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Welcome Back To The Wireless |
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This Week's Wireless News Headlines:
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NO POLITICS HERE This doesn't mean that nothing is ever published here that mentions a US political party—it just means that the editorial policy of this newsletter is to remain neutral on all political issues. We don't take sides.
A new issue of the Wireless Messaging Newsletter is posted on the web each week. A notification goes out by e-mail to subscribers on most Fridays around noon central US time. The notification message has a link to the actual newsletter on the web. That way it doesn’t fill up your incoming e-mail account. There is no charge for subscription and there are no membership restrictions. Readers are a very select group of wireless industry professionals, and include the senior managers of many of the world’s major Paging and Wireless Messaging companies. There is an even mix of operations managers, marketing people, and engineers — so I try to include items of interest to all three groups. It’s all about staying up-to-date with business trends and technology. I regularly get readers’ comments, so this newsletter has become a community forum for the Paging, and Wireless Messaging communities. You are welcome to contribute your ideas and opinions. Unless otherwise requested, all correspondence addressed to me is subject to publication in the newsletter and on my web site. I am very careful to protect the anonymity of those who request it. I spend the whole week searching the INTERNET for news that I think may be of interest to you — so you won’t have to. This newsletter is an aggregator — a service that aggregates news from other news sources. You can help our community by sharing any interesting news that you find.
Editorial Opinion pieces present only the opinions of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the views of any of advertisers or supporters. This newsletter is independent of any trade association. I don't intend to hurt anyone's feelings, but I do freely express my own opinions. |
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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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We’ll All Probably End Up in Microsoft’s MetaverseIt's Microsoft's office and we're all just working in it. By Sam Rutherford — November 2, 2021 3:20 PM
The company formerly known as Facebook isn’t the only tech giant trying to sell you on the metaverse. Microsoft is rolling out some new virtual collaboration features designed to make working in a virtual office less terrible or something. In Microsoft’s metaverse version of the office, you’ll use a 3D avatar to represent you, which promises to be infinitely better than keeping your camera on at all hours of the work day. Let’s back up: The metaverse, as folks like Mark Zuckerberg describe it, is a merging of the virtual and physical worlds. You still have to go to work, but you’re wearing a virtual reality headset and your face is an avatar. Sounds cool, right? Not content to let Facebook (or Meta, whatever we’re calling it now) dominate the metaverse—especially when Microsoft is known for its productivity software—the Office maker is getting in on the action. At the company’s annual Ignite conference, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella described the idea of shared virtual worlds as a completely new platform that will allow people to “embed computing into the real world, and to embed the real world into computing—bringing real presence to any digital space.”
Microsoft has already invested in bringing elements of augmented and virtual reality into the real world, specifically into the office, with a framework called Mesh. Now Microsoft Teams, the company’s video-conferencing and collaboration platform, is part of Mesh. What this means for real people is that Teams is gaining new customizable 2D and 3D avatars that people can use instead of a traditional profile picture or a video of their face in video conferences. This makes it easier for people to work together either in person or virtually, I guess, although really it just makes it easier to keep your camera off for video calls while your 3D avatar makes interested facial expressions.
Microsoft has also created a collection of pre-built virtual spaces that will be available in Teams, allowing people to choose from different-looking environments to hold meetings in. In the future, Microsoft says Teams users will be able to customize meeting spaces with virtual objects like whiteboards, billboards, and floating displays, while 3D models of a new product or prototype can hover on virtual tables or displays in the middle of the space. The idea of diving deeper into virtual work might feel like a burden after so many have been working remotely for so long, but Microsoft points out that the use of digital avatars might actually reduce meeting fatigue by making it easier and more acceptable for you to turn off your webcam during meetings.
