| Wireless News Aggregation |
|
Welcome Back To
The Wireless
|
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.
HELP SUPPORT THE NEWSLETTER These are uncertain times.
|
||||||||||||
|
|
|
Subscribe Here IT'S FREE * required field
|
|
|
Advertiser Index
|
Service Monitors and Frequency Standards for Sale
(Images are typical units, not actual photos of items offered for sale here.)
|
Passive Audio Amps For Smart Phones
Buy An Amp todayOh come on they are cool.These are acoustic amplifiers for smartphones. They don't need electric power to operate and there are no moving parts. They work like a megaphone (speaking-trumpet, bullhorn, or loudhailer). Everyone that I have shown one to has said something like “Wow, I want one of those!” So I have built a few of them. Of course there are more “Hi-Fi” ways to listen to audio on your smartphone but who would want to plug an elegant smartphone into some cheap, plastic gadget? Or even use Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, which are a pain in the neck to set up, even on a smartphone. These have been made with hardwood bases and some of them are exotic hardwoods with interesting grain patterns. The horns are polished brass — made from mostly old horns that had rubber bulbs on the ends and were used in “times gone by” by taxis and even clowns in circuses. These horns have been re-purposed, reshaped, soldered, and polished. They horns are now on display and for sale at:
The two large horns — the trombone and the gramophone — are difficult to pack and ship to they are for local pickup only. The remainder can be sent to you. I have the cowboy horn and the rest are in stock at the Colorado coffee shop. Please call for pricing and availability or stop in for a demo and a great cup of espresso. P.S. Allan, Virginia and I worked together at WebLink Wireless in Dallas. |
||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Leavitt Communications |
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The iPhone 12 feature that could help convince millions of people to upgrade their phones By Clare Duffy, CNN Business
New York (CNN Business) — Apple has long been expected to debut a batch of 5G-enabled iPhones this fall. Now it appears all of the company's new phone releases this year may be able to connect to the next generation of super-fast wireless networks, according to Wedbush analyst Dan Ives. That's a significant milestone that could help convince millions of people to upgrade their smartphones. 5G could make the iPhone 12 a must-have product. "We previously were [expecting] 4 models with a mix of 4G/5G for the iPhone 12 unveil, however now based on supply chain checks we are expecting ONLY 5G models for the Fall launch," Ives wrote in an investor note Sunday evening. Apple did not respond to a request for comment on this story. Although the projection is not a certainty, it would be a smart move for Apple (AAPL), driving big demand for the new iPhones as the company continues its march toward a $2 trillion market cap. In recent years, consumers have been waiting longer between smartphone upgrades — a trend that could be exacerbated by the economic crisis sparked by the coronavirus pandemic. The biggest risk to new device sales is if "high unemployment and wage deflation continues," according to Synovus Trust Company Senior Portfolio Manager Daniel Morgan. But analysts largely expect the 5G iPhone to generate a "super cycle" of consumers buying new devices. Ives said he estimates roughly 350 million of the total 950 million iPhones on the market could be upgraded within the next year to 18 months. "We believe iPhone 12 represents the most significant product cycle for (Apple CEO Tim) Cook & Co. since iPhone 6 in 2014 and will be another defining chapter in the Apple growth story looking ahead despite a softer consumer spending environment," Ives said, adding that he believes many on Wall Street are "underestimating the massive pent-up demand around this super cycle for Apple." Apple's strong earnings in the June quarter indicate it could withstand the pressures of the economic crisis, Morgan said. And Ives predicts a lower priced, next generation 4G model will hit the market early next year, which would be a potential opportunity to reel in consumers unable or unwilling to shell out for a 5G phone. Making a 5G-connected iPhone could improve the consumer experience for Apple's digital services, like Apple TV+. Though iPhones have long been Apple's biggest sales driver, the company is increasingly reliant on services to diversify its sales: Overall services revenue hit a record $13.2 billion in the June quarter, boosted by the pandemic-fueled shift in habits. Apple is somewhat late to the 5G phone game. The 5G iPhone will join a growing slate of phones on the market built to connect to the next generation network, including models from Motorola (MSI), Samsung (SSNLF), Huawei, LG and others. Samsung, one of Apple's fiercest smartphone competitors, in January boasted that it held more than half of the global market share for 5G phones. And last week, Samsung unveiled its latest flagship smartphone, the Galaxy Note 20, which comes with 5G capability and an ecosystem of interconnected gadgets. "But with Apple, it's such a loyal ecosystem," Morgan said, which means its customers have likely been holding out for Apple's 5G offering. Adoption of 5G phones is likely to accelerate as the rollout of the new network expands — consumers need a 5G-enabled phone to connect to the new network and take advantage of its benefits — and more features are built on top of it. T-Mobile (TMUS) and AT&T (T) have both announced their 5G networks are available nationwide in the United States and Verizon (VZ) continues to build out high-speed 5G capabilities in cities throughout the country. China, a key market for iPhones, has also invested heavily in its 5G networks. Ives said he expects Apple will release US and non-US versions of the 5G iPhone. He predicts the US version will able to connect to the fastest 5G networks — built with "mmWave" spectrum — "after some technology wrinkles appear to have been ironed out by Apple and its suppliers, which is a clear positive heading into this pivotal launch." He also predicts the new iPhones will go on sale in October. Apple last month said that while new iPhones typically go on sale in September, this year the company expects supply "to be available a few weeks later" because of the pandemic. |
