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Welcome Back To
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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.
HELP SUPPORT THE NEWSLETTER These are uncertain times.
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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Compatibility to be hit as the services buy different kinds of software defined radioFebruary 5, 2021
Despite the appointment of a chief of defence staff (CDS) to coordinate procurement and interoperability between the army, navy and Indian Air Force (IAF), all three services are following different paths while buying their next-generation communication systems, known as “software defined radio” (SDR). As a result, there will be a loss of communications efficiency when, say, an army signaller communicates with an air force pilot, defeating the very purpose of upgrading radio equipment. Even worse, the enemy could find it easy to intercept communications because of lowered security protocols. The IAF, which is ahead of the army and navy in buying futuristic SDR equipment, has chosen to equip its fighter aircraft, several kinds of transport aircraft and helicopters and ground stations with SDR developed by Israeli firm, Rafael Advanced Defence Systems. SDR is an entirely different kind of radio communication, compared to current digital systems. The radio wave form is shaped by a secure software programme that makes it difficult to hack and intercept. SDR allows for secure voice, data and video transmission and has been described flippantly as “a highly secure WhatsApp”. In fact, it is far more sophisticated and secure. In 2017, the IAF signed a contract worth over $100 million with Rafael, for 500 SDR sets that the Israeli firm has named the B-Net system. The next year, Rafael began integrating SDR sets into the IAF aircraft and grounds stations where they were intended to be deployed. Each different type of aircraft, base, radar and guided weapon needed to be integrated separately and tested and certified fit for use. That process is almost complete, says Eli Hefets, Rafael’s corporate regional director for India. Thereafter, the manufacture of the IAF’s 500 SDR is to be carried out in Hyderabad, in a joint venture (JV) company called Astra Rafael Comsys (ARC). Indian electronics firm Astra Microwave owns a 51 per cent stake in ARC, while Rafael owns the remaining 49 per cent. Hefets states that Rafael has already placed an order worth about $30 million on ARC, and that the JV is contractually bound to supply the IAF with SDR sets that were more than 80 per cent indigenous. Meanwhile, the army has decided to procure SDR through the “Make-2” category of the Defence Procurement Procedure. This requires interested companies to develop equipment at their own cost and offer it to the MoD, which then conducts trials and chooses what it likes. It is understood that the army will soon issue an Expression of Interest (EoI), inviting firms to develop suitable SDR. Hefets says the JV firm, ARC, intends to participate in the “Make 2” competition and so, the army could end up with interoperable B-Net SDR developed by Rafael. However, if some other vendor quotes lower, the army — the biggest user of portable, hand-held radio — could end up with non-compatible equipment. Meanwhile, the navy has decided to buy SDR from Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL). Unlike aircraft, where space is critical and, unlike the army where weight is crucial because many users have to man-pack their radio sets; naval vessels have ample space and no weight constraints for their SDR equipment. BEL’s SDR equipment is both bulky and heavy, but meets the navy’s requirement, perhaps at a lesser cost. |
| Source: | Ajaishukla.com |
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How to watch 2021 Super Bowl: Buccaneers vs. Chiefs live stream on Roku, Apple TV and other devicesCatch the big game on all your devices; here's everything to knowBy Cody Benjamin
Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa is just two days away ... the long wait is finally over. It's Chiefs versus Buccaneers. Patrick Mahomes against Tom Brady. Andy Reid and Bruce Arians. Will the reigning champions do it again, or does Brady have a seventh championship performance in him? Kansas City is the favorite, but it's anyone's guess as to how this one will actually play out. Either way, this year's title contest figures to be as dramatic as they come. And fortunately for us, we'll find out soon enough, when Tampa becomes the first team in NFL history to play a Super Bowl in its own stadium. Which devices can stream the big game? And how can you tune in? We've got all the details right here: How to watch Super Bowl LVDate: Sunday, Feb. 7 | Time: 6:30 p.m. ET Connected devices: You can stream via CBSSports.com or the CBS Sports App right on your phone and TV-connected devices. CBS All Access is also available on any of these devices: Amazon Fire TV or Kindle, Android TV, Android phones and tablets, Apple TV, iPhones and iPads, Portal TV, LG TV, Roku, Samsung TV, Vizio TV, Xfinity Flex, Xbox, PlayStation 4, and any PC and Mac web browsers. Find a full list of devices here. How to watch pregame coverageThis year, CBS Sports is also offering extensive access to pre-game Super Bowl LV coverage. CBS Sports HQ, the 24/7 streaming sports news network available for free across digital platforms, services and connected devices, will be live from Tampa during the week leading up to CBS Sports' live stream of the game. Beginning Monday, Feb. 1, CBS Sports HQ will deliver on-site programming and reports throughout each day, and on game day will stream live pre-game coverage, plus post-game analysis and highlights. Starting at 2 p.m. ET on Sunday, Feb. 7, CBS Sports' streaming coverage will also be available to viewers across an expanded lineup of platforms and devices, including unauthenticated at CBSSports.com and on the CBS Sports app for OTT devices and services, smart TVs and mobile devices. |
