| Wireless News Aggregation |
|
Welcome Back To The Wireless |
|
|||||
This Week's Wireless News Headlines:
|
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. |
|||||
What happens if you don't advertise? . . . NOTHING! Click on the image above for more info about advertising in this newsletter. |
HELP SUPPORT THE NEWSLETTER
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. |
|||||
|
Subscribe Here IT'S FREE
|
 |
Advertiser Index
|
Service Monitors and Frequency Standards for Sale
(Images are typical units, not actual photos of items offered for sale here.)
|
Instagram users can now join group chats in MessengerInstagram DMs also gain polls, chat themes and more.S. Dent @stevetdent September 30th, 2021
After introducing cross-messaging between Messenger and Instagram last year, Facebook has made it more useful with the addition of cross-app group chats. With the new feature, you'll be able to start a group chats and loop in both Messenger and Instagram contacts. In addition, you'll be able to run Messenger-style polls in both Instagram DMs and cross-app group chats if your group needs to decide whether to get pizza, tacos or both, for instance (both, obviously). Meanwhile, Instagram gets an exclusive new feature called "Watch Together." To use it, you just start a video chat within Instagram, scroll to the post you want to share then click on the share button and "Watch Together." Instagram has added some new content from Steve Aoki, Travis Barker and Cardi B. Other new additions include group typing indicators available in cross-app group chats for both Messenger and in Instagram DMs. Facebook also brought in new chat themes for Messenger and Instagram DMs, including "Cottagecore" and a theme centered around Columbian singer J Balvin. There's also a new Astrology art suite, with an Astrology group chat theme, AR effect and sticker pack. The new features roll out for Messenger and Instagram today.
|
| Source: | engadget |
| Leavitt Communications |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Apple Releases Rare ‘Device Support Update’ for macOS Big SurPosted by Chandraveer Mathur on Sep 30, 2021 in macOS Big Sur
On Thursday, Apple has released a new “Device Support Update” for macOS Big Sur, disrupting its usual update schedule. There’s no official change-log from the company about it this year, but it pertains to updating and restoring iOS and iPadOS backups. Interestingly, this update isn’t listed on Apple’s Big Sur support page but the release notes state that “this update ensures proper updating and restoring for iOS and iPadOS devices with a Mac.” Apple did not explain the improvements delivered by this update in great detail. It is reasonable to speculate that since the iPhone 13, iPad mini 6, and iPad 9 debuted recently, the update is related to them. The update’s size is 195.6MB and we suggest you install it if you use your Mac to take backups of your iPhone or iPad. To install the update, navigate to System Preferences > Software Updates. Here, select the new Device Support Update and click Install Now. The installation should not take more than a few minutes and unlike macOS OS updates, you won’t need to restart your Mac after the process completes. The last time Apple interrupted the regular macOS update cycle with a Device Support Update was in 2019. That update was related to “proper updating and restoring for iOS devices using iTunes for Mac. |
| Source: |
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
|
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.
Can You Help The Newsletter?
You can help support The Wireless Messaging News by clicking on the PayPal Donate button above. It is not necessary to be a member of PayPal to use this service.
Newspapers generally cost A donation of $50.00 would certainly help cover a one-year period. If you are wiling and able, please click on the PayPal Donate button above. |
|||||||||||||||
| PRISM IPX Systems |
With PRISM IPX Systems, Your message is delivered Secure & Encrypted
|
|||||||||||
| Prism IPX Products | |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
Microsoft announces Office 2021 features and pricingOffice 2021 arrives on October 5thBy Tom Warren@tomwarren Oct 1, 2021, 10:40am EDT
Microsoft is launching Office 2021 on October 5th, and the company is finally detailing the features and pricing today. Office 2021 will be the next standalone version of Microsoft’s Office suite, designed for businesses and consumers who want to avoid the subscription version of Office. Office Home and Student 2021 will be priced at $149.99 and include Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Microsoft Teams for PC and Mac. Office Home and Business 2021 is priced at $249.99 and will include everything in the Home version and Outlook for PC and Mac, alongside the rights to use all of the Office apps for business purposes.
