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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.
| About Us |
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 Policy |
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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Service Monitors and Frequency Standards for Sale
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Paging technology providers: £3m is on the table to replace archaic NHS comms network10% of the world's pagers are in use by Britain's health serviceMon 22 Jun 2020 — 12:15 UTC — Lindsay Clark
The digital arm of England's health service, NHSX, is tendering for a replacement to aging pager technologies in an effort to modernise hospital communications systems. The £3m framework deal on offer is a step in fulfilling a dictum made by UK health secretary Matt Hancock in February 2019 that would require all NHS trusts to stop using pagers by the end of 2021. The NHS still uses around 130,000 pagers at an annual cost of £6.6m, according to the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC). More than one in 10 of the world's pagers are used by the NHS. For readers under the age of, say, 30, a pager is a pocket or belt-clipped device which receives local radio signals and bleeps in response to a call message. The devices pre-date cell phone technology and their origins stretch back to the 1950s. In the early days, the recipient did not even know what the message was about – it was just an invitation to call an operator. Now they display some text and suggest a number to call, although the user can't reply. To serve medical professionals effectively, Hancock said the NHS had "to get the basics right, like having computers that work and getting rid of archaic technology like pagers and fax machines". "Email and mobile phones are a more secure, quicker and cheaper way to communicate which allow doctors and nurses to spend more time caring for patients rather than having to work round outdated kit," he said in 2019. A pilot project at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (WSFT) in 2017 saved junior doctors 48 minutes per shift and nurses 21 minutes on average, according to DHSC. The new tender calls for "systems and services" from "suppliers who can deliver against this requirement, whilst promoting innovation and delivering against a digital maturity model". Mandatory functionality includes secure messaging, image sharing, staff directory (links to the global NHS.net address book), and calls. While meeting a long compliance list, including patient safety regulations, suppliers are also requested to look at options in connecting the communication system to patient lists, task management systems, video calls, and ERP systems. The Framework Agreement covers "NHS England and Improvement, Clinical Commissioning Groups, Primary Care Networks, NHS Trusts, NHS Special Health Authorities and all other NHS organisations". After the CMA decided to launch a probe into an anticipated 2017 deal in which Capita would buy Voda’s one-way wide-area-paging business, Voda scrapped the deal with the outsourcer and discontinued its pager service in March 2018. Capita's PageOne is the last remaining national pager network left in the UK, leading to increased costs, the government said. Pagers are among a list of older technologies still in use, mainly for the reason that they are well liked and serve a very specific function. One doctor told the BBC that the pager system works well in emergencies as it takes less than a minute to send a message to members of a whole team, and, because the network uses its own transmitters and frequencies, there is reliable coverage within buildings. ® A Reader's Comments on the aboveLooks like they are wanting to get rid of pagers to “Save Money,” a fools errand. At least the article mentions the quickness and life saving aspects of paging, versus things like phones or other devices that use mobile networks that often do not work in the concrete jungle of a hospital. The powers that be do not seem to see that pagers are already the cheapest and best option and of course the most reliable option as well. Just because the tech is old, does not mean it is not the “best” for this job. They need to watch for bidders that use either Wi-Fi or public cellular networks. Neither of these options meets the reliability requirement. This is an environment where a missed or delayed message can mean someone dies. Neither Data or SMS is considered reliable for this application. In the case of Wi-Fi, these devices are subject to interference from other similar devices, as well as licensed devices. Also, many of these systems do not have any group call ability, thus the notices have to be sent one at a time, delaying response. The cellular options have the same issue, and a single data subscription for each device exceeds the cost of paging service for each pager. In actual practice, it is even worse than this, as many departments issue group call pagers to each staff, such as an ER, and they are paged with a single subscription to the commercial paging provider, and used much like a “party line” of information of where the latest emergency is located. Few alternate device providers are bidding actual licensed channels for their equipment, since that raises the price even more. However licensed channels are the ONLY way to ensure the devices always work when someones life is on the line. Many staff need to be paged away from the hospital. With a typical commercial paging system, or even a private system this is not an issue as long as they are within 15 miles or so of the Hospital. In the case of the Wi-Fi type devices, of course they will not work away from the hospital, and therefore the devices are still require a cell data service contract or the like in order to reach these staff, upping the price even more compared to the pager option. Other things likely to drive the price of the new solution upward is the desire to do many other things other than urgent notification with the devices. Most hospital systems have already invested in computers and computer networks to take care of these needs and do not need a fancy mobile device to do the work of the existing equipment. Also, I do not think that a hand held terminal is the best answer for things like say reading an X-ray, or trying to type medical notes into a touch screen, instead of using a normal computer and keyboard. And of course there is the human factor. A battery a month is enough to deal with pager power needs, whereas other solutions will likely require being charged many times a day. Loss or damage should also be considered, as even the cheapest of the many alternative solutions will be many times more expensive to repair or replace than the lowly pager which has been serving us for a long time, simply because even today it is the best answer for urgent communications. In 2020, it is still the BEST answer. Albert Erdmann |
| Source: | The Register |
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. |
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macOS Big Sur: Top 5 featuresHere are the features that Apple highlighted during its WWDC20 keynote presentation.
