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The Wireless
Messaging News

This Week's Wireless News Headlines:

• Merry Christmas
• BlackBerry Limited
• Apple Maps leads explain how the company salvaged the app despite rocky initial launch
• What Is HDMI 2.1a and Why Should You Care?
• FCC fines AT&T, Intrado, Lumen, and Verizon for 911 network outages
• Amazon Web Services Outage Borks the Internet Again
• BloostonLaw Telecom Holiday Update
  • SEASON’S GREETINGS
  • BloostonLaw Contacts
  • Calendar At-a-Glance
• TECHNICIAN'S CORNER
  • RJ45 Ethernet SnapPlugs How to Wire Up Ethernet Plugs the EASY WAY!
• THIS WEEK'S MUSIC VIDEO
  • “Mary Did You Know”
  • Home Free

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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There is not a lot of news about Paging these days but when anything significant comes out, you will probably see it here. I also cover text messaging to other devices and various articles about related technology.

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BlackBerry Limited

Article by Iris Leung
Published Online February 26, 2012
Last Edited November 10, 2021

BlackBerry Limited (formerly Research In Motion) is a mobile communications company. Founded in 1984 by Mike Lazaridis and Doug Fregin in Waterloo, Ontario, the company released its first device — a pager capable of email — in 1999. Following the release of its first smartphone in 2002, BlackBerrys quickly became must-have pieces of technology, first among business people and later the general public. However, in the early 2010s they struggled to keep pace with the competitive smartphone market. In 2016, the company announced it would outsource all hardware production to other companies, instead focusing on software development. Today, BlackBerry is credited with putting Waterloo on the map as an innovation hub. The business trades under the ticker BB on the Toronto Stock Exchange and BBRY on NASDAQ.

BlackBerry Curve, 8500 Series
(courtesy Research in Motion)

Research In Motion Founded in Waterloo

Research In Motion (RIM) was co-founded in 1984 by University of Waterloo electrical engineering student Mike Lazaridis and Douglas Fregin, a close childhood friend. The company’s humble beginnings started above a bagel shop in Waterloo, Ontario, where at least one employee had to build their own workstation. RIM was first launched as a software and computer science consulting business, but by 1988 they were developing a wireless data transmission system that would be used in pagers and wireless payment — making them the first to work on such technology in North America. This technology would eventually provide a foundation for the BlackBerry smartphone.

RIM’s work caught the eye of Harvard Business School graduate Jim Balsillie. The 31-year-old believed so strongly in the company’s technology that he remortgaged his house and backed the start-up with $125,000. He would join RIM as co-founder and co-CEO after making that investment.

Invention of the BlackBerry

BlackBerry's Inter@ctive Pager 900 was introduced in 1996, and
was the precursor to the BlackBerry smartphone.en.

The precursor to the BlackBerry smartphone was the RIM Inter@ctive Pager 900, introduced in 1996. The two-way pager was equipped with a QWERTY keyboard and capable of sending faxes and emails. When it came to naming the new device, branding executives felt its keyboard resembled strawberry seeds, which led to exploring the names of fruits and vegetables. They eventually landed on BlackBerry, as it matched the device’s black casing.

Did you know?

When it came to naming RIM’s new device the RIM Inter@ctive Pager 900, branding executives felt its keyboard resembled strawberry seeds, which led to exploring the names of fruits and vegetables. They eventually landed on BlackBerry, as it matched the device’s black casing.

RIM listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange in 1997 and managed to raise more than C$105 million from the initial public offering. Just two years after going public, RIM introduced its new BlackBerry email service to North America in January 1999, which prompted sales to increase by 80 per cent to US$85 million. The following year’s revenue reached US$221 million. The company’s seemingly overnight success continued as it then went public on NASDAQ in 1999 to raise another US$250 million.

First BlackBerry Smartphone Released

In 2002, BlackBerry released the BlackBerry 5810 дуо
the company's first smartphone. en.

After its launch, BlackBerry began its meteoric rise in the technology community. This was mostly led by co-CEO Jim Balsillie’s enthusiastic travelling roadshow efforts, giving the device out for free at industry conferences and also promoting it to investment bankers on Wall Street.

The 11 September 2001 attack by terrorist organization Al-Qaeda on the United States solidified RIM’s reputation as a solid telecommunications provider, as its network remained intact when other wireless systems broke down (see 9/11 and Canada).

