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The Wireless
Messaging News

This Week's Wireless News Headlines

• Government and Public Safety Community Developing New N.C. Digital Statewide Paging System with NextGen TV
• English offers a pathway to prosperity throughout Latin America
• Old Pieces Of Technology That Still Work Today
• This hidden iPhone feature stops spam text messages — try it now
• FCC Crusade to End Robocalls May Get a New Boost
• Tips for enhancing the FaceTime call experience on iPhone, iPad, and Mac
• Boost vocal clarity on iPhone, iPad and Mac calls with this hidden setting
• Cedar County paging tower toppled; Coleridge firefighters activated via text
• INSIDE TOWERS
  • Carr Wants Mandatory Network Disaster Resilience Rules for Wireless Carriers
• BLOOSTONLAW TELECOM UPDATE
  • NTIA Releases NOFOs for BEAD, Middle Mile, and Digital Equity Act Programs
  • NTIA Issues NOFO for Middle Mile Infrastructure Program
  • Commissioner Carr Calls for Mandatory Wireless Resiliency Framework
  • FCC Seeks Comment on BDC Certified Professional Engineer Certification Waiver Petition
  • White House Announces Permitting Action Plan for Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Projects
  • 988 Texts May Be Routed Without Translation to Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s Number
  • NET Act, FAIR Contributions Act Pass Senate Commerce Committee
  • Reps. Matsui and Guthrie Urge Further Funding for Rip and Replace Program
  • NTIA 2021 Internet Use Survey Shows Improved Uptake in Traditionally Less-Connected Communities
  • Deadlines
• BloostonLaw Contacts
• Calendar At-a-Glance
• TECHNICIAN'S CORNER
• PL259 install RG8 - LMR400 - RG213
• THIS WEEK'S MUSIC VIDEO
  • “ Sweet Dreams”
  • Allie Sherlock & The3buskteers cover

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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Government and Public Safety Community Developing
New N.C. Digital Statewide Paging System with NextGen TV

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Grant Supports Development by Device Solutions, WRC, PBS North Carolina and NCDIT

WAKE FOREST, N.C. (May 16, 2022) — In this era of 5G, IoT and everything digital, most fire and rescue agencies still use analog paging systems to dispatch and communicate with first responders. The need to upgrade a 70-year-old technology is dovetailing with the ongoing rollout of a new generation of television broadcast technology. A new statewide public safety system using North Carolina’s public television network is under development that could support public safety and emergency response agencies throughout the state.

The Wireless Research Center’s Government and Public Safety community initiative is providing a forum for collaboration to develop a prototype digital paging system, dubbed Paging Plus, using communications networks for the next generation of broadcast television technology. A Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security awarded to engineering firm Device Solutions supports the applied research through the Wireless Research Center, PBS North Carolina (formerly UNC-TV) and the N.C. Department of Information Technology (NCDIT).

Paging systems are used by public safety agencies because they are more reliable than cellular networks during natural disasters and other emergency situations. Paging systems are based on 70-year-old technology on networks that broadcast from 911 call centers that can reach paging devices. A one-way dispatch page with information is sent to devices worn by first responders in volunteer and staffed departments. The communication networks are typically managed on a county basis with one or two towers providing marginal county-wide coverage.

TV broadcast signals use high power transmitters and antennas on tall towers, buildings and mountains. The signals have a larger footprint and penetrate buildings better than conventional public safety paging systems. Internet technology is being integrated into broadcast signals for Next Gen TV, called ATSC 3.0, along with a dedicated channel for public safety data. PBS North Carolina provides statewide coverage and has launched Next Gen TV service in the Raleigh-Durham market in cooperation with Capital Broadcasting Company and in the Greenville, N.C. area over WUNK TV PBS North Carolina has plans to expand Next Gen TV coverage statewide.

The new digital paging capabilities would provide responders with improved pager coverage, more rapid dispatching, and overall improved situational awareness with additional information including maps and videos. New services can also enhance notifications for the public through on-screen notifications for weather, fire, earthquake, Amber Alerts and other emergencies.

The WRC is helping with development including antenna design, prototyping and testing in addition to modeling wireless signal coverage.

“Public safety agencies will not need to build a new network to improve services using the statewide television network,” said Senior Engineer John Swartz who leads the WRC’s Government and Public Safety team. “Network infrastructure and new devices for the new system have been designed are now being tested. For the next phase of the initiative, the WRC and project team will seek a commercial partner to bring the new system to the market in North Carolina and beyond.”

New devices have been developed including a stand-alone pager and software to integrate new services into smartphones. Receivers support live audio streaming, video, data files, maps, and sensor data impossible to include in conventional paging systems.

“The Paging Plus team has taken the concept much further than I ever imagined,” said WRC Senior Engineer Paul Allan Sadowski. His N.C. government career included serving as director of infrastructure planning for the NCDIT Broadband Infrastructure Office, leading the state’s First Responder Network. Sadowski is also a co-inventor for a drone communications and sensor system that can rapidly deploy long range data communications, including support for disaster response.

Sadowski is a co-inventor for Paging Plus approximately seven years ago along with Red Grasso, the current director of NCDIT’s First Responder Emerging Technologies (FirstTech) program for the State of North Carolina and former firefighter for the Town of Morrisville. More recently, Paging Plus was recognized by the National Association of Broadcasters for TV Broadcast Innovation.

“Paging Plus lays the foundation for a whole ecosystem of solutions that are better served by the unique attributes of ‘concurrent one to many’ TV broadcasting over high power, high tower transmission facilities,” Sadowski said. “Not only can Paging Plus advance first responder communications, the technology can benefit cyber protection, flight safety, K-12 education, and more robust public service information.”

“DIT’s FirstTech program is excited to continue supporting this effort on behalf of first responders,” Grasso said. “Two-way radio, cellular priority, and mobile application technologies have all taken giant leaps forward in the past several years. It is time for the paging technology to advance to something that is faster and more reliable than audible tones.”

“PBS North Carolina is excited to work with the Wireless Research Center, Device Solutions, and the North Carolina FirstTech program in this effort,” said PBS North Carolina Chief Technology Officer Fred Engel. “As a statewide public media entity, we are committed to keeping North Carolinians informed during emergencies and in times of crisis. Utilizing our network’s capabilities to improve public safety is a powerful way we can serve communities across the state.”

WRC founder and Chief Executive Officer Gerard Hayes said the Wireless Research Center was founded to foster collaboration to bridge the gap between research and commercialization that brings the next generation of products and services to market. “We are excited to be working with this team to enhance public safety with more rapid, accurate and detailed communications to first responders,” he said.

