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This Week's Wireless News Headlines:
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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.
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Apple’s iPhone has an aggravating text notifications bugAn iOS 14 bug doesn’t show notifications when some new messages arriveBy Chris Welch | @chriswelch | Dec 11, 2020, 2:00 pm EST
If you’ve noticed that you’re receiving SMS texts and iMessages from people but aren’t getting any notifications about them, you’re not alone. Far from it. I’m one of many people experiencing an annoying bug where messages come through fine — but without any pop-up notification or even the usual red badge to indicate that there’s a new message waiting to be read. Last month, MacRumors wrote about increasing reports of the problem on the new iPhone 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro, and 12 Pro Max phones. But it seems to also be affecting people with older iPhones as well, so this is looking more and more like an iOS 14 issue. What’s more aggravating about the glitch is that it doesn't always happen. I’ve noticed some messages pop up on my lock screen like normal, but others just quietly roll in with me being none the wiser. People in that very large MacRumors thread have tried to come up with workarounds like turning off Messages on a Mac, or deleting and re-adding contacts. Some are noticing they get notifications if they completely force close the Messages app every time after sending a text. And in other cases, the missing notifications are only happening for pinned conversations, and unpinning contacts seems to do the trick. There are sporadic reports of success with these short-term fixes, but they aren’t working for everyone. There’s also this 42-page thread on the company’s support forums about the ongoing frustrations. Those dealing with the issue are understandably disappointed that Apple hasn’t released a thorough fix yet. This is pretty fundamental stuff, and it’s probably causing some awkward conversations between couples or friends when messages just sit there for hours without the recipient knowing they came. And if you’re hoping that all will be well when iOS 14.3 releases next week, I wouldn’t be so sure. Early reports indicate that the no-text-notifications bug remains present — at least in some cases — in the second release candidate build of iOS 14.3 that Apple pushed out to public beta testers yesterday. The Verge has reached out to Apple for more information on the status of this bug and the company’s plans to resolve it. |
| Source: | The Verge |
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Some Windows 10 updates will soon be force installed, whether you like it or notBy Joel Khalili Automatic Windows 10 update will retire version 1903
Later this month, Microsoft will begin to forcibly install Windows 10 updates on devices running certain outdated versions of the operating system. In light of the fact Windows 10 version 1903 has already reached end of service, remaining users will be automatically updated to version 1909, whether they like it or not. By spring 2021, meanwhile, users of version 1909 will be required to make the switch to Windows 10 2004, released back in May. Affected users will be notified of the need to upgrade via a notice on the Windows Update settings panel, where they can also trigger the necessary update manually ahead of the hard deadline. Mandatory Windows 10 updatesWhile being forced to upgrade to a different edition of Windows 10 might rub some users up the wrong way, the decision has been made with the best interests of users at heart. Beyond end of service (December 8, for version 1903), Windows 10 versions no longer receive important security updates that patch up newly discovered attack vectors and shield against novel malware strains. By forcing users to upgrade to supported versions, Microsoft is minimizing the likelihood of a successful attack. For many users, Windows 10 updates are installed automatically. But anyone that believes they may be lagging behind can install available updates manually via the Windows Update menu. Alternatively, Windows 10 updates can be installed using ISO images, although this method is a little more advanced. Although Microsoft releases regular Windows 10 updates, delivering minor quality of life improvements and security fixes, major new editions of the OS are released on a biannual basis. The latest Windows 10 feature update (known as Windows 10 20H2) began rollout in October, introducing a new theme-aware Start menu, more robust Alt + Tab functionality and wider improvements to the user interface. The update was also the first to make Edge Chromium the default browser on Windows 10, overwriting the now-defunct HTML-based Edge Legacy automatically. The next version, Windows 10 21H1, is expected to land in late spring of next year. |
| Source: | TechRadar |
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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
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The Wireless Messaging News
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Most Apple employees won't return to office before June 2021, Cook says By Mikey Campbell