At WWDC20 on Monday, Apple took the wraps off of macOS Big Sur, the next version of the Macintosh operating system. Big Sur will replace macOS 10.15 Catalina this fall. Sur is a major upgrade with several features that users can take advantage of. Here are the features that Apple highlighted during its WWDC20 keynote presentation. We’ll follow up with more details on these features as they are revealed. Refined user interfaceWith the existence of iOS, the inconsistencies between Apple's mobile and desktop operating systems are notable, and compared to iOS, macOS looks a little dated. With Big Sur, Apple finally addresses the macOS UI, implementing the first major changes since the release of Mac OS X. “Depth, shading, and translucency are used to create hierarchy,” said Alan Dye, VP Human Interface, during the WWDC20 keynote. “These new materials are rich, and they’re vibrant.”
The UI in macOS Big Sur features reworked icons, menus, Notification Center, and Widgets. Apple has reworked icons so they more closely resemble iOS icons, yet still maintain their “Mac personality,” as Apple puts it. The Dock, which prominently displays app icons, appears to float on the screen. Toolbars and Sidebars in apps look cleaner, and buttons disappear when they aren’t in use. Apple also updated the menu bar so that it’s even more useful for Mac users. It’s now translucent, and menus have a cleaner look. Apple has also added Control Center to the menu bar, which works like the Control Center in iOS. It gives you access to many system controls such as network connectivity, display brightness, sound volume, music controls, and more. The Notifications menu bar icon is gone in Big Sur. Notification Center can be accessed by clicking on the time in the menu bar, and you can now click on Notifications and Widgets in the Center to get more information. Big Sur will also have a gallery that displays all the Widgets you can add (including third-party Widgets) to the Notification Center. MessagesMessage on the Mac has lagged behind the iOS version in its feature set. Apple changes that in Big Sur, having used Mac Catalyst to convert the iOS version of Messages to a version that runs on the Mac.
Apple used Mac Catalyst to convert the iOS version of Messages into a version for macOS Big Sur. Mac Messages now has improved search and a redesigned photo picker for sharing photos and videos. There’s also Memoji support, effects, pinned conversations, and groups enhancements. SafariApple says that Safari in Big Sur has been optimized so that it is even faster than before. The company claims that the new Safari is up to 50 percent faster than Google Chrome. Other new features include:
Safari can be customized with your own wallpaper. MapsApple hopes the improvements to Maps will make it more useful for planning trips on the Mac. Apple said that the new version of Maps started with the iOS version, which was converted using Mac Catalyst. New features include:
Mac CatalystIntroduced last year, Catalyst is used by developers to bring their iOS apps to the Mac. Apple said that Catalyst has been updated so that apps can take advantage of the Mac display’s native resolution. Developers will also have access to new menu and keyboard APIs. |
| Source: | Macworld |
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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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FirstNet Authority signs $218 million task order for core upgrade, deployable assetsWritten by Donny Jackson 23rd June 2020 FirstNet Authority task orders worth $218 million have been executed that will fund AT&T’s initial upgrades to prepare the FirstNet network for 5G services, as well as to expand the FirstNet portfolio of deployable solutions to include more SatCOLTs and new assets, including mobile command vehicles. Officials for both the FirstNet Authority and AT&T confirmed to IWCE’s Urgent Communications that the task orders have been signed, as approved last week by FirstNet Authority board members. Financial details about the two task orders are not available, but multiple sources have confirmed that most of the $218 in approved network-investment funds will be used for the core upgrade, which is the first step to making the FirstNet system ready to support 5G services for public safety in the future. However, the more immediate impact from the network investment will be from an expansion of the deployable assets that are available to FirstNet subscribers at no additional cost—one of the most popular aspects of the FirstNet offering, according to FirstNet officials and public-safety end users. “Beyond