In 2002, the BlackBerry 5810 was released — the first device from RIM able to make calls. Within two years of introducing its cellphone service, RIM reported more than 1 million subscribers and reached 9 million by 2007. The BlackBerry started off as a device for investment bankers and early technology adopters but soon became the smartphone everyone owned or hoped to own.

NTP Patent Lawsuit

RIM’s success caught the attention of Virginia-based NTP Inc. and it sued RIM in 2001 claiming patent infringement. Although NTP doesn’t make any of its own products, it had filed patents on a mobile, wireless email system with the intention of building the technology in the future. NTP ended up winning the case, which resulted in an initial court order settlement of US$23.1 million.

RIM spent a lengthy three-year battle in appeals courts before a settlement was made for a final US$612.5 million in 2006.

The lawsuit dampened growth for RIM as the company reported in 2006 that the number of BlackBerry subscribers fell by 120,000 in that year’s fourth quarter. A spokesperson attributed this to uncertainty surrounding the NTP litigation, which had caused customers in the US to defer any BlackBerry purchases. Revenue in that quarter also suffered, as RIM only managed to hit US$560 million instead of its projected $620 million. Though significant, the company’s finances were stable enough to be able to survive the setback.

As a part of the settlement, RIM was able to continue selling its products and services without having to pay royalties to NTP.

Competition from the iPhone, Google Android

By 2007, RIM had acquired more than 30 per cent of the US smartphone market and was second only to Finnish telecommunications firm Nokia globally. That same year, Apple, a computer company from Silicon Valley, released the iPhone, disrupting the smartphone market and becoming one of the main catalysts of RIM’s decline.

Did you know?

Silicon Valley is the nickname for the southern portion of the San Francisco Bay Area in Northern California where many tech companies operate. Situated mainly in the Santa Clara Valley, the area gets the “silicon” portion of its nickname for the many silicon computer chip manufacturers in the area.

The iPhone was a game changer for the smartphone industry because of its touchscreen, which allowed users to navigate the Internet via Apple’s Safari Web browser. Its launch of the App Store in 2008 also redefined the needs of the early smartphone market by offering a platform for third-party apps.

Initially, RIM leadership did not view competitors such as Apple and Google as threats because sales for the BlackBerry continued to grow — the company reached almost US$20 billion in sales by 2011. That year was the tipping point though, as consumers in North America and the UK, previously RIM’s key markets, were beginning to favour iPhones and Google’s Android phones.

In response to fierce competition, RIM released the BlackBerry Storm in 2008, which eliminated the QWERTY keyboard that made its devices famous in the first place. There was much criticism of RIM’s new touchscreen device, as users complained that they had lost the ease of text entry. Critics also felt that the BlackBerry operating system was inferior to the one that Apple had developed.

RIM responded to users and rolled out a hybrid device called the BlackBerry Torch in 2010, which featured both a touchscreen and QWERTY keyboard. The Torch fared well at the beginning, selling 150,000 devices within the first three days. However, Torch sales were unable to surpass those of the iPhone.

In 2009, RIM also launched its own third-party app store called BlackBerry App World, which came out nearly a year after the App Store and limited users to only a few hundred apps. By comparison, Google launched its own app store (called the Android Market) just three months after Apple’s.

To enhance its software experience, RIM acquired QNX Software Systems from American car technology company Harman International in 2010. While the idea to integrate QNX with BlackBerry’s operating system was strategic, the implementation took too long and RIM had to lay off 2,000 employees before the new software was complete. The layoffs were a part of what the company called a “cost optimization program.” RIM debuted the QNX software on a new line of tablets called the PlayBook, which never managed to achieve strong sales.

Did you know?

In 2011, Canada Post released a series of four stamps commemorating Canadian innovations. The BlackBerry was one of the inventions featured in the series as it revolutionized communication.

The other inventions featured in the stamp series included the cardiac pacemaker, the electric oven and electric wheelchair

Balsillie and Lazaridis Step Down

Jim Balsillie
(courtesy Research in Motion)

In January 2012, following the failure of the QNX software and the PlayBook, Jim Balsillie and Mike Lazaridis announced that they were stepping down. At that point, RIM had lost 75 per cent of its market value and Balsillie and Lazaridis reportedly had been grooming Thorsten Heins, who had been an executive with the company since 2007, for the role of CEO.