| Source: |
|
|||||||||||||||
|
12 Aug 2020 | 16:00 GMT China Launches Beidou, Its Own Version of GPSChina places the final Beidou navigation system satellite into orbitBy Andrew Jones
The stable signals of 13 Beidou satellites can be searched by using the test software. The software displays 13 US GPS satellites, 6 Russian GLONASS satellites and 1 Japanese positioning satellite. Shanghai, China, June 25, 2020. Advertisement Editor's Picks Photo of Bradford W. Parkinson. Why Your GPS Receiver Isn’t Bigger Than a Breadbox null China: The Next Space Superpower Illustration of two ships near iceberg Protecting GPS From Spoofers Is Critical to the Future of Navigation The final satellite needed to complete China’s own navigation and positioning satellite system has passed final on-orbit tests. The completed independent system provides military and commercial value while also facilitating new technologies and services. The Beidou was launched on a Long March 3B rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in a hilly region of Sichuan province at 01:43 UTC on Tuesday, 23 June. The satellite was sent into a geosynchronous transfer orbit before entering an orbital slot approximately 35,786 kilometers in altitude which keeps it at a fixed point above the Earth. Like GPS, the main, initial motivation for Beidou was military. The People’s Liberation Army did not want to be dependent on GPS for accurate positioning data of military units and weapons guidance, as the U.S. Air Force could switch off open GPS signals in the event of conflict. As with GPS, Beidou also provides and facilitates a range of civilian and commercial services and activities, with an output value of $48.5 billion in 2019.
Twenty four satellites in medium Earth orbits (at around 21,500 kilometers above the Earth) provide positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) services. The satellites use rubidium and hydrogen atomic clocks for highly-accurate timing that allows precise measurement of speed and location. Additionally, thanks to a number of satellites in geosynchronous orbits, Beidou provides a short messaging service through which 120-character messages can be sent to other Beidou receivers. Beidou also aids international search and rescue services. Vessels at sea will be able to seek help from nearby ships in case of emergency despite no cellphone signal. The Beidou satellite network is also testing inter-satellite links, removing reliance on ground stations for communications across the system. Beidou joins the United States’ GPS and Russia’s GLONASS in providing global PNT services, with Europe’s Galileo soon to follow. These are all compatible and interoperable, meaning users can draw services from all of these to improve accuracy. “The BeiDou-3 constellation transmits a civil signal that was designed to be interoperable with civil signals broadcast by Galileo, GPS III, and a future version of GLONASS. This means that civil users around the world will eventually be getting the same signal from more than 100 satellites across all these different constellations, greatly increasing availability, accuracy, and resilience,” says Brian Weeden, Director of Program Planning for Secure World Foundation. “This common signal is the result of international negotiations that have been going on since the mid-2000s within the International Committee of GNSS (ICG).” The rollout of Beidou has taken two decades. The first Beidou satellites were launched in 2000, providing coverage to China. Second generation Beidou-2 satellites provided coverage for the Asia-Pacific region starting in 2012. Deployment of Beidou-3 satellites began in 2015, with Tuesday’s launch being the 30th such satellite. But this is far from the end of the line. China wants to establish a ‘ubiquitous, integrated and intelligent and comprehensive’ national PNT system, with Beidou as its core, by 2035, according to a white paper. Chinese aerospace firms are also planning satellite constellations in low Earth orbit to augment the Beidou signal, improving accuracy while facilitating high-speed data transmission. Geely, an automotive giant, is now also planning its own constellation to improve accuracy for autonomous driving. Although the space segment is complete, China still has work to do on the ground to make full use of Beidou, according to Weeden. “It's not just enough to launch the satellites; you also have to roll out the ground terminals and get them integrated into everything you want to make use of the system. Doing so is often much harder and takes much longer than putting up the satellites. “So, for the Chinese military to make use of the military signals offered by BeiDou-3, they need to install compatible receivers into every plane, tank, ship, bomb, and backpack. That will take a lot of time and effort,” Weeden states. With the rollout of Beidou satellites complete, inhabitants downrange of Xichang will be spared any further disruption and possible harm. Long March 3B launches of Beidou satellites frequently see spent rocket stages fall near or on inhabited areas. Eighteen such launches have been carried out since 2018. The areas calculated to be under threat from falling boosters were evacuated ahead of time for safety. Warnings about residual toxic hypergolic propellant were also issued. But close calls and damage to property were all too common.
|
| Source: | IEEE Spectrum |
|
Paging Transmitters 150/900 MHz The RFI High Performance Paging Transmitter is designed for use in campus, city, state and country-wide paging systems. Designed for use where reliable simulcast systems where RF signal overlap coverage is critical.