expanding our original 72 dedicated portable cell sites, next year, we’ll be able to bring public safety agencies new types of assets for their response efforts, like mobile command vehicles,” Jason Porter, senior vice president of AT&T’s FirstNet program, wrote in a recent blog. “In the event of an emergency, a mobile command vehicle can be stationed near the scene or disaster and provide a central communications hub for first responders. It’s just one of the ways FirstNet continues to innovate for public safety.” When asked about details regarding the mobile command centers, an AT&T spokesperson provided the following statement to IWCE’s Urgent Communications. “Beyond expanding our original 72 dedicated portable cell sites, next year, we’re bringing public safety agencies mobile command vehicles for their use,” according to the statement. “By providing connectivity to the FirstNet network, as well as work stations, television service, Wi-Fi, camper facilities (such as a microwave and refrigerator) and more, incident command will be able to use these vehicles as a central communications hub for first responders on the scene of an emergency or disaster.” In his blog, Porter noted that the existing FirstNet deployable assets—72 SatCOLTs, three “flying COWs,” and one FirstNet One aerostat—have been requested often by public safety to provide broadband communications. “With a dedicated fleet of more than 76 deployable network assets—available at no additional charge—we’re providing fire, EMS, law enforcement and more with unthrottled access to connectivity when and where they need it, including in the immediate aftermath of a storm when commercial power and other infrastructure may be disrupted,” Porter stated in the blog. “In 2018 alone, FirstNet supported public safety during 100+ emergency operations. And last year, those numbers quadrupled, accounting for more than 450 requests for deployable support by public safety agencies. We’re only halfway through 2020, and public safety has turned to FirstNet deployable network assets for additional support during 200+ emergencies and planned events, including supporting the COVID-19 response operations at quarantine sites, field hospitals, testing sites and EOCs.” Funding for the $218 million investment comes from the contractual arrangement between the FirstNet and AT&T, which was designed to make the FirstNet system financially self-sustaining, so it would not require additional government funding. The 25-year deal provides AT&T with access to the 20 MHz of prime 700 MHz spectrum licensed to the FirstNet Authority as well as potentially $6.5 billion in funds generated from FCC spectrum auctions. In return, AT&T is responsible for building and maintaining the nationwide FirstNet system and making annual payments totaling $18 billion to the FirstNet Authority over the 25-year period of the contract. Of this $18 billion in AT&T payments, about $3 billion is expected to fund FirstNet Authority operations, and about $15 billion is slated to fund enhancements to the FirstNet system—the first of which were approved last week by the FirstNet Authority board for the core upgrade and the new deployable assets. Both the core upgrade and the additional deployable assets are being executed through a task order with AT&T, but FirstNet Authority officials have said that some future network investments could be subject to a competitive procurement process. In SEC filings, AT&T has indicated that the company believes AT&T will receive most of the approximately $15 billion dedicated toward network investment during the 25-year life of the contract with the FirstNet Authority. |
| Source: | IWCE's URGENT COMMUNICATIONS |
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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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Former Intel engineer says Skylake problems were turning point for Apple’s ARM Mac transitionFilipe Espósito - Jun. 24th 2020 6:35 pm
Apple announced this week its plans to switch from Intel processors to ARM chips on the Mac, which the company calls “Apple Silicon Mac.” That comes as no surprise since the Mac ARM project was rumored a long time ago, but one of the main reasons for this transition would have been the recent problems with Intel. François Piednoël, a former Intel engineer, told PCGamer that Apple has become unsatisfied with Intel processors since the introduction of the Skylake architecture in 2015. The report states that Intel’s Skylake processors had several problems at the time, and that Apple was the client with the highest number of complaints about the architecture.
