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In celebration of the 1,000th issue of The Wireless Messaging News, I am pleased to announce that the whole Paging Information Resource site is being rebuilt with new Navigation Bars at the beginning of each page. This project has been ongoing for over three years. This web site is like a public library dedicated to the topics of Paging and Wireless Messaging. There are over 20,000 files . . . so the improved nav bars will make it easier to browse around the whole site and to find articles of historical interest . . . articles that cannot be found anywhere else. All 1,000 back issues of the newsletter are available and will be able to be searched using the site-specific Google search app. Here is a breakdown of the newsletter archives by year: Please report any problems. There are still some links that need to be fixed. If you are using a Safari browser, please view the pages in Full Screen — if the nav bars disappear. If a link is dead, try changing the extension from PHP to HTML or vice versa. |
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Can You Help?You can share in supporting The Wireless Messaging News. Your support will help extend our message that Paging Technology is not out-of-date and that it is still needed. Why this appeal? Because ads and donations have fallen off dramatically in the last several years. Yes! I want to help. Click here. Or, click here for information on advertising. To all previous donors and advertisers who have already decided to support The Wireless Messaging News, you are invited to remain committed to our partnership with continued support. The link to PayPal offers other options to a one-time donation. One of them is a recurring monthly donation. It would be great if readers could make a small donation — automatically — each month. It wouldn't upset your budget and it wouldn't be necessary to remember to do it each month. And it would greatly help the newsletter. 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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Service Monitors and Frequency Standards for Sale
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Major Telecom Company Announces Plans To Build New Headquarters in CharlotteBy Charlotte Stories - March 2, 20226127
A new major telecommunications company has just announced plans to build a new headquarters in Charlotte and hiring 100 new full-time workers in the company’s legal, marketing and finance departments. Brightspeed Inc will be leasing space in South End’s new 635,000 sq ft Vantage South End development. The company’s long term plans will be to invest more than $2 billion to build a network that will bring faster, more reliable Internet and Wi-Fi to communities throughout the Midwest, Southeast, and certain parts of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. They planned that their new fiber optics transformation is expected to reach up to three million homes and businesses over the next five years, including in many places where fiber and advanced technology has not historically been deployed to help bridge the digital divide. “Brightspeed is thrilled to be setting down roots in Charlotte,” said chief administration officer Chris Creager in a press release. “We know what it takes to drive industry change, and while the investment and transformation we are planning are bold, we are confident we will have the right team members, partners, and resources to bring fast, reliable, and user-friendly Internet to the communities that need it most.” For more information about Brightspeed’s vision and career opportunities, please visit the company’s website, www.brightspeed.com. |
| Source: | Charlotte Stories |
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Ethernet co-inventor David Boggs dies at 71'Packets' were the key idea that made data transmission incredibly reliable.S. Dent @stevetdent March 1st, 2022
Pioneering Xerox PARC computer researcher David Boggs has died at 71, The New York Times has reported. He was best known for co-inventing the Ethernet PC connection standard used to link PCs in close proximity to other computers, printers and the Internet — over both wired and wireless connections. The Xerox PARC research lab in Palo Alto developed much of the PC tech we tech for granted today like the graphic user interface, mouse and word processor. Boggs joined the team in 1973, and started working with fellow researcher Bob Metcalfe on a system to send information to and from the lab's computer. In about two years, they had designed the first version of Ethernet, a link that could transmit data at 2.94 Mbps over a coaxial cable. It borrowed in part from a wireless networking system developed at the University of Hawaii called ALOHAnet, tapping into Boggs' passion for HAM radio. "He was the perfect partner for me," Metcalfe told the NYT. “I was more of a concept artist, and he was a build-the-hardware-in-the-back-room engineer.”
At this point, a networking system called Arpanet already existed, but was designed for connections over longer distances. Ethernet beat out competing technologies for near-proximity connections thanks to its clever packet technology. That allowed data to be sent over wires or wirelessly, and it would continue to work even if some packets were lost. Metcalfe eventually founded the Ethernet networking giant 3Com, while Boggs stayed at PARC as a researcher. He later moved to mini-computer giant DEC, then started an Ethernet company called LAN Media. Ethernet became the standard protocol for wired devices in the '80s and is the foundational tech used for WiFi that first proliferated in the 1990s. Nearly 50 years later, it has never been replaced and is ubiquitous in nearly all digital devices. So why did it survive and thrive? "Seems Ethernet does not work in theory, only in practice," Boggs once said, Metcalfe told the NYT. |
| Source: | engadget |
Paging Transmitters 150/900 MHz The RFI High Performance Paging Transmitter is designed for use in campus, city, state and country-wide paging systems. Designed for use where reliable simulcast systems where RF signal overlap coverage is critical.