| Source: | CBS Sports |
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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
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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Windows 10 2004 now in broad deployment, available to everyoneBy Sergiu Gatlan February 4, 2021
Microsoft has announced that Windows 10, version 2004 has now been added to the broad deployment channel and will be available to everyone via Windows Update. "Windows 10, version 2004 is designated for broad deployment," the company says in a status update on the Windows Health dashboard. "The recommended servicing status is Semi-Annual Channel." Microsoft officially started rolling out Windows 10 2004 (aka the Windows 10 May 2020 Update) in May 2020, but for many people, it wasn't yet being offered when checking via Windows Update. When Windows Feature Updates are first released, they are released under targeted deployment in order to test the quality of the build on targeted machines in an organization. "Targeted deployment refers to the phase immediately following the release of a new Windows version when it is recommended to conduct your organization's piloting process and to begin deployments to select devices, such as those with the most modern chipsets and capabilities," Microsoft explains. After Microsoft determines that the Windows version is ready for deployment on most or all devices, they change the Windows version to have a "broad deployment" classification. This means that all devices can be updated to Windows 10, version 2004 via Windows Update, unless they're affected by compatibility holds that block the update due to hardware issues.
The release of Windows 10 2004 was not as bad as the one of Windows 10 1809, which many still see as arguably the buggiest Windows 10 version ever to see the light of day. However, Windows 10 2004 still managed to get out the gates with ten know issues under investigation, many of which are now already fixed. Microsoft added the known issues to the health dashboard right after starting the new release's rollout process, together with nine compatibility holds to prevent users of affected devices from being offered the Windows 10 2004 update. After addressing issues triggering blue screens when plugging or unplugging Thunderbolt docks, boot failures caused by the Disk Cleanup maintenance utility, as well as compatibility issues with numerous systems and hardware configurations, Microsoft has finally decided that Windows 10 2004 is ready for broad release to all customers. If you are not offered the Windows 10, version 2004 update via Window Update, then you should check the Windows 10 Health Dashboard for any known hardware blocks affecting your computer. According to the Windows 10 Health Dashboard, the only known blocks for Windows 10 2004 updates are for devices with Conexant ISST audio drivers. Windows 10 20H2 available for seekeersAs Home, Pro, Pro Education, Pro for Workstations editions of Windows 10 1909 are reaching the end of service on May 11, 2021, Microsoft is now allowing a limited set of customers (with devices running Windows 10 1903 and higher to upgrade to the latest released version, Windows 10, version 20H2. These customers are known as "seekers," which is short for users who are manually seeking to update to the latest Windows version by clicking "Check for updates" via Windows Update. Microsoft says that it's also "slowly throttling up availability over the coming weeks to ensure a reliable download experience." If you are running older Windows 10 versions, you are strongly advised to update to a newer version to continue receiving timely security updates. |
| Source: | www.bleepingcomputer.com |
| 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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Spōk to Collaborate With Mayo Clinic to Optimize Spok Go®Posted: Tuesday, February 2, 2021 8:03 am ALEXANDRIA, Va.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Feb 2, 2021— Spok, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Spok Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: SPOK) and a global leader in healthcare communications, announced today that it is collaborating with Mayo Clinic for clinical and technical expertise to enhance the clinical optimization of the Spok Go® cloud-native communication platform over the next two years. Mayo Clinic and Spok have collaborated for more than a decade consolidating multiple systems into a reliable enterprise communication hub. In addition to the current initiative, the organizations plan to collaborate on critical test results reporting, family and patient engagement, task management, medical device integration, messaging workflow, consult and referral management, and more. “We are very excited by our progress and the potential of Spok Go, as we further develop the platform in collaboration with Mayo Clinic,” said Vincent D. Kelly, president and