Apple CEO Tim Cook in a town hall meeting said most of the company's corporate teams are unlikely to be back in the office until the middle of 2021, according to a report on Thursday. Cook informed employees of the timeline in a virtual meeting today, saying it "seems likely" that a majority of corporate teams won't be back at work until next June, reports Bloomberg. "There's no replacement for face-to-face collaboration, but we have also learned a great deal about how we can get our work done outside of the office without sacrificing productivity or results," Cook said, according to the report. "All of these learnings are important. When we're on the other side of this pandemic, we will preserve everything that is great about Apple while incorporating the best of our transformations this year." Deemed essential employees have been trickling into the office since May, though Apple Park and other Apple facilities are largely empty due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Cook in April said a return to work plan would be accomplished in stages, with the initiative getting underway in June alongside strict safety measures. In July, Cook pushed the timeline back to early 2021, saying forward progress toward a full return would rely on "success with a vaccine, success with therapeutics and local conditions." Apple executives routinely note the importance of face-to-face interactions in the workplace. Indeed, Apple Park was designed to facilitate the serendipitous encounters with coworkers that leads to the type of collaboration Apple believes is vital to innovation. Apple SVP of hardware engineering Dan Riccio elaborated on the hardships of remote work, saying it was a "huge challenge" to design devices remotely. Engineers were able to implement workarounds like remotely controlling robots, collaborating with overseas technicians through augmented reality software, and rescheduling work hours to better communicate with employees stationed in China, the report said. COO Jeff Williams corroborated Riccio's assessment, saying Apple "discovered new ways of working" remotely. Cook on Thursday also said that the company will give employees in certain regions an additional paid holiday scheduled for Jan 4. Update: Bloomberg added more context to Apple's remote work hardships in an update to the original report. Those changes have been incorporated. |
| Source: | Apple Insider |
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| PRISM IPX Systems |
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| Easy Solutions |
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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 |
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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
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A Science-Based Technique for Coping With StressHow you speak to yourself matters.Posted Dec 09, 2020
Do you wish to be able to manage difficult emotions more successfully, make wiser decisions, and deal better with socially stressful situations? Psychological science has discovered a simple technique that may help you do just that. It is called distanced self-talk. Distanced self-talk “leverages the structure of language to promote emotion regulation by cueing people to reflect on the self using parts of speech (i.e., names and non–first-person pronouns) that are typically used to refer to other people.” In simple terms, the technique involves reflecting on your stressful experience from an outside perspective. This is accomplished by a change of pronouns. Instead of using the first person “I” in your internal monologue, you can use your name, the second-person generic “you,” the third-person pronouns “he, she, they,” or even a “fly on the wall” perspective. For example, let's assume I'm facing a problem, or reflecting on an emotionally stressful situation I've experienced. Instead of thinking, “How will I solve this problem?” or, "How am I feeling about what happened?" I may ask myself “How is Noam going to solve this problem?” or "How is Noam feeling about what happened?" or “How will you solve the problem?” or, “What's the 'fly on the wall’ perspective on what happened?” etc. This idea may seem simplistic, but things are not always what they seem. In fact, words are highly consequential to our lived experience. Think about how many people live by God’s word. Think about the notion that your word is your honor. Think about how you were taught as a child by those who loved you to “watch what you say” and "think before you speak." Think about how a passage in a book can move you to tears, how an argument can provoke your rage, and how an inspired speech can get you off the couch and into the streets in protest. Note how certain words are forbidden in certain situations in the same way that certain behaviors are forbidden. We have no reason to forbid something that’s powerless to affect us. Words are powerful. They matter in the external world, and they matter within our internal landscape, too. Indeed, a considerable body of empirical evidence has accumulated over the past decade to support the efficacy of distanced self-talk for improving emotion management, decision making, and coping with stress. For example, looking at how people may manage anger and aggression, Dominik Mischkowski of The Ohio State University and colleagues (2012) found that “reflecting over past provocations from a self-distanced or ‘fly on the wall’ perspective reduces aggressive thoughts and angry feelings.” Moreover, “provoked participants who self-distanced had fewer aggressive thoughts and angry feelings… and displayed less aggressive behavior… than participants who self-immersed or were in a control group. These findings demonstrate that people can self-distance in the heat of the moment, and that doing so reduces aggressive thoughts, angry feelings, and aggressive behavior.” Looking at decision-making, psychologists Ethan Kross and Igor Grossmann (2012) of the University of Michigan examined “whether psychological distance enhances wise reasoning, attitudes, and behavior.” In two experiments, they showed that priming participants to reason about personally meaningful issues (i.e., career prospects for the unemployed during an economic recession; anticipated societal changes associated with one’s chosen candidate losing the presidential election) from a distanced perspective “enhances wise reasoning (dialecticism; intellectual humility), attitudes (cooperation-related attitude assimilation), and behavior (willingness to join a bipartisan group).” A series of studies by Kross and colleagues (2014) examined whether the technique would help participants regulate their stress surrounding socially demanding tasks such as making good first impressions and public speaking. Results showed that “compared with the first-person group, the non-first-person group performed better according to objective raters...They also displayed less distress…and engaged in less maladaptive post-event processing.” In