency Disclosure Requirement Effective June 11

On June 11, the FCC’s transparency disclosure requirements for ISPs will go into effect. The requirements, which were adopted in the Restoring Internet Freedom Order that rolled back Title II classification of Internet service and eliminated Net Neutrality requirements. Specifically, Section 8.3 of the FCC’s rules requires anyone engaged in the provision of broadband Internet access service to publicly disclose accurate information regarding the network management practices, performance, and commercial terms of their broadband Internet access services

the purpose of meeting the transparency requirements, the FCC has opened an optional online web portal. See the article below for more information.

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

Headlines

FCC Announces Tentative Agenda for June Open Meeting

On May 18, the FCC issued a Public Notice announcing the tentative agenda for its upcoming June Open Meeting, which is currently scheduled for 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)
• 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 SAT-LOA-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)
• 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)

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.

Comment Sought on CenturyLink Petition for Over-the-Top VoIP Traffic Compensation

On May 18, the FCC issued a Public Notice inviting interested parties to comment on a Petition for Declaratory Ruling filed by CenturyLink Inc. (CenturyLink) on May 11, 2018. Comments are due June 18 and reply comments are due July 3.

In its Petition, CenturyLink urges the Commission to “complete the remand” from the Court of Appeals and to resolve the underlying dispute regarding the proper interpretation of its rules. Previously, the Commission issued a Declaratory Ruling in 2015 to address disagreements over the application of the VoIP symmetry rule to long distance providers delivering traffic by partnering with "over the top" VoIP service providers that do not have last-mile physical connections to end users. In the Declaratory Ruling, the Commission determined that over-the-top VoIP providers and their partnering LECs provide the functional equivalent of end-office switching services and are entitled to impose end office switching charges. In 2016, the D.C. Court of Appeals vacated and remanded the Declaratory Ruling “for further explanation.”

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

FCC Establishes Portal for ISP Transparency Disclosures

On May 21, the FCC released a Public Notice announcing the establishment of a portal for Internet service provider (ISP) transparency disclosures. The portal will be available for both ISPs submitting their disclosures to the FCC and consumers searching for any disclosures submitted to the FCC on May 29. The Restoring Internet Freedom Order, wherein the FCC adopted ISP transparency reporting requirements, becomes effective on June 11, 2018.

The revised transparency rule — 47 CFR § 8.3 — requires ISPs to publicly disclose information about their service in one of two ways — by providing the disclosure on a publicly available, easily accessible website or by submitting it to the FCC for posting. ISPs choosing to submit their required disclosures to the FCC should do so electronically, in a format that is accessible to people with disabilities, through http://www.fcc.gov/isp-disclosures.

An ISP that does not submit its required disclosure to the FCC through this portal will be deemed as having elected to provide it on a publicly available, easily accessible website of its choosing. An ISP that submits its required disclosure to the FCC and later elects to provide it on a publicly available, easily accessible website of its choosing should inform the FCC of this change by filing via the FCC portal a clear statement of the change, including the website where consumers can find the required disclosure.

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

FCC Releases Updated Version of MF-II Eligible Area Map

On May 22, the FCC released an updated version of the map of areas presumptively eligible for Mobility Fund Phase II (MF-II) support. The updated map is available at www.fcc.gov/maps/mobility-fund-ii-initial-eligible-areas-map/ .

This version of the map also shows an update to the areas presumptively ineligible for MF-II support due to qualifying, unsubsidized coverage reported by a single mobile provider. The updated map reflects adjustments to underlying coverage and subsidy data, resulting in an increase in area presumptively eligible for support in the MF-II auction. The updates do not alter the eligibility status of 99.87 percent of the total area (both eligible and ineligible areas) shown on the first version of the map.

Specifically, the updated version of the map reflects three changes to coverage and subsidy data. First, in order to adjust for inconsistencies between U.S. Census data and wire center boundary data, the updated version of the map now incorporates subsidies for small portions of certain wire centers that cross into an adjacent state, thereby increasing presumptively eligible area in additional states. Second, staff reprocessed the map data for Kentucky and a portion of Tennessee to account for corrected subsidy assignments in those areas. Third, staff incorporated revised 4G LTE coverage data submitted by one mobile provider for South Carolina and Oklahoma.

BloostonLaw Contacts: John Prendergast and Cary Mitchell.

Law & Regulation

Comments on A-CAM BDS Migration NPRM Due June 18

On May 17, the FCC published in the Federal Register its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking proposing to allow rate-of- return carriers receiving universal service support under the Alternative Connect America Cost Model (A–CAM) to voluntarily migrate their lower speed circuit-based business data service (BDS) offerings to incentive regulation. Comments are due June 18 and reply comments are due July 2.