chief executive officer of Spok Holdings, Inc. “By gaining insights from the top hospital in the nation, we are confident that this collaboration will help us greatly enhance the capabilities of Spok Go.” About Spok Spok, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Spok Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: SPOK), headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, is proud to be a global leader in healthcare communications. We deliver clinical information to care teams when and where it matters most to improve patient outcomes. Top hospitals rely on the Spok Go® and Spok Care Connect® platforms to enhance workflows for clinicians and support administrative compliance. Our customers send over 100 million messages each month through their Spok® solutions. When seconds count and patients’ lives are at stake, Spok enables smarter, faster clinical communication. For more information, visit spok.com or follow @spoktweets on Twitter. Spok is a trademark of Spok Holdings, Inc. Spok Go and Spok Care Connect are trademarks of Spok, Inc. Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act: Statements contained herein or in prior press releases which are not historical fact, such as statements regarding Spok’s future operating and financial performance are forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause Spok’s actual results to be materially different from the future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expectations include, but are not limited to, declining demand for paging products and services, continued demand for our software products and services, our ability to develop additional software solutions for our customers and manage our development as a global organization, the ability to manage operating expenses, particularly third party consulting services and research and development costs, future capital needs, competitive pricing pressures, competition from traditional paging services, other wireless communications services and other software providers, many of which are substantially larger and have much greater financial and human capital resources, changes in customer purchasing priorities or capital expenditures, government regulation of our products and services and the healthcare and health insurance industries, reliance upon third-party providers for certain equipment and services, unauthorized breaches or failures in cybersecurity measures adopted by us and/or included in our products and services, the effects of changes in accounting policies or practices, adverse economic, political or market conditions in the U.S. and international markets and other factors such as natural disasters, pandemics and outbreaks of contagious diseases and other adverse public health developments, such as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), as well as other risks described from time to time in our periodic reports and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Although Spok believes the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that its expectations will be attained. Spok disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statements. |
| View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210202005197/en/ |
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 |
France Paint Job Underway on the World’s Most Famous Tower
In Paris (France), the historic Eiffel Tower is undergoing its most extensive facelift in 130-years. Raw Story reported that the revamp, including a paint job to give the tower a “golden hue,” comes ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics. Since 1898, the Eiffel Tower has housed antennas, making it a fixture for radio and television broadcasts worldwide. French civil engineer Gustave Eiffel himself financed experiments with wireless telegraphy at the turn of the 20th Century in order to fund and add utility to his masterpiece. Today, the structure serves as home base to more than 100 antennas, ranging from broadcast to cellular to fixed mobile, according to the toureiffel.paris website. The tower is currently painted brown, which it has sported since 1968, reported Raw Story. The new color is more in line with the vision that Eiffel had in mind originally. “It’s going to give the Eiffel Tower a bit more of a gold hue than the color that we’re used to seeing, in time for the Olympic Games,” said Patrick Branco Ruivo, the CEO of the company operating the tower, called “The Société d’Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel.” The undertaking to renovate the 1,063-foot tower will cost an estimated $60 million. This includes stripping 19 layers of paint since the tower receives a fresh coat every seven years to protect it against the elements. The project began in 2019, with an anticipated completion date in 2022. According to Raw Story, some workers feel like it’s the job of a lifetime. Worker Charles-Henri Piret commented on the view and said, “It’s not every day you get to hang off a rope at nearly 1,000 feet.” |