Apple first used Skylake processors with the 2015 iMac, and then the company also launched 2016 MacBook and MacBook Pro models with the same processor architecture. “Basically the bad quality assurance of Skylake is responsible for them to actually go away from the platform. […] Apple must have really hated Skylake,” said Piednoël. It’s no secret that Apple had the Mac pipeline affected by Intel on multiple occasions, but personally I don’t think that’s the only reason for the transition to the “Apple Silicon Mac.” Apple has always been a company that values the integration of hardware and software, and that’s only possible when you have control over everything that goes inside a device. That’s why the company started making its own chips beginning with the Apple A4 in 2010, which equipped the first iPad and iPhone 4. There were already rumors and speculations back then about when Apple would ditch Intel in favor of its own processors. It was something that would happen sooner or later. Apple chips on the iPhone and iPad have proven they can deliver better performance and security while maintaining the energy efficiency. The transition on the Mac was no longer a question of “if”, but “when.” Even so, while the transition is not finished, Apple says the company plans to launch new Mac models with Intel processors. |
| Source: | 9TO5Mac |
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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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Microsoft is permanently closing its retail storesPUBLISHED FRI, JUN 26 20209:16 AM EDT KEY POINTS
Microsoft on Friday announced it will permanently close its 83 Microsoft Store retail locations. It will instead focus on its online store at Microsoft.com, where customers can go for support, sales, training and more. Microsoft said its retail team members will help on the website instead of in store. A Microsoft spokesperson told CNBC that all Microsoft employees will have the opportunity to stay with Microsoft. “Our sales have grown online as our product portfolio has evolved to largely digital offerings, and our talented team has proven success serving customers beyond any physical location,” Microsoft Corporate Vice President David Porter said in a blog post. “We are grateful to our Microsoft Store customers and we look forward to continuing to serve them online and with our retail sales team at Microsoft corporate locations.” Shares of Microsoft were down about 1.5% mid-morning on Friday. In the past decade or so, Microsoft began to expand its retail presence in an effort to create a shopping experience similar to Apple’s, where people could go to try new Microsoft software and hardware created by both Microsoft and its partners. Microsoft even built a store on 5th Avenue in New York City, just blocks away from Apple’s iconic glass cube store. The decision seems to be made after Microsoft decided to temporarily close stores in March due to the spread of coronavirus. Microsoft said the closing of its physical locations will “result in a pre-tax charge of approximately $450 million, or $0.05 per share,” which it will record in the current quarter that ends on June 30. “The charge includes primarily asset write-offs and impairments,” Microsoft said. “Microsoft will continue to invest in its digital storefronts on Microsoft.com, and stores in Xbox and Windows, reaching more than 1.2 billion people every month in 190 markets,” Microsoft said. “The company will also reimagine spaces that serve all customers, including operating Microsoft Experience Centers in London, NYC, Sydney, and Redmond campus locations.” Video here. |
| Source: | CNBC |
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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 |
Administration Invests $86 Million in Rural Broadband in Eight StatesThe U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $86 million in rural broadband service for 17,000 people and businesses in eight states. USDA is providing loans to six telecommunications providers to build, expand and improve broadband services in Alabama, Arkansas, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin. Below are examples of projects that USDA is funding through the Telecommunications Infrastructure Loan and Loan Guarantee Program:
Since October 2019, USDA has invested $744 million to bring high-speed broadband e-Connectivity to 172,000 households, 19,000 rural small businesses and farms, and more than 500 health care centers, educational facilities and critical community facilities in 34 states. USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed Internet access in rural areas. The Telecommunications Infrastructure Loan and Loan Guarantee Program is one of several USDA rural broadband programs. On April 20, 2020, USDA announced the department has received 172 applications for $1.57 billion in round two of the ReConnect Pilot Program. The second round, according to the USDA, will enable it to “implement innovative new solutions to rural connectivity by leveraging financial options with partners and continuing the success of the first round of funding.” The application window for round two closed on April 15.
Cities Fight FCC Over 5G Upgrade OrderSeveral local governments from California and Oregon are challenging the FCC’s 5G upgrade order. The FCC approved the plan 3-2 earlier this month to streamline infrastructure modifications for existing towers. The vote was combative. Democratic Commissioners Jessica Rosenworcel and Geoffrey Starks criticized the Commission for not giving localities more time to comment, considering local government budgets are stretched by the pandemic and protests. Indeed, the National League of Cities and the National Association of Counties, asked the agency to delay the vote. The Republican majority said the order will speed work such as antenna swaps for 5G, Inside Towers reported. Co-location “is less intensive and requires less regulatory review than new tower construction,” FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr said. Before the vote, Carr acknowledged to Inside Towers not every locality supported the change, but said overall, “We think it’s a right-balanced approach.” Now, some of the California and Oregon localities have told the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals the FCC’s actions “unlawfully preempt local and state government authority” without responding to local government input, according to Politico. |
| Source: | Inside Towers newsletter |
Courtesy of the editor of
Inside Towers
Jim Fryer.