As we reported in a previous edition of the BloostonLaw Telecom Update, the FCC is seeking comment on a regulatory framework that would provide electing A-CAM carriers a path to allow a move from rate-of-return regulation to a more efficient system of incentive regulation for their TDM transport and end user channel terminations at speeds at or below a DS3. First, the FCC proposes to allow electing A-CAM carriers to convert their lower capacity TDM BDS offerings to an incentive regulatory approach modelled on the rules the FCC adopted for price cap carriers’ lower speed BDS in noncompetitive areas, while still allowing such carriers to be subject to the switched access rate transition and the Eligible Recovery rules applicable to rate-of-return carriers. The FCC would allow conversion to incentive regulation for TDM transport and end user channel termination services offered at speeds at or below a DS3, as well as other generally lower speed non-packet-based services that are commonly considered special access services.

As part of the conversion, the FCC contemplates relieving electing A-CAM carriers of a variety of regulatory obligations that pertain to rate-of-return regulation, including the obligation to perform cost studies. Electing A-CAM carriers would be allowed to offer term and volume discounts and contract-based services for their TDM transport and end user channel termination services offered at speeds at or below a DS3. Electing A-CAM carriers would be required to maintain generally available tariffed rates subject to incentive regulation for these lower speed TDM transport and end user channel terminations, and other special access services included in their tariffs. At the same time, electing A-CAM carriers would be allowed to remain in the NECA traffic-sensitive tariff for switched access services, and to continue to be subject to the switched access rate cap provisions of section 51.909 and the Eligible Recovery rules in section 51.917 of the FCC’s rules.

Carriers that elect to move off rate-of-return regulation for their BDS services would be required to move to incentive regulation at the holding company level for study areas in all states that elected to receive A-CAM support rather than electing on an individual carrier or study area basis. Incentive regulation for electing A-CAM carriers would be effective on the July 1st following adoption of an Order. A-CAM carriers that currently file their own tariffed rates for BDS offerings would be permitted to use their existing rates to set their initial BDS rates under incentive regulation, while electing A-CAM carriers in the NECA pool would establish initial BDS rates by multiplying the NECA pool rate the carrier has been charging by a net contribution/recipient factor.

The FCC also proposes to retain the special access basket, categories and subcategories, and the attendant rules governing the allowed annual adjustments. Each electing A-CAM carrier would initialize its PCI for the special access basket and associated service band indices (SBIs) at 100 and to use the rate adjustment rules for price cap carriers contained in sections 61.45-48 of our rules, as appropriate, to reflect the prescribed productivity factor, the inflation factor, and any required exogenous cost adjustment in the PCI, to ensure that the Actual Price Index (API) does not exceed the PCI, and that the SBIs for each category or subcategory do not exceed their upper limits. The FCC proposes to adopt an X-factor of two percent to reflect the productivity growth that electing A-CAM carriers are likely to experience in the provision of these services relative to productivity growth in the overall economy in the foreseeable future and to use Gross Domestic Product-Price Index (GDP-PI) as the measure of inflation that electing A-CAM carriers will use in their PCI calculations.

The FCC also seeks comment on adopting a low-end adjustment mechanism to provide an appropriate backstop to ensure that electing A-CAM carriers are not subject to protracted periods of low earnings; forbearance from application of our cost assignment rules, including jurisdictional separations requirements; and allowing electing A-CAM carriers to use GAAP for keeping their accounts, should they choose to do so.

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

Industry

President Trump Suggests Management Changes Instead of Sanctions for ZTE

On May 22, Reuters reported that President Trump proposed a plan to fine ZTE Corp and make changes to its management while rolling back more severe penalties. Trump’s proposal ran into immediate resistance in Congress, where Republicans and Democrats accused the president of bending to pressure from Beijing to ease up on a company that has admitted to violating sanctions on Iran.

Speaking at the White House, Trump said U.S. technology companies have been hurt by an April Commerce Department decision that prohibits them from selling components to China’s second-largest telecommunications equipment maker. ZTE shut down most of its production after the ruling was announced. The FCC is also considering an item that would prohibit the use of USF funding to purchase from certain Chinese manufacturers that pose security risks, including ZTE.

Deadlines

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

BloostonLaw Contacts: Richard Rubino.

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

BloostonLaw Contacts: Richard Rubino.

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

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

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

BloostonLaw Contacts: John Prendergast and Sal Taillefer.

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

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

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

BloostonLaw Contacts: Ben Dickens and Gerry Duffy.