| 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 Technical Filing and Letter of Credit Commitments are Due February 15By February 15, 2021, Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Long-Form applications must submit both a letter of credit commitment letter and a technology and system design description. The commitment letter must be from a bank acceptable to the FCC, committing to issue an irrevocable stand-by letter of credit to the long-form applicant for each state where it has a winning bid. The technology and system design description must describe in detail the network to be built or upgraded, demonstrate the project’s feasibility, and provide sufficient detail to demonstrate the long-form applicant can meet the RDOF public service obligations and the service milestones if it becomes authorized to receive support. The description must be certified by a professional engineer. BloostonLaw Contacts: John Prendergast and Sal Taillefer HeadlinesFCC Announces Tentative Agenda for February Open MeetingOn January 27, the FCC announced that the items below are tentatively on the agenda for the February Open Commission Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, February 17, 2021:
Each summary above contains a link to the draft text of each item expected to be considered at this Open Commission Meeting. However, it is possible that changes will be made before the Meeting. One-page cover sheets prepared by the FCC are included in the public drafts to help provide an additional summary. BloostonLaw Contacts: Ben Dickens, Gerry Duffy, and John Prendergast. Comment Sought on Use of E-Rate Funds for Remote Learning During COVID-19On February 1, the FCC issued a Public Notice seeking comment on Petitions for Emergency Relief from parties asking the FCC to permit the use of E-Rate program funds to support remote learning during this unprecedented public health emergency. Comments are due February 16, and reply comments are due February 23. The FCC highlighted three petitions in particular: a petition filed by a coalition of E-Rate stakeholders led by the Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband (SHLB) Coalition, a petition for waiver filed on behalf of the State of Colorado and one filed by the State of Nevada, the Nevada State Board of Education, and the Nevada Department of Education. According to the FCC, these raise almost all of the issues covered by other petitioners. The FCC seeks comment on, among others, the following questions:
Carriers interested in filing comments or reply comments may contact the firm for more information. BloostonLaw Contacts: Ben Dickens, Mary Sisak, and Sal Taillefer. Law and RegulationSenators Reintroduce 5G Workforce BillOn February 3, Senators John Thune (R-S.D.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) re-introduced the Telecommunications Skilled Workforce Act, which is designed to address the shortage of trained workers that are necessary to fill next-generation jobs in the telecommunications industry in communities throughout the country, particularly rural America. Originally introduced around this time last year, the bill would create an inter-agency working group led by the FCC to develop recommendations to address the workforce needs of the telecommunications industry. Specifically, it would:
“This legislation is a win-win when it comes to deploying 5G technology and rural broadband services to South Dakotans, while also ensuring skilled workers have the training necessary for good-paying jobs in the telecommunications industry,” said Senator Thune in a statement on the legislation. “South Dakota’s technical colleges lead the way, and this bill gives our schools’ graduates even more opportunities to succeed.” Commissioner Carr said: “By modernizing our country’s infrastructure rules, America is now home to the strongest 5G platform in the world, and Internet providers are adding new cell sites at an unprecedented pace. To complete America’s 5G build, we need nearly to double the number of skilled tower techs and telecom crews working in this country. Doing so would not only advance U.S. leadership in 5G and create thousands of new jobs, it would help ensure that we have the workforce in place to extend the reach of high-speed Internet services at a time when so many Americans are relying on the Internet to work from home and utilize services such as telehealth and remote learning.” BloostonLaw Contacts: Ben Dickens, Gerry Duffy, and John Prendergast. IndustryFCC Announces Roundtable on Emergency Broadband Benefit ProgramOn January 28, the FCC issued a Press Release announcing that it will convene a virtual roundtable discussion on February 12, 2021 to gather public input on how to structure the new Emergency Broadband Benefit Program. In the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, Congress appropriated $3.2 billion for a new an opportunity to share ideas on the important public policy and program administration decisions that will shape program that would enable eligible households to receive a discount on the cost of broadband service and certain connected devices during the COVID-19 pandemic. The roundtable discussion will be a virtual event available at www.fcc.gov/live. It will allow interested parties to discuss the Commission’s approach to establishing the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program. As we reported in a previous edition of the BloostonLaw Telecom Update, the Commission is currently gathering comments on the program in response to a request for comment issued January 4, 2021. Reply comments are due February 16, 2021. “The hard truth is that the cost of broadband service can be difficult for many families, especially those struggling financially in the ongoing pandemic,” said Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. “We need to fix this, and this program promises to help ease the burden so families can access the telehealth, online learning and job opportunities that are essential to daily life. I thank Congress for providing the funding for this program and look forward to this roundtable discussion on how to get it up and running to reach those in need.” GAO Releases Report on Lifeline VerifierOn January 21, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a report on the implementation of the Lifeline National Verifier. According to the report:
The GAO made six recommendations to FCC in its report:
A full copy of the report can be found here. DeadlinesMARCH 1: COPYRIGHT STATEMENT OF ACCOUNT FORM FOR CABLE COMPANIES. This form, plus royalty payment for the second half of last year, is due March 1. The form covers the period July 1 to December 31, and is due to be mailed directly to cable TV operators by the Library of Congress’ Copyright Office. If you do not receive the form, please contact Gerry Duffy. MARCH 1: CPNI ANNUAL CERTIFICATION. Carriers should modify (as necessary) and complete their “Annual Certification of CPNI Compliance” for this year. The certification must be filed with the FCC by March 1. Note that the annual certification should include the following three required Exhibits: (a) a detailed Statement Explaining How The Company’s Operating Procedures Ensure Compliance With The FCC’S CPNI Rules to reflect the Company’s policies and information; (b) a Statement of Actions Taken Against Data Brokers; and (c) a Summary of Customer Complaints Regarding Unauthorized Release of CPNI. A company officer with personal knowledge that the company has established operating procedures adequate to ensure compliance with the rules must execute the Certification, place a copy of the Certification and accompanying Exhibits in the Company’s CPNI Compliance Records, and file the certification with the FCC in the correct fashion. Our clients can forward the original to BloostonLaw in time for the firm to make the filing with the FCC by March 1, if desired. BloostonLaw is prepared to help our clients meet this requirement, which we expect will be strictly enforced, by assisting with preparation of their certification filing; reviewing the filing to make sure that the required showings are made; filing the certification with the FCC, and obtaining a proof-of-filing copy for your records. Clients interested in obtaining BloostonLaw's CPNI compliance manual should contact Gerry Duffy (202-828-5528) or Mary Sisak (202-828-5554). Note: If you file the CPNI certification, you must also file the FCC Form 499-A Telecom Reporting Worksheet by April 1. BloostonLaw contacts: Gerry Duffy and Mary Sisak. MARCH 1: FCC FORM 477, LOCAL COMPETITION & BROADBAND REPORTING FORM. This annual form is due March 1 and September 1 annually. The FCC requires facilities-based wired, terrestrial fixed wireless, and satellite broadband service providers to report on FCC Form 477 the number of broadband subscribers they have in each census tract they serve. The Census Bureau changed the boundaries of some census tracts as part of the 2010 Census. Specifically, three types of entities must file this form:
BloostonLaw contacts: Ben Dickens, Gerry Duffy, and Mary Sisak. APRIL 1: FCC FORM 499-A, TELECOMMUNICATIONS REPORTING WORKSHEET. This form must be filed by all contributors to the Universal Service Fund (USF) support mechanisms, the Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) Fund, the cost recovery mechanism for the North American Numbering Plan Administration (NANPA), and the shared costs of local number portability (LNP). Contributors include every telecommunications carrier that provides interstate, intrastate, and international telecommunications, and certain other entities that provide interstate telecommunications for a fee. Even common carriers that qualify for the de minimis exemption must file Form 499-A. Entities whose universal service contributions will be less than $10,000 qualify for the de minimis exemption. De minimis entities do not have to file the quarterly report (FCC Form 499-Q), which was due February 1, and will again be due May 1. Form 499-Q relates to universal and LNP mechanisms. Form 499-A relates to all of these mechanisms and, hence, applies to all providers of interstate, intrastate, and international telecommunications services. Form 499-A contains revenue information for January 1 through December 31 of the prior calendar year. And Form 499-Q contains revenue information from the prior quarter plus projections for the next quarter. (Note: the revised 499-A and 499-Q forms are now available.) Block 2-B of the Form 499-A requires each carrier to designate an agent in the District of Columbia upon whom all notices, process, orders, and decisions by the FCC may be served on behalf of that carrier in proceedings before the Commission. Carriers receiving this newsletter may specify our law firm as their D.C. agent for service of process using the information in our masthead. There is no charge for this service. BloostonLaw Contacts: Ben Dickens, Gerry Duffy, and Sal Taillefer. APRIL 1: ANNUAL ACCESS TO ADVANCED SERVICES CERTIFICATION. All providers of telecommunications services and telecommunications carriers subject to Section 255 of the Telecommunications Act are required to file with the FCC an annual certification that
BloostonLaw Contacts: Gerry Duffy, Mary Sisak, Sal Taillefer. Calendar At-a-GlanceFebruary March April
