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Apple reminds developers about macOS Catalina changes as public release nears

By: Chance Miller
Oct. 3rd 2019 1:11 pm PT
9to5Mac

Following the release of the macOS Catalina GM earlier this afternoon, Apple has published a pair of new developer updates focused on the Mac. Apple is reminding developers to prepare for macOS Catalina as the public launch nears.

First, Apple reminds developers that all software distributed outside of the Mac App Store must still be signed or notarized. by Apple. In September, Apple relaxed certain notarization requirements for the Mac, but it is still reminding developers of the upcoming changes:

In June, we announced that all Mac software distributed outside the Mac App Store must be notarized by Apple in order to run by default on macOS Catalina. Make sure to test all versions of your software on the macOS Catalina GM seed and submit it to Apple to be notarized.

This will give users more confidence that the software they download and run, no matter where they get it from, has been checked for known security issues.

Apple is also encouraging developers to take advantage of macOS Catalina features, such as Sidecar, Sign in with Apple, Mac Catalyst, and more:

macOS Catalina will soon be available to hundreds of millions of users around the world. With macOS Catalina, your Mac apps can take advantage of Sign in with Apple, Sidecar, and the latest advances in Core ML 3, and Metal. And with Mac Catalyst, you can bring your iPad apps to Mac. Build your apps using Xcode 11,test them on a Mac computer running the macOS Catalina GM seed, and submit them for review.

Read both of today’s updates on Apple’s developer website.

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

Wireless Messaging

NO POLITICS HERE

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

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

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

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

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. This is the only remaining news source dedicated to information about Paging and Wireless Messaging.

Service Monitors and Frequency Standards for Sale

Motorola Service Monitor

IFR Service Monitor

Efratom Rubidium Standard

(Images are typical units, not actual photos of items offered for sale here.)

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Advertiser Index

Specialists in sales and service of equipment from these leading manufacturers, as well as other two-way radio and paging products:

		Motorola SOLUTIONS
	WE ARE STILL STOCKING AND SELLING THE UNICATION ELEGANT PAGERS Contact us for price and availability please

Trombone

The rest of the Passive Audio Amps For Smart Phones page has been move to a separate page.
TAKE ME THERE .

Gramophone

These horns are now on display and for sale at:

Stop in for a demo and a great cup of espresso.

FBI issues alert warning of potential 'high-impact' ransomware attacks

BY MAGGIE MILLER - 10/03/19 03:23 PM EDT

ROB ENGELAAR/AFP/Getty Images

The FBI on Wednesday warned U.S. businesses and organizations of the increasing threat posed by ransomware cyberattacks, following several high-profile attacks on government offices and other public entities.

The agency said the attacks, which involve encrypting a computer before demanding money in return for unlocking it, are “becoming more targeted, sophisticated, and costly.”

“Since early 2018, the incidence of broad, indiscriminate ransomware campaigns has sharply declined, but the losses from ransomware attacks have increased significantly,” the FBI wrote.

The agency has issued similar warnings of malicious actors trying to hack into websites seen as more "secure" and have warned of business email compromises, but this was the first in 2019 highlighting ransomware attacks.

Wednesday's warning follows attacks on more than 20 Texas small towns and other entities, and attacks on multiple school districts in Louisiana that led Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) to declare a statewide emergency.

The city governments of Baltimore and Atlanta have also been hit by ransomware attacks over the past year, with both cities refusing to pay the attackers and instead paying millions to recover from disruptions.

The FBI acknowledged the full scope of the ransomware attacks, writing that “although state and local governments have been particularly visible targets for ransomware attacks, ransomware actors have also targeted health care organizations, industrial companies, and the transportation sector.”

The FBI noted that malicious actors mostly use email phishing campaigns, software vulnerabilities and remote desktop protocol vulnerabilities to infect systems with the ransomware viruses.

The agency recommended that any entities that fall victim to a ransomware attack should not pay the ransom, citing concerns around “emboldening” the individuals to target other groups with the same virus. Paying the ransom also does not guarantee that the system will be decrypted. The FBI recommended that businesses have all systems and data backed up, to ensure all software is up to date, and to train employees on how to spot potential ransomware attacks.

