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Welcome Back To The Wireless |
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This Week's Wireless News
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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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2 New iOS 16 Apple Maps Features Are Coming to iPhone SoonUpgrades are coming to your iPhone's Maps app very soon. Here are the two most notable changes and how you'll use them.
Several new features are coming to Apple Maps on your iPhone very soon. Apple is expected to announce the exact date at its Far Out event on Wednesday. Some of the upcoming features include high-resolution imagery for apps like Zillow and new tools for developers, like making Bird scooters and bikes easier to find. Along with these updates, Apple said it will roll out its redesigned map in 11 more countries later this year. Those features include cycling directions and Look Around, a new 3D city experience. The new changes for Apple Maps will come with the release of iOS 16 which also includes new iPhone Message features that can help prevent cringe-worthy text message faux pas. Multistop routing is coming to iPhoneIf you often use Google Maps for features that Apple Maps lacks, that might change. One major update coming to your iPhone is called multistop routing. Apple says it's one of its "most requested features." With this new feature, you can now plan up to 15 stops on your iPhone. You can also start planning your trip on your Mac and send it to your iPhone when you're ready to go. Maps will store your previous routes in Recents so they're easier to find when planning your commute. To get started, you'll open the Maps app on your iPhone and type in your first destination. To add more stops, you'll tap Add Stop and type in your next destination. For instance, you can type in a coffee shop you want to stop at first and then your work address. If you're driving and need to add an additional stop, you can ask Siri to add it to your route. This can help prevent distractions so you can stay focused on the road. New transit features are getting addedIf you use public transit to commute to work or to grab a bite to eat in the evenings, Apple is adding new transit features to make your trip more convenient. You'll be able to see fares for how much your trip will cost. You'll also be able to add a new transit card from Apple Maps to your Apple Wallet app. If your transit card balance is running low, you'll receive an alert so you can reload it without leaving the Maps app. All you'll need to do is tap the Reload button. For more information, here's how to install the iOS 16 beta on your iPhone now. Also, check out iOS 16's new lock screen customization. First published on June 12, 2022 at 6:00 a.m. PT. |
| Source: | cnet |
Paging Transmitters 150/900 MHz The RFI High Performance Paging Transmitter is designed for use in campus, city, state and country-wide paging systems. Designed for use where reliable simulcast systems where RF signal overlap coverage is critical.
Built-in custom interface for Prism-IPX ipBSC Base Controller for remote control, management and alarm reporting.
Prism-IPX Systems LLC. 11175 Cicero Dr., Alpharetta, GA 30022
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The Wireless Messaging News
The Board of Advisor members are people with whom I have developed a special rapport, and have met personally. They are not obligated to support the newsletter in any way, except with advice, and maybe an occasional letter to the editor.
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Thousands of Users Worldwide Depend on Prism IPXOur Customers Trust Us To Make Sure That Their Messages Get Delivered
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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 |
Apple’s Killing the Password. Here’s Everything You Need to KnowWith iOS 16 and macOS Ventura, Apple is introducing passkeys—a more convenient and secure alternative to passwords.MATT BURGESS — SECURITYSEP 7, 2022 2:45 PM
FOR YEARS, WE’VE been promised the end of password-based logins. Now the reality of a passwordless future is taking a big leap forward, with the ability to ditch passwords being rolled out for millions of people. When Apple launches iOS 16 on September 12 and macOS Ventura next month, the software will include its password replacement, known as passkeys, for iPhones, iPads, and Macs. Passkeys allow you to log in to apps and websites, or create new accounts, without having to create, memorize, or store a password. This passkey, which is made up of a cryptographic key pair, replaces your traditional password and is synced across iCloud’s Keychain. It has the potential to eliminate passwords and improve your online security, replacing the insecure passwords and bad habits you probably have now. Apple’s rollout of passkeys is one of the largest implementations of password-free technology to date and builds on years of work by the FIDO Alliance, an industry group made up of tech’s biggest companies. Apple’s passkeys are its version of the standards created by the FIDO Alliance, meaning they will eventually work with Google, Microsoft, Meta, and Amazon’s systems. What Is a Passkey?Using a passkey is similar to using a password. On Apple’s devices, it’s built into the traditional password boxes that websites and apps use to get you to log in. Passkeys act as a unique digital key and can be created for each app or website you use. (The word “passkey” is also being used by Google and Microsoft, with FIDO calling them “multi-device FIDO credentials.”) If you are new to an app or a website, there’s the potential that you can create a passkey instead of a password from the start. But for services where you already have an account, it’s likely you will need to log in to that existing account using your password and then create a passkey. Apple’s demonstrations of the technology show a prompt appearing on your devices during the sign-in or account-creation phase. This box will ask whether you would like to “save a passkey” for the account you are using. At this stage, your