Built-in custom interface for Prism-IPX ipBSC Base Controller for remote control, management and alarm reporting.
Prism-IPX Systems LLC.
11175 Cicero Dr., Alpharetta, GA 30022
|
The Wireless Messaging News
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
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.
|
|||||||||||||||
Perseid Meteor Shower
Christy Turner captured this image on August 13, 2020. She said: “An amazingly clear night in the Kananaskis, Alberta [Canada] area, as this well-timed fireball reflected off Barrier Lake.” |
| Source: | EarthSky |
|
|
| SALCOM |
|
|
|
| PRISM IPX Systems |
|
| Easy Solutions |
|
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.
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
Easy Solutions |
GLENAYRE INFRASTRUCTUREI would like to recommend Easy Solutions for Support of all Glenayre Paging Equipment. This Texas company is owned and operated by Vaughan Bowden. I have known Vaughan for over 35 years. Without going into a long list of his experience and qualifications, let me just say that he was the V.P. of Engineering at PageNet which was—at that time—the largest paging company in the world. So Vaughan knows Paging. GTES is no longer offering support contracts. GTES was the original group from Vancouver that was setup to offer support to customers that wanted to continue with the legacy Glenayre support. Many U.S. customers chose not to use this service because of the price and the original requirement to upgrade to version 8.0 software (which required expensive hardware upgrades, etc.). Most contracts ended as of February 2018. If you are at all concerned about future support of Glenayre products, especially the “king of the hill” the GL3000 paging control terminal, I encourage you to talk to Vaughan about a service contract and please tell him about my recommendation.
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
Prism-IPX Systems LLC.
11175 Cicero Dr., Alpharetta, GA 30022 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
How 5G antennas will get built near youCNET Now What looks at the hurdles in the way of getting 5G networks fully in place.Brian Cooley Aug. 13, 2020 5:00 a.m. PT
5G is here, but it won't really flourish on next-generation phones and 5G connected cars until the network is built out. That physical network will be more vast and dense than that which powers current networks. It'll also cost as much as $750 billion worldwide over the next five years. Yet it comes at a time of unparalleled economic challenges that put every major project under harsh scrutiny. Now what? "This is the biggest infrastructure project after the interstate highway system," says Sean Shahini, CEO of Inorsa, an engineering startup that focuses on lean, fast 5G network site builds. Those sites aren't just retrofits of existing 4G towers: Some will proceed easily, but "the range of (most of) our antennas is way less than with 4G, so instead of building 100 antennas, for example, to cover Manhattan, we have to build 5,000 to 20,000 antennas," says Shahini. The reason 5G needs so many cellular antennas, or "small cells", is because it often uses higher frequency radio waves that have vast data capacity, but short range. Those high-frequency waves are also less likely to bend around buildings and obstacles than 4G signals, adding to the number of small cells needed to cover dense cities.
The other hurdle is what's behind those thousands of antennas. "The biggest piece is power and fiber, and it's not like one solution fits all," Shahini says, describing the challenge of pulling electrical wiring and high-speed fiber to thousands of cells. 5G technology also tends to use a mini data center at cell sites, capitalizing on 5G's low latency rather than sending all packets to remote servers. Once the cell is technically planned, it must also pass visual muster in the community. "A typical 5G antenna would be 2.5 feet tall and about 1.5 feet wide," says Shahini. "After a while people get used to what they look like or they are just very hard to see." That may be wishful thinking if a city is receiving 20,000 antennas the size of a movie poster at a time when opposition to 5G's presence has inspired some vigorous opposition. Inorsa CEO Sean Shahini shared many more insights into the 5G build-out of. Hear his entire conversation with CNET's Brian Cooley in the video above. |
| Source: | c|net |
|
Paging Data Receiver PDR-4 The PDR-4 is a multi-function paging data receiver that decodes paging messages and outputs them via the serial port, USB or Ethernet connectors. Designed for use with Prism-IPX ECHO software Message Logging Software to receive messages and log the information for proof of transmission over the air, and if the data was error free.
Prism-IPX Systems LLC.
11175 Cicero Dr., Alpharetta, GA 30022 |
Wireless Network Planners
|
|||||||||||
|
Aug 14, 2020,09:39am EDT Apple’s Radical iPhone 12 Upgrade Suddenly ConfirmedGordon Kelly, Senior Contributor 08/14 Update below. This post was originally published on August 11 With recent iPhone 12 leaks being considerably more bad than good, tension was mounting over how Apple’s new models would stand out. Now we know.