Other WRC public safety community initiatives include collaboration with The Center of Excellence for Advanced Technology Aerial Firefighting (CoE) created by the state of Colorado to lead development and testing for aerial firefighting technology. The WRC is also collaborating with the NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory to develop a new way to measure humidity using 4G and 5G cell signals, potentially improving public broadcast warnings for severe weather.

"Device Solutions is excited to be on the leading edge of ATSC 3.0 and partnering with the WRC to develop an end-to-end, portable solution for data-casting to first responders,” said Device Solutions Chief Executive Officer Chris Lamb. “The WRC has supported this project from the beginning and their expertise has been instrumental to optimizing performance and understand statewide RF environments. Their support is at the heart of our success delivering a working system, in cooperation with PBS North Carolina and Triveni Digital." Triveni Digital is a provider of Next Gen TV services for data broadcasting.

About Device Solutions Inc
Device Solutions Inc. is an engineering firm located in Research Triangle Park and provides feasibility studies, embedded hardware and software design and development, industry and carrier certifications and approvals, deployment services, and manufacturing support. Device Solutions is a testing and certification center for FCC, UL, Bluetooth and cellular carriers, and is experienced in the building of electronic devices for the vertical marketplace including medical, asset tracking, remote monitoring and control, consumer electronics, home and office automation, and utilities. Visit www.device-solutions.com for more information.

About the WRC Government and Public Safety Initiative
The Wireless Research Center’s Government and Public Safety community supports wireless innovation and applied research, accelerating development through design, simulation, testing and certification of antenna, radio frequency (RF), and wireless technologies. The WRC is a trusted partner for development of innovative technology from initial concept through production, from network infrastructure to connected devices and sensors.

About Wireless Research Center
The Wireless Research Center is an independent, private nonprofit research center dedicated to applied research and engineering supporting clients and partners worldwide to develop innovative products and services. The WRC’s fosters trusted partnerships founded on a unique guiding principle to intellectual property to not require an ownership share of jointly developed inventions.

The WRC fosters innovation to improve communities through collaboration among commercial partners, industry groups, government agencies, academic institutions and other research organizations. Technology-led innovation is a catalyst for entrepreneurship and economic development to create jobs and improve communities. The WRC’s community initiatives include Internet-of-Things connected devices, 5G aerial systems for drones and unmanned vehicles, public safety, digital equity and broadband for all. For more information, visit www.wrc-nc.org

Media Contact
Scott Yates, OnPoint Communications (for the WRC)
919-649-6621
scott@onpointprgroup.com

50 years experience providing and supporting radio and paging customers worldwide. Call us anytime we can be useful!

			Minitor VI
Leavitt sells and supports most pager brands. We stock Unication G1, G5, Secure and some Elegant pagers. Call or e-mail for price and availability.

English offers a pathway to prosperity throughout Latin America

Published on May 16, 2022 Joseph Fidanque Director at Iterum BPO Services

Learning English as a second language offers a way to achieve a happier, more prosperous life. As the co-founder of an outsourcer that specializes in the delivery of business services in English and Spanish, I see this every day. Bilingual Latinos live with the day-to-day confidence that they possess highly in-demand and sought-after skills, simply by possessing an ample knowledge of English. This is a quiet source of satisfaction for millions throughout the region.

Numerous studies support this. One report, conducted by Wall Street English, found that high English proficiency is linked with a 25% rise in monthly income. The report also concludes that speaking English brings an 18% increase in personal happiness. Hence, workers across Latin America should aspire to speak English for several reasons. English is the de facto language of global business—and this won’t change anytime soon. Also, being a part of the English-speaking world opens the door to vast employment and travel opportunities.

And there is no real downside. Latinos do not lose their roots by learning English. In other words, speaking a global language does not require someone to shed their heritage. A person’s appreciation of their own culture is always enhanced, not diminished, as a result of education. Granted, it helps to be born in a nation where English is the official language. But even among second-language learners, it is well-established that the better a country’s residents speak English, the bigger that country’s economy. When companies face hiring between one of two equally qualified candidates for a managerial position, they overwhelmingly choose the applicant who speaks better English. And, HR managers and recruiters report that a candidate who speaks excellent English earns a salary 30-50% greater than someone who does not.

As the aforementioned observations have become apparent, schools have begun to place additional emphasis on English in Latin America. However, across much of the region there is a stark divide between public secondary schools, where English-language instruction varies significantly in quality, and private schools, where English proficiency tends to produce better results in language proficiency tests. Of course, private schools are out of reach to many, so it is up to each government to improve English-language instruction to adequate levels.

Progress is unfolding across parts of the region, but educational reform takes time. Over the past dozen years, numerous Latin American countries—including Chile, Costa Rica, and Uruguay—have instituted English Language Learning programs (ELL) to improve bilingualism among public school students. Gradually, improvements are being made. Still, as the Inter-American Dialogue notes, schools can’t quickly resolve the problem because of a lack of well-trained English teachers.

Additional studies, carried out in Latin America as well as throughout the developing world, identify teacher pay as a major problem. Skilled English teachers often can get higher-paying jobs outside of public schools, compounding the teacher shortage.

While resolving an adequate pay structure is necessary, greater flexibility in arranging teacher’s schedules might incentivize English teachers to remain in the classroom, enabling some to avoid extended commutes, in rush hour, and instead teach an early morning class remotely.

“A lot of the blame for poor English gets laid at the feet of the school system,” wrote Kate Bell, late last year, the lead author of Education First’s English Proficiency Index (EPI). But she added that EPI data, “shows that workplaces (and employers) are powerful drivers of English language acquisition”.

We agree with her. Contact centers and other internationally oriented industries—including banking and insurance, tourism, advanced manufacturing—rely on bilingual solutions to prosper. Beyond offering employees high-paying jobs, they offer language training in English, support for those studying, and plenty of opportunities to practice.

Paging Transmitters 150/900 MHz

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

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

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

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

Prism-IPX Systems LLC.

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

The Wireless Messaging News
Board of Advisors

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

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.

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Old Pieces Of Technology That Still Work Today

BY CASSIDY WARD MAY 17, 2022 4:25 PM EDT

Pagers

Before cell phones became the communication method of choice, pagers were the ultimate way to get ahold of someone when they were away from a phone connection. Pagers worked wireless across huge distances, something even cordless phones couldn't do, allowing you to deliver a brief message and a request for contact.

Once mobile phones came into vogue, however, the need for a pager fell away, at least for most people. Now you can immediately reach someone almost anywhere, for better or for worse. If immediate response isn't necessary, a text message takes the place of the request to call back when convenient. For many doctors working in hospitals, however, the pager never fell out of favor.