device will prompt you to use Face ID, Touch ID, or another authentication method to create the passkey. Once created, the passkey can be stored in iCloud’s Keychain and synced across multiple devices—meaning your passkeys will be available on your iPad and MacBook without any extra work. Passkeys work in Apple’s Safari web browser as well as on its devices. They can also be shared with nearby Apple devices using AirDrop. As Apple’s passkeys are based on the wider passwordless standards created by the FIDO Alliance, there’s the potential that they can be stored elsewhere, too. For instance, password manager Dashlane has already announced its support for passkeys, claiming it is an “independent and universal solution agnostic of the device or platform.” While Apple is launching passkeys with iOS 16 and macOS Ventura, there are several caveats to its rollout. First, you need to update your devices to the new operating system. Second is that apps and websites need to support the use of passkeys—they can do this by using the FIDO standards. Ahead of Apple’s updates, it isn’t clear which apps or websites are already supporting passkeys, although Apple first previewed the technology to developers at its developer conference in 2021. How Do Apple’s Passkeys Work?Under the hood, Apple’s passkeys are based on the Web Authentication API (WebAuthn), which was developed by the FIDO Alliance and World Wide Web Consortium (WC3). The passkeys themselves use public key cryptography to protect your accounts. As a result, a passkey isn’t something that can (easily) be typed. When you create a passkey, a pair of related digital keys are created by your system. “These keys are generated by your devices, securely and uniquely, for every account,” Garrett Davidson, an engineer on Apple’s authentication experience team, said in a video about passkeys. One of these keys is public and stored on Apple’s servers, while the other key is a secret key and stays on your device at all times. “The server never learns what your private key is, and your devices keep it safe,” Davidson said. When you try to sign in to one of your accounts using a passkey, the website or app’s server sends your device a “challenge,” essentially asking your device to prove that it’s you logging in. The private key, which is stored on your device, is able to answer this challenge and send its response back. This answer is then validated by the public key, which then allows you to log in. “This means the server can be sure that you have the right private key, without knowing what the private key actually is,” Davidson said. What if I Don’t Use Only Apple Devices?Because Apple developed its passkeys based on the FIDO Alliance standards, the passkeys can work across devices and on the web. If you try to log in to one of your accounts on a Windows machine, you’ll have to use a slightly different method since your passkeys won’t be stored on that machine. (If they are saved in an external password manager, you would need to log in to that first). Instead, when you log in to a website in Google Chrome, for example, you will have to use a QR code and your iPhone to help you sign in. The QR code contains a URL that includes single-use encryption keys. Once scanned, your phone and the computer are able to communicate using an end-to-end encrypted network via Bluetooth and share information. “That means a QR code sent in an email or generated on a fake website won’t work, because a remote attacker won’t be able to receive the Bluetooth advertisement and complete the local exchange,” Davidson said. This process happens between your phone and the web browser—the website you are logging in to isn’t involved. Aside from Apple, other tech firms are in various stages of rolling out their own passkey technology. Google’s developer pages say it aims to have passkey support available for Android developers “towards the end of 2022.” Microsoft has been using some passwordless login systems for a few years now and says that “in the near future,” people will be able to sign in to a Microsoft account with a passkey from an Apple or Google device. Are Passkeys Better Than Passwords?No system is infallible, but the passwords people currently use are one of the biggest security problems with the web. Every year, the most popular passwords people use—according to analysis of data breaches—are topped by “123456789” and “password.” Using weak and repeated passwords is one of the most significant risks to your online life. There’s wide support for abandoning passwords—the FIDO Alliance involves pretty much every big technology company, and they’re all working on eliminating the password. Jen Easterly, the director of the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, welcomed the adoption of passwordless technologies in May this year. “Every passkey is strong. They’re never guessable, reused, or weak,” Apple says in its documentation of passkeys. “To really address password problems, we need to move beyond passwords,” Google says in its own description of passkeys. It claims passkeys will help reduce phishing attacks—people can’t be tricked into sharing their passkeys—and that passkeys are less of a target for hackers as their details aren’t stored on servers. Despite the enthusiasm for passkeys, passwords are going to be around for a long time yet. Transitioning people from using passwords to a new sign-in method requires them to trust and understand the new system; apps and websites also need to support passkeys. And there are some unanswered questions, such as whether cloud backups from iOS to Android will be compatible. The password isn’t quite dead yet, but it’s getting there. |
| Source: | wired |
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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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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wirelessplannerron@gmail.com  |
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USB 4 Version 2's Secret 120 Gbps Mode Has a CatchBy Anton Shilov published September 6, 2020 120 Gbps over a USB-C connector is theoretically possible but needs approval.