addition, self-distancing helped participants “appraise future stressors in more challenging and less threatening terms.” These findings, the authors conclude, “demonstrate that small shifts in the language people use to refer to the self during introspection consequentially influence their ability to regulate their thoughts, feelings, and behavior under social stress.” Anna Dorfman of the University of Waterloo and colleagues (2019) examined changes in emotionality following adverse experiences in daily life. They asked participants to reflect in writing on adverse experiences over a 4‐week period, randomly assigning them to either a self‐immersed or self‐distanced perspective. Results showed increases in positive emotionality among self‐distanced participants compared to self‐immersed participants. Ariana Orvell of the University of Michigan and colleagues (2020) had participants reflect on a series of future- and past-oriented negative personal experiences of varied intensity using distanced and immersed self-talk. They found that a “subtle shift in language—silently referring to oneself using one’s own name and non–first-person-singular pronouns… promotes emotion regulation.” Compared to first person (“immersed”) self-talk, distanced self-talk reduced participants’ emotional reactivity to negative experiences of varying levels of intensity. The findings held for future and past events, across types of events, and regardless of participants’ differing levels of emotion. This ability to use linguistic shifts to exert conscious control over thoughts and actions appears to emerge as early as age five. People appear able to perform such shifts relatively seamlessly and effortlessly, and the benefits appear to extend over time. How does self-distancing work? Lindsey Streamer and colleagues at the University of Buffalo (2017) examined the effects of self-distancing on participants’ cardiovascular response. They found that “participants who self-distanced by using non-first-person (vs. first-person) pronouns and their own name while preparing for a speech showed cardiovascular responses consistent with greater challenge while delivering the speech. Self-distancing did not, however, influence cardiovascular responses reflecting task engagement during the speech… These findings suggest self-distancing can lead to a positively valenced experience during active-performance stressors, rather than simply muted responses based on decreasing the stressor's self-relevance.” In other words, self-distancing works by empowering you in the face of the problem, not by distracting you from it. Research has also shown that the technique works by reducing rumination, broadening perspective, and changing the way people perceive and evaluate their experience. Specifically, research has shown that self-distancing reduces people’s focus on the emotionally arousing features of their negative experience while reorienting them toward seeking insight and closure. Kross and Ozlem Ayduk of the University of California, Berkeley, two leaders in this area, summarized the research by stating: “Collectively, these findings demonstrate how subtle shifts in the language people use to refer to themselves during introspection can influence their capacity to regulate how they think, feel, and behave under stress.” The next time you are trying to think your way through a socially or emotionally stressful situation, talk to yourself about it in the third person, and you can see firsthand whether the technique works for you.
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| Source: | Psychology Today |
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 ext 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 |
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| Inside Towers Newsletter |
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Possible Ramifications of Deadlocked FCCNow that the Senate has confirmed Nathan Simington as the next GOP FCC Commissioner, what is the likely outcome from a 2-2 deadlocked agency on key issues? Plenty, according to consumer advocacy group Public Knowledge. Inside Towers reported that with FCC Chairman Ajit Pai set to leave the Commission on Inauguration Day, January 20, 2021, Simington’s confirmation will prevent new President Joe Biden’s FCC from having a Democratic majority and pushing a new agenda early in the new administration. FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr urged the Senate to quickly confirm Simington to thwart the Dems’ agenda, Fox reported. Biden will ultimately get a majority, after the Senate eventually confirms another Democrat. But that could take a while, according to Harold Feld, a long-time telecom attorney and senior vice president of Public Knowledge. During the Senate vote, Simington opponent Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) said a deadlocked FCC might be what large telecoms and mediacos want. However, “while this sounds like an industry dream, this would quickly become an industry nightmare as the necessary work of the FCC grinds to a halt,” says Feld. He points out “virtually every acquisition” by a wireless carrier, broadcaster or cable provider needs Commission approval. “Unlike in antirust, there’s no deadline for the agency to act. The Chair of a deadlocked FCC can simply freeze all mergers and acquisitions in the sector until Democrats have a majority,” writes Feld. He says the Chair could grind the agency’s work to a virtual standstill, cancelling all spectrum auctions and suspending consumer electronics certifications. “Such actions would have wide repercussions for the wireless, electronics, and retail industries.” The Chair in a deadlocked FCC could also take policy actions that don’t require a full Commission vote and are largely unseen, according to the attorney. Biden can nominate one of the two Democrats to Chair once he’s taken office. Many analysts predict Jessica Rosenworcel will be named Interim Chair and has a good shot at getting the job permanently, Inside Towers reported. The Chair can pressure the Senate to confirm Biden’s choice for the agency’s third Democratic seat, according to Feld.