As explained in a paper published in the Journal of Hospital Medicine, while cell phones do account for some in-hospital communication, roughly half of all doctors regularly used pagers in 2017. In fact, they were the most common mode of communication. That matches an informal poll of over a thousand hospital workers in 2019, which confirmed that about half of all doctors still use pagers, (via Physician's Weekly). Among the reasons listed for holding onto their beepers were an ability to separate work life from home life, avoiding the perception of checking a phone for personal reasons, and the reliability of a pager to work even in areas where there is limited cell coverage inside the hospital.

Thousands of Users Worldwide Depend on Prism IPX

Our Customers Trust Us To Make Sure That Their Messages Get Delivered

Prism-IPX Systems products include full-featured radio paging systems with VoIP input, IP based transmitter control systems and paging message encryption. Other options include email messaging, remote switch controllers, Off-The-Air paging message decoders and logging systems.

MORE INFO HERE

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

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

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

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

Experts in Paging Infrastructure

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

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

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

This hidden iPhone feature stops spam text messages — try it now

By Peter Wolinski published May 17, 2022

Here's how to stop spam texts on iPhone with a simple yet little-known feature

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Learning how to stop spam texts on iPhone is a must if, like me, you're sick of seeing your Messages inbox cluttered with random and often highly suspect messages.

Spam messages usually originate from a spammer's getting hold of your cell number, often via data leaks, the sale of personal data or even simply by random number generation. However the spammers got your number spam texts are at best an annoyance, and at worst a downright security hazard. It almost goes almost without saying that you should take your data and information security extremely seriously, and never tap on any links in suspect messages or provide any data that they request.

But how can you stop spam messages? You can block each sender's number individually, of course, but the spammer can then just as easily send a text from another number straight away. But what if there were a way to simply filter spam messages on iPhone so you never had to see them?

Well, we've got good news. Enabling a simple message filtering system on iPhone can effectively stop you seeing annoying spam messages altogether, while ensuring you still have control over what happens to them (and any non-spam messages that accidentally get blocked). It's yet another handy feature that makes the iPhone one of the best phones you can buy. Read on to find out how.

How to stop spam texts on iPhone with Message Filtering

1. Go to settings, then scroll down and tap Messages.

(Image credit: Future)

2. Scroll down to Message Filtering and tap the toggle to the on position.

(Image credit: Future)

3. Now, open the Messages app. You'll be presented with which messages you'd like to see. Select Known Senders to only see messages from contacts.

Select Unknown Senders to see messages from unknown numbers — this will also include messages from companies, including banks, so ensure you check this section if you're expecting an important SMS message (like a verification code). Select All Messages to see everything.

(Image credit: Future)

There you have it: you can now filter spam messages from the messages you receive from contacts. This is super useful for keeping your messages inbox decluttered and to ensure you'll never accidentally click on a spam message. If you want to block individual spammers from the Unknown Senders box, we have a guide for how to block a phone number on your iPhone.

For more iPhone tips, check out our guide to the hidden iPhone features everyone should know. You could also check out our guides on how to identify plants on an iPhone and how to disable location tracking on iPhone.

GLENAYRE INFRASTRUCTURE

Service Contracts

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

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

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

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

INTERNET Protocol Terminal

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

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

Additional/Optional Features

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

Prism-IPX Systems LLC.

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

FCC Crusade to End Robocalls May Get a New Boost

Marguerite Reardon May 19, 2022 5:00 a.m. PT

Millions of Americans don't answer calls from unknown numbers for fear they might be illegal robocalls.
Thomas Trutschel/Getty Images

What's happening
The FCC is adopting new regulations to stop international scam robocalls at the border.

Why it matters
Robocalls are the No. 1 complaint to the FCC and scammers have swindled billions of dollars out of Americans. Slowing the flow of these calls is a top priority for the agency. Experts say efforts are starting to pay off. But loopholes have to be closed.

The US Federal Communications Commission upped its game in 2021 when it came to fighting illegal robocallers, and the agency is continuing to turn up the heat in 2022.

Still, experts say, the battle to end robocalls is far from over.

On Thursday, the FCC is set to vote on its latest effort to protect consumers. It's going after international scam robocall campaigns that enter American networks through so-called gateway providers. These gateway providers, which are smaller, low-profile companies that hand off calls from network to network, are often used by foreign scammers to disguise phone calls entering the US. The new FCC requirements would ensure that the gateway providers are verifying calls before they pass them on to other operators in the states.

The new rules are meant to "shut the avenues" that international illegal robocallers are using to "circumvent accountability," FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel said in a statement last month.

These new rules for gateway providers, which will be voted on Thursday, are the latest in a long series of actions taken by the FCC to curb illegal robocalls. In February, Rosenworcel proposed another set of rules aimed at protecting consumers from automated ringless calls.

For years, the scourge of illegal robocalls has plagued the public. It's the No. 1 consumer complaint and a top priority at the FCC. Since June 30, 2021, every major voice provider in the US, including phone companies AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile and cable provider Comcast, has been required to implement a technology called Stir/Shaken, which is designed to curb the tide of spam calls by requiring voice providers to verify where calls are coming from.

In addition to implementing Stir/Shaken, the FCC has also been building partnerships with state and district attorneys general to ensure cooperation in robocall investigations. In March, the agency announced it was adding seven AGs to its list, bringing the total number of partnerships to 22.

Paging Data Receiver PDR-4

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

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

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

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

Prism-IPX Systems LLC.

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

Wireless Network Planners
Wireless Specialists

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

Tips for enhancing the FaceTime call experience on iPhone, iPad, and Mac

Allison McDaniel — May. 18th 2022 3:08 pm PT @aamcdani

With last year’s iOS 15 release and macOS Monterey comes new features to help you better connect with others. Facetime is now better than ever, especially on newer Apple devices. Here are some new modes you can use to help you make the most of your Facetime calls on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Also, don’t forget to share some of your favorite Facetime tips with us too.

Center Stage

Center Stage came last spring, a bit before iOS 15, and has been an addition to new iPads since. Using machine learning, the front-facing Ultra Wide camera moves with you, keeping you and anyone else within the frame. Center Stage is one of my favorite Facetime tips as I often don’t stay still on video calls. This feature is currently only on select iPads, however, it can work on certain Macs connected to a Studio Display.

You can check if your iPad is compatible with Center Stage.