Built-in custom interface for Prism-IPX ipBSC Base Controller for remote control, management and alarm reporting.
Prism-IPX Systems LLC. 11175 Cicero Dr., Alpharetta, GA 30022
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The Wireless Messaging News
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| 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.
Experts in Paging Infrastructure
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 INFRASTRUCTUREService ContractsI 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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DisplayPort’s new labels avoid the confusion plaguing HDMI cablesDP40 and DP80 labels are much more clear than the newly-finalized HDMI 2.1 standardBy Michael Crider Staff Writer, PCWorld MAR 1, 2022 8:21 AM PST
A couple of months ago the new HDMI 2.1 specification was released… which, for some reason, included all of the specs from the previous and retired 2.0 cables. That means that cables labeled “HDMI 2.1” might not actually support all the features that label implies, like 4K 120Hz video. Perhaps learning from the mistakes of its competition, the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) which maintains the DisplayPort standard is making the labeling for its new generation of DisplayPort cables a little more clear. The new Ultra-High Bit Rate (UHBR) certification will apply to the existing DisplayPort 2.0 standard. Cables can be certified as compatible with UHBR at transfer rates of 10 gigabits per second per lane or 20 gigabits per second per lane, earning them the certified labels “DP40” and “DP80,” respectively. The 40 and 80 numbers refer to the maximum bandwidth of the cables maximizing all four lanes: 40 gigabits and 80 gigabits. Utilizing the maximum capacity of a single DisplayPort 2.0 DP80 cable, it’s possible to power a single display at 16K resolution and 60Hz, two displays at 8K and 120Hz, or three 4K displays at 90Hz. Those capabilities also apply Mini DisplayPort and to USB-C connections using DisplayPort Alt Mode, assuming the cable can handle the strain. With DP40 and DP80 cables pretty clearly communicating their maximum data bandwidth, and at least some cables already certified and ready for the new labels, hopefully it’ll alleviate some of the confusion for tech-savvy users. |
| Source: | PC World |
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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R.H. (Ron) Mercer |
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Tuesday March 1, 2022 12:28 pm PST by Juli Clover Apple today confirmed that it has stopped all product sales from its online website in Russia, which means customers in Russia can no longer purchase Macs, iPhones, iPads, and other Apple devices. Attempting to make a purchase from the Russia store results in a "delivery unavailable" result when trying to add a product to the online cart.
Sales have been halted following a plea last week from Ukrainian vice prime minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who wrote a letter to Apple CEO Tim Cook asking Apple to stop device sales and to block App Store access in Russia.
Apple said in a statement that it has also stopped all exports into the sales channel in the country and disabled traffic and live incidents in Apple Maps in Ukraine as a safety and precautionary measure for Ukrainian citizens.
Cook explained the same info in a letter sent out to employees, and provided information on how Apple employees can donate. Apple will be matching all donations at a rate of 2:1 for eligible organizations, retroactive for donations made since February 25.