The iPhone 12 range is not just going to be fast, it’s going to blow the rest of the industry away, according to new information provided by prolific industry insider Komiya. The tipster reveals Apple’s new A14 chipset inside the range will offer CPU and GPU gains of 40% and 50% respectively. That equates to a multi-generational increase on the iPhone’s A13, which is already the fastest smartphone chipset on the market. 08/13 Update: fellow Apple leaker iHacktu has directly countered Komiya’s A14 performance claim, saying the chipset will see a CPU gain of circa 30% and a GPU boost of 38%. While smaller, these numbers would still represent the biggest generational performance leap in years and the chipset is also expected to be significantly more power efficient. Much of the hype for the A14 centers on its 5nm manufacturing process (details below) and the iPhone 12 lineup will be the first smartphones to debut it. Which leaker is right? Differing benchmarks and levels of software optimization mean both could be under different scenarios. Either way, the A14 is going to massively extend Apple’s already commanding lead in smartphone performance. 08/14 Update: new iPhone 12 design details have leaked with reports that Apple will swap out the stainless steel chassis used by the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max for ‘aerospace aluminum’ in the new Pro models. The new material is allegedly more durable and more resistant to hot and cold temperatures. This latter ability is more likely aimed at optimizing performance of the ballistic new A14 chipset function, than Apple designing the new phones specifically for improved use in deserts and poles! I have some skepticism about this change, given such a material change would usually leak a lot sooner than this. That said, with the iPhone 11 Pro Max already weighing 226g (7.97 oz) and the iPhone 12 Pro Max set to get even larger, weight saving measures may be necessary. Furthermore, this makes sense. Last month, popular YouTuber Filip Koroy (aka EverythingApplePro) revealed the A14 would deliver a massive performance upgrade to compete with what the iPhone 8’s A11 chip achieved over the iPhone 7’s A10. That was a game-changing leap, with the A11 offering 70% improved multitasking performance but, even then, its high performance CPU and GPU cores were just 25% and 30% faster. Meanwhile, back in January, the iPhone 12 was tipped to outpace the MacBook Pro.
So, compared to more modest recent gains (A13 20%, A12 15%), how has Apple suddenly leapt forward again? The big enabler is the A14’s move from a 7nm to 5nm manufacturing process. This means more transistors in the same space (Koroy says 15 billion Vs 8.5 billion on the A13), as well as increased power efficiency. The latter of which would explain the iPhone 12 lineup’s surprisingly small batteries. But is speed a big selling point? I think so. While plans for so-called Apple Silicon in Macs and MacBooks is exciting news, the real appeal of its ever improving presence in iPhones is longevity. Consequently, while more obvious crowd pleasing upgrades have hit the rocks, the A14 has the potential to make the iPhone 12 line-up some of the most future proof smartphones in history. During this turbulent time, that might just be the most pleasing crowd pleasing upgrade of them all. |
| Source: | Forbes |
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
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 WHAT IS 5G? 5G is the next generation of wireless networks and promises a mobile experience that's 10x to 100x faster than today's 4G networks. We say the word promise because we're in the early days of 5G. When more smartphones and networks support 5G tech, it will have far-reaching consequences for consumers, from the cars we drive (or that drive us) to the food we eat to the safety of our roads to the ways we shop to the entertainment we share with family and friends. And that doesn't include things we haven't yet imagined because we've never had the capability to unlock those new scenarios. Today, 5G may seem confusing even as it's widely hyped. We're here to help you sort fact from fiction, weed through the acronyms and jargon, and figure out when and how 5G can change the way you live. And we'll keep you from getting caught up in hyperbole — and empty promises. [ source ] |
Remote AB Switches ABX-1 switches are often used at remote transmitter sites to convert from old, outdated and unsupported controllers to the new modern Prism-IPX ipBSC base station controllers. Remotely switch to new controllers with GUI commands. ABX-1
ABX-3 switches are widely used for enabling or disabling remote equipment and switching I/O connections between redundant messaging systems. ABX-3
Common Features:
Prism-IPX Systems LLC.