Voice Isolation mode

Apple gets it. We’re all busy and sometimes we can’t find a quiet place to take a call. However, using Voice Isolation mode, the microphone spotlights your voice with machine learning to identify and block out any ambient noises. For instance, if it hears a lawn mower outside or a child crying, the sounds won’t interrupt your call. This will work on any iPhone, iPad, or Mac running on iOS 15 or macOS Monterey.

Wide Spectrum mode

Unlike Voice Isolation, Wide Spectrum mode uses your device’s microphone to bring every single sound into your call. This feature is perfect for musicians or for someone who wants to hear everything happening in your space. This works on any iPhone with the A12 Bionic chip or later.

Mute alerts

Tired of others talking on mute during your calls? Mute alerts are subtle reminders to remind you to unmute yourself if you’re talking while on mute. It saves you the hassle of constantly repeating, “okay friend, you’re on mute!” Use Mute alerts on any iPhone, iPad, or Mac running on iOS 15 or macOS Monterey.

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

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

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

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

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

Remote AB Switches

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

ABX-1

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

ABX-3

Common Features:

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

Prism-IPX Systems LLC.

11175 Cicero Dr., Alpharetta, GA 30022
Ph: 678-242-5290 e-mail: sales@prism-ipx.com
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Boost vocal clarity on iPhone, iPad and Mac calls with this hidden setting

By Lewis Empson published May 20, 2022

Upgrade your FaceTime calls and video chats using Voice Isolation

(Image credit: Apple)

A hidden setting that’s been lurking in the control centre of Apple’s iOS 15 and MacOS Monterey that significantly boosts vocal clarity whilst using video and audio calling apps has been found. Thanks to a discovery made by Twitter user ‘can duruk’ and further explored by The Verge’s David Pierce, Voice Isolation has been dug out from the settings menu and thrust into the spotlight thanks to its surprising and significant quality improvements that it makes to your calls.

It can be toggled on easily whilst on a FaceTime (audio or video), WhatsApp or even Zoom call by swiping down from the top-right corner (iOS/iPadOS), or clicking (MacOS) the top right corner of your screen and selecting the Mic Modes menu; from there you can select Voice Isolation. Think of it as noise cancelling for your voice, as your device processes all incoming noise into the microphone and filters out any background noise to ensure your voice comes through much clearer in loud and busy environments. The results appear to be beneficial across the board with the report from The Verge saying that it can prevent anything from buzzing MacBook fans to barking dogs from interrupting your calls.

There do appear to be a few caveats to this new microphone mode, one being that it isn't a universal setting, meaning that for each app you use to make calls you will need to enable it separately. This is something that Apple could easily remedy with a software update, especially considering that the likes of the AirPods Pro will retain noise cancelling or transparency audio settings across the board; so fingers crossed that Apple allows you to set it as a default soon.

Another issue lies in its compatibility, or lack thereof in certain apps. On mobile devices, this doesn’t seem to be too much of a problem with FaceTime, WhatsApp, Zoom, Snapchat, Instagram and Slack all supporting it, with only TikTok being a major player that does take advantage of it yet. On the desktop operating system is where it seems to be lacking, with no support for the desktop version of Zoom – a real shame when considering how useful it would be when taking calls on a laptop in a noisy office or coffee shop. There is also no way to enable it when using in-browser apps like Google Meet, further stunting its potential for work use.

However it's easy to get bogged down in what it can't do and forget how useful it can be on mobile devices. For example, taking a call whilst walking through a bustling city or next to a busy road shouldn't impact how the person on the other end of the phone hears you. Could this lead to a new standard for high definition audio calls? Who knows, but for now you should hear less “sorry what was that?”

Cedar County paging tower toppled; Coleridge firefighters activated via text

With much of the state under siege by powerful spring storms, a small northeast Nebraska community was not immune.

Friday, May 13th 2022, 7:10 AM CDT By News Channel Nebraska

Photo courtesy Coleridge Fire and Rescue

COLERIDGE, Neb. — With much of the state under siege by powerful spring storms, a small northeast Nebraska community was not immune.

At approximately 4:19 p.m. Thursday, Coleridge Fire & Rescue was paged out for a vegetation fire three miles south of town on Highway 57, about one and a half miles east on Highway 59.

High winds snapped off power poles, causing 7200-volt power lines to be active on the ground and setting road ditches on fire.

Just before being called to the fire, the Cedar County paging tower was toppled by high winds.

While unable to page or activate the fire siren, they were able to get firefighters to the scene via text messages.

After the fire was extinguished, two trucks and personnel remained on site to ensure scene safety and provide traffic control, Coleridge Fire officials said. Cedar-Knox PPD was on site to deactivate the line.

At 7:15, officials were able to re-open the road and return to the fire station.

Coleridge EMS, the Cedar County Sheriff's Office and Cedar County Emergency Management provided support.

Carr Wants Mandatory Network Disaster Resilience Rules for Wireless Carriers

By Leslie Stimson, Inside Towers Washington Bureau Chief

FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr called for the FCC to update the wireless resiliency framework for disasters that carriers follow to speed communications restoration following crises. Currently, the program is voluntary. Carr proposes making it mandatory. He urged quick action, citing the proliferation of wildfires out west and the approach of the 2022 hurricane season.

The current framework stems from 2016. Carr commends the wireless industry for “stepping up to the plate” back then. “With the passage of time and experience learned under this framework,” he says, he believes it’s time to build and expand on it.

Carr called for expansion of the types of events that would trigger activation of the framework. He also urged the adoption of mandatory roaming during a disaster. The current agreement enables carriers to roam on another provider’s network in certain, defined situations.

Carr has traveled to disaster areas over the years to gain experience in the field. In 2018, Carr traveled to the Florida panhandle after Hurricane Michael, where he spent 48 hours with crews working to restore service, Inside Towers reported.

Last September, Carr joined Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel in Louisiana following Hurricane Ida, where officials on the ground described how network outages impacted their ability to respond to calls for help both during and in the aftermath of the storm. During that Louisiana visit, public safety officials advocated for a more seamless approach to roaming during disasters.

Selected portions [sometimes more — sometimes less — sometimes the whole updates] of the BloostonLaw Telecom Update and/or the BloostonLaw Private Users Update — newsletters from the Law Offices of Blooston, Mordkofsky, Dickens, Duffy & Prendergast, LLP — are reproduced in this section of The Wireless Messaging News with kind permission from the firm's partners. The firm's contact information is included at the end of this section of the newsletter.

NTIA Releases NOFOs for BEAD, Middle Mile, and Digital Equity Act Programs

On May 13, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) released the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) texts for each of the three new Broadband Infrastructure Programs authorized by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (IIJA): the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program, the State Digital Equity programs, and the Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Grant (MMG) program.