“The time to invest in backups and other cyber defenses is before an attacker strikes, not afterward when it may be too late,” the FBI wrote.

Congress has taken some steps to address the attacks, including the passage by the Senate last week of legislation to boost cyberattack assistance for both federal agencies and the private sector.

The Senate passed an amended version of a House bill, meaning the House must now approve the changed legislation or the two chambers need to agree on a revised measure before it can be voted on again and sent to President Trump’s desk for his signature.

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

• Broadcast Services over the Internet for Corporate Communications
• Seeking Parties for Live Response Applications on Smartphones
• Click here for more information

GLENAYRE INFRASTRUCTURE

Service Contracts

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

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

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

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.

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.

Deals T-Mobile-Sprint Merger Has Majority Support at the FCC

By Todd Shields October 4, 2019, 9:32 AM CDT
Updated on October 4, 2019, 11:01 AM CDT

• Third vote tallied at FCC, setting in motion deadline to act
• Deal awaiting FCC clearance also faces challenge from states

Source: Bloomberg

T-Mobile US Inc.’s proposed merger with Sprint Corp. has received a third “yes” vote at the U.S. Federal Communications Commission, moving the deal toward agency approval in coming days, according to two people familiar with the matter.

All three Republicans on the five-member agency have voted for the deal, setting in motion procedures that would require agency action by Oct. 9, or Oct. 16 if an extension is requested by a commissioner, the people said. Neither agency Democrat has cast a vote, and both have called for delay.

The third “yes” came from Commissioner Brendan Carr, according to the people, who spoke on condition they not be identified because the voting is conducted behind closed doors. Carr in May issued a formal statement supporting the deal.

Carr’s office on Friday didn’t immediately respond to an email or phone call seeking comment. Tina Pelkey, a spokeswoman for the FCC, declined to comment. Sprint declined to comment.

Sprint rose 14 cents, or 2.4%, to $6.10 and T-Mobile was up 93 cents, or 1.2%, to $77.95 at 11:54 a.m. New York time.

T-Mobile and Sprint have agreed not to close their deal until after a verdict in a multi-state lawsuit, where trial is set for early December. The states say the combination of national wireless carriers will decrease competition and raise prices. The deal’s backers say it will quickly bring advanced 5G networks and create a stronger rival to leaders AT&T Inc. and Verizon Communications Inc.

Groups including Consumer Reports, the Communications Workers of America union and the Rural Wireless Association in a filing Friday asked the FCC to pause its review. They said the agency needs to fully investigate its accusation that Sprint improperly accepted subsidy payments.

The FCC on Sept. 24 said Sprint had claimed payments for 885,000 subscribers, even though those people weren’t using the system. Pai told the FCC’s enforcement bureau determine the extent of the problem and propose a remedy.

The claim may slow but won’t threaten FCC approval of the merger, Matthew Schettenhelm, a Bloomberg Intelligence analyst, said in a note.

— With assistance by Scott Moritz

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

Internet Protocol Terminal

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

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

Additional/Optional Features

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

Prism-IPX Systems LLC.

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

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 e-mail: 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

Microsoft Issues Windows 10 Update Warning

Oct 3, 2019, 09:20 pm
By: Gordon Kelly
Senior Contributor
Consumer Tech
I write about technology's biggest companies

Windows 10’s quality control problem is now the talk of the Internet after an ex-employee blew the whistle on why updates have become so buggy. And here’s another problem you need to know about

Windows 10 is facing new update problems STEVE KOTECKI

Picked up by BleepingComputer, Microsoft has posted an update to Windows Docs warning users that the KB4522016 update it released late last month has the nasty side-effect of breaking print capabilities across all versions of Windows 10. The update had been released to patch a security vulnerability.

“The print spooler service may intermittently have issues completing a print job and may result in a print job being canceled or failing,” Microsoft wrote. “Some apps may close or error when the print spooler fails and you may receive a remote procedure call error (RPC error) from some printing utility or printing apps.”

Microsoft also confirmed that Windows Server was impacted.

In response, Microsoft has released out of band security updates, cumulative updates, and monthly rollup updates to address the issue, describing it as “a required security update”. Impacted users who want to manually install the update can get it from the Microsoft Update Catalog. It also includes a fix for a critical zero-day vulnerability discovered in Internet Explorer.