Calendar At-a-Glance

May
May 23 – Reply Comments on 5G auction procedures.
May 25 – Comments are due on RoR Reform FNPRM.
May 29 – Reply Comments are 24/28 GHz auction procedures are due.
May 29 – Challenges for FairPoint additional CAF-I blocks are due.
May 31 – Comments are due on 3.7-4.2 GHz spectrum use.
May 31 – FCC Form 395 (Annual Employment Report) is due.

June
Jun. 1 – Comments are due on USF Equipment Spending Safeguards.
Jun. 2 – E911 horizontal location accuracy benchmark certification due to be filed.
Jun. 4 - Three-year E911 location accuracy benchmark certification due.
Jun. 4 – Comments are due on Rural Call Completion FNPRM.
Jun. 5 – Comments are due on Status of Gov’t Relocation from AWS Bands.
Jun. 5 – Deadline for CAF Phase II Auction corrections.
Jun. 7 – Comments are due on Robocall Database FNPRM.
Jun. 7 – Comments or oppositions due on USTelecom Petition for Forbearance.
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. 22 – Replies are due on USTelecom Petition for Forbearance.
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.

Iridium Recognized as Maritime Distress Services Provider

Tuesday, May 22, 2018

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) recognized that the Iridium Communications network meets the criteria needed to provide mobile satellite services in the Global Maritime Distress Safety System (GMDSS).

The recognition makes Iridium the second recognized GMDSS provider; Inmarsat is the only other recognized GMDSS provider.

The announcement ends a decades-long satellite industry monopoly in which only one company was authorized to provide satellite GMDSS service, and for the first time will bring competition and global coverage to mariners sailing any of the world’s oceans, Iridium said in a statement.

The MSC also agreed that Iridium and the United States, the delegation sponsoring Iridium’s application at the IMO, will work with the International Mobile Satellite Organization (IMSO), which will monitor progress in Iridium’s implementation of the service. The IMSO will report to the MSC once a public services agreement is formalized between Iridium and the IMSO, likely marking the start of this service.

“This is a historic moment for the maritime industry and an honor for Iridium to be the second ever recognized provider for GMDSS services,” said Bryan Hartin, executive vice president, Iridium. “This is the dawn of a new era for mariner safety. We’ll bring a new choice and upgraded capabilities for mariners along with our truly global coverage that will for the first time extend the reach of satellite-based GMDSS to even the most remote waterways.”

Iridium formally began the process to become a recognized GMDSS mobile satellite service provide r in April 2013. Iridium plans to begin providing GMDSS service in early 2020.

“This has been a long time coming, and we are ecstatic to gain this very important recognition from the IMO,” said Matt Desch, Iridium CEO. “We are equally proud to ensure mariners will have access to this critical system from anywhere in the world that they sail. Iridium has established itself as a trusted maritime safety provider for over a decade, and this recognition is a testament to both that trust and the capabilities offered by our satellite network.”

Iridium is scheduled May 22 to launch its sixth Iridium NEXT mission with SpaceX, delivering five more Iridium NEXT satellites to low Earth orbit (LEO) as part of the continuing upgrade to its existing satellite network. The Iridium network is a constellation of 66 LEO cross-linked satellites that provide reliable, low-latency satellite communications to the entire world, including the poles.

More About

I am Proud to be Bilingual

U.S. citizens questioned by Border Patrol in Havre, Montana for speaking Spanish.

After last week's issue where I pointed out that there are over 50 million people in the United States who speak Spanish, and that I am proud to be one of them, I only received one response. It came from a really friendly guy who had misunderstood my comments. He asked, “Does this imply if somebody is not bilingual, they are xenophobic? Who are the ‘ignorant countrymen’ ?” And . . . “I do like your newsletter, and the often personal touch you add, but preferably without things like the xenophobia stuff. I get enough of that in the ‘press’ already.”

My answer was, “I wasn’t implying that anyone who isn’t bilingual is ignorant or xenophobic. The ignorant ones are like the guy in this news article: https://www.cnn.com/2018/05/17/us/new-york-man-restaurant-ice-threat/index.html This link is to a recent CNN report about a man who berated employees and customers for speaking Spanish in a New York restaurant, describing them as undocumented and threatening to call immigration officials in a rant captured on video.

This is the kind of behavior that I am ashamed of — from my “ignorant countrymen.”

I met a nice a Hispanic guy once. He told me that people had frequently asked him when his family moved to the United States. His answer was that the United States moved and took over the land where his family had lived for many years — it is now Called New Mexico. Go figure.

How about Puerto Ricans? They have been US citizens for over a hundred years, and they speak Spanish.

“Listen to the Music”