FCC Cancels T-Band Spectrum Auction; Announces Processing of Renewal Applications for Part 90 and Part 22 Systems Operating on 470-512 MHz (T-Band) Spectrum and Other Application Filing ProceduresAs we reported last month, the FY2021 Omnibus Appropriations Bill, which was signed into law at the end of December, repealed the provision of the 2012 Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act that had directed the FCC to auction the 470-512 MHz band (also known as the “T-Band”). Wireless use of the T-band consists of otherwise unused broadcast spectrum in TV channels 14 – 20 in 11 cities. The spectrum contains about 925 public-safety entities and 700 industrial/business entities. This month, the FCC has taken steps to implement the repeal of the mandate to auction the T-Band by (i) ordering the termination the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that was adopted in June 2020 to develop rules for the auction and (ii) issuing a Public Notice directing the Wireless Bureau and the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau to (a) resume the processing of T-Band license renewal applications and (b) process all other pending T-Band applications provided that those applications had not included a request for waiver of the filing freeze. The FCC will be dismissing those applications that had sought a waiver of the freeze so that it can “provide equal opportunity to all applicants and establish a stable spectral environment for modify the [filing freeze].” The FCC has announced that it will open a 90-day filing window (March 22, 2021 until June 21, 2021) in order to accept the following categories of applications from incumbent T-Band licensees:
In this regard, the FCC has also placed additional requirements on its frequency advisory committees in order to eliminate potential conflicts between Part 90 applications prior to their being filed with the FCC. In order to eliminate the potential for mutually exclusive applications, the frequency coordinators must notify all of the other coordinators prior to filing an application with the FCC. The purpose of this notification process is to enable the frequency coordinators to address and resolve conflicting applications prior the filing of any applications. The FCC has announced that the “pre-coordination process” may not occur earlier than 8:00 AM Eastern Time on February 18, 2021. Further, in order to ensure that there is a level playing field, the FCC has also indicated that pre-coordination notifications must be sent individually rather than in batches. The FCC has recognized that there may be circumstances where a waiver of the provisions of this process are required. In those cases, an applicant may request a waiver of the FCC’s Rules. The FCC has cautioned that waiver requests must demonstrate why grant of the waiver is justified by special circumstances and is consistent with the public interest, including the policies underlying the T-Band rules. BloostonLaw Contacts: John Prendergast and Richard Rubino Jessica Rosenworcel Named Acting FCC ChairwomanOn January 21, 2021, President Joe Biden appointed Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel to serve as Acting Chairwoman of the FCC following the resignation of Ajit Pai as Chairman of the FCC the day before. Ms. Rosenworcel joined the FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau in 1999 and moved to former Commissioner Michael Copp’s office in 2003. Beginning in 2007, Ms. Rosenworcel served as Senior Communications Counsel to the United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. Ms. Rosenworcel was first nominated to the FCC by President Obama in October 2011 and re-nominated by President Trump for a second term in June 2017. In a statement, Ms. Rosenworcel stated that “I am honored to be designated as the Acting Chairwoman of the Federal Communications Commission by President Biden,” Rosenworcel said in a statement Thursday. “I thank the President for the opportunity to lead an agency with such a vital mission and talented staff. It is a privilege to serve the American people and work on their behalf to expand the reach of communications opportunity in the digital age.” It is important to note that until a fifth commissioner is confirmed by the Senate to replace Pai, the FCC will be comprised of four commissioners – two Republican and two Democrat. This could hamstring the FCC’s implementation of the Administration’s agenda since there will not yet be a Democratic majority. BloostonLaw Contacts: John Prendergast and Richard Rubino FCC Issues Enforcement Advisory to Remind Amateur and Personal Radio Service Operators Not to Use Radio Equipment to Commit Criminal or Facilitate ActsIn view of recent events, the FCC has issued an Enforcement Advisory to remind licensees that the use of radios is not permitted to commit or facilitate criminal actions. The FCC has become aware of discussions on social media platforms suggesting that certain radio services regulated by the FCC could be an alternative to social media platforms for groups to communicate and coordinate future activities. The FCC recognizes that these services can be used for a wide range of permitted purposes, including speech that is protected under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. However, Amateur and Personal Radio Services may not be used to commit or facilitate crimes. The FCC cautions that illegal use of radios to commit or facilitate criminal activity could subject the licensee or user to severe penalties, including significant fines, seizure of offending equipment, and in some cases, criminal prosecution. BloostonLaw Contacts: John Prendergast and Richard Rubino Attention