FCC Says Huawei Really Is a National Security ThreatThe FCC Thursday voted to deny Huawei’s appeal of the June 30 decision that deemed the Chinese telecom to be a security threat to the U.S. communications supply chain. The June order named the company, its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries, as a threat. The decision meant Universal Service Fund money can’t be used to buy, maintain, improve, modify, or otherwise support Huawei equipment or technology. In July, Huawei filed an application for review of the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau order. In denying that application, the Commission Thursday recognized what it called “overwhelming evidence” of Huawei’s “close ties to the Chinese Communist Party and China’s military and intelligence apparatus.” The full Commission affirmed the bureau’s decision. Specifically, the Commission review found Huawei is susceptible to Chinese government pressure to participate in espionage, and that Huawei’s close ties to the Chinese military present “significant risk.” |
| Source: | Inside Towers newsletter | Courtesy of the editor of Inside Towers Jim Fryer. Inside Towers is a daily newsletter by subscription. |
| BloostonLaw Newsletter |
REMINDER: HAC Compliance Certification due January 15: The next Hearing Aid Compatibility regulatory compliance certification, certifying compliance with the FCC’s HAC handset minimums as well as enhanced record retention and website posting requirements for the 2020 calendar year, will be due January 15, 2021, for all CMRS service providers that had operations during any portion of 2020. Companies that sold their wireless licenses during 2019 and that didn’t otherwise provide mobile wireless service (e.g., via resale) during the 2020 calendar year won’t have any obligation to file a HAC compliance certification for the 2020 calendar year. Under current FCC rules, Tier III service providers are required to offer at least 50% or ten (10) handsets that are rated M3- or better, and at least 33% or ten (10) handsets that are rated T3- or better. Beginning April 3, 2020, at least 66% of a Tier III provider’s handset must meet ratings of M3- or better and T3- or better. BloostonLaw has prepared a 2020 HAC Regulatory Compliance Template to facilitate our clients’ compliance with the revised HAC rules. Contact Cary Mitchell if you would like to obtain a copy of the HAC Regulatory Compliance Template. HeadlinesHal Mordkofsky to RetireFollowing an illustrious career in communications law spanning over half a century, Harold (Hal) Mordkofsky, co-founder of our law firm along with the late Arthur Blooston, has announced his retirement, effective December 31st. Hal began his professional career in 1958 as an electrical engineer with Westinghouse Electric Corp. in Baltimore, Maryland, engaged in the design, development and production of torpedoes for the U.S. Navy. At the same time, Hal attended the Evening Division of the University of Maryland’s Law School and soon after graduation, accepted an offer from the FCC to become Senior Attorney in what is now the Mobility Division of the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau. Two years later, Hal joined the law offices of Jeremiah Courtney, at the time one of the few firms in D.C. engaged exclusively in non-broadcast communications law where he practiced alongside Arthur Blooston. In 1979, when Courtney was looking to limit his practice to representing private users of radio only, Arthur and Hal established Blooston and Mordkofsky, helping clients acquire RF spectrum for common carrier uses of radio, which at the time included two-way radio, paging and point-to-point microwave radio communications. Over the years, Hal helped oversee the firm’s expansion of its areas of practice to include telephone regulation under Title II of the Communications Act and more advanced wireline and wireless services, with the addition of Ben Dickens, John Prendergast and Gerry Duffy as principals in the firm. Drawing upon his engineering background, Hal also established a consulting engineering practice within the law firm to assist its clients in preparing the engineering portions of their FCC applications and in connection with antenna regulation matters before the FAA. Hal has been engaged in virtually every aspect of the firm’s practice including radio licensing, enforcement, spectrum auctions and litigation before the FCC, state regulators and the courts, including the U.S. appellate courts. He has assisted his clients in acquiring thousands of licenses in paging and two-way radio. Then he and the firm were successful in acquiring the first cellular radio licenses for their clients in some of the top markets of the country, through hearings and litigation before the FCC and the courts. In his years of practice, Hal has seen the VHF, UHF and microwave bands become all but depleted as new and profitable uses of radio have proliferated. In announcing his