Office 2021 will include the collaboration features found in Microsoft 365 versions of Office, with real-time co-authoring, OneDrive support, and even Microsoft Teams integration. Office 2021 will also include the new Office design that has a refreshed ribbon interface, rounded corners, and a neutral color palette that all matches the UI changes in Windows 11. Microsoft is also adding in some Microsoft 365 features to Office 2021, including modern Excel features, PowerPoint improvements, better inking in Office apps, and Outlook translation support. Here are all the new Office 2021 features: Excel:
PowerPoint:
Outlook:
Word:
Office 2021 will be available on October 5th, alongside the launch of Windows 11. Microsoft says Office 2021 is supported on Windows 11, Windows 10, and the three most recent versions of macOS. |
| Source: |
| 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 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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
|
|||||||||||
FCC aggressively moves to block spam callsThe Federal Communications Commission is stopping some shady telecom company users from making robocalls—or any other kind of call.By Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols for Networking | October 1, Yesterday, I had a dozen — count 'em a dozen — spam calls. My carrier, Verizon, does a good job of marking most of them as spam, but it's not perfect. Some calls get through. Now, if I were like most of you, I'd just ignore any call from an unknown number. Alas, I'm not. I'm a journalist, so I sometimes get calls that I must take from numbers I've never seen before. Sometimes you must do that too. But, now the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is finally putting a stop to many spammers. The FCC is doing this by forbidding legitimate telecom companies from taking calls originating from voice service providers whose certification doesn't appear in the FCC's Robocall Mitigation Database. This means "voice service providers will be prohibited from directly accepting that provider's traffic." Technically that works because telecoms must now block traffic from "voice service providers that have neither certified to implementation of STIR/SHAKEN caller ID authentication standards nor filed a detailed robocall mitigation plan with the FCC." Secure Telephone Identity Revisited (STIR)/ Signature-based Handling of Asserted Information Using toKENs (SHAKEN) is Caller-ID on steroids — it's a protocol for authenticating phone calls with the help of cryptographic certificates. It's meant to make certain that when someone calls you, the name showing up on Caller ID really is the person calling. It also lets your phone company know, in theory, who's responsible for a specific call. STIR/SHAKEN works with both landline and cellular networks. Acting FCC Chairperson Jessica Rosenworcel said, "The FCC is using every tool we can to combat malicious robocalls and spoofing — from substantial fines on bad actors to policy changes to technical innovations like STIR/SHAKEN. Today's deadline establishes a very powerful tool for blocking unlawful robocalls. We will continue to do everything in our power to protect consumers against scammers who flood our homes and businesses with spoofed robocalls." Much as I'd like to think that this would drop my spam call count to zero, I know better. For example, while digital telecoms must now be using STIR/SHAKEN, old-school. Older time-division multiplexing (TDM)/public switched telephone network (PTSN) based networks are still grandfathered in. The FCC requires that "providers using older forms of network technology [must] either upgrade their networks to IP or actively work to develop a caller ID authentication solution." Still, no date has been set for this changeover. In addition, as Brad Reaves, North Carolina State University professor of computer science, warned in a Marketplace interview, "There are just too many loopholes and ways to bypass this system." These include smaller voice providers that still aren't required to implement STIR/SHAKEN. Besides that, some providers provide US phone service to people living outside the country. They're not required to participate in STIR/SHAKEN either. Still, this new FCC move is a step forward. Will it end up substantially reducing spam calls? We'll soon know if our phones finally stop ringing non-stop with junk calls. We live in hope. |
| Source: | ZDNet |
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 |
Audiophiles, How's Your Hearing? |
| Source: |
YouTube |
| Leavitt Communications |
|
|||||||
| Inside Towers Newsletter |
|
FCC Votes to Update Network Telecom Outage Reporting RulesBy Leslie Stimson, Inside Towers Washington Bureau Chief