Inside Towers is a daily newsletter by subscription. |
| BloostonLaw Newsletter |
REMINDER: RDOF Phase I Application Filing Window Opens July 1, Closes July 15As we reported in a previous edition of the BloostonLaw Telecom Update, on June 11 the FCC released its Public Notice establishing the notice, filing requirements, and other procedures for Auction 904, which is scheduled to begin October 29. The filing window for Auction 904 applications is due no later than 6:00 P.M., ET on July 15, 2020. Other important dates include the availability of an auction bidding tutorial by October 14 and the mock auction scheduled for October 26. BloostonLaw Contacts: Ben Dickens, Gerry Duffy, and Mary Sisak. HeadlinesCommissioner O’Rielly Supports Bill Eliminating ETC Designation RequirementsOn June 18, FCC Commissioner Michael O’Rielly uploaded a blog post to the FCC’s website in which he calls for the elimination of the requirement that carriers who win FCC support auctions become eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs) before being authorized to receive support. The Commissioner wrote:
In his post, Commissioner O’Rielly voices his support for a bill introduced on June 11 by Rep. G.K. Butterfield (D-N.C.). The text of the bill — H.R. 7160 — is not yet available. However, according to a press release on Rep. Butterfield’s website, “[t]he Expanding Opportunities for Broadband Deployment Act bill will enable more broadband service providers to participate in the Federal Communications Commission’s Universal Service Fund (USF) programs by eliminating an outdated requirement that only Internet service providers designated as eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs) may receive USF dollars.” BloostonLaw Contacts: Ben Dickens, Gerry Duffy, and Sal Taillefer. New Retransmission Consent Rules Effective July 20On June 18, the FCC issued a Public Notice announcing the effective date of the revisions to section 76.65 of its rules, which governs good faith negotiation of retransmission consent, to implement provisions in section 1003 of the Television Viewer Protection Act of 2019 (TVPA). These revisions are effective July 20, 2020. Specifically, in its May Report and Order, the FCC adopted rules revising and/or clarifying Section 1003. This section requires the Commission to adopt rules that provide for negotiation of retransmission consent between “qualified multichannel video programming distributor [MVPD] buying group[s]” and “large [broadcast] station group[s]” as those terms are defined in the TVPA. In the Report and Order, the FCC adopted rules that: (i) define the term “large station group” as used in section 1003 to mean, in relevant part, an entity whose individual television broadcast station members collectively have a national audience reach of more than 20 percent; (ii) define the term “qualified MVPD buying group” as used in section 1003 to mean, in relevant part, an entity that negotiates on behalf of MVPDs that collectively serve no more than 25 percent of all households receiving service from any MVPD in a given local market; (iii) codify in section 76.65 of its rules the provisions governing negotiation of retransmission consent between qualified MVPD buying groups and large station groups, as well as the definitions of “local market” and “multichannel video programming distributor” set forth in section 1003(b)(3); and (iv) make minor conforming changes to section 76.65. BloostonLaw Contact: Gerry Duffy. FCC Warns Filers Against “Casual” Confidentiality RequestsOn June 18, the FCC issued a Public Notice emphasizing to FCC filers that the practice of so-called “casual” confidentiality requests – i.e., blanket or overbroad confidentiality requests that does not address the specific factors set forth in section 0.459(b) of the FCC’s rules. The FCC specifically reminds filers that this practice is not permitted under the FCC’s rules. As an example, the FCC notes, “[a] request occurs when … counsel simply requests in the cover letter that the entire response be treated as confidential, or when counsel stamps every page of the response “CONFIDENTIAL” without providing additional information. Pursuant to the Commission’s rules, the Bureau will not consider casual requests for confidentiality.” A confidentiality request may also be overbroad, the FCC continues, “if it merely parrots the criteria described in section 0.459(b) but does not actually provide the substantive explanation required. All such overbroad requests are unacceptable under the Commission’s rules and will be dismissed if not appropriately narrowed in a timely manner.” BloostonLaw attorneys are well-versed in the FCC’s confidentiality requirements and the showing needed to obtain confidential treatment. Carriers with questions or requiring assistance with confidential treatment may contact the firm for more information. BloostonLaw Contacts: Ben Dickens, Gerry Duffy, and Sal Taillefer. Law and RegulationSen. Thune Introduces Bill to Direct Spectrum Auction Proceeds to Rural BroadbandOn June 18, U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet, introduced the Rural Connectivity Advancement Program (RCAP) Act of 2020. This legislation, if passed, would set aside a portion of the proceeds from spectrum auctions conducted by the FCC through September 30, 2022, for the buildout of broadband networks. Specifically, RCAP would:
“It is critical that South Dakotans in every corner of our state have reliable broadband services,” said Thune. “The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the need to ensure that we provide rural areas, not just in South Dakota, but throughout the entire United States, with reliable broadband connectivity. My bill would take an important step toward the goal of closing the digital divide and does so in a responsible manner.” “NTCA wholeheartedly endorses this legislation and thanks Senator Thune for his leadership on this bill. For years, he has been one of the strongest proponents in Washington for ensuring that every American has access to the communications services necessary for online commerce, remote education, telehealth, and civic engagement in today’s world,” said Shirley Bloomfield, CEO of NTCA. “The legislation introduced today represents yet another measure of that leadership and a reaffirmed commitment to achieving the goal of universal service. The Rural Connectivity Advancement Program Act would leverage efforts that have already proven effective in tackling connectivity challenges in rural America, and provide much-needed resources to help the FCC build upon the successes thus far of these existing programs to close the remaining digital divide.” BloostonLaw Contacts: Ben Dickens, John Prendergast, and Gerry Duffy. Walden and Wicker Release Broadband Connectivity and Digital Equity FrameworkOn June 18, U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee Republican Leader Greg Walden (R-OR) and Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Chairman Roger Wicker (R-MS) released principles for a legislative framework to expand broadband access and digital opportunity and close the digital divide. According to a press release, this framework would “serve as a foundation for legislative efforts related to the COVID-19 economic recovery, modernizing the nation’s communications infrastructure, allowing all Americans, regardless of where they live, to participate in the digital economy, and enhancing U.S. network security, reliability, and resiliency.” According to the press release, the Broadband Connectivity and Digital Equity Framework would close the Digital Divide by:
The Framework would also promote public health, safety, and network security by:
“Before the COVID-19 pandemic, 21 million Americans did not have access to broadband services. The need to deploy broadband, bridge the digital divide, and close the homework gap have been highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic as Americans work, learn, and receive health care from their homes,” said Walden. “I am proud to work with Chairman Wicker on a bicameral broadband and digital equity framework that will make meaningful strides toward expanding access to vital broadband services, securing networks, and closing the digital divide for all Americans. We must work to connect all Americans and maintain U.S. leadership on next-generation technologies.” “The coronavirus pandemic has made expanding access to broadband even more urgent,” said Wicker. “This framework would support the delivery of these services by fostering investment, promoting broadband deployment, and enhancing network security and resiliency. I thank Ranking Member Walden for working with me to help expand reliable broadband connection to all Americans.” BloostonLaw Contacts: Ben Dickens, John Prendergast, and Gerry Duffy. House Democrats Release Text of Infrastructure Bill; Includes $100 Billion for BroadbandOn June 22, Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), along with Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter A. DeFazio (D-OR), Education and Labor Committee Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA), Financial Services Committee Chairwoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard E. Neal (D-MA), Oversight and Reform Committee Chairwoman Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY), and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Raúl Grijalva released the text of H.R. 2, the Moving Forward Act. The Moving Forward Act is a $1.5 trillion proposal aimed at building infrastructure across the country. While the bill covers a wide array of topics, including transportation, education, child care, and housing, it has the following provisions regarding broadband deployment:
In addition to these new programs and corresponding appropriations, the infrastructure bill would implement a number of new rules, such as requiring the FCC to issue rules to promote and incentivize a standard format for broadband Internet service providers to disclose to consumers the price and terms of their service offerings; prohibiting State governments from enforcing laws or regulations that inhibit local governments, public-private partnerships, and cooperatives from delivering broadband service; requiring the FCC to update its rules to permit Wi-Fi access on school buses as eligible for support under the E-Rate program; and prohibiting the FCC from finalizing a proposed rule that would cap the Universal Service Fund programs. BloostonLaw Contacts: Ben Dickens, John Prendergast, and Gerry Duffy. IndustryChairman