Needless to say, the biggest fear for some users will be that this latest fix doesn’t cause more problems than it solves. After all, in the last month alone Windows 10 updates have broken Search, the Start Menu and caused USB and audio problems as well as screen discolouration, spiking CPU usage and breaking Internet connectivity.

The good news is Microsoft has taken steps to categorise its updates so users can better pick and choose what they install. It’s far from a magic bullet (especially as the company continues to push the troubled 1903 build onto users), but at least the company is listening.

And listen it must because right now the reputation of Windows 10 is being shot to pieces.

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 e-mail: sales@prism-ipx.com
prism-ipx.com

FCC to Revise Rural Connectivity Standards

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai circulated an item to his colleagues requesting a vote that would revise the Commission’s testing and performance standards for carriers that receive Universal Service support.

“Deploying broadband is more than just the physical connections between customers and service providers; it is also making sure that those networks are delivering the performance customers expect,” says Pai in a new blog post.

“Rural Americans shouldn’t have to settle for second-rate service, and taxpayer support shouldn’t go toward shoddy service. Carriers that are recipients of the Connect America Fund high cost program must prove they’re using that money to deliver the promised broadband speeds,” according to the Chairman.

But the agency wants to ensure its testing procedures don’t impose unnecessary burdens on small carriers located in hard-to-serve areas. Pai believes the proposed item strikes the right balance. The item to be voted on at the October 25 meeting would maintain requirements to ensure that carriers receiving USF support are meeting the agency’s performance standards.

“But it would also give providers greater flexibility,” says the Chairman. “For example, it would change testing implementation dates so that they are now more closely aligned with when a carrier has its first mandatory build-out obligations. It would also create a pre-testing period that would allow carriers to ensure that their testing systems are performing correctly before testing begins.”

Selected portions [sometimes more — sometimes less — sometimes the whole updates] 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: 911 RELIABILITY CERTIFICATION
DUE OCTOBER 15

Covered 911 Service Providers, which are defined as entities that “[p]rovide 911, E911, or NG911 capabilities such as call routing, automatic location information (ALI), automatic number identification (ANI), or the functional equivalent of those capabilities, directly to a public safety answering point (PSAP), statewide default answering point, or appropriate local emergency authority,” or that “[o]perate one or more central offices that directly serve a PSAP,” are required certify that they have taken reasonable measures to provide reliable 911 service with respect to three substantive requirements: (i) 911 circuit diversity; (ii) central office backup power; and (iii) diverse network monitoring by October 15. Certifications must be made through the FCC’s portal.

BloostonLaw Contacts: Gerry Duffy and Sal Taillefer.

Headlines

D.C. Circuit Court Upholds Most of 2017 Net Neutrality Order; Vacates State Preemption

On October 1, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit issued its per curiam decision on the appeal of the FCC’s 2017 net neutrality order, also known as the Restoring Internet Freedom Order. Although the court upheld the Order in large part, it vacated part and remanded part back to the FCC to address three issues in which it found the Order inadequate: “(1) The Order failed to examine the implications of its decisions for public safety; (2) the Order does not sufficiently explain what reclassification will mean for regulation of pole attachments; and (3) the agency did not adequately address Petitioners’ concerns about the effects of broadband reclassification on the Lifeline Program.” The court vacated that part of the Order pre-empting any state or local requirement that “would effectively impose rules or requirements that [the FCC] repealed or decided to refrain from imposing in this order or that would impose more stringent requirements for any aspect of broadband service that [the FCC] address[ed] in this order.”

The court upheld the FCC’s decisions to restore the classification of broadband Internet access service as a less regulated “information service;” reinstate the private mobile service classification of mobile broadband Internet access service; eliminate the Internet Conduct Standard and the Bright Line Rules; and adopt enhanced transparency requirements that mandated ISPs to disclose information about their practices to consumers, entrepreneurs, and the FCC.