The FCC wants to improve cell network resiliency during natural disasters as well as its own communications reporting system. That’s why the Commissioners voted 4-0 on Thursday to adopt a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on these topics as well as strategies to mitigate the effect of power outages on communications networks. The NPRM seeks comment on proposed improvements to the Wireless Network Resiliency Cooperative Framework, a voluntary industry agreement that includes mutual aid during disasters. One of those questions is whether broadband service outages should be reported in the agency’s mandatory Network Outage Reporting System. Both Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel and Commissioner Brendan Carr went to Louisiana this week to see damage from Hurricane Ida. Carr said at one 911 call center they visited, messages poured in from residents during the hurricane. One message read: “Water in house. Stuck in attic,” he said during the vote. He’s hopeful for changes that would ensure “seamless” call roaming during disasters and deepen coordination between power and telecom repair crews, noting accidental fiber cuts still happen during restoration. Commissioner Geoffrey Starks supports making carrier participation in the agency’s Disaster Information Recovery System (DIRS) mandatory. “During a disaster, DIRS provides a wealth of actionable information that can shape the local, state, and federal response. Today, we don’t always know if a carrier is not reporting because it has chosen not to or because it has sustained damage that makes the company unable to report,” he said. Expanded participation would make DIRS more valuable, Starks believes. The NPRM also brings attention to back-up power. “During the 2020 earthquakes in Puerto Rico, the overwhelming majority of cell-site outages resulted from power loss, not damage to facilities. The same was true this year after Hurricane Ida,” Starks noted. Rosenworcel said she and Carr drove from Baton Rouge to New Orleans. “Along the way we saw cruel reminders of the storm and the great damage wind and water can do—mangled store signs and piles of refuse still being cleared away.” The agency sent personnel to Louisiana ahead of the storm and to the Federal Emergency Management Agency Regional Response Coordination Center in Dallas, Texas, to support spectrum management, perform damage assessments, and prioritize recovery efforts. It provided assistance to 911 call centers, carriers, broadcasters and State Emergency Operations Centers. The Commission set up what Rosenworcel called the “first-of-its kind team” to address coordination with utilities to prevent accidental fiber cuts during debris removal and restoration” and helped coordinate the transport of communications equipment, fuel, and other resources to help fill communications gaps. “Communications companies worked long and hard to restore critical services,” noted the Acting Chair. “All of this made a difference. More than 98 percent of the cell sites in the affected counties have been restored. Other outages trended downward as fast as power was restored.” But the FCC must still understand where communications fell short, where recovery took too long, and what changes can be made to make our networks more resilient before the next “unthinkable event” occurs, according to Rosenworcel. That’s why it’s seeking comments on ways to improve communications reliability during disasters. |
| Source: | Inside Towers newsletter | Courtesy of the editor of Inside Towers, Jim Fryer. Inside Towers is a daily newsletter by subscription. |
| BloostonLaw Newsletter |
Calls From Providers Not Listed in Robocall Mitigation Database Must Now Be BlockedOn September 28, the FCC issued a Public Notice reminding carriers that the deadline for blocking phone traffic from voice service providers that have neither certified to implementation of STIR/SHAKEN caller ID authentication standards nor filed a detailed robocall mitigation plan with the FCC has arrived. Going forward, if a voice service provider’s certification and other required information does not appear in the FCC’s Robocall Mitigation Database, intermediate providers and voice service providers will be prohibited from directly accepting that provider’s traffic. See the full article below for more. BloostonLaw Contacts: Sal Taillefer. HeadlinesBloostonLaw Assists Client in Securing Partial Waiver of FCC HUBB Reporting DeadlineOn September 28, the FCC issued an Order granting in part a petition for waiver filed by Nucla Naturita Telephone Company (NNTC) of the deadline to certify certain buildout data to the High Cost Universal Broadband (HUBB) portal by March 1, 2019. With the assistance of BloostonLaw, NNTC was able to establish good cause for the FCC to waive its rules. Per BloostonLaw partner Sal Taillefer, the waiver request established that NNTC’s non-compliance was the result of a simple administrative oversight that resulted in the timely uploading, but not certification, of a number of locations amounting to a substantial portion of NNTC’s buildout requirements under the Alternative Connect America Cost Model (A-CAM) revised offer. The FCC’s Order agreed, and found that strict compliance with its rules did not serve the public interest because, among other things, NNTC timely uploaded the location data to the HUBB (despite not certifying it). BloostonLaw can help clients to deal with HUBB compliance, as well as the FCC’s Performance Measure Module compliance. BloostonLaw Contact: Sal Taillefer. Supply