Balsillie and Lazaridis remained on the board, while Lazaridis took on a new title as vice-chair of the board of directors as well as chair of the innovation committee. On 29 March 2012, Balsillie resigned from the board and sold all his BlackBerry shares the following year; Lazaridis stepped down on 1 May 2013 and sold about 12 per cent of his shares that December.

RIM Rebrands as BlackBerry

With Thorsten Heins as CEO, RIM underwent several big changes, one of which was rebranding the company to BlackBerry in 2013 — the name of its flagship product.

Repositioning the company under a far more recognizable brand name suggested that RIM was hoping for a fresh start. At the same time as the rebranding, RIM released its long-delayed BlackBerry 10 operating system and Z10 and Q10 devices. While the new operating system and the Z10 touchscreen device were deemed vast improvements from past offerings, BlackBerry still faced challenges competing with the likes of Apple and Google. At the time, Android held 52.5 per cent of the smartphone market while Apple held 34.3 per cent.

Despite the new name and products, BlackBerry was unable to reclaim its market share. In November 2013, Heins, after less than two years in the chief executive post, was replaced by Silicon Valley executive John Chen.

Shift to Software and Secure Communications

In 2015, BlackBerry began to release smartphones that ran on a third-party operating system, the first of which was the BlackBerry Priv, which ran on a customized version of Android. This was followed by the DTEK50 the following year. Also in 2015, BlackBerry acquired one of its key competitors, enterprise mobile management company Good Technology, for US$425 million. The company’s focus shifted to the development of device management software, which helps businesses track employee phones to keep sensitive company information secure.

After failed attempts to get the company back on track, in September 2016 BlackBerry announced it would leave the smartphone manufacturing business. While CEO John Chen began outsourcing some production when he was hired in 2013, the development and manufacturing of future devices was entirely in the hands of overseas partners such as manufacturers Foxconn Technology Group and TCL Communications by late 2016.

In July 2017, the National Security Agency (NSA), the United States’ largest intelligence agency, endorsed BlackBerry’s software for encrypting phone calls and text messages. As a result, BlackBerry gained the approval necessary to sell its commercial encryption software, SecuSUITE, to members of the US government.

Also in 2017, BlackBerry launched a new smartphone and advertising campaign. The KEYone, an Android smartphone with a QWERTY keyboard, was unveiled under the slogan “Do More. Different.”

In November 2018, BlackBerry announced it would acquire artificial intelligence and cybersecurity company Cylance. The US$1.4 billion deal signalled a major investment in BlackBerry’s software business. According to news outlet Bloomberg, the acquisition was the company’s largest in seven years.

Paging Transmitters 150/900 MHz

The RFI High Performance Paging Transmitter is designed for use in campus, city, state and country-wide paging systems. Designed for use where reliable simulcast systems where RF signal overlap coverage is critical.

• Commercial Paging systems.
• Healthcare Paging systems.
• Public Safety Emergency Services Paging systems.
• Demand Response Energy Grid Management.

Built-in custom interface for Prism-IPX ipBSC Base Controller for remote control, management and alarm reporting.

• Use as a stand-alone unit or in wide area network.
• Mix with other transmitter brands in an existing paging network.
• Adjustable from 20-250 watts.
• 110/240 VAC or 48VDC.
• Absolute Delay Correction.
• Remote Diagnostics.
• Configurable alarm thresholds.
• Integrated Isolator.
• Superb Reliability.
• Improved amplifier efficiency.
• Most reliable high-powered paging transmitter available.

Prism-IPX Systems LLC.

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

The Wireless Messaging News
Board of Advisors

The Board of Advisor members are people with whom I have developed a special rapport, and have met personally. They are not obligated to support the newsletter in any way, except with advice, and maybe an occasional letter to the editor.

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Apple Maps leads explain how the company salvaged the app despite rocky initial launch

Michael Potuck - Dec. 22nd 2021 1:15 pm PT @michaelpotuck

Apple Maps has seen a lot of upgrades over the last few years and specifically this fall with iOS 15 and another update just landing at the tail end of 2021. Now CNN has interviewed two Apple Maps leaders to learn more about the service including how it turned around the app and why Apple thinks it should be your go-to choice.