to License Construction Requirements is CriticalOver the past month, the FCC has denied various Petitions from public safety and local governmental entities to reinstate licenses that were terminated for apparent non-construction. In general, the FCC provides a one-year construction period for land mobile licenses and an 18-month construction period for microwave. While the construction deadlines are reflected on the face of the private land mobile licenses, they are not reflected on the face of the microwave licenses. It is critically important that facilities be constructed in a timely manner and that the FCC be notified promptly of the construction. If for some reason you are not able to complete construction, you may be able to obtain an extension of time within which to complete construction provided that the extension request is filed prior to the expiration of the construction period and you are able to demonstrate that the reason is due to circumstances beyond the Company’s control. In this regard, the FCC’s rules provide that there will be a presumption of due diligence if you can demonstrate that the equipment was ordered within 90 days of the license grant. The FCC currently mails construction coverage reminder letters to licensees approximately three months prior to the construction deadline. As we have previously reported, the FCC is transitioning away from mailing letters and other correspondence via US Mail to using licensee email addresses. In light of this development, we have started adding licensee email addresses to the application in addition to our own email address so that you will receive correspondence from the FCC in the future. When establishing an email address, we recommend that the Company consider a generic email address such as fcc@XXXXX.com that is set up to be received by multiple personnel rather than an individual specific email address. In that way, if there is a personnel change, the Company will still receive the notice while it updates its email system to add and drop people as personnel changes are made. BloostonLaw Contacts: John Prendergast and Richard Rubino
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| LETTERS TO THE EDITOR |
Brad, I hope you are doing well. I really enjoy your newsletter! I also wanted to share some good news with you on our upcoming expansion. A new life for former Weirton banquet hallDecember 26, 2020
WEIRTON — A building which once served as the site of many of the area’s biggest events and celebrations soon will have a new life. For the last several months, Lauttamus Communications and Security has been working to convert the former Serbian-American Cultural Center, on Colliers Way in Weirton, into a new operational hub for the locally owned and operated business. “It’s not going to be our headquarters, but we had to expand because we’re out of space,” explained Paul Lauttamus, the company’s president and CEO. Lauttamus Communications and Security has been focusing on growth over the last decade, expanding its reach farther into West Virginia, as well as Ohio and Pennsylvania. That growth will be highlighted in the lobby of the new offices. “We’ve acquired 11 companies,” Lauttamus said. “We want to tell their stories.” Lauttamus noted the new facility will allow the business to add between 15 and 30 new jobs in the next three years, with the 30,000-square-foot building housing a new research and development center, sales, administrative and engineering offices, a fitness center, gym and lockers for employees and an expanded inbound call center. It’s expected to help better position the company as it expands more into the areas of tower construction, artificial intelligence, security, thermal imaging cameras, engineering services, IOT services and 5G technology. “We envision our team traveling farther, as well as bringing in engineers to work with us,” he said. “We’re super excited to be able to continue to invest in our region.” The renovations aren’t entirely for the business, though, as the former Tesla’s Lounge will serve as space for community meetings and small, private events. Lauttamus said he plans to name it “Al’s Community Room,” in honor of his late father, Al Lauttamus. “We want to give that back to the community,” he said, explaining, the room can be rented with space for approximately 75 people. A kitchen is available, but those holding the events will have to provide their own food and refreshments. The building’s lobby can be used as overflow for the events, if needed. Trushel Construction is serving as the main contractor for the project, with Lauttamus noting it was important to him to have as many local hands involved as possible. “I really wanted everybody who earned this business to be local,” Lauttamus said. “They’re the ones who live, work and play here.” Craig Trushel, of Trushel Construction, expressed his appreciation to Lauttamus and his focus on growth and work in the Ohio Valley. “It’s been a good opportunity for the city of Weirton,” Trushel said. “He’s bringing in more jobs. It’s been good to work with him.” The company’s existing location on Cove Road will serve as a hub for its installation, warehousing and data center operations, as well as a new tower construction facility being established in response to growing needs for 5G networks, private LTE networks and other communication needs in the oil and gas industry. Lauttamus expressed his thanks to his family for their support, as well as Steve Webb at the state Economic Development Administration, the Business Development Corp. of the Northern Panhandle, the City of Weirton and City Manager Joe DiBartolomeo, David Carrick and the West Virginia University Manufacturing Extension Office, Bob Stein and the University of Pittsburgh Entrepreneurship Program and Forum 13. (Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com, and followed via Twitter @CHowellWDT) I also enclosed a letter that I sent to our team this New Year’s. I hope you are doing well and staying safe! I lost 7 friends due to COVID, PLEASE stay SAFE! My Best Everyday! Paul Lauttamus