Microsoft says that users wearing a VR headset like an Oculus Quest 2 (er, Meta Quest 2?) will be able to use customized 3D avatars that will “take audio cues so as you talk your face will animate” along with “animations that bring additional expressivity to the avatars,” including hand movements. And in the future, Microsoft says better sensors will allow Mesh for Teams to work better on all sorts of devices (smartphones, laptops, etc.), while your avatar could make you easier to recognize when jumping between traditional flat 2D meetings and 3D meetings in virtual spaces. The idea of being even more online is that last thing most people want. But with the pandemic forcing so many of us to work remotely—and many workers hoping to continue working from home or finding a balance between in-office and remote work—at least Microsoft’s metaverse features have some merit. Zuckerberg’s version? Who even knows. |
| Source: | GIZMODO |
| Leavitt Communications |
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November 3, 2021 12:48 AM CDT Media & TelecomChina opposes U.S. revocation of license for China Telecom
SHANGHAI, Nov 3 (Reuters) — China "resolutely opposes" Washington's revocation of China Telecom Corp Inc's (0724.HK) license to operate in the United States, the information ministry said on Wednesday, urging a reversal of the move. The U.S. decision, made public a day earlier, means the U.S. subsidiary, China Telecom Americas, must discontinue services in the United States within 60 days. "In recent years, the United States has repeatedly sanctioned Chinese companies on the grounds of national security and disregarding facts," the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) said in a statement. "This is an unreasonable suppression of Chinese enterprises by abuse of state power and a serious breach of international economic and trade rules," the Chinese regulator added. The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) cited national security concerns for its vote last month to revoke the authorization for China Telecom’s U.S. subsidiary. In April 2020, the U.S. government said China Telecom targeted its mobile virtual network at more than 4 million Chinese Americans; 2 million Chinese tourists a year visiting the United States; 300,000 Chinese students at American colleges; and the more than 1,500 Chinese businesses in America. On Wednesday, China Telecom told China Daily, a newspaper published by the ruling Communist Party, that it adhered to compliance requirements in all its markets, including the United States, and added that the FCC's decision lacked justification. Soon after the decision, a spokesperson for China's commerce ministry said Beijing had made a formal complaint about it. In March, the FCC began efforts to revoke authorization for China Unicom Americas, Pacific Networks and its wholly-owned subsidiary ComNet to provide U.S. telecommunications services. In May 2019, the FCC voted unanimously to deny another state-owned Chinese telecommunications company, China Mobile, the right to provide U.S. services. Reporting by Josh Horwitz; Editing by Clarence Fernandez and Kim Coghill |
| Sources: | REUTERS |
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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Company affirms its financial outlook for full year 2021 ALEXANDRIA, Va.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Nov. 3, 2021— Spok Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: SPOK), a global leader in healthcare communications, today announced results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2021. In addition, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.125 per share, payable on December 10, 2021, to stockholders of record on November 16, 2021. Third Quarter 2021 Highlights:
Management Commentary:“We welcomed four new customers to the Spok family during the quarter of which three were software and one was wireless," said Vincent D. Kelly, president and chief executive officer. “Additionally, we successfully closed 12 six-figure deals from our pipeline. Software bookings were driven by strength in maintenance renewals, supporting our strong recurring revenue base. We added an additional Spok Go win during the quarter and remain encouraged by the size and quality of our pipeline, with the signing of three more Spok Go deals so far in the fourth quarter. We had continued improvement in year-over-year pager unit erosion on a trailing twelve-month basis, and software revenue was up in the third quarter of 2021 compared to the second quarter of 2021. “During the third quarter 2021, we made several key product announcements, such as the newest version of Spok Go and the ReadyCall® Text pager to improve the patient experience. We also received recognition as a solutions provider to all 20 adult hospitals named to U.S. News & World Report’s 2021-22 Best Hospitals Honor Roll and conducted our eleventh annual survey on the state of healthcare communications to more thoroughly understand the unique challenges facing clinicians, particularly in the current environment. Finally, subsequent to the end of the third quarter 2021, the Company held its annual Connect 21 Conference for customers on October 11-12, 2021, in a virtual format, which was well received by both current and prospective customers. Tim Tindle, Spok’s Chief Information Officer, led a session on implementing a secure HIPAA-compliant messaging solution, using our new GenA™ pager, resulting in several new leads and orders. The success of the conference should create additional opportunities for 2022 and beyond," concluded Kelly. 2021 Third Quarter and Year-to-Date Results:Consolidated revenue for the third quarter of 2021 under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) was $35.9 million, compared to $37.7 million in the third quarter of 2020. For the first nine months of 2021, consolidated revenue totaled $107.6 million, compared to $110.7 million in the prior year period. [Financial tables at Source] |
| Source: | Spok Holdings, Inc. |
| PRISM IPX Systems |
With PRISM IPX Systems, Your message is delivered Secure & Encrypted
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| Easy Solutions |
Providing Expert Support and Service Contracts for all Glenayre Paging Systems. The GL3000 is the most prolific paging system in the world and Easy Solutions gladly welcomes you to join us in providing reliable support to the paging industry for many more decades in the future. Easy Solutions provides cost effective computer and wireless solutions at affordable prices. We can help in most any situation with your communications systems. We have many years of experience and a vast network of resources to support the industry, your system and an ever changing completive landscape.