The big Apple Maps overhaul was first announced back in 2018 with the main portion of that being complete in the US in January 2020. Since then we’ve seen Apple expand on that new foundation around the globe and in the US in 2021.

CNN sat down with David Dorn, product lead, and Meg Frost, design lead for Apple Maps to get some behind-the-scenes details on the upgrades the service has seen this year. Notably, the changes have helped turn around the service from following competitors like Google Maps to leading in some areas.

From 3D view for the world globe now available to 3D landmarks in more cities, here’s what Frost had to say:

Before the new map, we had a two-dimensional product and we really had a flat representation of the world. So we took the opportunity to create a realistic globe that accurately represents the sizes of countries in 3D.

Another change has been improved navigation for car, walking, biking, and transit. Frost says the new details should aid with “split-second decision” making:

“At a glance, drivers can understand a complex intersection more quickly than ever before,” said Frost. “And that detail helps with that split-second decision of which turn they’re going to make. So we want it to be both safer and visually satisfying to navigate.”

For the new 3D Landmarks showing up in select cities on Apple Maps, Frost said that the team handcrafts a 3D mesh of the actual building and then applies it to the base map. That means the 3D Landmarks are super accurate.

And this is an area where Apple is now ahead of Waze and Google Maps.

Radio City Music Hall in New York City is complete with proper-colored lighting. The Arch, trees and pond in Washington Square Park look pristine. And the Philadelphia Museum of Art is complete with a statue of Rocky at the bottom. In DC, Apple’s recreation of the national monuments and memorials can be used on a Mac or iPad in class for educational purposes.

As for why people should pick Apple Maps over other options, Dorn shared three reasons, Apple’s dedication to improvement, privacy, and design/ecosystem:

Dorn described the advantages as a three-pronged approach for why Apple Maps should at least be considered as your map of choice. Firstly, Apple is making a large investment into Maps to continue making it better. Privacy is central to it, in that you don’t need to make a separate account and they aren’t tracking your location for data purposes. Third is the design and ecosystem that Maps plays into. The integration with other Apple devices and services is a key aspect of this service.

Providing Expert Support and Service Contracts for all Glenayre Paging Systems.

The GL3000 is the most prolific paging system in the world and Easy Solutions gladly welcomes you to join us in providing reliable support to the paging industry for many more decades in the future.

Easy Solutions provides cost effective computer and wireless solutions at affordable prices. We can help in most any situation with your communications systems. We have many years of experience and a vast network of resources to support the industry, your system and an ever changing completive landscape.

• We treat our customers like family. We don’t just fix problems . . . We recommend and implement better cost-effective solutions.
• We are not just another vendor . . . We are a part of your team. All the advantages of high priced full-time employment without the cost.
• We are not in the Technical Services business . . . We are in the Customer Satisfaction business.

Experts in Paging Infrastructure

• Glenayre, Motorola, Unipage, etc.
• Excellent Service Contracts
• Full Service—Beyond Factory Support
• Making systems More Reliable and MORE PROFITABLE for over 30 years.

Please see our web site for exciting solutions designed specifically for the Wireless Industry. We also maintain a diagnostic lab and provide important repair and replacement parts services for Motorola and Glenayre equipment. Call or e-mail us for more information.

Easy Solutions
3220 San Simeon Way
Plano, Texas 75023
Vaughan Bowden
Telephone: 972-898-1119
Telephone: 214 785-8255
Website: www.EasySolutions4You.com
E-mail: vaughan@easysolutions4you.com

GLENAYRE INFRASTRUCTURE

Service Contracts

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

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

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

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

INTERNET Protocol Terminal

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

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

Additional/Optional Features

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

Prism-IPX Systems LLC.

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

Paging Data Receiver PDR-4

The PDR-4 is a multi-function paging data receiver that decodes paging messages and outputs them via the serial port, USB or Ethernet connectors.

Designed for use with Prism-IPX ECHO software Message Logging Software to receive messages and log the information for proof of transmission over the air, and if the data was error free.

• Option—decode capcode list or all messages.
• Large capcode capacity.
• Serial, USB and Ethernet output.
• POCSAG or FLEX page decoding, special SA protocols.
• Receivers for paging bands in VHF, UHF, 900 MHz.
• Message activated Alarm Output.
• 8 programmable relay outputs.
• Send notifications of a system problem.