In this week’s edition of the BloostonLaw Telecom Update, we discuss the MMBI. We will be releasing a separate memorandum in the next few days covering the BEAD program.

BloostonLaw Contacts: Ben Dickens, Gerry Duffy, and Sal Taillefer.

Headlines

NTIA Issues NOFO for Middle Mile Infrastructure Program

On May 13, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) issued its Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for its $980 million Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Grant (MMG) Program. This program was created in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 to provide funding for the construction, improvement or acquisition of middle mile infrastructure to reduce the cost of connecting to the Internet backbone areas that are “unserved” (currently less than 25/3 Mbps service) or “underserved” (currently less than 100/20 Mbps service).

The MMG Program presents a unique and significant opportunity for clients to participate in and/or benefit from the construction of new or upgraded middle mile networks that can improve the quality of their connections to the Internet and hopefully enable them to reduce or control their growing middle mile transport costs. BloostonLaw attorneys are experienced in NTIA funding applications and are available to help with both the application and post-award compliance processes so that you and your customers can enjoy the benefits.

It should be noted initially that the largest Merit Review criterion (see below) awards up to 20 points for improving affordability in already-served markets (as well as facilitating deployment in unserved or underserved markets), and we are seeking clarification from NTIA regarding the scope of the program.

In contrast to the BEAD Program, NTIA will directly establish MMG application requirements, accept and process applications, and distribute and monitor grants. Applications will be due by September 30, 2022 (all applications must be filed online via NTIA’s application portal), and grants will begin to be awarded on or after a target date of March 1, 2023. Grants will generally be in a range from $5 million to $100 million (which can be modified upon a reasonable showing), with a required match of 30 percent (which may be waived for Tribal Governments and Native entities, but is very unlikely to be waived for other entities). Construction of the middle mile facilities must be completed within 5 years after the grant is made available to the grantee (with a possible one-year extension upon a showing that the project has been started and that extenuating circumstances precluded timely completion). Given the large amount of broadband construction being funded by various federal and state programs, BloostonLaw advises clients receiving grants to make firm and final arrangements with equipment vendors and construction contractors as soon as possible, and to document all compliance efforts and reasons for delays.

Eligibility requirements are very broad, and include states and their political subdivisions, Tribal governments and Native entities, telecommunications and electric utility companies and cooperatives, nonprofits, regional planning councils, economic development authorities, and partnerships of two or more of such entities.

While eligibility is extensive, MMG application requirements appear to be rather stringent and exacting. In general, MMG applicants must demonstrate that they are capable of carrying out the proposed project in a competent manner, including a plan to attract, train or retain an appropriately skilled and credentialed workforce; and that they have the financial, managerial, technical, and operational capability to carry out the proposed project and operate the resulting middle mile broadband network. These general principles are intended to discourage and restrict participation by insincere or unfit applicants that is likely to lead to waste, fraud and abuse. However, the initial NTIA implementation of these principles entails substantial application requirements that may add to the expense and burden for the small service providers and consortia that are most in need of middle mile alternatives and relief.

The NOFO’s initial MMG application requirements include:

1. an irrevocable standby letter of credit from an acceptable bank for no less than 25 percent of the grant amount;
2. audited financial statements for the three prior fiscal years (or a commitment to provide them by a NTIA deadline);
3. one-page resumes for all key management personnel of the applicant, its subcontractors, and any other entity that will play a substantial role in building, managing or operating the middle mile network;
4. a narrative statement describing the applicant’s experience, qualifications and readiness to undertake the middle mile project;
5. ownership information and an organizational chart or charts detailing all parent companies, subsidiaries and affiliates;
6. a budget narrative and detailed budget justification spreadsheet, plus a network design diagram, project costs, build-out timeline and milestones, and capital investment schedule;
7. demonstration of compliance with all applicable federal state and local laws, including occupational safety and health requirements, federal labor and employment laws, and civil rights and nondiscrimination laws;
8. a plan for ensuring that the project workforce will be an appropriately skilled and credentialed workforce;
9. a description of the applicant’s hiring, training and apprenticeship programs that support equitable workforce development and job quality; and
10. a description of how the applicant has sufficiently accounted for current and future weather and climate-related risks (such as wildfires, extreme heat and cold, flooding and extreme winds) to the middle mile network.

A MMG applicant proposing to use fiber must certify that it will provide Gigabit/Gigabit service via direct interconnection to any anchor institution located within 1,000 feet of its infrastructure.

The NOFO describes a detailed NTIA application process that includes:

1. a Merit Review;
2. a Programmatic Review;
3. an Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth (OICG) Assistant Administrator Review; and
4. Final Project Selection by the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information.

At many points during this process, NTIA can request additional information from an applicant and set a deadline for its submission.

The Merit Review scores applications on a 100-point scale. Applications get points for:

1. facilitating deployment of high-speed broadband to unserved or underserved areas, or improving affordability in already served markets (20 points);
2. offering non-discriminatory interconnection at reasonable rates in perpetuity (10 points);
3. offering access on an open access basis (10 points);
4. the extent that the project will benefit the proposed service area, including development of carrier-neutral interconnection, resiliency and direct interconnection to anchor institutions (10 points);
5. comprehensiveness and appropriateness of the proposed technical solution, including shovel-ready status and ability to meet future needs (10 points);
6. organizational ability to complete the project (5 points);
7. reasonableness of budget (10 points);
8. fiscal sustainability beyond award period (10 points); and
9. commitment to contribute more than 30 percent of eligible project cost (5-to-15 point sliding scale).

The Programmatic Review may initially request applicants to submit additional information, and give them five (5) days to do so. NTIA will then assign weights to the applicant’s Merit Review score on the basis of the following eight criteria:

1. demonstration of likelihood of material reduction in resulting end user broadband prices;
2. demonstration of likelihood of a material reduction in latency;
3. demonstration of substantial benefits to high-poverty counties, persistent poverty counties, and/or a substantial number of end users that meet certain low-income criteria (similar to those of Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Program);
4. demonstration of substantial benefits to previously unserved locations or Tribal Lands;
5. demonstration that the route is designed to enable connection of unserved anchor institutions, including Tribal anchor institutions;
6. demonstration of compliance with fair labor practices, workforce development and job quality objectives, and civil rights and non-discrimination law;
7. demonstration of climate resilience; and
8. proposed use of community benefit agreements.

The OICG Associate Administrator Review consists of ranking projects according to their weighted Merit Review and Programmatic Review scores, and then deciding how many of the highly rated applications can be funded before the $980 million budget is exhausted.