As of now, App Store access has not been eliminated in Russia, but Apple Pay has been limited and major banks in Russia are not able to use the service. RT News and Sputnik News have been removed from the App Store outside of Russia, in addition to Apple's other measures. Cook said that Apple is working to support its teams in Ukraine and across the region, and that the company has been in contact with every employee in Ukraine to offer assistance. He wrapped up the letter by saying that "this moment calls for unity, it calls for courage, and it reminds us that we must never lose sight of the humanity that we all share." Cook's letter and Apple's actions come following U.S. sanctions that were implemented against Russia back in February, preventing companies from exporting select products to the country. Apple did not halt sales at that time, and the response appears to have been made as a result of Ukraine's request. |
| Source: | MacRumors.com |
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 |
For Immediate Release Contact: Andrea Cumpston NWCC Urges NPRM to Update Interference Rules in the T-BandMarch 2, 2022 (Herndon, Virginia) – The National Wireless Communications Council (NWCC, formerly the Land Mobile Communications Council), again urged the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to adopt a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would update the rules governing the analytical protocols used to determine the potential for interference between land mobile licensees and digital television stations operating in the T-Band (470-512 MHz). NWCC also responded to Reply Comments filed by the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) and Shure Incorporated. NWCC agreed with NAB that the FCC should conduct further analysis before adopting new rules and suggested that just such a study was in fact filed by NWCC when it submitted its original Petition for Rulemaking. Responding to Shure’s concerns about the potential for increased interference to wireless microphones, NWCC reminded Shure that its customers operate in the T-Band on a secondary basis, which means they have no recourse if they receive interference and must cease operations if they cause interference. About NWCC |
| Source: | NWCC |
| Leavitt Communications |
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Ukraine Maintains Ham Radio Silence in State of EmergencyRadio amateurs in Ukraine appear to be diligently maintaining radio silence as the state of emergency declared there just prior to the Russian military invasion remains in effect. A February 24 decree from President Volodymyr Zelensky included "a ban on the operation amateur radio transmitters for personal and collective use." The Ukraine Amateur Radio League (UARL/LRU) reported this past week that it has received many messages of encouragement from the worldwide amateur radio community.
"The LRU informed international amateur radio organizations about Russia's military invasion of Ukraine," said the message from UARL Vice President Anatoly Kirilenko, UT3UY. "To date, there have been many reports from radio amateurs around the world in support of Ukraine." The International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) has adopted a neutral stance. "IARU is an apolitical organization focused on promoting and defending amateur radio and the amateur radio services," the IARU said. "The amateur radio service is about self-instruction in communications and friendship between people." IARU Region 1 has said it continues to monitor the development and expect all radio amateurs "to follow their national laws and regulations." IARU Region 1 also re-posted part of an advisory from the Deutscher Amateur Radio Club HF Committee on February 27. "Any radio amateur currently transmitting from Ukraine is risking his or her life. If you hear a Ukrainian station, do not broadcast its call sign, location, or frequency — whether on the band, in a cluster, or on social media. You may be putting lives at risk." The DARC's overarching advice: "In the current situation, the best we can do is listen." Ukraine's assigned amateur radio call sign prefixes include EMA - EOZ and the more commonplace URA - UZZ. Some stations with Ukrainian call signs may still be active, since an exception to the amateur radio ban was made for stations in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine (eastern Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts), which have special legal status owing to Russia's occupation since 2014. — Thanks to The Daily DX for some information. |
| Source: | The ARRL Letter for March 3, 2022 |
| Inside Towers Newsletter |
Committee Sends Sohn FCC Nomination to Senate for Floor Vote
By Leslie Stimson, Inside Towers Washington Bureau Chief A divided Senate Commerce Committee voted along party lines Thursday to send Gigi Sohn’s FCC nomination to the full Senate. The vote was 14-14, enabled by Sen. Ben Ray Lujan’s (D-NM) return to the Capitol from his recent stroke. With a tie vote a nominee can get a floor vote, but with no favorable or unfavorable recommendation, according to the Congressional Research Service. Lujan received a standing ovation from his fellow senators as he entered the room, and thanked well-wishers for all the cards, letters, videos and prayers. It all worked, he said, “and it’s good to be back. I missed you all.” The rest of the vote was not so cordial. Partisan tensions, which boiled over during Sohn’s two confirmation hearings, were still on display yesterday. Committee Chair Maria Cantwell (D-WA) said Sohn needs to be on the Commission so the agency can fulfill the administration’s