Chairman Pai, alongside Commissioners O’Rielly and Carr, were pleased with the court’s decision to uphold the majority of the Order. Chairman Pai said, “Today’s decision is a victory for consumers, broadband deployment, and the free and open Internet. The court affirmed the FCC’s decision to repeal 1930s utility-style regulation of the Internet imposed by the prior Administration.” Commissioner O’Rielly said, “It is heartening to see a court get most of the decision correct. ... At the same time, vacating the preemption provisions seems to misread precedent and ignores the technology’s structure, which cannot be segmented into intrastate portions. Inevitably, this will lead to Commission case-by-case preemption efforts and more litigation.” Commissioner Carr said, “Today’s decision is a big win for a free and open Internet and for U.S. leadership in 5G.”

Commissioners Rosenworcel said, “Today’s court decision vacates the FCC’s unlawful effort to block states and localities from protecting an open Internet for their citizens. From small towns to big cities, from state houses to governors’ executive actions, states and localities have been stepping in because the FCC shirked its duties. In addition, the court took the agency to task for disregarding its duty to consider how its decision threatens public safety, Lifeline service, and broadband infrastructure.”

Commissioner Starks said, “Above all else, today’s decision breathes new life into the fight for an open Internet It confirms that states can continue to step into the void left by this FCC. To that end, it is a validation of those states that have already sought to protect consumers, and a challenge to those that haven’t yet acted to think hard about how to protect their citizens.”

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

FCC Adopts New Rules Making Access-Stimulating LECs rather than IXCs Financially Responsible for Certain Access Charges

On September 26, the FCC adopted an Order intended to “reduce financial incentives” for carriers to engage in access arbitrage – also known as access stimulation or “traffic pumping”. The new rules will be effective 30 days after publication in the Federal Register.

Specifically, the FCC’s Order makes access-stimulating LECs — rather than IXCs — financially responsible for the tandem switching and transport service access charges associated with the delivery of traffic from an IXC to the access-stimulating LEC end office or its functional equivalent. According to the FCC, these revisions “will reduce the incentive to inefficiently route high-volume, purposely inflated, call traffic.” The FCC also modified its definition of access stimulation — which currently is based on traffic volumes and access revenue sharing — to include two alternative traffic triggers without a revenue sharing component.

The current test for access stimulation remains in place. That test requires, first, that the involved LEC has a revenue sharing agreement and, second, that it meets one of two traffic triggers. The LEC must either have an interstate terminating-to-originating traffic ratio of at least 3:1 in a calendar month or have had more than a 100% growth in interstate originating and/or terminating switched access minutes-of-use in a month compared to the same month in the preceding year. The FCC added two, alternate tests that require no revenue sharing agreement: first, under the newly amended rules, competitive LECs with an interstate terminating-to-originating traffic ratio of at least 6:1 in a calendar month will be defined as engaging in access stimulation; second, a rate-of-return LEC as engaging in access stimulation if it has an interstate terminating-to-originating traffic ratio of at least 10:1 in a three calendar month period and has 500,000 minutes or more of interstate terminating minutes- of-use per month in an end office in the same three calendar month period.

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

Comment Sought on Bidding Procedures for Auction 105

On September 26, the FCC adopted a Public Notice seeking comment on the procedures to be used for Auction 105, the auction of Priority Access Licenses (PALs) in the 3550-3650 MHz band. Comments are due October 28, and reply comments are due November 12. Bidding in the auction is scheduled to commence on June 25, 2020.

Key topics on which the FCC is seeking comment include:

• Bidding Credit Caps: The FCC is proposing a $25 million cap on the total amount of bidding credits that may be awarded to an eligible small business, and a $10 million cap on the total amount of bidding credits that may be awarded to an eligible rural service provider.
• Modified Clock Auction Design: The clock auction design proposed for Auction 105 is similar in many respects to that used by the FCC for Auctions 1002 and 102, and that will be used for Auction 103, but it would differ in several important respects. First, no assignment phase will be held to assign frequency-specific licenses because Priority Access Licensees will not be assigned frequency-specific licenses, but will be authorized to use frequencies associated with their PALs as dynamically assigned by SASs. Second, although the geographic licensing areas will be counties, the FCC proposes that any bidder can elect to bid at a Cellular Market Area (CMA) level for certain large CMAs rather than bidding separately for the counties within the CMA, and proposes bid incrementing and processing procedures to accommodate CMA-level bidding. Third, the FCC proposes to modify the bidding activity rules that were used in prior clock auctions to provide a safeguard against a bidder losing bidding eligibility under certain circumstances.
• Activity Rule: As with previous auctions, the FCC is proposing to require bidders to be active on a specific percentage of their current bidding eligibility during each round of the auction. Failure to maintain the requisite activity level would result in a reduction in the bidder’s eligibility, possibly curtailing or eliminating the bidder’s ability to place additional bids in the auction. The FCC proposes between 90% and 100% of their bidding eligibility in all clock rounds. For smaller bidders that are bidding on a limited number of licenses, this amounts to a requirement to bid on all of their target licenses in every round until they give up on certain markets.
• Upper Limit on Activity: In a new twist, the FCC also proposes to calculate bidding activity based on the bids that are accepted by the FCC auction bidding system. That is, if a bidder requests a reduction in the quantity of blocks it demands in a county, but the FCC auction bidding system does not accept the request because demand would fall below the available supply, then the bidder’s activity would reflect its unreduced demand. To help a bidder avoid having its eligibility reduced as a result of submitted bids that could not be accepted during bid processing, the FCC proposes to allow a bidder to submit bids with associated bidding activity greater than its current bidding eligibility – specifically, an initial activity limit percentage of 120% and a range of potential percentages between 100% and 140% to apply to Round 2 and subsequent rounds.
• Exception to No Excess Supply Rule: Normally, in the clock auction format, the bidding system will not allow a bidder to reduce the quantity of blocks it demands in an individual county if the reduction would result in aggregate demand falling below (or further below) the available supply of blocks in the county. Under this proposed modification, for CMA-level bids, if there is excess demand in at least one county of the CMA at the time a CMA-level bid to reduce demand is processed, then a reduction of one block would be applied even if that creates excess supply in other counties of the CMA. Once the first unit of a CMA-level bid to reduce demand has been applied, the “no excess supply” rule then would be in effect for any further reduction requested in that bidder’s CMA-level bid that has not yet been applied. CMA-level bids to reduce demand would only be allowed at the lowest price associated with the round (the start-of-round price).

There are many other aspects of the auction process on which the FCC seeks comment. Carriers interested in participating should contact the firm for more information.

Additionally, the FCC issued a Public Notice announcing that a guide that provides technical and mathematical detail regarding the proposed bidding procedures for Auction 105 is now available. The guide, which is entitled Auction 105 Technical Guide, is available on the FCC’s Auction 105 website (www.fcc.gov/auction/105) in the Education section, where it will remain available and accessible for reference.

BloostonLaw Contacts: John Prendergast and Cary Mitchell.

Law & Regulation

FCC Extends White Spaces Push Notification Requirement Waiver

On September 25, the FCC adopted an Order extending a waiver of the push notification requirements for fixed and Mode II personal/portable white space devices and white space databases. The waiver, which was due to expire on September 30, has been extended through March 31, 2020.

On August 11, 2015, the FCC adopted new and modified rules for white space devices and unlicensed wireless microphones that operate in the TV bands and 600 MHz Band, and for white space devices that operate in channel 37. It also made changes to the rules for white space databases and adopted transition rules specifying dates by which white space devices, white space databases, and unlicensed wireless microphones must comply with the new requirements. To prevent interference to protected services, including licensed wireless microphones, certain white space devices are required to check a database at least once a day to obtain a list of available channels at their operating location.

Several parties filed petitions for reconsideration of the push notification requirements adopted by the FCC, arguing that there are a number of difficulties in implementing them. Given the complexity of the issues, the FCC determined that there was good cause to grant a waiver of the requirements. Because the petitions for reconsideration remain under active consideration, the FCC held that reasons supporting the original waiver remain valid and a further time extension is warranted.

BloostonLaw Contact: John Prendergast.

Comments on LPFM Technical Rules NPRM Due October 21

On September 27, the FCC issued a Public Notice announcing the comment and reply comment deadlines of its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in MB Docket No. 19-193, In the Matter of Amendments of Parts 73 and 74 to Improve the Low Power FM Radio Service Technical Rules, originally released on July 30. Comments are due October 21 and reply comments are due November 4.