Please see our web site for exciting solutions designed specifically for the Wireless Industry. We also maintain a diagnostic lab and provide important repair and replacement parts services for Motorola and Glenayre equipment. Call or Easy Solutions |
GLENAYRE INFRASTRUCTUREI would like to recommend Easy Solutions for Support of all Glenayre Paging Equipment. This Texas company is owned and operated by Vaughan Bowden. I have known Vaughan for over 35 years. Without going into a long list of his experience and qualifications, let me just say that he was the V.P. of Engineering at PageNet which was—at that time—the largest paging company in the world. So Vaughan knows Paging. GTES is no longer offering support contracts. GTES was the original group from Vancouver that was setup to offer support to customers that wanted to continue with the legacy Glenayre support. Many U.S. customers chose not to use this service because of the price and the original requirement to upgrade to version 8.0 software (which required expensive hardware upgrades, etc.). Most contracts ended as of February 2018. If you are at all concerned about future support of Glenayre products, especially the “king of the hill” the GL3000 paging control terminal, I encourage you to talk to Vaughan about a service contract and please tell him about my recommendation. Click on the image above for more info about advertising here. |
INTERNET Protocol Terminal The IPT accepts INTERNET or serial messaging using various protocols and can easily convert them to different protocols, or send them out as paging messages. An ideal platform for hospitals, on-site paging applications, or converting legacy systems to modern protocols.
Additional/Optional Features
Prism-IPX Systems LLC. 11175 Cicero Dr., Alpharetta, GA 30022 |
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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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| Source: | American Messaging |
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 |
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 |
FAA To Take Regulatory Action Over 5G Altimeter Interference Russ Niles
In an auction of radio spectrum last year, the major telecoms paid a total of $78 billion in an FCC auction to get access to a thin slice of the finite range of available radio frequencies to carry 5G signals. Those signals will be in the 3.7 to 3.98 GHz part of the so-called C-Band, which is apparently the sweet spot for carrying the data-heavy 5G signals. Radar altimeters operate in the 4.2-4.4 GHz frequency range (their sweet spot) and the fear is that the nearby powerful cell signals will cause interference for the avionics. The FCC approved the use of the spectrum for 5G saying “well-designed [radio altimeter] equipment should not ordinarily receive any significant interference (let alone harmful interference).…” But aviation groups say the risk for thousands of aircraft is real and the FAA seems to agree. The precise nature of the impending rulemaking hasn’t been revealed yet but radar altimeters are fundamental to the operation of instrument landing systems since they provide the primary altitude information for decision height in Cat 2 and 3 approaches. They’re also the source of altitude data for ground proximity warning systems. The U.S. approach to the 5G rollout differs from that of Canada, which is also concerned about radar altimeter interference. As we reported earlier, Canadian radio spectrum authorities have placed restrictions on the use of 5G transmitters near major airports to ensure there is no interference with radio altimeters. Major telecoms in Canada are protesting the move, saying it will keep them from offering the latest wireless services to many businesses and private customers in the heavily industrialized and populated areas around major airports. |
| Source: | AVweb | Thanks to Barry Kanne |
| Leavitt Communications |
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EWA Elects New Board Members and OfficersFor Immediate ReleaseContact: Andrea Cumpston, Communications Director November 5, 2021 (Herndon, VA) – The Enterprise Wireless Alliance (EWA) is pleased to announce the election of new members to its Board of Directors, which occurred during EWA’s 2021 Annual Meetings on November 2, 2021. Newly elected EWA Directors were:
Additionally, the following individuals were elected to serve on EWA’s Executive Committee for the 2021-2022 term:
On the election, EWA Chief Executive Officer Mark Crosby stated:
About the Enterprise Wireless AllianceThe Enterprise Wireless Alliance is an FCC-certified frequency advisory committee and leading advocate for business enterprises, private carrier operators, wireless sales and service organizations and private wireless equipment vendors. EWA provides spectrum acquisition strategies, frequency coordination, license preparation, license management and associated reporting services. Membership in EWA is open to users of wireless communications systems, vendors, system operators and service organizations. EWA develops cutting-edge services to support member businesses, such as Spectrum Intel, Cevo®, a powerful online frequency coordination solution, which simplifies the FCC-license application process and allows users to select their own frequencies, and Cevo Go™ a mobile app that delivers frequencies certified by EWA in hours, not days. More information about membership and services is available at www.enterprisewireless.org. |
| Source: | Enterprise Wireless Alliance |
| Inside Towers Newsletter |
OSHA Issues Emergency Coronavirus Standard For 100+ Employee Companies
OSHA yesterday announced a new emergency temporary standard to protect more than 84 million workers from the spread of the coronavirus on the job. OSHA said they estimate that this rule will save thousands of lives and prevent more than 250,000 hospitalizations due to workplace exposure to COVID-19 over the course of the emergency temporary standard ETS. Recently industry trade group NATE asked for a public comment period on OSHA’s proposed vaccine mandate. Under this standard, covered employers must develop, implement and enforce a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy, unless they adopt a policy requiring employees to choose to either be vaccinated or undergo regular COVID-19 testing and wear a face covering at work. “COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on workers, and we continue to see dangerous levels of cases,” said U.S. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh. “We must take action to implement this emergency temporary standard to contain the virus and protect people in the workplace against the grave danger of COVID-19. Many businesses understand the benefits of having their workers vaccinated against COVID-19, and we expect many will be pleased to see this OSHA rule go into effect.” The emergency temporary standard covers employers with 100 or more employees — firm or company-wide – and provides options for compliance. The ETS also requires employers to provide paid time to workers to get vaccinated and to allow for paid leave to recover from any side effects. The ETS also requires employers to do the following:
The emergency temporary standard does not require employers to pay for testing. Employers may be required to pay for testing to comply with other laws, regulations, collective bargaining agreements, or other collectively negotiated agreements. Employers are also not required to pay for face coverings. “While vaccination remains the most effective and efficient defense against COVID-19, this emergency temporary standard will protect all workers, including those who remain unvaccinated, by requiring regular testing and the use of face coverings by unvaccinated workers to prevent the spread of the virus,” said Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Jim Frederick. “As part of OSHA’s mission to protect the safety and health of workers, this rule will provide a roadmap to help businesses keep their workers safe.” OSHA is offering compliance assistance to help businesses implement the standard, including a webinar and other compliance materials. The ETS will cover two-thirds of the nation’s private-sector workforce. In the 26 states and two territories with OSHA State Plans, the ETS will also cover public sector workers employed by state and local governments, including educators and school staff. Leading companies, including major airlines, manufacturers and retailers, have taken similar actions in recent months — adopting vaccine requirements or regular testing as necessary measures to protect their workers and customers. The ETS is effective immediately upon its publication in the Federal Register. Employers must comply with most requirements within 30 days of publication and with testing requirements within 60 days of publication. |
| Source: | Inside Towers newsletter | Courtesy of the editor of Inside Towers, Jim Fryer. Inside Towers is a daily newsletter by subscription. |
| BloostonLaw Newsletter |
REMINDER: Lifeline Non-Usage Waiver in Hurricane Impact Areas Expires November 30In September, the FCC issued an Order temporarily waiving the Lifeline non-usage rules for subscribers residing in “Affected Disaster Areas.” The Order identified the “Affected Disaster Areas” as the areas in Louisiana and Mississippi designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as eligible for Individual or Public Assistance, which includes all parishes and counties in Louisiana and Mississippi. This waiver is set to expire on November 30. BloostonLaw Contacts: Ben Dickens, Gerry Duffy, and Sal Taillefer. HeadlinesFCC Announces Tentative Agenda for November Open MeetingOn October 28, the FCC issued a Press Release announcing that the items below are tentatively on the agenda for the October Open Commission Meeting scheduled for November 18:
Each summary above contains a link to the draft text of each item expected to be considered at this Open 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. Chairwoman Rosenworcel Proposes Text-to-988 RulesOn October 27, the FCC issued a Press Release announcing that FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel has proposed an order that would expand access to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by establishing the ability to text 988 to directly reach the Lifeline. Scheduled to be considered at the FCC’s November Open Meeting, the item would adopt a uniform implementation deadline requiring covered text providers to support text messaging to 988 by July 16, 2022. This is the same date the FCC has established 988 as the 3-digit dialing code to reach the Lifeline by telephone. According to the Press Release, the proposed rules would also establish a process that will require covered text providers to support transmitting messages to 988 in additional text messaging formats that the Lifeline is capable of receiving. And the item would find that the FCC’s federal partners are best positioned to determine whether and how to text 988 for the Veterans Crisis Line’s text service. “Texting has become an integral part of how we stay in touch, with Americans sending an estimated 2.2 trillion text messages in 2020 alone. During a global pandemic where so many have felt isolated from their friends and family, and students have been separated from their peers, the ability to text to stay connected has proven even more critical,” said Chairwoman Rosenworcel in an accompanying statement. BloostonLaw Contacts: Ben Dickens, John Prendergast, and Sal Taillefer. USTelecom Seeks Stay of Call Blocking Notification RequirementOn October 26, USTelecom filed a petition for emergency stay of the FCC’s rules requiring terminating voice service providers to return SIP Code 607 or 608, as appropriate, when they block calls on an IP network, and further requiring voice service providers in the call path to transmit that code to the origination point of the call. According to USTelecom, “many voice service providers will not be able to transmit SIP Codes 607 and 608 by the January 1, 2022 deadline or any time soon thereafter.” Absent a stay, USTelecom argues, “providers will be forced to cease robocall blocking activities contrary to the Commission’s consumer protection.” USTelecom filed a petition for reconsideration of the FCC’s Fourth Report and Order on robocall blocking back in May which addressed the instant concern, among others. There, USTelecom argued that the FCC should “favor flexibility and, for providers that choose to send release codes, that should include (but not be limited to) 607 and 608 as those codes work their way through the standards process.” According to USTelecom, “[t]he standard the Commission relied on to impose this requirement was not fully vetted and had not been approved by the IP-NNI task force. Further, because many calls transit both IP and TDM networks, the Commission relied on unfinished guidance to require that SIP Codes 607 and 608 map to ISUP code 21.” Providers of voice service that anticipate having trouble implementing the FCC’s robocall rules are encouraged to contact the firm for more information. BloostonLaw Contacts: Ben Dickens, Gerry Duffy, and Sal Taillefer. NCE FM New Station Filing Window Closes November 9On November 1, the FCC issued a Public Notice reminding applicants that the filing window for applications for noncommercial educational (NCE) FM new station construction permits will close at 6:00 pm EST on November 9. The window is available for FM reserved band (channels 201 –220) proposals. According to the Public Notice, the application deadline will be “strictly enforced.” Specifically, the FCC stated, “[a]pplications submitted before November 2, 2021, or after the 6:00 pm EST November 9, 2021, Application Deadline will be dismissed by public notice without further consideration.” The FCC also reminded applicants that an applicant may file no more than a total of 10 applications in the window – i.e., that a party to an application filed in the window may hold attributable interests in no more than a total of 10 applications filed in the window. The FCC stated that if it is determined that any party to an application has an attributable interest in more than 10 applications, the FCC will retain the 10 applications that were filed first — based on the date of application receipt — and dismiss all other applications. BloostonLaw Contacts: John Prendergast and Richard Rubino. Law and RegulationSenate Approves Secure Equipment ActOn October 27, the Senate unanimously passed the Secure Equipment Act of 2021. The bill now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law. As we reported in a previous edition of the BloostonLaw Telecom Update, the Secure Equipment Act, which was introduced by Reps. Steve Scalise (R-LA) and Anna Eshoo (D-CA), requires the FCC to establish rules stating that it will no longer review or approve any authorization application for equipment