11175 Cicero Dr., Alpharetta, GA 30022 |
| Leavitt Communications |
|
|||||||
| Inside Towers Newsletter |
|
9th Circuit Court Ruling Called a “Grand Slam” For IndustryA federal appeals court today upheld the 2018 decision by the FCC to cap fees for wireless carriers to deploy "small cells" essential to the adoption of next-generation 5G networks according to Reuters. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals largely upheld the three orders the FCC adopted in 2018 to speed 5G deployments, despite objections from dozens of U.S. cities. The decision is seen as a win for wireless carriers by industry trade associations. AT&T said in 2018, that excessive fees sought by Portland were preventing it from deploying 5G small cells in the city. The Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA) said they applauded the 9th Circuit’s decision today that supports broadband deployment across the country by upholding all three of the major FCC’s 2018 Orders. “This decision is a grand slam for promoting 5G deployment across the country. It removes obstacles to broadband deployment and eliminates unnecessary delays,” said WIA President and CEO Jonathan Adelstein. “WIA applauds the 9th Circuit for basing its decision on the law and the facts and for affirming the FCC’s authority so that broadband infrastructure is not unreasonably impeded. WIA also applauds the FCC for its focus and diligence in promoting 5G deployment so that America can benefit from next-generation wireless services. The 2018 Orders and now this decision will provide a clearer path to 5G deployment across the country and boost America’s efforts to win the race to 5G." The decision supports broadband deployment by preventing siting rules that would prohibit connectivity across the country and by providing greater access for fiber providers, increasing efficiency through One Touch Make-Ready. |
| Source: | Inside Towers newsletter |
Courtesy of the editor of
Inside Towers
Jim Fryer.
Inside Towers is a daily newsletter by subscription. |
| BloostonLaw Newsletter |
Special EditionFCC Adopts Auction 107 Procedures; Applications Due September 22At yesterday’s Open Meeting, the FCC adopted procedures for the auction of new flexible-use overlay licenses in the 3.7–3.98 GHz band (Auction 107) for 5G, the Internet of Things, and other advanced wireless services. (AU Docket No. 20-25). According to the public draft of the Public Notice that was released last month, applications are due September 22, 2020. The key dates in the public draft are:
According to the public draft, Auction 107 will use clock phase categories for each Partial Economic Area (PEA), which will be determined based on the specific clearing deadline to which incumbent earth stations are subject, i.e., Phase I or Phase II. In the 46 PEAs where certain blocks are subject to the Phase I deadline, there will be two categories of generic blocks: Category A consisting of the five 20-megahertz sub-blocks between 3.7–3.8 GHz that are subject to the Phase I deadline, and Category BC consisting of the nine sub-blocks between 3.8–3.98 GHz that are subject to the Phase II deadline. In the remaining 360 PEAs where there are no blocks subject to the Phase I deadline, there will be a single bidding category, Category ABC, consisting of all fourteen 20-megahertz blocks between 3.7–3.98 GHz. Auction 107’s clock phase will allow bidding on generic blocks in each PEA in successive clock bidding rounds, followed by an assignment phase that will allow bidding for frequency-specific license assignments. This assignment phase will allow for interim and final frequency-specific assignments of contiguous blocks within each PEA. There will be bidding credit caps of $25 million for small businesses and $10 million for rural service providers, as well as a $10 million cap on the overall amount of bidding credits that a small business bidder may apply to winning licenses in smaller markets. We expect that the final version of the Public Notice, as adopted yesterday, will not deviate from the public draft information above. We will review the final version as soon it becomes available and make note of any changes in the next edition of the BloostonLaw Telecom Update. Carriers with questions about Auction 107 or with interest in participating may contact the firm for more information. BloostonLaw Contacts: John Prendergast and Cary Mitchell. Deadlines DeadlinesAUGUST 1: FCC FORM 502, NUMBER UTILIZATION AND FORECAST REPORT: Any wireless or wireline carrier (including paging companies) that have received number blocks—including 100, 1,000, or 10,000 number blocks—from the North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA), a Pooling Administrator, or from another carrier, must file Form 502 by August 1. Carriers porting numbers for the purpose of transferring an established customer’s service to another service provider must also report, but the carrier receiving numbers through porting does not. Resold services should also be treated like ported numbers, meaning the carrier transferring the resold service to another carrier is required to report those numbers but the carrier receiving such numbers should not report them. Reporting carriers file utilization and forecast reports semiannually on or before February 1 for the preceding six-month reporting period ending December 31, and on or before August 1 for the preceding six-month reporting period ending June 30. BloostonLaw Contacts: Ben Dickens and Gerry Duffy. AUGUST 1: Live 911 Call Data Reports – Non-Nationwide Providers that do not provide coverage in any of the Test Cities must collect and report aggregate data based on the largest county within its footprint to APCO, NENA, and NASNA on the location technologies used for live 911 calls in those areas. Clients should obtain spreadsheets with their company’s compliance data from their E911 service provider (e.g., Intrado / West). BloostonLaw Contact: Cary Mitchell. AUGUST 29: COPYRIGHT STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS. The Copyright Statement of Accounts form plus royalty payment for the first half of year is due to be filed August 29 at the Library of Congress’ Copyright Office by cable TV service providers. BloostonLaw contact: Gerry Duffy. SEPTEMBER 1: FCC FORM 477, LOCAL COMPETITION AND BROADBAND REPORTING FORM. Three types of entities must file this form.