The Assistant Secretary then makes the recommendations for funding, and submits them to the National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST) Grants Officer for a pre-award risk assessment that may include review of the applicant’s financial stability, management system quality, performance history, audit reports and findings, and ability to effectively implement statutory, regulatory and other requirements. The award decisions of the NIST Grant Officer are final.

Note that grants are subject to environmental impact analyses under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA).

All funds made available through the MMG Program are subject to the Build America, Buy America Act. All real property, equipment and intangible property acquired or improved with MMG award funds is held in trust for the beneficiaries of the program for the duration of its useful life, and is subject to liens, disposition conditions and reversionary interests.

Finally, MMG awards are subject to build-out milestones, bi-annual reporting requirements and audit obligations.

BloostonLaw Contacts: Ben Dickens, Gerry Duffy, and Sal Taillefer.

Commissioner Carr Calls for Mandatory Wireless Resiliency Framework

On May 16, FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr called for the FCC to adopt new rules that will promote consumer access to robust, resilient wireless networks during disasters at an event hosted by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO). Specifically, Commissioner Carr proposes adopting new FCC rules to achieve the following objectives:

• Require Wireless Providers to Participate in the Wireless Resiliency Framework. Participation in the framework is currently voluntary and Commissioner Carr proposes adopting a new rule that expands the framework to cover additional facilities-based wireless providers.
• Expand the Types of Events That Would Trigger Activation of the Framework. Today, the voluntary framework is only triggered if both the Emergency Support Function #2 (ESF-2) and Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS) are activated. Commissioner Carr supports expanding this trigger to situations where ESF-2 or DIRS are activated. Additionally, Commissioner Carr supports allowing certain state level disaster declarations to trigger the framework when FCC public safety officials determine that it is appropriate.
• Mandate Roaming During Disaster Arrangements. The current framework enables carriers to roam on another provider’s network in certain, defined scenarios. Commissioner Carr supports adopting a new rule that would require providers to establish the arrangements necessary to facilitate roaming during a disaster.
• Ensure an Effective Roaming During Disaster Regime. Commissioner Carr also emphasized the need for periodic testing of roaming capabilities to ensure roaming will work when it matters most. Commissioner Carr also urged adoption of transparency and reporting obligations that can provide insight into the effectiveness of disaster roaming.

The Wireless Resiliency Cooperative Framework was originally adopted in 2016. In 2018, following Hurricane Michael, the FCC launched a comprehensive review of the framework and sought information from carriers about the implementation of these measures and other best practices. As we reported at the time, last September the FCC adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to revisit the framework, among other issues, in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida.

BloostonLaw Contacts: John Prendergast and Cary Mitchell.

FCC Seeks Comment on BDC Certified Professional Engineer Certification Waiver Petition

On May 17, the FCC issued a Public Notice seeking comment on a Petition for Declaratory Ruling or Limited Waiver (Petition) filed by the Competitive Carriers Association (CCA) requesting that the FCC issue a declaratory ruling to clarify that Broadband Data Collection (BDC) filings may be certified by a qualified professional engineer or an otherwise-qualified engineer that is not a licensed professional engineer accredited by a state licensure board. Comment and reply comment deadlines have not yet been established.

Specifically, the FCC’s rules require that an engineer review and certify the accuracy of the broadband availability data submitted by mobile and fixed providers as part of the BDC. In particular, the FCC requires each mobile and fixed service provider to include certifications as to the accuracy of its data submissions by a certified professional engineer or corporate engineering officer, in which the engineer certifies “that he or she has examined the information contained in the submission and that, to the best of the engineer’s actual knowledge, information, and belief, all statements of fact contained in the submission are true and correct and in accordance with the service provider’s ordinary course of network design and engineering.”

In its petition, CCA asserts that the “experience and expertise developed by [Radio Frequency (RF)] engineers through their work provides comprehensive skills relevant to broadband deployment [and] provides skills comparable to, and perhaps more relevant than, general licensure through the PE . . . exam process.” CCA therefore requests that the FCC clarify that the requirement that all providers must include as part of their BDC filing a certification of the accuracy of its submissions by a certified professional engineer may be completed by either a licensed professional engineer or an otherwise qualified engineer who possesses the appropriate engineering expertise but does not hold a professional engineer license. Additionally, CCA requests that the FCC clarify that the term “corporate engineering officer” may be any employee who has “direct knowledge” and is “responsible for” the carrier’s network design and construction and who possesses a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering. Alternatively, CCA requests a limited waiver of the requirement that BDC data be certified by a licensed professional engineer, and instead allow mobile providers to certify their data with an RF engineering professional with specified qualifications that are directly relevant to broadband availability assessment. CCA recommends that if the FCC seeks to specify qualification standards or requirements for engineers to certify broadband availability, it should adopt standards that specifically relate to broadband availability assessment, such as academic and employment experience, RF and propagation modeling experience, and knowledge relevant to wireless carriers’ networks.

Carriers interested in filing comments on CCA’s proposal may contact the firm for more information.

BloostonLaw Contacts: John Prendergast and Cary Mitchell.

Law and Regulation

White House Announces Permitting Action Plan for Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Projects

On May 11, the Biden-Harris administration released an Action Plan establishing a Federal environmental review and permitting process designed to accelerate delivery of infrastructure projects under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), including broadband. According to the press release, the Action Plan contains five key elements that build on strengthened Federal approaches to environmental reviews and permitting:

• accelerating permitting through early cross-agency coordination to appropriately scope reviews, reduce bottlenecks, and use the expertise of sector-specific teams;
• establishing clear timeline goals and tracking key project information to improve transparency and accountability, providing increased certainty for project sponsors and the public;
• engaging in early and meaningful outreach and communication with Tribal Nations, States, territories, and local communities;
• improving agency responsiveness, technical assistance, and support to navigate the environmental review and permitting process effectively and efficiently; and
• adequately resourcing agencies and using the environmental review process to improve environmental and community outcomes.

According to the White House, the Action Plan leverages existing permitting authorities as well as new provisions included in the BIL, such as new “FAST-41” requirements and authorities that apply to broadband. FAST 41 refers to section 41 of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act of 201, which established coordination and oversight procedures for infrastructure projects being reviewed by federal agencies intended to improve early consultation and coordination among government agencies; increase transparency through the publication of project-specific timetables with completion dates for all federal environmental reviews and authorizations; and increase accountability through consultation and reporting on delayed projects.

The full press release for the Action Plan can be found here.

BloostonLaw Contacts: Ben Dickens and Sal Taillefer.