that is on the list of covered communications equipment or services (i.e., the list of communications equipment or services that the FCC determines pose an unacceptable risk to national security or the security and safety of U.S. persons). “I applaud the Senate for unanimously passing the Secure Equipment Act that I authored with Rep. Anna Eshoo. Our bipartisan legislation will prevent China from infiltrating America’s telecommunications networks and compromising our national security. The Secure Equipment Act forcefully signals to the Chinese Communist Party that America is committed to protecting the privacy and security of our citizens, and I look forward to this legislation becoming law,” said Whip Scalise. “For over a decade, I have fought to address vulnerabilities in our telecommunications systems, and today my bill with Rep. Scalise passed in the Senate. Equipment made by Huawei and ZTE, companies linked to the Chinese government, increases the vulnerabilities of our telecommunication systems and puts our national security at risk. Our bipartisan, bicameral bill prohibits the FCC from issuing licenses for any telecommunications equipment made by Huawei or ZTE. Bravo to Senators Markey and Rubio who pushed our legislation through the Senate just days after it passed in the House. I’m eager to see this bill signed into law by the President soon,” said Rep. Eshoo. BloostonLaw Contacts: Ben Dickens and Gerry Duffy. Comments on PSAP Robocall Blocking Due December 1On November 1, the FCC published in the Federal Register its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking proposing new rules designed to protect Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) from unwanted robocalls. Comments are due December 1, and reply comments are due December 16. Originally released in September, the NPRM would require voice service providers to block robocalls made to 911 call center telephone numbers listed on a PSAP Do-Not-Call registry. The FCC is also seeking comment on several related questions, including the extent to which autodialed calls and text messages continue to be a problem for 911 call centers, as well as whether the number of unwanted calls and texts has significantly changed as a result of anti-robocall efforts since 2012, when the FCC first took steps to establish a PSAP Do-Not Call registry at Congress’ direction. Finally, the FCC is seeking comment on ways to protect PSAPs from cyberattacks and disruptions other than those conducted with robocalls. BloostonLaw Contacts: Ben Dickens, Gerry Duffy, and Sal Taillefer. Reply Comments on Multiple Tenant Environment Public Notice Extended to November 19On November 3, the FCC issued an Order granting a request to extend the reply comment deadline on its Public Notice seeking to refresh the record on competitive access to broadband in apartment and office buildings, also known as Multiple Tenant Environment (MTE) buildings. Reply comments are now due November 19. As we reported in a previous edition of the BloostonLaw Telecom Update, the FCC is seeking comment on three main issues related to broadband deployment in MTE buildings. The first focuses on revenue sharing agreements between MTE owners and service providers, and whether such arrangements inhibit entry by competitive providers or affect the price and quality of service options for consumers. Second, the FCC seeks comment on exclusive wiring arrangements and whether such arrangements do not preclude access to new entrants or inhibit choice for tenants. The FCC also asks for input on whether exclusive marketing arrangements create confusion and lower choices for tenants. BloostonLaw Contacts: Ben Dickens, Gerry Duffy, and Sal Taillefer. IndustryUSAC Releases NLAD System EnhancementsOn October 29, the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) announced the release of released two new system enhancements in the National Lifeline Accountability Database (NLAD). Both enhancements are optional features that service providers are not required to use. First, the Application ID Enrollment functionality provides an alternative verification, enrollment, and transfer process that requires limited personally identifiable information (PII). Service providers can now complete verify, enroll, and transfer transactions using a consumer’s Application ID from a qualified application in the National Verifier. Second, service providers can also now perform updates to a subscriber’s record in NLAD using a consumer’s subscriber ID or telephone number (eliminating the need for a consumer’s full PII). FCC Releases Form 477 DataOn October 29, the FCC issued a Public Notice announcing the release of updated data on fixed broadband deployment, and mobile voice and broadband deployment as of December 31, 2020. Fixed Deployment Data are available for download at https://www.fcc.gov/general/broadband-deployment-data-fcc-form-477 and will be visible on the National Broadband Map at https://broadbandmap.fcc.gov. Mobile Deployment