Chain Reimbursement Program Filing Window Opens October 29, Closes January 14On September 24, the FCC released Public Notice announcing that that the application filing window for the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program (Reimbursement Program) will open on Friday, October 29, 2021 at 12:00 AM ET and close on Friday, January 14, 2022 at 11:59 PM ET. BloostonLaw attorneys are available to assist clients interested in participating in the Reimbursement Program. The FCC also released a Frequently Asked Questions document and an infographic related to its Supply Chain Reimbursement Program. The FAQ can be found here, and the infographic can be found here. It is important to note that any information, guidance, or advice provided in these documents is considered informal guidance and should not be considered a final or binding FCC determination by FCC staff. As we reported in a previous edition of the BloostonLaw Telecom Update, the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019 (Secure Networks Act), as amended, required the FCC to establish the Reimbursement Program to reimburse providers of advanced communications services with ten million or fewer customers for costs incurred in the removal, replacement, and disposal of covered communications equipment or services from their networks that pose a national security risk. Covered communication equipment or services eligible for Reimbursement Program support is limited to the communications equipment or services produced or provided by Huawei Technologies Company (Huawei) or ZTE Corporation (ZTE), that were obtained by providers on or before June 30, 2020. BloostonLaw Contacts: Ben Dickens, Gerry Duffy, Cary Mitchell, and Sal Taillefer. FCC Reminds Providers of Robocall Blocking Deadline; Announces Email Update ListOn September 28, the FCC issued a Public Notice reminding voice service providers and intermediate service providers that, effective immediately, these providers may only accept calls directly from a voice service provider if that voice service provider has filed in the Robocall Mitigation Database certifying whether and to what extent it has implemented the STIR/SHAKEN caller ID authentication framework. The FCC also announced the availability of an email subscription service to notify subscribers of additions, deletions, and revisions to filings in the Robocall Mitigation Database. As we reported in a previous edition of the BloostonLaw Telecom Update, beginning September 28, 2021, terminating voice service providers and intermediate providers may not accept calls directly from an originating voice service provider not listed in the Robocall Mitigation Database. The FCC originally adopted the rule in September of 2020. On April 20, 2021, the Bureau released a Public Notice announcing this deadline and thereby establishing September 28, 2021 as the date on which the blocking obligation goes into effect. Voice service providers that are not listed in the Robocall Mitigation Database as of this date will have their calls blocked by voice service providers and intermediate providers to which they directly send their traffic. The FCC also announced that it has made available an email subscription service to notify subscribers of updates to the Robocall Mitigation Database. This service will provide notification of newly added or deleted filings in the database, as well as changes to a provider’s “Business Name” found in its earlier filing. The purpose of these is to allow terminating voice service providers and intermediate providers to keep track of what entities are in the Robocall Mitigation Database without manually reviewing the database for changes. According to the Public Notice, the list may be joined by logging on to the database portal and, on the personalized welcome page, clicking the “Subscribe to weekly updates” link located toward the middle of the page. By signing up for this email subscription, providers will then receive a new email every Tuesday at 11 AM EST listing modifications to the Robocall Mitigation Database over the preceding 7 calendar days. Providers with questions about the Database, the related prohibition on delivering calls from unlisted providers, or joining the email list may contact the firm for more information. BloostonLaw Contacts: Ben Dickens, Gerry Duffy, and Sal Taillefer. Law and RegulationCOVID-19 Lifeline Waivers Extended to December 31On September 22, 2021, the FCC released a waiver extending previous Lifeline waivers set to expire on September 30, 2021, through December 31, 2021. Specifically, waivers governing recertification, reverification, general de-enrollment, and income documentation are extended through December 31, 2021, for all applicable Lifeline participants. Additionally, the waiver regarding documentation requirements for subscribers residing in rural areas on Tribal lands is also extended through December 31, 2021. Per USAC, from now through December 31, 2021:
As a reminder, the FCC allowed its waiver of the Lifeline usage requirement expire on May 1. As of that date, ETCs were once again required to send notice to Lifeline subscribers who have not used their service in the previous 30 days and notify those subscribers that they have 15 days to cure their non-usage. BloostonLaw Contact: Sal Taillefer. Senators Endorse Rosenworcel for FCC ChairOn September 22, a group of twenty-five Senators — twenty-four Democrats and one Independent – sent a letter to President Joe Biden’s office urging the President to appoint Acting Chair Jessica Rosenworcel as permanent Chair of the Commission. The Senators wrote, “We represent 17 states and a wide range of political and policy views, but one thing we have in common is a belief that there is no better qualified or more competent person to lead the FCC at this important time than Acting Chair Rosenworcel.” At the same time, the Senators cautioned that, “further delays will unnecessarily imperil our shared goal of achieving ubiquitous broadband connectivity.” Signing the letter was Sens Joe Manchin (D-WV), Angus King (I-ME), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Richard Durbin (D-IL), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Benjamin Cardin (D-MD), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), Christopher Murphy (D-CT), Patty Murray (D-WA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), Jacky Rosen, (D-NV), Tina Smith, (D-MN), Jon Tester (D-MT), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Gary Peters (D-MI), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD). BloostonLaw Contacts: Ben Dickens, and Sal Taillefer. IndustryFCC Seeks Information on Status of Private-Led Robocall Traceback EffortsOn September 23, the FCC issued a Public Notice requesting voice service providers and the registered consortium, USTelecom’s Industry Traceback Group (Traceback Group), to submit any information on the topics the Commission is required to address in its annual report on the state of private led efforts to trace back the origin of suspected unlawful robocalls. The reporting period for this request is from November 1, 2020, to October 31, 2021. Carriers interested in submitting information must do so by November 15, 2021. The Commission is required by the Pallone-Thune Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence Act to seek additional information from voice service providers and the registered consortium about private-led traceback efforts, and to publish an annual report on the status of those efforts. Information relating to the following topics is requested:
The Commission originally sought comment on these efforts in July, but misstated the relevant period. This Public Notice supersedes the July Public Notice. BloostonLaw Contact: Sal Taillefer. FCC Announces Precision Ag Task Force Meeting on October 14On September 23, the FCC issued a Public Notice announcing the next meeting of the Task Force for Reviewing the Connectivity and Technology Needs of Precision Agriculture in the United States (Precision Ag Connectivity Task Force or Task Force). The meeting will be held Thursday, October 14, beginning at 3:00 p.m. EDT. According to the Public Notice, at this meeting the Task Force will hear updates from the Working Group leadership and discuss recommendations, but this agenda may be modified at the discretion of the Task Force Chair and the Designated Federal Officer. The meeting will be wholly electronic and is open to the public on the Internet via live feed from the FCC’s web page at www.fcc.gov/live. DeadlinesSEPTEMBER 30: FCC FORM 396-C, MVPD EEO PROGRAM REPORTING FORM. Each year on September 30, multi-channel video program distributors (“MVPDs”) must file with the FCC an FCC Form 396-C, Multi-Channel Video Programming Distributor EEO Program Annual Report, for employment units with six or more full-time employees. Users must access the FCC’s electronic filing system via the Internet in order to submit the form; it will not be accepted if filed on paper unless accompanied by an appropriate request for waiver of the electronic filing requirement. Certain MVPDs also will be required to complete portions of the Supplemental Investigation Sheet (“SIS”) located at the end of the Form. These MVPDs are specifically identified in a Public Notice each year by the FCC. BloostonLaw Contacts: Gerry Duffy and Sal Taillefer. SEPTEMBER 30: FCC FORM 611-T, DESIGNATED ENTITY REPORT. Each year on September 30, entities that won licenses at auction with bid credits must file a combined 611-T Designated Entity report for any licenses still subject to the “unjust enrichment” rule, which requires licensees to maintain their eligibility for small business and rural service provider bid credits for the first five years of the license term. BloostonLaw Contacts: John Prendergast and Cary Mitchell. OCTOBER 1: FCC FORM 477, LOCAL COMPETITION AND BROADBAND REPORTING FORM. (CARRIERS AFFECTED BY HURRICANE IDA ONLY). This deadline was extended from September 1 due to Hurricane Ida. Carriers affected by Hurricane Ida. Filers in Louisiana and Mississippi designated as eligible for Individual or Public Assistance for the purposes of federal disaster relief as of September 3 have until October 1. Three types of entities must file this form.