When the USB Promoter Group announced its USB 4 Version 2 specification with a maximum 80 Gbps data transfer rate last week, it did not reveal how it planned to make 80 Gbps work on existing cables. But apparently, there is more than that. USB 4 can do even better and support aggregate bandwidth of up to 120 Gbps. The USB Type-C connector has four lanes configured in a 2 Tx + 2 Rx symmetric arrangement, which in the case of USB 4 operates at 20 Gbps per lane and therefore provides 80 Gbps bi-directional bandwidth. With USB 4 version 2, per lane data transfer rate is increased to 40 Gbps, and aggregated bandwidth increases to 80 Gbps with PAM-3 encodings (in both directions), reports Angstronomics (opens in new tab) citing documents from Keysight, a leading maker of test equipment. But in addition to symmetric 2 Tx + 2 Rx setup, Keysight's M8040A Bit Error Ratio Tester for USB 4 v2 can test asymmetric 3 Tx + 1 Rx configuration, or 120 Gbps aggregated bandwidth from the host and 40 Gbps from device to host. It should be enough to carry a DisplayPort 2.0 UHBR20 signal (enough for 8Kp85 uncompressed and 8Kp144 with DSC) from the host to the display and then 40 Gbps (in both directions) will remain to handle data consumed by a USB 4 hub, a webcam built into the display, and so on. So far, the USB Promoter Group has not formally confirmed that a 3 Tx + 1 Rx asymmetric configuration support would come to USB 4. Still, asymmetric configurations are nothing new for USB specifications. They are particularly easy to enable in the case of USB 4 (as well as Thunderbolt 3/4), as all signal types are muxed and demuxed at each end of the interconnection. Now, assuming that a 3 Tx + 1 Rx asymmetric setup is a part of the USB 4 v2 specification, a major question is whether support for 3 Tx + 1 Rx asymmetric will be mandatory for all USB 4 v2 controllers or will be optional and reserved for select controllers only. Increasing per lane data transfer rate to 40 Gbps and implementing PAM-3 encoding will significantly increase the complexity and power consumption of USB 4 v2 controllers compared to USB 4 v2 controllers. Furthermore, increased bandwidth will require USB 4 v2 controllers to connect to hosts at around 15 GB/s (equal to bandwidth offered by a PCIe 5.0 x4 or a PCIe 6.0 x2 interface). Supporting a 120 Gbps upstream mode might complicate things further. When can we expect the first USB 4 v2 host controllers to arrive? Angstronomics (opens in new tab) believes that Intel will support USB 4 v2 with its 14th Generation Core 'Meteor Lake' platform in 2023 as the company has already implied support of 80 Gbps Thunderbolt input/output interface by its media. As for AMD, it will lag behind Intel and will only offer CPUs with USB 4 v2 support in 2025. As usual, it is hard to make predictions about Apple. We have reached out to the USB Promoter Group and enquired whether the final edition of USB 4 v2 supports the 3 Tx + 1 Rx asymmetric configuration. Unfortunately, for now, the organization neither denies nor confirms this. "The USB Promoter Group announcement was only intended to cover high-level details as the specification is still under development," a statement by the USB Promoter Group reads. "It is only targeting developers at this time in order to promote the detailed trainings that will be available at the upcoming Seattle and Seoul USB DevDays events in November."
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| Source: | tomshardware |
Brad Dye, Ron Mercer, Allan Angus, 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
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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 |
How to easily add Driver’s License to Apple WalletBy Jeet On Sep 4, 2022 Apple Wallet has added a feature that allows users to add an ID card to the account, which can be used to verify the user’s identity or license instead of carrying a physical card. Currently, only Arizona in the United States supports ID with Apple Wallet, but the support will soon be available in other states, including Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, and Utah. In this step-by-step guide, we will show you how to quickly and easily add a driver’s license or a state ID to your Apple Wallet on the Apple iPhone.