BloostonLaw Contacts: Ben Dickens and Gerry Duffy. SEPTEMBER 30: FCC FORM 396-C, MVPD EEO PROGRAM REPORTING FORM. Each year on September 30, multi-channel video program distributors (“MVPDs”) must file with the FCC an FCC Form 396-C, Multi- Channel Video Programming Distributor EEO Program Annual Report, for employment units with six or more full-time employees. Users must access the FCC’s electronic filing system via the Internet in order to submit the form; it will not be accepted if filed on paper unless accompanied by an appropriate request for waiver of the electronic filing requirement. Certain MVPDs also will be required to complete portions of the Supplemental Investigation Sheet (“SIS”) located at the end of the Form. These MVPDs are specifically identified in a Public Notice each year by the FCC. BloostonLaw Contacts: Gerry Duffy and Sal Taillefer. OCTOBER 15: 911 RELIABILITY CERTIFICATION. Covered 911 Service Providers, which are defined as entities that “[p]rovide[] 911, E911, or NG911 capabilities such as call routing, automatic location information (ALI), automatic number identification (ANI), or the functional equivalent of those capabilities, directly to a public safety answering point (PSAP), statewide default answering point, or appropriate local emergency authority,” or that “[o]perate[] one or more central offices that directly serve a PSAP,” are required certify that they have taken reasonable measures to provide reliable 911 service with respect to three substantive requirements: (i) 911 circuit diversity; (ii) central office backup power; and (iii) diverse network monitoring by October 15. Certifications must be made through the FCC’s portal. BloostonLaw Contacts: Mary Sisak and Sal Taillefer Calendar At-a-GlanceAugust September October
FCC Releases C-Band Auction Procedures Order; Short-Form Applications Due Sept. 22On August 7, the FCC released the text of its procedures Public Notice for the auction of new flexible-use overlay licenses in the 3.7–3.98 GHz band (Auction 107) for 5G, the Internet of Things, and other advanced wireless services. (AU Docket No. 20-25). The key dates listed in the public draft of the Public Notice, including the short-form application deadline of September 22 at 6:00 p.m. ET, as reported in last week’s Special Edition of the BloostonLaw Telecom Update, remain unchanged in the final text. Carriers interested in participating in Auction 107 may contact the firm for more information. BloostonLaw Contacts: Ben Dickens, Gerry Duffy, Mary Sisak, and Sal Taillefer. HeadlinesWhite House, Department of Defense Announce 3.45-3.55 GHz Band AvailabilityOn August 10, President Trump announced that 100 megahertz of contiguous, coast-to-coast mid-band spectrum will be made available for commercial 5G deployment. Specifically, the White House wrote that “[t]he American wireless industry will be able to build and operate 5G networks nationwide using the 3.45-3.55 GHz band.” The Department of Defense said it worked closely with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to devise a spectrum-sharing framework that supports the industry’s need for additional mid-band spectrum while protecting critical national security requirements. NTIA has been considering such a use for the spectrum in question since January of 2020. Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai issued the following statement on today’s announcement by the White House and Department of Defense that the 3.45-3.55 GHz band will be made available for next-generation, commercial wireless services:
BloostonLaw Contacts: Cary Mitchell and John Prendergast. FCC Reminds Broadcasters of Obligation to Make Televised Emergency Information AccessibleOn August 10, the FCC issued a Public Notice reminding video programming distributors (VPDs)—including broadcasters, cable operators, satellite television services, and “any other distributor of video programming for residential reception that delivers such programming directly to the home and is subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission” — of their obligation under the Commission’s rules to make televised emergency information accessible to persons with disabilities. To ensure access to emergency information by persons who are blind or visually impaired, emergency information provided in the video portion of a regularly scheduled newscast or a newscast that interrupts regular programming must be made accessible by aurally describing the emergency information in the main audio portion of the programming. When emergency information is conveyed visually during programming other than newscasts (e.g., through “crawling” or “scrolling” text during regular programming), an aural tone on the main audio stream must accompany the visual information. Additionally, such visual emergency information must be conveyed aurally in full at least twice through a secondary audio stream, preceded by an aural tone on that stream. Emergency information provided in the audio portion of programming also must be accessible to persons who are deaf or hard of hearing through closed captioning or other methods of visual presentation, including open captioning, crawls or scrolls that appear on the screen. Visual presentation of emergency information may not block any closed captioning, and closed captioning may not block any emergency information provided by crawls, scrolls, or other visual means. While not required by the Commission’s rules, VPDs and video programmers are encouraged to make emergency information accessible to people with cognitive disabilities, such as through using plain language and pictorial information. Emergency information is defined as “[i]nformation, about a current emergency, that is intended to further the protection of life, health, safety, and property, i.e., critical details regarding the emergency and how to respond to the emergency.” Examples of the types of emergencies covered by the rule include pandemics, tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, tidal waves, earthquakes, icing conditions, heavy snows, widespread fires, discharge of toxic gases, widespread power failures, industrial explosions, civil disorders, school closings and changes in school bus schedules resulting from such conditions, and warnings and watches of impending changes in weather. VPDs with questions about these obligations may contact the firm for more information. BloostonLaw Contact: Gerry Duffy and Sal Taillefer. Law and RegulationJustice Department Moves to Block California Net Neutrality LawOn August 5, Reuters reported that the U.S. Justice Department is seeking a preliminary injunction to block California from being able to enforce its net neutrality law, arguing that federal law preempts the state statute. Approximately two years