BloostonLaw Contacts: Ben Dickens and Gerry Duffy. OCTOBER 15: 911 RELIABILITY CERTIFICATION. Covered 911 Service Providers, which are defined as entities that “[p]rovide[] 911, E911, or NG911 capabilities such as call routing, automatic location information (ALI), automatic number identification (ANI), or the functional equivalent of those capabilities, directly to a public safety answering point (PSAP), statewide default answering point, or appropriate local emergency authority,” or that “[o]perate[] one or more central offices that directly serve a PSAP,” are required certify that they have taken reasonable measures to provide reliable 911 service with respect to three substantive requirements: (i) 911 circuit diversity; (ii) central office backup power; and (iii) diverse network monitoring by October 15. Certifications must be made through the FCC’s portal. BloostonLaw Contacts: Mary Sisak and Sal Taillefer. NOVEMBER 1: FCC FORM 499-Q, TELECOMMUNICATIONS REPORTING WORKSHEET. All telecommunications common carriers that expect to contribute more than $10,000 to federal Universal Service Fund (USF) support mechanisms must file this quarterly form. The FCC has modified this form in light of its decision to establish interim measures for USF contribution assessments. The form contains revenue information from the prior quarter plus projections for the next quarter. Form 499-Q relates only to USF contributions. It does not relate to the cost recovery mechanisms for the Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) Fund, the North American Numbering Plan Administration (NANPA), and the shared costs of local number portability (LNP), which are covered in the annual Form 499-A that is due April 1. BloostonLaw Contacts: Ben Dickens and John Prendergast. Calendar At-a-GlanceSeptember October November
Year End Reminder: Ownership Changes May Require FCC ApprovalWe want to remind our clients that many types of reorganizations, estate planning and tax savings activities and other transactions require prior FCC approval; and given the frequent need to implement such transactions by the end of the year, companies engaging in such transactions should immediately determine whether they must file an application for FCC approval, and obtain a grant, before closing on a year-end deal. Transactions requiring prior FCC approval include (but are not limited to):
Fortunately, transactions involving many types of licenses can often be approved on an expedited basis. But this is not always the case, especially if bidding credits and/or commercial wireless spectrum licenses are involved. Also, in some instances Section 214 authority may be required, especially in the case of wireline and other telephony services. Clients planning year-end transactions should contact us as soon as possible to determine if FCC approval is needed. BloostonLaw Contacts: John Prendergast and Richard Rubino Alarm Industry, Others Urge FCC to Extend 3G Sunset to Prevent Loss of Safety-Related Radio OperationsA variety of customers using AT&T’s 3G cellular service have filed comments with the FCC, reinforcing the need for an extension of AT&T’s planned 3G shutdown on February 22, 2022. Industries engaged in safety-related activities indicate that they face dire consequences unless there is an extension of the 3G service. This harm would be brought about because the COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant delays in being able to replace 3G alarm radios for more than one year, and the worldwide microchip shortage has compounded the problem considerably. And just as it seemed the world was getting past COVID-19 shutdowns and social distancing, the Delta variant is reigniting those concerns. The FCC is being asked to order such relief, given the extraordinary circumstances faced by the alarm industry and others. The record in the FCC proceeding about this issue shows millions of safety related devices depend on the 3G network, besides alarm systems: “Ankle bracelet” monitors to track violent offenders; vehicle collision avoidance systems; vehicle roadside assistance systems; elevator emergency phones; and emergency radios for “lone worker” situations in the agriculture, oil and gas industries. Zonar Systems, a provider of smart fleet management solutions, reports that over 100,000 school buses and countless other vehicles in critical fields still rely on 3G services for safety, compliance with federal mandates and logistics management; and the National Association for Pupil Transport supports Zonar’s filing. These industries are asking for a ten-month extension in order to have time to replace legacy 3G radios with 4G devices, once replacement devices become available in sufficient numbers. In assessing the public interest balance of this matter, the FCC must