Data are available at https://www.fcc.gov/mobile-deployment-form-477-data. According to the Public Notice, the fixed broadband data released today include revisions made by filers through September 30, 2021, while the mobile deployment data include revisions made by filers through April 21, 2021. For data on fixed broadband deployment, users can download data on the census blocks where providers report offering fixed broadband services to at least part of the block. These data tables also indicate the technology used to offer the service, and the maximum advertised download and upload speeds for both consumer and business fixed broadband services. The data are available in CSV (comma delimited) format for both the entire United States and for individual states. For data on mobile deployments, users can download coverage area shapefiles indicating mobile voice and broadband network deployment for each combination of provider and network technology, as well as separate CSV files depicting mobile coverage resulting from two different coverage analyses: centroid and actual area. USAC to Host Supply Chain Audit Webinar on November 9On October 29, USAC announced that it will host a supply chain audit webinar on Tuesday, November 9 from 2 to 3 p.m. ET. According to the notice, the webinar will cover program participant responsibilities; USAC's role and responsibilities; USAC’s audit approach; and how providers can prepare for these audits. Participants will have the opportunity to ask any questions they have that relate to the supply chain audit process. DeadlinesDECEMBER 1: FCC FORM 323, BIENNIAL OWNERSHIP REPORT. In odd numbered years, all licensees of commercial AM, FM, and full power television broadcast stations, as well as Licensees of Class A Television and Low Power Television (LPTV) stations, must file FCC Form 323 December 1. The information in each ownership report shall be current as of October 1 of the year in which the ownership report is filed. In the case of organizational structures that include holding companies or other forms of indirect ownership, a separate FCC Form 323 must be filed for each entity in the organizational structure that has an attributable interest in the licensee. If a licensee holds multiple station licenses and the information submitted on the licensee’s ownership report is equally applicable to each such license, the licensee may file a single Form 323 listing all such licenses. Similarly, if a non-licensee holds attributable interests in multiple licensees and the information submitted on that entity’s ownership report is equally applicable to each such licensee and all licenses, that entity may file a single Form 323 listing all such licensees and licenses. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any entity that both (1) is a licensee and (2) holds attributable interests in one or more licensees must file two ownership reports — one as a licensee and one as a non-licensee. JANUARY 18: Form 855 HAC Compliance Certification. The next Hearing Aid Compatibility regulatory compliance certification, certifying compliance with the FCC’s HAC handset minimums as well as enhanced record retention and website posting requirements for the 2020 calendar year, will be due Monday, January 18, 2022, for all CMRS service providers (including CMRS resellers) that had operations during any portion of 2021. Companies that sold their wireless licenses during the 2021 calendar year will need to file a partial-year HAC compliance certifications if they provided mobile wireless service at any time during the year. Under current FCC rules, at least 66% of a Tier III provider’s handset must meet ratings of M3- or better and T3- or better. The benchmark applicable to Tier III providers will increase from 66% to 85% on April 3, 2023. BloostonLaw has prepared a 2022 HAC Regulatory Compliance Template to facilitate our clients’ compliance with the revised HAC rules. Contact Cary Mitchell if you would like to obtain a copy of the HAC Regulatory Compliance Template. BloostonLaw Contact: Cary Mitchell. JANUARY 31: FCC FORM 555, ANNUAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS CARRIER CERTIFICATION FORM. All Lifeline Program service providers are required to file the FCC Form 555, except where the National Verifier, state Lifeline administrator, or other entity is responsible. Since January 31 falls on a weekend or holiday this year, Form 555 may be filed by February 1. The FCC Form 555 must be submitted to the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) electronically via USAC’s E-File (One Portal). Carriers must also file a copy of their FCC Form 555 in the FCC's Electronic Comment Filing System, Docket 14-171, and with their state regulatory commission. The form reports the results of the annual recertification process and non-usage de-enrollments. Recertification results are reported month-by-month based on the subscribers’ anniversary date. BloostonLaw Contacts: Ben Dickens and John Prendergast.