• Synthesized Receiver Tuning.
• Selectivity better than 60 dB.
• Frequencies 148-174, 450-470, 929-932 MHz.
• Image Rejection better than 55 dB.
• Spurious Rejection better than 55 dB.
• Channel Spacing 12.5 or 25 kHz.
• Power 5VDC.
• Receiving Sensitivity 5µV at 1200 bps.

Prism-IPX Systems LLC.

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

Wireless Network Planners
Wireless Specialists

R.H. (Ron) Mercer Consultant 217 First Street East Northport, NY 11731
Telephone: 631-786-9359
www.wirelessplanners.com
wirelessplannerron@gmail.com

What Is HDMI 2.1a and Why Should You Care?

We break down the latest spec and explain why it matters.

By Phillip Tracy — December 24, 2021 9:00AM

Photo: Adam Clark Estes/Gizmodo

The HDMI Licensing Administrator announced a new HDMI 2.1 update, appropriately called HDMI 2.1a, that is designed to improve picture quality when you’re viewing content of varying quality.

I know, I know: HDMI 2.1 is already kind of a mess. So why are there more numbers and letters to figure out? Don’t worry, though, we won’t get too deep into the technical weeds here. Let’s break down what this all means and how it can enhance your picture.

What is HDMI 2.1a?

In short, it’s an updated version of HDMI 2.1 centered around a feature called source-based tone mapping.

What is source-based tone mapping?

Great question! First, let’s define tone mapping. This is a technique used in image processing where digital signals are matched to the proper luminance and color of the TV. This way, you can take a high dynamic range image and present it on a monitor with a limited dynamic range while preserving details, contrast, and colors.

With HDMI 2.1, a portion of the HDRM mapping can be performed by the source device, like a set-top box, PC, or console, in addition to the mapping being done on the display.

And why does this matter?

A source can send a video signal to a display that takes better advantage of that screen’s HDR capabilities.

When you’re dealing with HDR videos and photos, a display will typically do the mapping so content conforms to its limited capabilities. Sometimes, though, certain content will contain different levels of HDR. There might be an HDR element, an SDR (standard dynamic range) photo, and a basic graphic. This is often the case when you’re in picture-in-picture mode.

Typically, in this scenario, a fixed set of brightness and color ranges is determined for the display. With source-based tone mapping, the source can adapt to the display by sending a video signal that is optimized for the HDR capabilities of the panel.

Give me an example.

Sure thing. So you might open a streaming app and see some video thumbnails that support HDR and others that are in SDR. That same page might have basic graphics as well. With HDMI 2.1, your streaming device can send your TV a signal that makes the best of its capabilities. The HDMI Forum says HDMI 2.1a is also designed for PCs and gaming consoles, and that it could improve image quality in a multi-window scenario where you have a video playing on one side and text on the other.

I still don’t understand.

I don’t blame you. Let me then turn to the HDMI Licensing Administrator website, which describes HDMI 2.1a in these terms:

“SBTM is especially useful in cases where HDR and SDR video or graphics are combined together into a single picture, such as picture-in-picture or a program guide with an integrated video window. SBTM also enables PCs and gaming devices to automatically produce an optimized HDR signal in order to maximize the utilization of the display’s HDR capabilities without manual user configuration of the Source device.”

Do my source and display both need to support HDMI 2.1a?

Yes, unfortunately, they do. The HDMI Forum says most TVs can gain the feature via a firmware upgrade, but pushing one out is up to device manufacturers.

When will I see HDMI 2.1a-supported devices?

So the HDMI Forum says it will continue to “refine and release” the HDMI 2.1a spec in 2022 and is aiming at a Q1 release. We should learn more about the spec in the weeks to come.

Brad Dye, Ron Mercer, Allan Angus, Vic Jackson, and Ira Wiesenfeld are friends and colleagues who work both together and independently, on wireline and wireless communications projects.

Click here for a summary of their qualifications and experience. Each one has unique abilities. We would be happy to help you with a project, and maybe save you some time and money.

Note: We do not like Patent Trolls, i.e. “a person or company who enforces patent rights against accused infringers in an attempt to collect licensing fees, but does not manufacture products or supply services based upon the patents in question.” We have helped some prominent law firms defend their clients against this annoyance, and would be happy to do some more of this same kind of work.