988 Texts May Be Routed Without Translation to Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s Number

On May 11, the FCC issued an Order granting a request for waiver filed by CTIA of the text-to-988 requirements in the FCC’s rules. As a result of the waiver, covered text providers to route covered 988 text messages to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (Lifeline) without translation to the Lifeline’s current toll free access number.

As we reported in previous editions of the BloostonLaw Telecom Update, late last year the FCC adopted a rule requiring all covered text providers to route all covered 988 text messages to the current toll-free access number for the Lifeline by July 16, 2022. According to the Order, CTIA and other involved in the implementation of text-to-988, including SAMHSA, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and SAMHSA’s contractors, Vibrant Emotional Health and Intrado Corporation, stated that in practice, translating 988 text messages to the current toll free access number for the Lifeline may negatively impact the experience of individuals texting the Lifeline because responsive text messages will be displayed on the texter’s device as originating from 1-800-273-8255, rather than 988, which could create confusion for texters.

In granting the waiver, the FCC found that allowing covered text providers to centrally route text messages to the Lifeline using short code protocol without translation to the current toll-free access number “will ensure a more positive customer experience for individuals seeking suicide prevention and mental health crisis intervention services.”

The Lifeline provides free, confidential support for individuals in “suicidal crisis or emotional distress at any time of the day or night” and consists of a national network of crisis centers linked by the Lifeline’s toll-free number.

BloostonLaw Contacts: John Prendergast and Cary Mitchell.

NET Act, FAIR Contributions Act Pass Senate Commerce Committee

On May 11, the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation advanced two pieces of bipartisan legislation originally cosponsored by U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), also a member of the committee. Both pieces may now be considered by the full Senate.

The Funding Affordable Internet with Reliable (FAIR) Contributions Act would direct the FCC to conduct a study into the feasibility of collecting Universal Service Fund (USF) contributions from Internet edge providers such as YouTube, Netflix, and Google. Specifically, the FAIR Contributions Act would direct the FCC to issue a Notice of Inquiry seeking public comment on the feasibility of collecting USF contributions from Internet edge providers, and issue a final report on the matter within 180 days. It would also require the FCC to consider:

• Possible sources of Big Tech revenue, such as digital advertising and user fees.
• The fairness of the current system and a system under which contributions could be assessed on Big Tech firms.
• The feasibility of assessing contributions on such a broad category of firms that do not currently register with the FCC.
• The effects such a change would have on Tribal, low-income, and elderly consumers.
• The changes to current law necessary to implement this system.

The Network Equipment Transparency (NET) Act is designed to increase broadband supply chain transparency in order to ensure an on-time rollout of the broadband programs managed by the FCC. Specifically, the bill would require the FCC’s Annual Broadband Deployment Report to describe to Congress the impact of supply chain disruptions on the deployment of broadband service.

BloostonLaw Contacts: Ben Dickens and Sal Taillefer.

Reps. Matsui and Guthrie Urge Further Funding for Rip and Replace Program

On May 11, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA) and Congressman Brett Guthrie (R-KY), wrote to House Appropriations Committee chair Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and Ranking Member Kay Granger (R-TX), urging them to provide additional funding for the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program (SCRP), also known as the “Rip and Replace” program. As we reported in a previous edition of the BloostonLaw Telecom Update, the FCC reported demand of $5.6 billion on the fund, which originally only appropriated $1.9 billion.

The SCRP was established by the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act, also co-led by Reps. Matsui and Guthrie, which was passed in 2020. The legislation prohibited Huawei, ZTE and other equipment from being used in national telecommunications networks.

Cosigners of the letter include Reps. Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Richard Hudson (R-NC), G.K. Butterfield (D-NC), Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), Angie D. Craig (D-MN), Billy Long (R-MO), Tom O’ Halleran (D-AZ), Dr. John Joyce (R-PA), Jerry McNerney (D-CA), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Donald McEachin (D-VA), John Curtis (R-UT), Marc Veasey (D-TX), Jack Bergman (R-MI), Robin Kelly (D-IL), Michael Waltz (R-FL), Kurt Schrader (D-OR), and Fred Upton (R-MI).

BloostonLaw Contacts: Ben Dickens and Sal Taillefer.

Industry

NTIA 2021 Internet Use Survey Shows Improved Uptake in Traditionally Less-Connected Communities

On May 11, NTIA released the data from its 2021 NTIA Internet Use Survey. According to NTIA’s Press Release, the 2021 NTIA Internet Use Survey represents “the first comprehensive federal data on how Internet use in America has evolved since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.” NTIA works with the U.S. Census Bureau to administer the Survey as a supplement to the Current Population Survey (CPS). It includes more than 50 questions about use of the Internet, devices, online activities, and barriers to entry.

Some initial highlights from the data include:

• Internet use among White non-Hispanics was unchanged, but increased by 2% among both African Americans and Hispanics.
• Households with family incomes under $25,000 per year that had no Internet service subscriptions at all decreased by 8%, and those that only had mobile data plans decreased by 2%.
• Use of smart TVs and TV-connected devices increased 7%; smart watches and other wearables, increased 4%; use of laptops and smartphones each increased by 2%; and tablet and desktop computer use stagnated at 30% and 28%, respectively.
• Laptop use by children between the ages of 3 and 14 went up 5%, and use among those ages 15 to 24 grew 4%.
• Use of a PC or tablet increased by 5% among persons with disabilities; 4% among Hispanics; 2% among African Americans; and 1% among White non-Hispanics that did not report a disability.

NTIA indicates it has updated the NTIA Data Explorer tool to include metrics from the most recent survey, while also adding some user interface improvements. And in the coming weeks, the agency will post the complete public use dataset and sample code for use with statistical programs.

Deadlines

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 May 31. The FCC encourages carriers to complete the discrimination report requirement by filling out Section V of Form 395, rather than submitting a separate report.

BloostonLaw Contact: Richard Rubino.

[WAIVED; NEW DEADLINE NOT YET ESTABLISHED] JULY 1: FCC FORM 481 (CARRIER ANNUAL REPORTING DATA COLLECTION FORM). All eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs) must report the information required by Section 54.313, which includes information on the ETC’s holding company, operating companies, ETC affiliates and any branding in response to section 54.313(a)(8); its CAF-ICC certification, if applicable; its financial information, if a privately held rate-of-return carrier; and its satellite backhaul certification, if applicable.

BloostonLaw Contacts: Ben Dickens, Gerry Duffy, and Sal Taillefer.