retirement from the communications law practice, Hal says he will now be content to watch from the sidelines as the FCC begins to auction the millimeter wave bands, formerly regarded as unusable for radio communications, in what is destined to spurn new communication technologies. After retirement, Hal will continue to reside in the D.C. area with his wife of 57 years, the former Barbara Chabot, and hopes to see more of their grandchildren once the Covid-19 pandemic is behind us. Please join us in wishing Hal a happy retirement and a job well done for decades of helping BloostonLaw’s clients accomplish their telecom plans. Hal can be reached at halmor@bloostonlaw.com. FCC Adds Items to December Open Meeting AgendaOn December 3, the FCC released the official agenda for its upcoming December Open Meeting, scheduled for December 10. In addition to the items we reported in the previous edition of the BloostonLaw Telecom Update, the official agenda includes several additional items:
Public drafts of these items were not provided. BloostonLaw Contacts: Ben Dickens, Gerry Duffy, John Prendergast, and Sal Taillefer. Law and RegulationComment Sought on Petitions for Extension, Declaratory Ruling on Implementation of STIR/SHAKENOn December 4, the FCC issued a Public Notice seeking comment on four extension requests and on a related petition for declaratory ruling filed by Verizon, all relating to the implementation of the STIR/SHAKEN framework. Comments are due on January 4, 2021, and reply comments are due January 19, 2021. The Pallone-Thune Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence (TRACED) Act and section 64.6301(a)(3) of the Commission’s rules require voice service providers to fully implement the STIR/SHAKEN caller ID authentication framework in the Internet Protocol (IP) portions of their networks by June 30, 2021. The Commission granted certain categories of voice service providers an extension from this implementation deadline, and it established a process whereby voice service providers may file individual petitions for an extension on the basis of undue hardship. The following petitions were filed, upon which the FCC seeks comment:
Carriers interested in commenting on any of these filings are invited to contact the firm for more information. BloostonLaw Contacts: Ben Dickens, John Prendergast, Mary Sisak, and Sal Taillefer. Streamlined Local Approval for Wireless Structure Modifications Effective January 4, 2021On December 3, the FCC published in the Federal Register its Report and Order of November 3 further streamlining the state and local government review process for modifications to existing wireless infrastructure under the Spectrum Act of 2012. Accordingly, the revisions contained therein are effective January 4, 2021. As we reported in a previous edition of the BloostonLaw Telecom Update, the FCC revised its rules to provide that excavation or deployment in a limited area beyond site boundaries would not disqualify the modification of an existing tower from streamlined state and local review on that basis. Specifically, the FCC amended its rules to provide that, for towers not located in the public rights-of-way, a modification of an existing site that entails ground excavation or deployment of transmission equipment of up to 30 feet in any direction outside a tower’s site will not be disqualified from streamlined processing on that basis. The FCC also revised the definition of “site” to provide that the current boundaries of a site are the boundaries that existed as of the date that the original support structure or a modification to that structure was last reviewed and approved by a state or local government, if the approval of the modification occurred prior to the Spectrum Act. BloostonLaw Contacts: John Prendergast and Cary Mitchell. FCC Terminates MVPD Navigation Device Docket, Eliminates CableCARD RuleOn December 4, the FCC published in the Federal Register its Report and Order terminating a proceeding in which it sought comment on the adoption of new regulations for “navigation devices”—devices that consumers use to access multichannel video programming and other services offered over multichannel video programming networks. The Report and Order also eliminated CableCARD support and reporting requirements. Originally initiated in March of 2016, the FCC had proposed rules that would have required multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs) to provide unbundled flows of programming information to third-party manufacturers, retailers, and software developers to enable them to create navigation devices in an attempt to assure a commercial market for navigation devices. According to the FCC, the record submitted in response to the NPRM “raises serious and significant questions about whether the proposed rules would adequately protect multichannel video programming content.” The FCC also indicated the record “fails to convince us that the proposal is necessary