As we reported in a previous edition of the BloostonLaw Telecom Update, the rule changes proposed in the NPRM would, if adopted, revise the technical rules in four main ways: (1) Allowing LPFM use of directional antennas to avoid interference to other FM stations; (2) Setting a July 13, 2021 sunset date for a current requirement that FM stations protect adjacent television stations operating on TV channel 6; (3) providing LPFM stations with greater flexibility to relocate their transmitter sites by providing applicants with an additional way to demonstrate that a proposed change is “minor;” and (4) permitting retransmission of LPFM signals over FM booster stations.

The FCC’s goals in implementing these proposals is to “improve LPFM reception and increase flexibility in transmitter siting while maintaining interference protection and the core LPFM goals of diversity and localism.” According to the FCC, the “highly simplified engineering requirements adopted” when LPFM was created almost 20 years ago “do not provide LPFM applicants with transmission and siting options available to other broadcast stations.”

BloostonLaw Contacts: John Prendergast and Cary Mitchell.

Comments on Fully-Electronic ULS Filings Due October 30

On September 30, the FCC published in the Federal Register its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking comment on modernizing its legacy filing, communications, and information retention systems by improving electronic access to data and digitizing FCC communications. Comments are due October 30, and reply comments are due November 14.

As we reported in a previous edition of the BloostonLaw Telecom Update, this NPRM proposes to make all filings to the Universal Licensing System (ULS) completely electronic; expand electronic filing and correspondence elements for related systems; and require applicants to provide an email address on the FCC Forms related to these systems. This NPRM also seeks comment on additional rule changes that would further expand the use of electronic filing and electronic service. An e-mail address requirement could raise issues if the FCC uses e-mail as an official means of communicating with licensees (versus a non-binding courtesy message). Domain names change, viruses affect e-mail reliability, and there is a need to constantly upgrade or even change security programs in the face of increasingly sophisticated malware/ransomware threats. Any of these events could cause a message from the FCC to fail, or get caught in a spam filter. If it is an official communications, a failure to respond could lead to fines and other consequences to the applicant or licensee.

Currently, all ULS filings are required to be made electronically except: (i) Part 90 Private Land Mobile Radio services for shared spectrum, spectrum in the public safety pool below 746 MHz, and spectrum in the public safety allocation above 746 MHz, except those filed by FCC-certified frequency coordinators; (ii) Part 97 Amateur Radios Service, except those filed by Volunteer Examination Coordinators; (iii) Part 95 General Mobile Service and Personal Radio Service, excluding 218-219 MHz service; (iv) Part 80 Maritime Services, excluding VHF 156-162 MHz Public Coast Stations; (v) Part 87 Aviation Services; (vi) Part 13 Commercial Radio Operators (individual applicants only); and (vii) certain Part 101 licensees that also fall under the exempted groups. 47 CFR 1.913(d)(1)(i)-(vii).

BloostonLaw Contacts: John Prendergast and Richard Rubino.

Industry

Fiber Broadband Association Releases Study on CAF Auction Weights

On September 20, the Fiber Broadband Association — an all-fiber trade association whose membership includes Cincinnati Bell, Google Fiber, Nokia, T-Mobile, and Verizon Fios — published a study arguing that the weighting methodology used in the FCC’s Connect America Fund (CAF) Phase II auction “penalized high- performance broadband providers and failed to account for the full socio-economic benefits of these networks.” The study includes recommendations for new weights for future FCC auctions “to reflect the benefits of high- performance networks and encourage participation from gigabit providers.”

According to the Association, the study reportedly concludes that:

• Despite the rapidly growing demand for high-speed connectivity, the weights used by the FCC in its CAF Phase II Auction 903 did not encourage meaningful participation by providers offering gigabit services. Few areas saw gigabit bids, and no areas saw bids from more than 3-gigabit providers.
• The auction also failed to take into account tangible socioeconomic benefits produced by different access technologies such as telecommuting, remote health and learning, e-commerce, and video streaming. For instance, satellite connections are slower and high-latency and are therefore inadequate for many use cases — but the FCC’s methodology failed to reflect this.
• Because the auction did not maximize participation from high-performance providers and did not account for the differences in consumer benefits between various technologies, it did not distribute support most cost-effectively.
• To determine weights in future auctions, the FCC should use a bottom-up methodology that accounts for the benefits brought on by access service tier and latency — and should adopt weights that provide at least a 70% spread between the gigabit and baseline, low latency tiers.