ago, the California Internet Consumer Protection and Net Neutrality Act of 2018. It implemented many of the FCC’s own net neutrality rules, including prohibitions on blocking or slowing lawful traffic; zero-rating; and not being transparent about "network management practices, performance, and commercial terms." It also prohibited preventing users from using their own devices. Though signed into law, California agreed not to enforce its own state net neutrality law until a final court decision on the FCC’s repeal of net neutrality. As we reported in a previous edition of the BloostonLaw Telecom Update, in October 2019 the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit largely upheld the FCC’s repeal of its prior net neutrality order, remanding only three discrete issues for further consideration by the FCC: the impact of its order on public safety, pole attachment rules, and Lifeline support. However, it also found that the FCC’s express prohibition on state net neutrality laws was unlawful. Nevertheless, the Justice Department reportedly said that it still believes California’s net neutrality law is preempted by federal law. BloostonLaw Contacts: Ben Dickens, Mary Sisak, and Sal Taillefer. Comments on Supply Chain Proceeding Due August 31On August 10, the FCC published in the Federal Register its Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking taking further steps to integrate provisions of the recently enacted Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019 (Secure Networks Act) into its existing supply chain rulemaking proceeding. Comments are due August 31, 2020 and reply comments are due September 14, 2020. As we reported in a previous edition of the BloostonLaw Telecom Update, the FCC seeks comment on sections 2, 3, 5, and 7 of the Secure Networks Act, including on how these provisions interact with the ongoing efforts to secure the communications supply chain. Specifically, as required by section 2, the FCC proposes several processes by which to publish a list of covered communications equipment and services. Consistent with sections 3, 5, and 7 of the Secure Networks Act, the FCC proposes to (1) ban the use of federal subsidies for any equipment or services on the new list of covered communications equipment and services; (2) require that all providers of advanced communications service report whether they use any covered communications equipment and services; and (3) establish regulations to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse in the proposed reimbursement program to remove, replace, and dispose of insecure equipment. The FCC also seeks comment on the definition of two terms used throughout the Secure Networks Act. Specifically, the Act’s requirements apply to “communications equipment or service” and to providers of “advanced communications service.” The FCC proposes to include within this definition of “communications equipment or service[s]” all equipment or services used in fixed and mobile broadband networks, provided they include or use electronic components. The FCC also proposes to include within the definition of “advanced communications service” any connection at least 200 kbps in either direction. BloostonLaw Contacts: Mary Sisak and Sal Taillefer. IndustryChairman Pai Announces New FCC Staff Departures and ArrivalsOn August 7, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai announced two new additions to his office, three departures, and an expanded role for one of his current advisors. C. Sean Spivey is joining the Office of the Chairman as Wireless and International Advisor, replacing Aaron Goldberger, who is returning to the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau. Allison Baker is joining the Office of the Chairman as Economic Advisor. The Chairman’s current Rural Broadband Advisor Preston Wise is taking on an expanded portfolio as the new Wireline Advisor, replacing Nirali Patel, who is returning to the Wireline Competition Bureau. And Melissa Kirkel, who has been on detail in the Office of the Chairman as Special Counsel focusing on wireline issues, also is returning to the Wireline Competition Bureau. These changes will go into effect at the beginning of next week. “I continue to be impressed by the depth of talent we have at the FCC and the number of outstanding public servants who are willing to take on new challenges when asked to serve,” said Chairman Pai. “Sean is a highly esteemed telecommunications expert, and his proven track record of legal and policy work on complex wireless issues will be a great asset to our team. Allison is an outstanding economist, and I look forward to working closely with her to continue implementing policies that will promote investment, innovation, and competition. I’m also grateful to Preston for his willingness to take on an expanded role and continue his excellent work to expand broadband deployment in rural America.” Mr. Spivey is joining the Office of the Chairman from the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, where he has served as Legal and Policy Advisor to the Bureau Chief. Prior to that, he was a senior associate in the Washington, D.C. office of Hogan Lovells US LLP, where he focused on telecommunications matters. He also worked at the Competitive Carriers Association and a law firm in Houston, Texas. Ms. Baker is joining the Office of the Chairman from her position as Economic Advisor to the Chief of the FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau. She came to the FCC in 2012, working on data and economics projects in WCB’s Telecommunications Access Policy Division and in the FCC’s former Office of Strategic Planning & Policy Analysis. Mr. Wise has served in the Office of the Chairman since October 2018, most recently as Rural Broadband Advisor, after serving as an attorney-advisor in WCB’s Telecommunications Access Policy Division. Before joining the Commission in January 2017, he worked as an attorney for a firm in Bismarck, North Dakota. Ms. Kirkel has been detailed to the Office of the Chairman for the last two months and focused on wireline issues, primarily establishing 988 as a nationwide three-digit number to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and toll-free access charge reform. She has been with the FCC for more than a decade, originally joining through the Attorney Honors Program. DeadlinesAUGUST 29: COPYRIGHT STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS. The Copyright Statement of Accounts form plus royalty payment for the first half of year is due to be filed August 29 at the Library of Congress’ Copyright Office by cable TV service providers. BloostonLaw contact: Gerry Duffy. SEPTEMBER 1: FCC FORM 477, LOCAL COMPETITION AND BROADBAND REPORTING FORM. Three types of entities must file this form.