Calendar At-a-GlanceNovember December January |
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| LETTERS TO THE EDITOR |
Dreaming or being safe and secure? Did we learn enough and fast enough from the crises of the last 5 years and did we learn enough about us? The opinion of an opinion leader. Which technology should you use? And for which application? We (well) remember 1928: Finally! The railway was dead and old-fashioned. Because now there was the Zeppelin airship. Today we know (we really do) the value of proven communication technology. That's what mobile communications expert and newsletter editor Brad Dye talked about at the CRITICAL MESSAGING ASSOCIATION‘s #CMASummit21, which just ended. A great talk. An Honest Talk. Who do we believe? The next charlatan who promises greater Bandwidth and that too in the milk can, but then maybe only delivers New York or Berlin, but just not Esmeralda County and Mecklenburg? The one who, with the IP protocol, is optimised for point-to-point connections and not for "I'm transmitting an urgent short message simultaneously to everyone and across the board"? Do we use Netflix and WhatsApp for alerts and warnings and for industrial applications such as switching power grids (which also goes down for 7 hours at a time ... what would have happened to the world's energy grids during that time if we had relied on it?) or something reliable that is there and works and works. Brad Dye responds with a convincing plea for something that will surprise some: paging. It is there. It is there in the field. It is independent of broadband, cellular and even gimmicks. It does one-to-many transmission better than anyone else. And the technology can be easily integrated into any other device, saving power and money. Even as a hybrid solution. Great talk, Brad. Dietmar |
Dear Friends, That's how it is with events. A long preparation time, then the eagerly awaited moment of the live performance and then — it's over again. This was also the case for us. We were able to listen to many exciting and extremely interesting contributions and many questions were answered. All in all a very successful CMASummit21. With one or the other small technical glitch, for which I would like to apologize. We are still learning, this was only the second time we held such a Summit. The third time it will surely work even better than this time. And as you have seen, neither people nor computers or even networks are flawless. And because of the very content-rich presentations we listened and of the lack of time, 3 presentations fell by the wayside, which, as announced, will have to be made up for in a separate smaller session. After short conversation with some oft the Members of Board of Directors we will have them on NOVEMBER 22nd at 3 p.m. CET. Please, reserve the time slot. The CMASummit21 extension will take place in connection with our announced CMAMeeting21 in the web and in Cologne (we plan hybrid so far). I would like to thank all of you for your participation and hope that you share my impression. We will publish all presentations on our homepage again. This will happen within this week. They can then be downloaded via the login. As already mentioned on Thursday (and before) the third part of our Summits on the (draft) topic of "Cooperation" will take place in late winter / early spring 2022. So, if you have any idea for an interesting presentation or a proposal for an interesting speaker, please let us know. Suggestions and proposals are very welcome. Attention to what we say is growing. We had audience from members, friends, colleagues from outside, from parliament, from governmental agencies, etc. . . We would be delighted if you would also let us know what you think about the industry event. Whether praise or constructive criticism. Everything helps to make the next event better and better. And before mid next year we would like to have our 1st post Corona Presence Summit. This is what we are waiting for. And for an evening sitting together for informal exchange. Once again, thank you very much for joining the CMASummit21 “Industry”. Further information about the publication of the lectures you will get in a later shorter mail. For now, please stay safe and healthy, keep in touch with us and have a nice day. And … special thank you ones more to our presenters. See what has been published and click. And organise your own social media and other posts. That would be great. Cause 1+2 should be 4. Very kind regards, Dietmar Gollnick Some links coming from publishing after the Summit, see here:
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| TECHNICIAN'S CORNER |
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| Source: | YouTube |
| THIS WEEK'S MUSIC VIDEO |
“Corrine, What Makes You Treat Me So?”
Click here to hear this directly on YouTube. “Do not confuse this with the 12-bar blues 'Corrine Corrina'. 'Corrine, What Makes You Treat Me So?' is a 16-bar tune originating with Blind Boy Fuller in 1937. Erika sings it in the key of A. What we have here are an Introduction and nine runs through the Chorus, five of which are vocals. The posy and the pinned dollars are birthday conventions: this was filmed on Erika's birthday. With thanks to my good friend David Wiseman who was there with his camera and kindly sent me the video. This song is also on Tuba Skinny's Album entitled 'Blue Chime Stomp', where Erika sings six choruses.” |
| Source: | YouTube |
 Best regards,  Newsletter Editor 73 DE K9IQY Licensed since 1957 |
Current member or former member of these organizations. | ||||
The National  Rifle Association |
MENSA MEMBER |
A Public Library of  Paging and Wireless Messaging Information |
Wireless  Messaging |
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Critical Messaging  Association |
European Mobile Messaging Association  Former Board Member |
ZP5TQ  Radio Club of Paraguay |
Quarter Century  Wireless Association |
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Back To Paging  Still The Most Reliable Wireless Protocol For Emergencies! |
American Association  of Woodturners |
U.S. Navy  Radioman |
U.S. Navy Radioman  Second Class Petty Officer |
Boy Scouts of America  National Honor Society |
Creator of the  Paging Wheel of Fortune |
National Skeet  Shooting Association |
Institute Electrical and  Electronics Engineers |
American Radio  Relay League |
The Radio Club  of America |
Life is good! |
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CONTACT INFO & LINKS
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Amateur Radio
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VETERAN  United States Navy |
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