The full study is only available to members of the association, but it is likely the study’s conclusions would favor its large members over the interests of small and rural carriers.

Deadlines

OCTOBER 15: 911 RELIABILITY CERTIFICATION. Covered 911 Service Providers, which are defined as entities that “[p]rovide[] 911, E911, or NG911 capabilities such as call routing, automatic location information (ALI), automatic number identification (ANI), or the functional equivalent of those capabilities, directly to a public safety answering point (PSAP), statewide default answering point, or appropriate local emergency authority,” or that “[o]perate[] one or more central offices that directly serve a PSAP,” are required certify that they have taken reasonable measures to provide reliable 911 service with respect to three substantive requirements: (i) 911 circuit diversity; (ii) central office backup power; and (iii) diverse network monitoring by October 15. Certifications must be made through the FCC’s portal.

BloostonLaw Contacts: Gerry Duffy and Sal Taillefer.

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

BloostonLaw Contacts: Gerry Duffy and Sal Taillefer.

Calendar At-a-Glance

October
Oct. 3 – HAC Certification Due.
Oct. 8 – Comments on Enhanced Transit Location System Request for Waiver are due.
Oct. 10 – Reply comments are due on Wireless Facilities Siting Fees Petition for Declaratory Ruling.
Oct. 15 – Comments are due on Petitions for Declaratory Ruling/Clarification of Tower Siting Rules.
Oct. 15 – Comments are due on Carriage Election FNPRM.
Oct. 15 – 911 Reliability Certification.
Oct. 21 – Reply comments are due on Rural Digital Opportunity Fund.
Oct. 21 – Comments on LPFM Technical Rules are due.
Oct. 28 – Comments are due on Auction 105 Bidding Procedures.
Oct. 30 – Comments are due on Petitions for Declaratory Ruling/Clarification of Tower Siting Rules.
Oct. 30 – Comments are due on Electronic Filing Requirements for ULS.

November
Nov. 1 – FCC Form 499-Q (Quarterly Telecommunications Reporting Worksheet) is due.
Nov. 1 – FCC Form 323 and 323-E filing window opens.
Nov. 4 – Reply comments are due in EEO Improvement NPRM.
Nov. 4 – Reply comments on LPFM Technical Rules are due.
Nov. 12 – Reply comments are due on Auction 105 Bidding Procedures.
Nov. 14 – Reply comments are due on Electronic Filing Requirements for ULS.
Nov. 30 – Enhanced Geo-Targeting and Point-of-Sale Disclosure requirements are effective for WEA.

December
Dec. 1 – FCC Form 323 and 323-E are due.

“That's Amore”

Hetty and the Jazzato Band

Hetty and the Jazzato Band Hetty and the Jazzato Band are a young, talented and versatile Anglo-Italian Jazz Quintet, bringing you a taste of the 'Dolce Vita' with their modern twist on vintage, classic Italian songs, gypsy-jazz, swing and jazz standards. Let the band take you on a Vespa ride back to retro bella Italia with a mix of Italian swing favourites like 'Volare' and 'That’s Amore' intertwined with rustic Roman Stornelli, romantic Neapolitan ballads, enticing bossa nova and samba rhythms along with foot-tapping rock n' roll and boogie-woogie.

[P.S. the way I choose a new weekly music video for the newsletter is to browse the popular videos on YouTube and when one makes the hair stand up on the back of my neck, I choose it. Some of our readers have told me that they share my taste in music. It is usually in the class that I call "informal" although this one is not on the street.]

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Brad Dye
P.O. Box 266
Fairfield, IL 62837 USA

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• ex KN9IQY, KN4BK, KM5NK, WB4JCF, ZP5TQ, WA4VXU, WA9RVL, /TI2, /9Y4, /6Y5, /KP4, HH2FJ
• Licensed FCC Amateur Radio operator since 1957
• Licensed FCC First-Class-Commercial Operator/Engineer since 1964