broadband priorities. But Ranking Member Roger Wicker (R-MS), said that while he appreciated Sohn’s willingness to be “responsive” to the committee, he couldn’t support her because the committee’s vetting process showed she wasn’t the right choice. Her voluntary recusal to refrain from voting on television retransmission issues “only increases questions about the need for further recusals,” he said. After the vote, Cantwell recognized additional Republicans who wanted to speak. John Thune (R-SD) noted that a former committee member made the point that Sohn has consistently shown a “disdain for rural broadband.” Ted Cruz (R-TX) said: “There are a lot of significant substantive concerns” about Sohn. “My concern is, she has expressed a significant willingness to use government power against enemies. I think the FCC is a dangerous place for a partisan who is willing to muzzle those with whom she disagrees.” “I hope there are at least some in the Democratic caucus who value free speech,” said Cruz. He emphasized it would be “equally inappropriate for a Republican on the FCC to silence Democrats.” Cruz also claimed that Sohn admitted in follow-up questions after the second hearing that she mistakenly misled the committee when she said she was not a party to the Locast settlement. Sohn was on the board at the TV streamer when a court shut it down for streaming copyrighted broadcast programming without a copyright exemption, Inside Towers reported. He said it’s a “mistake” to move forward with her nomination. Cantwell disagreed, and explained, “one of the reasons we had a second hearing was to review the case in detail. I don’t think Sohn will actively participate in censorship” if she’s nominated to the FCC. From time to time, we disagree on nominees because of the roles they’ve played in the past.” She noted in the future, a committee staffer could be nominated to the agency. “Are we going to say they’re too partisan to be at the FCC?” Cantwell noted the committee passed the vote. Wicker took issue with her language, saying, “The motion failed on a tie vote.” Cantwell said, “Yes, we’re recording a tie vote. It allows Sohn and other nominees to proceed.” She then thanked Lujan, saying: “I think Sen. Lujan made the most effort to get here and make it happen.” It’s not clear when Sohn will get a floor vote, however yesterday’s committee action was a step in that direction. |
| Source: | Inside Towers newsletter | Courtesy of the editor of Inside Towers, Jim Fryer. Inside Towers is a daily newsletter by subscription. |
| BloostonLaw Newsletter |
FCC Issues Reminder for Accessibility Recordkeeping Obligations; Certification Due April 1On February 24, the FCC issued a Public Notice reminding service providers and equipment manufacturers that are subject to section 255, 716, or 718 of the Communications Act of their obligation to maintain records of their efforts to implement these requirements. The FCC also reminded these entities of their obligation to file their annual recordkeeping compliance certifications and required contact information no later than April 1. BloostonLaw attorneys routinely handle recordkeeping compliance and certifications, and are available to assist in this matter. BloostonLaw Contact: Sal Taillefer. HeadlinesFCC Announces Tentative Agenda for March Open MeetingOn February 28, the FCC issued the tentative agenda for its March Open Meeting, currently scheduled for March 16. At the meeting, the FCC is tentatively scheduled to consider the following items:
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. COVID-19 Lifeline Waivers Expire March 31On March 1, the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) announced that all FCC waivers released in response to COVID-19 expire on March 31. This means that the waivers governing recertification, reverification, general de-enrollment, and income documentation lift on March 31for all applicable Lifeline participants. Additionally, the waiver regarding documentation requirements for subscribers residing in rural areas on Tribal lands lifts on March 31, 2022. As a result, beginning on or soon after March 31, 2022:
As a reminder, the FCC’s waiver governing the Lifeline non-usage rule expired in May of 2021. BloostonLaw Contact: Sal Taillefer. FCC Announces Cyber Risk Notice of Inquiry, CPNI Notice of Proposed RulemakingOn February 28, the FCC adopted a Notice of Inquiry to begin a proceeding by seeking public comment on vulnerabilities threatening the security and integrity of the Border Gateway Protocol (BGP). A copy of the NOI can be found here. By way of background, the BGP is a central part of the Internet’s global routing system. It is used to exchange reachability information among independently managed networks on the Internet. According to an FCC Press Release, the BGP’s initial design does not include explicit security features to ensure trust in this exchanged information. As a result, “a bad network actor may deliberately falsify BGP reachability information to redirect traffic.” The Press Release further indicates that Russian network operators have been suspected of exploiting BGP’s vulnerability to hijacking in the past. The NOI would also examine the impact of these vulnerabilities on the transmission of data through email, e-commerce, bank transactions, interconnected Voice-over Internet Protocol (VoIP), and 911 calls—and how best to address these challenges. Specifically, the FCC seeks comment on, among other things:
Comment and reply comment deadlines have not yet been established. BloostonLaw Contacts: Ben Dickens and Sal Taillefer. Law and RegulationGeorgia State Senators Introduce Broadband Regulation BillOn February 22, Georgia state Senators Strickland, Robertson, Payne, Mullis, Anderson and others introduced SB 542, titled the Broadband Resiliency, Public Safety, and Quality Act, which would, among other things, provide the state Public Service Commission with the authority and duty to regulate broadband services and VoIP in the state of Georgia. The bill was read in the Senate and referred to the Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee. Specifically, the bill provides that, notwithstanding any other provision of law, “the commission shall have the jurisdiction, right, power, authority, and duty to exercise oversight over broadband services and VoIP in this state.” It further provides that the PSC “shall” adopt rules and regulations on broadband services and VoIP by that:
The bill also requires the PSC to conduct evaluations and audits of the facilities and infrastructure used to provide broadband services and VoIP in this state. These evaluations and audits must assess any aspect of such facilities and infrastructure that the PSC deems relevant toward achieving resiliency, quality, and acceptable public safety levels in the provision of broadband services and VoIP. They must also assess progress toward achieving universal access and affordability of broadband services and VoIP. BloostonLaw Contacts: Ben Dickens and Sal Taillefer. IndustryFirst Public Hearing on Broadband Consumer Labels Scheduled for March 11On February 23, the FCC announced that it will hold the first of a series of virtual public hearings as a part of its broadband consumer labels rulemaking proceeding. The first hearing will take place March 11, 2022, 1:30 p.m. ET and will stream free to the public at FCC.gov/live. The hearing will also be recorded and archived on the FCC’s website. Questions may be submitted in advance of or during the hearing by sending an email to BroadbandLabelsHearing@fcc.gov. According to the Press Release, the purpose of the first hearing “will be to evaluate the effectiveness of the current transparency rule, as required by the Infrastructure Act, and provide necessary background for the new label requirement, including whether additional disclosure requirements are necessary.” The Press Release further indicates that the public hearings will be part of the record in response to the FCC’s recent Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, about which we reported in a previous edition of the BloostonLaw Telecom Update. Specifically, the FCC sought comment on a requirement that broadband providers display labels — similar to nutrition labels on food products — that disclose at the point of sale, accurate information about prices, introductory rates, data allowances, broadband speeds, and management practices, among other things. NTIA Announces $277M in Broadband Infrastructure Program GrantsOn February 25, the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced it has awarded 13 grants as part of the Broadband Infrastructure Program. According to the Press Release, these grants, totaling more than $277 million, will be used to connect more than 133,000 unserved households. The grants were awarded to 12 states and one territory: Georgia, Guam, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, Washington, and West Virginia. As we reported in a previous BloostonLaw Telecom Update, the Broadband Infrastructure Program, which was funded by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, was designed to support broadband infrastructure deployment in unserved areas, especially rural areas. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, is a separate funding opportunity ($65 billion investment) to expand broadband. NTIA is preparing to launch a series of new broadband grant programs funded by that law. “Today’s awards are another example of the Biden administration’s commitment to closing the digital divide and building strong partnerships with those who can help us expand Internet access,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo. “Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we now have the opportunity to connect every unserved household in the country, ensuring that all Americans are able to participate in our 21st century economy. This is not only a win for American families who need and deserve high-speed, affordable Internet for remote learning and telehealth services, but this also presents an incredible opportunity for American businesses and will make our country more competitive globally.” DeadlinesAPRIL 1: FCC FORM 499-A, TELECOMMUNICATIONS REPORTING WORKSHEET. This form must be filed by all contributors to the Universal Service Fund (USF) sup-port 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 FCC. 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, and Gerry Duffy. 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 and Sal Taillefer. MAY 31: FCC FORM 395, EMPLOYMENT REPORT. Common carriers, including wireless carriers, with 16 or more full-time employees must file their annual Common Carrier Employment Reports (FCC Form 395) by May 31. This report tracks carrier compliance with rules requiring recruitment of minority employees. Further, the FCC requires all common carriers to report any employment discrimination complaints they received during the past year. That information is also due on June 1. The FCC encourages carriers to complete the discrimination report requirement by filling out Section V of Form 395, rather than submitting a separate report. Clients who would like assistance in filing Form 395 should contact Richard Rubino. BloostonLaw Contacts: Gerry Duffy and Sal Taillefer.