Some people use the title “consultant” when they don't have a real job. We actually do consulting work, and help others based on our many years of experience.

“If you would know the road ahead, ask someone who has traveled it.” — Chinese Proverb

Remote AB Switches

ABX-1 switches are often used at remote transmitter sites to convert from old, outdated and unsupported controllers to the new modern Prism-IPX ipBSC base station controllers. Remotely switch to new controllers with GUI commands.

ABX-1

ABX-3 switches are widely used for enabling or disabling remote equipment and switching I/O connections between redundant messaging systems.

ABX-3

Common Features:

• RJ45 for A, B and Common connectors.
• Manual push button or use Prism IP commands to switch one or more relays.
• Single or Dual Port Control card for IP or Serial connection.
• Form C relay—control local connection.
• Power Loss Indicator.
• Rear Panel Connector for controlling the switch externally.
• Power Source: 5VDC for ABX-1; 12VDC for ABX-3.

Prism-IPX Systems LLC.

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

FCC fines AT&T, Intrado, Lumen, and Verizon for 911 network outages

Following a much larger fine for T-Mobile

December 23, 2021 By Sebastian Moss

The FCC’s Enforcement Bureau has settled investigations into AT&T, Lumen Technologies (CenturyLink at the time), Intrado, and Verizon for 911 outages last year.

Together, the companies will pay $6 million for the outages, and for failing to alert the FCC and 911 operators about the outages. The companies also had to agree to implement a compliance plan.

– Thinkstock / pedrosala / DCD

“The most important phone call you ever make may be a call to 911,” said FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. “Sunny day outages can be especially troubling because they occur when the public and 911 call centers least expect it."

She added: "It’s vital that phone companies prevent these outages wherever possible and provide prompt and sufficient notification to 911 call centers when they do occur."

Lumen was given the biggest fine, at $3.8m, for an outage on September 28, 2020. The company said that it had subcontracted to Intrado to provide critical NG911 routing services, but that Intrado kade a configuration error while introducing two new Global

Traffic Managers (GTMs) into its NG911 facilities.

This caused a one hour and 17 minute outage of the NG911 services CenturyLink/Lumen provided as a covered 911 service provider to certain Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) in Arizona, Colorado, Minnesota, North Carolina, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Utah.

Lumen told some of the PSAPs about the outage on time, but failed to tell others due to problems with its PSAP notification system, and a lack of complete information from its vendor.

Intrado will pay $1.75m.

For their outages and lack of communication, AT&T was fined $460,000 and Verizon was fined $274,000.

The fines and settlements come a month after T-Mobile was fined $19.5 million for its June 2020 outage, which lasted 12 hours and affected more than 23,000 911 calls — as well as other services.

Amazon Web Services Outage Borks the Internet Again

The AWS outage marks the service's third disruption this month alone.

By Shoshana Wodinsky, December 22, 2021 9:18 AM.

Amazon Web Services Outage Borks the Internet Again Photo: Lionel Bonaventure (Getty Images) Amazon Web Services (AWS), the web-hosting service that powers, well, most everything online suffered its third outage this month on Wednesday morning, bringing giant chunks of the web crashing down with it. Services like Coinbase, Slack, and the Epic Games store have all had user reports pouring in since roughly 7 am ET, according to DownDetector, which records user reports of outages.

According to the AWS status page, these issues could be tied back to a single data center in West Virginia that lost power in the wee hours of the morning. The company confirmed that one of its data centers within the “single Availability Zone” lost power at 7:01 am this morning, though it says that the issue seems to be resolved as of about half an hour later.

That said, don’t be surprised if your service of choice isn’t back at 100% just yet. “While all services are starting to see meaningful recovery, services which were hosting endpoints within the affected data center — such as single-AZ RDS databases, ElastiCache, etc. — would have seen impact during the event, but are starting to see recovery now,” the page reads. And considering how DownDetector reports were still trickling in a bit after 9 am ET, the recovery appears to be ongoing at the time of publication.

It’s unclear why AWS has been having hiccups multiple times this month. Two weeks ago, the service suffered a major outage that took down everything from dating apps to streaming services and even knocked Amazon’s own logistics networks offline for a short period of time. Then, in the middle of this month, AWS suffered another outage, this time due to an unnamed “Internet connectivity” issue.

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