Email: paull@lauttamus.com Awards and Honors of Lauttamus Communications EVERYONE This Year’s Theme is EVERYONE! Happy New Year, EVERYONE! 2020 was a year of great change due to COVID-19. For EVERYONE it was a year where our lives and business changed dramatically. I want to thank EVERYONE for your commitment to Lauttamus and patience throughout the year! EVERYONE was truly amazing! Despite the challenges of 2020, EVERYONE in our business grew by adapting to change. When COVID-19 started, EVERYONE began our drive to get almost EVERYONE off site while we smoothly transitioned to remote working and kept our businesses moving forward with about 70% of our employees working from home. I am most proud that we were able to keep EVERYONE working, NO mandatory layoffs, and EVERYONE healthy. I want to thank EVERYONE for your commitment to Lauttamus in making this happen! We did this with teamwork, improved safety, increasing our team’s sick days, reducing overtime unless it was essential, watched every purchase, and essentially EVERYONE reducing every cost without effecting service! We devised plans, improvised, and made a commitment to EVERYONES safety while making sure we continued providing essential services to our customers while keeping EVERYONE safe! Because of these challenges, EVERYONE is stronger and more resilient. We must continue this resiliency to prevent the spread of COVID-19 at our offices, our customer sites, and EVERYONE’S homes! EVERYONE must continue to be vigilant with COVID19 as I expect this to continue until the end of July. Therefore, I will be asking EVERYONE to continue all cost savings measures, and practice safety at all times, as EVERYONE’S life depends on it! We will be starting 2021 with our new office on the horizon in Weirton, from this smart building that utilizes advanced technologies, we will establish new workstyles that correspond to the new normal, COVID shields for desks, enlarged working areas for social distancing, a wellness center, gymnasium, research and development/training facility and entertainment venue. Technology is changing a rapid pace across EVERYONE’S businesses, and Service is a key driver to our success and EVERYONE’S succuss at Lauttamus! Yes, we said Service! This is HOW WE WIN! In the next year we will acquire a security company, expand our wide area radio system to rapidly expand our wide area coverage, finalize the implementation of ConnectWise, grow our call center, and increase our alarm monitoring accounts while moving into our new offices. Furthermore, over the next 5 years we will invest millions in technology, build next-generation networks, including a state-of-the-art call center with video monitoring, with a view that EVERYONE will provide the best service possible to our co-workers, and our customers. We must Achieve Growth over the long term. We must also challenge ourselves in different technologies while leveraging our strengths with our customers. In 2021 we will also expand into AI with Avigilon, IOT, Towers, and LTE (CBRS). Building on the foundation of our business and utilizing EVERYONE, we will work on solving our customers issues and providing solutions to our customers. As EVERYONE makes plans for the coming year, we hope that you will commit to investing in your own growth, and be vigilant of COVID at all times. We must respect EVERYONE’S opinions, and ideals. I ask EVERYONE please continue to follow the social distancing guidelines set by the Governor(s), wear mask at all times! EVERYONE’S Lives depend on it. I greatly appreciate your continued support and commitment to Lauttamus. By working together, we will get through this a stronger company. In 2021, we wish EVERYONE and EVERYONE’S family all the peace, prosperity, and happiness!
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Brad, This David Frye (ex-VP COO of NovaTel and Celpage P.R.) from many years back, from your days at BBL, I want to tell our wireless friends that Jake MacLeod passed away on January 8 from the Covid virus… Jake had no underlying health issues and passed away 8 days after his birthday… Jake worked for me at NovATel about 37 years when I hired him and he moved to Atlanta from Texas… When NovAtel closed he went to work at Hughes in DC and then hired at Bechtel in charge of all their worldwide and domestic construction activates in wireless construction… Jake ran the advanced research labs in Fredericksburg, MD for wireless research where he later became a Bechtel Fellow… He was very active in worldwide cellular wireless, government communications and member of many wireless communications committees… Brad, enjoy your newsletter and keep up the great work, be safe and healthy… Sincerely yours, David A. Frye E-mail: DAFrye@DFACo.com or DAFrye@GMail.com |
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“American Pie”Home Free ft. Don McLean February 3, 2021
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