AT&T to Shut Down its 3G NetworkAs we reported in our September 2021 Private User Update, AT&T was scheduled to start the shutdown of its 3G network this past February 22, 2022. As a result, devices still using 3G services may experience outages, such as older cellular phones; certain alarm systems and personal emergency response pendants; collision avoidance systems and emergency call systems in vehicles; healthcare devices such as ventilators and CPAP machines that rely on modems to communicate alerts to healthcare providers; and a variety of other devices. Efforts are underway to initiate a public/private solution brokered by the FCC, whereby users of AT&T’s 3G service may roam on T-Mobile’s 3G network, which is not scheduled to shut down until July 1. If a 3G device is compatible with the T-Mobile network (by, e.g., being on the Cisco Jasper platform and having a SIM card configured for roaming), the service provider can gain four additional months to upgrade to LTE or 5G by establishing a roaming arrangement through AT&T. Many industries and public entities engaged in safety-related activities have indicated concern about harmful consequences due to a loss of 3G service before 3G radios can be replaced. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant delays in being able to replace 3G alarm radios for well over a year, and the worldwide microchip shortage has compounded the problem considerably by making replacement devices difficult to obtain. BloostonLaw Contact: John Prendergast. FCC’s New Application Fee Schedule Could be Effective as Soon as April 19, 2022As we previously reported in our Private User Updates last year, the FCC adopted a new wireless application fee schedule that was designed to more closely reflect the FCC’s actual costs in processing applications, as required by RAY BAUM’S Act. This new fee schedule, which was originally slated to go into effect on April 19, 2021, was delayed indefinitely due to programming issues in the FCC’s various application and licensing systems. The FCC has now informally indicated that the fee schedule could be effective as soon as April 19, 2022 (a year to the day); although we will not have a precise date until the FCC actually issues a Public Notice. This new fee schedule updates the fee schedule that was originally adopted in 1987. As a result, certain applications and notifications that previously did not require an FCC filing fee will now be subject to filing fees, while existing filing fees will be adjusted upward or downward – depending upon the fee category. As an example, for the typical application for a new station or modified land mobile license, there will be a $15.00 increase over the prior application fee. For license renewals, the fee will be reduced from $70.00 to $35.00. Below is the new schedule of application filing fees (which do not include the associated FCC regulatory fee that is due at the time of application for many new license or license renewal filings). Most of our typical Part 90 land mobile and Part 101 private microwave clients will only be impacted by the fees for Site-Based wireless applications, while some of our other clients may also be impacted in other categories because they hold experimental licenses, equipment authorizations or satellite earth stations. Likewise, those of our clients with geographic area licenses – such as in the auctioned SMR services, will be impacted by the Geographic-Based application fees.
BloostonLaw Contacts: John Prendergast and Richard Rubino Chairwoman Rosenworcel Proposes Plan for NG911
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This newsletter is not intended to provide legal advice. Those interested in more information should contact the firm. |
March
Mar. 9 – Comments are due on Broadband Consumer Label NPRM.
Mar. 9 – Comments are due on NORS/DIRS Information Safeguards.
Mar. 9 – Deadline for ReConnect applications.
Mar. 11 – Comments are due on Emergency Alert System NPRM.
Mar. 16 – Comments are due on Affordable Connectivity Program rules.
Mar. 17 – Comments are due on Report on the Future of USF.
Mar. 24 – Reply comments are due on Broadband Consumer Label NPRM.
Mar. 31 – FCC Form 525 (Delayed Phasedown CETC Line Counts) is due.
Mar. 31 – FCC Form 508 (ICLS Projected Annual Common Line Requirement) is due.
Mar. 31 – FCC Form 507 (Universal Service Line Count – CAF BLS) is due.
Mar. 28 – Reply comments are due on Emergency Alert System NPRM.
Mar. 31 – COVID Lifeline waivers set to expire.
April
Apr. 1 – FCC Form 499-A (Annual Telecommunications Reporting Worksheet) is due.
Apr. 1 – Annual Accessibility Certification is due.
Apr. 1 – ICS Provider Annual Reports and Certifications are due.
Apr. 11 – Comments are due on Emergency Alert System NOI.
Apr. 15 – Reply comments are due on Affordable Connectivity Program rules.
May
May 1 – 64.1900 Geographic Rate Averaging Certification is due.
May 1 – FCC Form 499-Q (Quarterly Telecommunications Reporting Worksheet) is due.
May. 10 – Reply comments are due on Emergency Alert System NOI.
May 31 – FCC Form 395 (Annual Employment Report) is due.
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I appeal to you and I am sure you will not only hear, but also do everything possible to protect Ukraine, Europe, and finally, the entire democratic world from bloody authoritarian aggression - to stop suppling Apple services and products to the Russian Federation, including blocking access to App Store!
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