JULY 1: MOBILITY FUND PHASE I ANNUAL REPORT. Winning bidders in Auction 901 that are authorized to receive Mobility Fund Phase I support are required to submit to the FCC an annual report each year on July 1 for the five years following authorization. Each annual report must be submitted to the Office of the Secretary of the FCC, clearly referencing WT Docket No. 10-208; the Universal Service Administrator; and the relevant state commissions, relevant authority in a U.S. Territory, or Tribal governments, as appropriate. The information and certifications required to be included in the annual report are described in Section 54.1009 of the FCC’s rules.

BloostonLaw Contacts: John Prendergast and Sal Taillefer.

JULY 31: FCC FORM 507, LINE COUNT DATA (A-CAM AND ALASKA PLAN RECPIENTS). Sections 54.313(f)(5) and 54.903(a)(1) of the FCC’s rules requires all rate-of-return telecommunications carriers to provide line count information on FCC Form 507 to USAC, the universal service Administrator. Carriers receiving Connect America Fund Broadband Loop Support (CAF BLS) must submit this information annually on March 31st of each year, and may update the data on a quarterly basis. Carriers that receive Alternative Connect America Model (A-CAM) I, A-CAM II, or Alaska Plan support are required to file by July 1st of each year. For 2020, the FCC has extended the A-CAM filing deadline until July 31.

BloostonLaw Contacts: Gerry Duffy and Sal Taillefer.

JULY 31: CARRIER IDENTIFICATION CODE (CIC) REPORTS. Carrier Identification Code (CIC) Reports must be filed by the last business day of July (this year, July 31). These reports are required of all carriers who have been assigned a CIC code by NANPA. Failure to file could result in an effort by NANPA to reclaim it, although according to the Guidelines this process is initiated with a letter from NANPA regarding the apparent non-use of the CIC code. The assignee can then respond with an explanation. (Guidelines Section 6.2). The CIC Reporting Requirement is included in the CIC Assignment Guidelines, produced by ATIS. According to section 1.4 of that document: At the direction of the NANPA, the access providers and the entities who are assigned CICs will be requested to provide access and usage information to the NANPA, on a semi-annual basis to ensure effective management of the CIC resource. (Holders of codes may respond to the request at their own election). Access provider and entity reports shall be submitted to NANPA no later than January 31 for the period ending December 31, and no later than July 31 for the period ending June 30. It is also referenced in the NANPA Technical Requirements Document, which states at 7.18.6: CIC holders shall provide a usage report to the NANPA per the industry CIC guidelines … The NAS shall be capable of accepting CIC usage reports per guideline requirements on January 31 for the period ending December 31 and no later than July 31 for the period ending June 30. These reports may also be mailed and accepted by the NANPA in paper form. Finally, according to the NANPA website, if no local exchange carrier reports access or usage for a given CIC, NANPA is obliged to reclaim it. The semi-annual utilization and access reporting mechanism is described at length in the guidelines.

BloostonLaw contact: Sal Taillefer.

Law Offices Of Blooston, Mordkofsky, Dickens, Duffy & Prendergast, LLP 2120 L St. NW, Suite 300 Washington, D.C. 20037 (202) 659-0830 (202) 828-5568 (fax) — CONTACTS — Benjamin H. Dickens, Jr., 202-828-5510, bhd@bloostonlaw.com Gerard J. Duffy, 202-828-5528, gjd@bloostonlaw.com John A. Prendergast, 202-828-5540, jap@bloostonlaw.com Richard D. Rubino, 202-828-5519, rdr@bloostonlaw.com Mary J. Sisak, 202-828-5554, mjs@bloostonlaw.com D. Cary Mitchell, 202-828-5538, cary@bloostonlaw.com Salvatore Taillefer, Jr., 202-828-5562, sta@bloostonlaw.com This newsletter is not intended to provide legal advice. Those interested in more information should contact the firm.

Calendar At-a-Glance

May
May 31 – FCC Form 395 (Annual Employment Report) is due.

June
Jun. 1 – Rural Healthcare Applications for 2022 are due.
Jun. 16 – 15-Day Access Tariff Filings are due.
Jun. 23 – Petitions to suspend 15-Day Access Tariff Filings are due.
Jun. 24 – 7-Day Tariff Filings are due.
Jun. 27 – Replies to Petitions to Suspend 15-Day Access Tariff Filings are due (NOON ET).
Jun. 27 – Petitions to Suspend 7-Day Tariff Filings are due (NOON ET).
Jun. 27 – Comments are due on Pole Replacement FNPRM.
Jun. 29 – Replies to Petitions to Suspend 7-Day Tariff Filings are due (NOON ET).
Jun. 30 – Inmate Calling Service data reports are due.
Jun. 30 – Reply comments are due on Pole Replacement Dispute Process.
Jun. 30 – Reply comments are due on Digital Discrimination NOI.
Jun. 30 – COVID Lifeline waivers set to expire.

July
Jul. 1 – FCC Form 690 (Mobility Fund Phase I Auction Winner Annual Report) is due.
Jul. 27 – Auction 109 – AM/FM Broadcast Auction begins.
Jul. 27 – Reply comments are due on Pole Replacement FNPRM.
Jul. 29 – Auction 108 – 2.5GHz Flexible-Use Auction begins.
Jul. 31 – Carrier Identification Code (CIC) Report is due.
Jul. 31 – FCC Form 507 A-CAM/Alaska Plan Line Count Data is due.

TBD
FCC Form 481 (Carrier Annual Reporting Data Collection Form) is due.

Blooston, Mordkofsky, Dickens, Duffy & Prendergast, LLP is a telecommunications law firm representing rural telecommunications companies, wireless carriers, private radio licensees, cable TV companies, equipment manufacturers and industry associations before the FCC and the courts, as well as state and local government agencies. Our clients range from Fortune 500 companies to small and medium-sized enterprises whose vitality and efficiency depend on the effective deployment of communications.

“ Sweet Dreams”

Allie Sherlock & The3buskteers cover

WOW... WHEN SHE STARTS TO SING !

MENSA MEMBER

If you are curious about why I joined Mensa, click here .

Brad Dye
P.O. Box 266
Fairfield, IL 62837 USA

Life is good!

I am a person in
long-term
recovery.

CONTACT INFO & LINKS

Skype: braddye
Twitter: @BradDye1
Telephone: +1-618-599-7869
E–mail: brad@braddye.com
Wireless: Consulting page
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K9IQY: Ham Radio Page

Amateur Radio
K9IQY

• ex KN9IQY, KN4BK, KM5NK, WB4JCF, ZP5TQ, WA4VXU, WA9RVL, /TI2, /9Y4, /6Y5, /KP4, HH2FJ
• Licensed FCC Amateur Radio operator since 1957
• Licensed FCC First-Class-Commercial Operator/Engineer since 1964