consider the risk of true safety implications for millions of displaced users, due in large part to a pandemic and related microchip shortage that no one could have reasonably foreseen. Comments point out that weighing against these adverse safety consequences is only AT&T’s desire to bring to a small fraction of its customers a “more robust” 5G service in less populated areas where it has not deployed its 5G+ spectrum, even though 5G on the 850 MHz cellular spectrum will only give the customer a marginally better experience than the existing 4G LTE service; and in the event of a weak or blocked 5G signal, these customers will default automatically to AT&T’s robust 4G service, or the taxpayer-funded FirstNet LTE network to which AT&T has unique access. Commenters point out that cell customers have been slow to move to 5G devices so far. Any clients that may be adversely affected by the AT&T 3G sunset may submit ex parte comments to the FCC until the Commission schedules a vote on the matter. BloostonLaw Contacts: John Prendergast and Cary Mitchell FCC Enforcement Advisory — Don’t Use FCC-Regulated Radio Frequencies for Criminal ActivitiesThe FCC should not have to say this, but apparently, it has become an issue — and would apply to facilities in the Part 90 Land Mobile Services as well. The FCC’s Enforcement Bureau has issued an Advisory to remind licensees in the Amateur Radio Service and operators in the Personal Radio Service that the Commission prohibits the use of radios to commit or facilitate criminal acts or any action that is contrary to federal, state or local law. The FCC has made clear that use of radio for illegal purposes could subject the licensee or operator to sever penalties, including significant fines, seizure of equipment, and in some cases, criminal prosecution. BloostonLaw Contacts: John Prendergast and Richard Rubino LMCC Seeks Resolution of the FCC’s List of Protected DTV Stations Due to T-Band Interference ConcernsThe Land Mobile Communications Council (“LMCC”) has issued a letter to the FCC’s Media Bureau regarding television stations and land mobile stations that share UHF television channels 14-20 (“T-Band”) in eleven of the top markets in the United States. LMCC notes in its letter that while the FCC recently lifted its 8-year freeze on applications for incumbent licensees in the T-Band, a number of licensing complications have developed that have resulted in few licenses being granted. The T-Band issues to be resolved include adoption of standards to protect DVT stations. This is complicated since (a) land mobile stations in the T-Band currently use old analog protection standards, (b) some DTV stations are short-spaced to land mobile markets and (c) land mobile users are required to protect stations that have been dark for many years. While LMCC recognizes that some issues will require further study, and potentially a rule making proceeding to resolve, it believes that the issue arising out of the FCC’s Public Notice that listed televisions stations requiring protection from land mobile stations in each of the 11 markets can be resolved immediately. This list included 33 instances where protection would be required of a DTV stations’ virtual channel rather than its actual transmit channel. Additionally, LMCC noted that in some circumstances, the geographic coordinates listed in the public notice were inconsistent with the actual coordinates on the licenses. LMCC has pointed out that virtual channels do not require protection as they are not related to the frequencies actually used by the television station to transmit their signal. As a result, LMCC has taken the position that the virtual channels and the associated stations should be removed from the list. Finally, LMCC has also requested that the FCC’s list be updated to reflect the correct geographic coordinates where errors exist. These changes are important because an accurate list will ensure proper protection to both DTV stations and any affected land mobile stations. BloostonLaw Contacts: John Prendergast and Richard Rubino
|
|
||||||
| TECHNICIAN'S CORNER |
LINKUP RJ45 Cat8 & Cat6A Field Termination Plugs (Tool-less) Step-by-Step Easy Assembly Guide |
| Source: | YouTube |
| THIS WEEK'S MUSIC VIDEO |
“At Fitzgerald's Nightclub”Tuba Skinny — September 20, 2021 |
| 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 |
||
|
Critical Messaging  Association |
European Mobile Messaging Association  Former Board Member |
ZP5TQ  Radio Club of Paraguay |
Quarter Century  Wireless Association |
|
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! |
|
CONTACT INFO & LINKS
|
Amateur Radio
|
VETERAN  United States Navy |
|||
| Home Page | Directory | Consulting | Newsletters | Free Subscription | Products | Reference | Glossary | Send e-mail |
. 