BloostonLaw Contacts: Ben Dickens and Gerry Duffy. SEPTEMBER 30: FCC FORM 396-C, MVPD EEO PROGRAM REPORTING FORM. Each year on September 30, multi-channel video program distributors (“MVPDs”) must file with the FCC an FCC Form 396-C, Multi- Channel Video Programming Distributor EEO Program Annual Report, for employment units with six or more full-time employees. Users must access the FCC’s electronic filing system via the Internet in order to submit the form; it will not be accepted if filed on paper unless accompanied by an appropriate request for waiver of the electronic filing requirement. Certain MVPDs also will be required to complete portions of the Supplemental Investigation Sheet (“SIS”) located at the end of the Form. These MVPDs are specifically identified in a Public Notice each year by the FCC. BloostonLaw Contacts: Gerry Duffy and Sal Taillefer. OCTOBER 15: 911 RELIABILITY CERTIFICATION. Covered 911 Service Providers, which are defined as entities that “[p]rovide[] 911, E911, or NG911 capabilities such as call routing, automatic location information (ALI), automatic number identification (ANI), or the functional equivalent of those capabilities, directly to a public safety answering point (PSAP), statewide default answering point, or appropriate local emergency authority,” or that “[o]perate[] one or more central offices that directly serve a PSAP,” are required certify that they have taken reasonable measures to provide reliable 911 service with respect to three substantive requirements: (i) 911 circuit diversity; (ii) central office backup power; and (iii) diverse network monitoring by October 15. Certifications must be made through the FCC’s portal. BloostonLaw Contacts: Mary Sisak and Sal Taillefer. Calendar At-a-GlanceAugust September October
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||
| LETTERS TO THE EDITOR |
Brad: Glad you are staying well. Keep it up. The newsletter is a GEM. Will you please let your readers know I have 6 Sonic PTX150 VHF paging transmitters available. They are 100 watt, POCSAG/FLEX™ capable and covers 138-174 MHz. Power cords are included. They were removed WORKING from a county paging system and are guaranteed by me. $1,425.00 each. Phil
Please contact Phil directly. The newsletter will receive a 10% to 15% commission on any sales made. (On the honor system — no contract.) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
| THIS WEEK'S TECHNICAL VIDEO |
“Everyday” — Buddy HollyAllison Young Cover |
| Source: | YouTube |
 Best regards,  Newsletter Editor 73 DE K9IQY Licensed since 1957 |
Current member or former member of these organizations. | ||||
The National
 Rifle Association |
MENSA MEMBER
|
A Public Library of
Paging and Wireless Messaging Information |
Wireless
 Messaging |
||
|
Critical Messaging
 Association |
European Mobile Messaging Association
Former Board Member |
ZP5TQ
 Radio Club of Paraguay |
Quarter Century
Wireless Association |
|
Back To Paging
Still The Most Reliable Wireless Protocol For Emergencies! |
American Association
 of Woodturners |
U.S. Navy
 Radioman |
U.S. Navy Radioman  Second Class Petty Officer |
Boy Scouts of America
 National Honor Society |
Creator of the
 Paging Wheel of Fortune |
National Skeet
 Shooting Association |
Institute Electrical and
Electronics Engineers |
American Radio 
Relay League |
The Radio Club
of America |
Life is good!
|
|
|
CONTACT INFO & LINKS
|
Amateur Radio
|
VETERAN
 United States Navy |
|||
| Home Page | Directory | Consulting | Newsletters | Free Subscription | Products | Reference | Glossary | Send e-mail |