Pai Urges Congress to Implement Legislative Directives to “Keep Americans Connected”On June 19, the FCC issued a Press Release announcing that FCC Chairman Ajit Pai sent a letter to Congress seeking legislation to help consumers and small businesses stay connected over the coming months after the end of the Keep Americans Connected Pledge. While the Pledge expires on June 30, Chairman Pai stated, “I believe now is the time for further legislation to ensure that doctors and patients, students and teachers, low-income families and veterans, those who have lost their jobs and livelihoods due to the pandemic and the accompanying lockdowns, those in our cities and those in the countryside—in short, all Americans—remain connected until this emergency ends.” A copy of the full letter is available here. “The Pledge has been an extraordinary success, and I commend the 785 service providers that have stepped up to the plate over the past three-and-a-half months to do the right thing during this national emergency. This public-private partnership has been critical to American consumers,” Pai said. “But broadband and telephone companies, especially small ones, cannot continue to provide service without being paid for an indefinite period of time; no business in any sector of our economy could. So I believe now is the time for legislation to ensure that doctors and patients, students and teachers, low-income families and veterans, those who have lost their jobs and livelihoods due to the pandemic and the accompanying lockdowns, those in our cities and those in the countryside—in short, all Americans—remain connected until this emergency ends. The Broadband Connectivity and Digital Equity Framework proposed by Chairman Roger Wicker of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the U.S. Senate and Ranking Member Greg Walden of the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the U.S. House of Representatives is a forward-thinking proposal to do just that.” DeadlinesJULY 1: FCC FORM 481 (CARRIER ANNUAL REPORTING DATA COLLECTION FORM). All eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs) must report the information required by Section 54.313, which includes information on the ETC’s holding company, operating companies, ETC affiliates and any branding in response to section 54.313(a)(8); its CAF-ICC certification, if applicable; its financial information, if a privately held rate-of-return carrier; and its satellite backhaul certification, if applicable. BloostonLaw Contacts: Ben Dickens, Gerry Duffy, and Sal Taillefer. JULY 1: MOBILITY FUND PHASE I ANNUAL REPORT. Winning bidders in Auction 901 that are authorized to receive Mobility Fund Phase I support are required to submit to the FCC an annual report each year on July 1 for the five years following authorization. Each annual report must be submitted to the Office of the Secretary, clearly referencing WT Docket No. 10-208; the Universal Service Administrator; and the relevant state commissions, relevant authority in a U.S. Territory, or Tribal governments, as appropriate. The information and certifications required to be included in the annual report are described in Section 54.1009 of the FCC’s rules. BloostonLaw Contacts: John Prendergast and Sal Taillefer. JULY 31: CARRIER IDENTIFICATION CODE (CIC) REPORTS. Carrier Identification Code (CIC) Reports must be filed by the last business day of July (this year, July 31). These reports are required of all carriers who have been assigned a CIC code by NANPA. Failure to file could result in an effort by NANPA to reclaim it, although according to the Guidelines this process is initiated with a letter from NANPA regarding the apparent non-use of the CIC code. The assignee can then respond with an explanation. (Guidelines Section 6.2). The CIC Reporting Requirement is included in the CIC Assignment Guidelines, produced by ATIS. According to section 1.4 of that document: At the direction of the NANPA, the access providers and the entities who are assigned CICs will be requested to provide access and usage information to the NANPA, on a semi-annual basis to ensure effective management of the CIC resource. (Holders of codes may respond to the request at their own election). Access provider and entity reports shall be submitted to NANPA no later than January 31 for the period ending December 31, and no later than July 31 for the period ending June 30. It is also referenced in the NANPA Technical Requirements Document, which states at 7.18.6: CIC holders shall provide a usage report to the NANPA per the industry CIC guidelines … The NAS shall be capable of accepting CIC usage reports per guideline requirements on January 31 for the period ending December 31 and no later than July 31 for the period ending June 30. These reports may also be mailed and accepted by the NANPA in paper form. Finally, according to the NANPA website, if no local exchange carrier reports access or usage for a given CIC, NANPA is obliged to reclaim it. The semi-annual utilization and access reporting mechanism is described at length in the guidelines. BloostonLaw Contacts: Ben Dickens and Gerry Duffy. AUGUST 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. Calendar At-a-GlanceJune July August
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