to accomplish its intended goal…” and that the proposed regulations “do not reflect the past four years of substantial marketplace changes in the delivery and consumption of video programming.” Separately, the FCC eliminated the CableCARD consumer support rules and the requirement that large cable operators report to the FCC about support and deployment of CableCARD modules because it found these regulations no longer serve a useful purpose and thus are no longer necessary. BloostonLaw Contact: Gerry Duffy. IndustryFCC Announces Initial Results of RDOF AuctionOn December 7, the FCC officially announced the results of Auction 904, also known as the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Phase I auction. According to a press release, bidders won funding to deploy high-speed broadband to over 5.2 million unserved homes and businesses, almost 99% of the locations available in the auction. Moreover, 99.7% of these locations will be receiving broadband with speeds of at least 100/20 Mbps, with an overwhelming majority (over 85%) getting gigabit-speed broadband. CCO Holdings, LLC (Charter Communications) was assigned the most locations, just over 1.05 million. A total of 180 bidders won auction support, to be distributed over the next 10 years. The $6.8 billion in potential Phase I support that was not allocated will be rolled over into the future Phase II auction, which now can draw upon a budget of up to $11.2 billion in targeting partially-served areas (and the few unserved areas that did not receive funding through Phase I). More information on the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Phase I auction is available at https://www.fcc.gov/auction/904, including complete auction results and a map of winning bids. The following are the results of the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Phase I auction by state and territory. TOTAL 10-YEAR SUPPORT BY STATE AND TERRITORY
“I’m thrilled with the incredible success of this auction, which brings welcome news to millions of unconnected rural Americans who for too long have been on the wrong side of the digital divide. They now stand to gain access to high-speed, high-quality broadband service,” said FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. “We structured this innovative and groundbreaking auction to be technologically neutral and to prioritize bids for high-speed, low-latency offerings. We aimed for maximum leverage of taxpayer dollars and for networks that would meet consumers’ increasing broadband needs, and the results show that our strategy worked. This auction was the single largest step ever taken to bridge the digital divide and is another key success for the Commission in its ongoing commitment to universal service. I thank our staff for working so hard and so long to get this auction done on time, particularly during the pandemic.” FCC Kicks Off C-Band AuctionOn December 8, the FCC announced the official start of its latest 5G spectrum auction, making available 280 megahertz of prime mid-band spectrum in the 3.7-3.98 GHz band—a portion of the C-band. Specifically, this auction will offer 5,684 new flexible-use overlay licenses based on Partial Economic Areas (PEAs) for spectrum in the 3.7–3.98 GHz band. Satellite operators currently using the C-Band have agreed to repack their operations out of the band’s lower 300 megahertz (3.7-4.0 GHz) into the upper 200 megahertz (4.0-4.2 GHz). The first phase of this transition—the clearing of 120 megahertz of spectrum from 3.7-3.82 GHz in 46 of the nation’s top 50 PEAs—will conclude by December 5, 2021. The second phase—clearing the lower 120 megahertz of spectrum in the remaining PEAs, plus an additional 180 megahertz from 3.82-4.0 GHz nationwide—will conclude by December 5, 2023. “This is a big day for American consumers and U.S. leadership in 5G,” said FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. “By freeing up this wide swath of critical mid-band spectrum, the FCC is paving the way for Americans to receive fast 5G wireless services. Together with the recent success of our 3.5 GHz band auction, our work to auction the 2.5 GHz and 3.45 GHz bands in 2021, and the other ground-breaking spectrum auctions we’ve held since 2017, our 5G FAST Plan is in full swing. American consumers and businesses will benefit from this FCC’s efforts for years to come.” DeadlinesJANUARY 15: Form 855 HAC Compliance Certification. The next Hearing Aid Compatibility regulatory compliance certification, certifying compliance with the FCC’s HAC handset minimums as well as enhanced record retention and website posting requirements for the 2020 calendar year, will be due January 15, 2021, for all CMRS service providers that had operations during any portion of 2020. SEE FULL STORY ABOVE. BloostonLaw Contact: Cary Mitchell. JANUARY 31: FCC FORM 555, ANNUAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS CARRIER CERTIFICATION FORM. All Lifeline Program service providers are required to file the FCC Form 555, except where the National Verifier, state Lifeline administrator, or other entity is responsible. Since January 31 falls on a weekend or holiday this year, Form 555 may be filed by February 1. The FCC Form 555 must be submitted to the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) electronically via USAC’s E-File (One Portal). Carriers must also file a copy of their FCC Form 555 in the FCC's Electronic Comment Filing System, Docket 14-171, and with their state regulatory commission. The form reports the results of the annual recertification process and non-usage de-enrollments. Recertification results are reported month-by-month based on the subscribers’ anniversary date. BloostonLaw Contacts: Ben Dickens and John Prendergast. FEBRUARY 1: FCC FORM 499-Q, TELECOMMUNICATIONS REPORTING WORKSHEET. All telecommunications common carriers that expect to contribute more than $10,000 to federal Universal Service Fund (USF) support mechanisms must file this quarterly form. The FCC has modified this form in light of its decision to establish interim measures for USF contribution assessments. The form contains revenue information from the prior quarter plus projections for the next quarter. Form 499-Q relates only to USF contributions. It does not relate to the cost recovery mechanisms for the Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) Fund, the North American Numbering Plan Administration (NANPA), and the shared costs of local number portability (LNP), which are covered in the annual Form 499-A that is due April 1. FEBRUARY 1: FCC FORM 502, NUMBER UTILIZATION AND FORECAST REPORT. Any wireless or wireline carrier (including paging companies) that have received number blocks—including 100, 1,000, or 10,000 number blocks--from the North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA), a Pooling Administrator, or from another carrier, must file Form 502 by February 1. Carriers porting numbers for the purpose of transferring an established customer’s service to another service provider must also report, but the carrier receiving numbers through porting does not. Resold services should also be treated like ported numbers, meaning the carrier transferring the resold service to another carrier is required to report those numbers but the carrier receiving such numbers should not report them. Reporting carriers are required to include their FCC Registration Number (FRN). Reporting carriers file utilization and forecast reports semiannually on or before February 1 for the preceding six-month reporting period ending December 31, and on or before August 1 for the preceding six-month reporting period ending June 30. BloostonLaw contacts: Ben Dickens, Gerry Duffy, and Mary Sisak. FEBRUARY 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 Contacts: Cary Mitchell. Calendar At-a-Glance December January February
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BEST 7 Condenser MicrophonesJune 18, 2018
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Peace Through Music: A Global Event for Social Justice | 200+ Musicians Unite for PeaceDecember 10, 2020 Let's re-imagine a ‘united’ world connected by music. Join Playing For Change and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for Peace Through Music: A Global Event for Social Justice, presented by Corning® Gorilla® Glass in partnership with Gibson and produced by Playing For Change and Blackbird Presents. In honor of the United Nations’ 75th anniversary and Human Rights Day, this global virtual event aims to showcase the interconnectedness of humanity and activate the world to stand up for and champion the full protection and promotion of human rights for all, especially those in the most vulnerable communities. Featuring performances from more than 200 musicians including: Aloe Blacc, Angélique Kidjo, Becky G, Brandi Carlile with Mike McCready of Pearl Jam, Carlos Santana and Cindy Blackman Santana, Gabi Melim, Gary Clark Jr., Jack Johnson, Keith Richards, Mavis Staples, Nathaniel Rateliff, Peter Gabriel, Rhiannon Giddens, Ringo Starr, Robbie Robertson, Run The Jewels with Josh Homme, Sheila E., Skip Marley and Cedella Marley, The War and Treaty, Yo-Yo Ma and many more. Special Appearances include Billie Eilish, Danny Glover, Jamal Murray, Killer Mike, Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird, Norman Lear, Prince Ea and Sara Bareilles. Contributions from partners and all donations will support the Playing For Change Foundation, the United Nations Population Fund, the United Nations Remember Slavery Programme, Sankofa, The Bob Marley Foundation, Silkroad, and The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation — organizations that strive to eradicate poverty, inequality, and systemic racial and gender discrimination around the world. Learn more and donate at https://peacethroughmusic.live #PeaceThroughMusic #UN75 |
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