How to easily add a Driver’s License to Apple Wallet Step 1: Open the Wallet application on your Apple iPhone. That’s it. Once you have followed the above-mentioned step-by-step guide, the process of adding a driver’s license or a state-issued ID card is completed from your end. The information that you added will be sent to the state’s DMV or MVD for verification purposes, and once it’s confirmed, it will be available in the Apple Wallet. |
| Source: | mobygiaan |
| Leavitt Communications |
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Anker's new USB-C cables are more corny, less plastickyBY JULES WANG PUBLISHED September 6, 2022
Plastics are a hell of a problem in our modern world. From microparticles polluting our water to bisphenol A to its origin in petroleum production, it's certainly had a turn in its "wonder material" reputation back in the 1950's. As industry begins considering alternatives, manufacturer Anker is out today with a new line of USB-C cables that trade away the plastic outer sheath for one made partly of plants. To be clear, this isn't a complete reprisal of plastic from Anker's new cables: 40% of the material mix for the new outer sheathing will include corn and sugarcane fibers (likely cellulose). Furthermore, the inner sheaths that protect the individual wires going from pin in to pin out are presumably still made of plastic as well. And if you're wondering about the insulation material between those wires, it's most likely a petroleum-based rubber polymer. The connector covers are also all-plastic as well. Still, these new cables mark a step forward towards reducing the potential impact of our e-consumption. If you're concerned about durability, the company says its new cables are good for 20,000 bends. Save 10% on Anker's bio-based USB-C cables through September 19
The 541 USB-C to Lightning cable and 543 Type-C to Type-C cable come in 3- and 6-foot lengths and the pastel hues of black, white, blue, and green. The Lightning cable is capable of delivering 30W to devices while the Type-C cable can go up to 100W. Inventory is available to buy right now direct from Anker as well as Amazon shortly. The 3-foot Type-C cable is $17 while the 6-foot version is $20. The Lightning versions are $2 more for each length. Customers can also take advantage of an on-site coupon code for 10% off their purchases through September 19. Anker says to expect more eco-friendly products — including more bio-based cables — in the near future. Who knows? They may just land on our list of best USB-C cables.
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| Source: | Android Police |
| Inside Towers Newsletter |
Commerce Releases Plan for $50B Chip Fund Distribution
By Leslie Stimson, Inside Towers Washington Bureau Chief Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo on Tuesday unveiled a strategy for the Commerce Department's disbursal of $50 billion that Congress approved to boost domestic manufacturing of semiconductor chips. She expects the first money to flow in the spring of 2023. Semiconductors are crucial components in devices such as mobile phones and pacemakers. They’re also the key to advanced technologies like quantum computing, artificial intelligence and unmanned drones. “With this funding we are going to make sure that the United States is never again in a position where our national security interests are compromised or key industries are immobilized due to our inability to produce essential semiconductors here at home,” Raimondo said, reported Roll Call. About $28 billion of the so-called CHIPS for America Fund is expected to go toward grants and loans to help build U.S. facilities for making, assembling and packaging some of the world’s more advanced chips. Another $10 billion will be devoted to expanding manufacturing for older generations of technology used in cars and communications technology, as well as specialty technologies and other industry suppliers. About $11 billion will go toward chip R&D initiatives. To receive the money, companies will need to demonstrate the long-term economic viability of their project, as well as “spillover benefits” for the communities they operate in. Examples would be investments in infrastructure and workforce development, or their ability to attract suppliers and customers, the department said, according to The New York Times. Projects that involve economically disadvantaged individuals and businesses owned by minorities, veterans or women, or that are based in rural areas, will be prioritized, according to the Commerce Department. So will projects that help make the supply chain more secure by, for example, providing another production location for advanced chips that are manufactured in Taiwan. Companies are encouraged to demonstrate they can obtain other sources of funding, including private capital and state and local investment. Intel, Micron, and other chip makers have announced plans to open domestic manufacturing plants in anticipation of the federal program, Inside Towers reported. President Joe Biden plans to participate at a groundbreaking event for an Intel plant in Ohio on Friday. Intel plans to spend $20 billion to build two manufacturing plants in Ohio. Raimondo said the department would call for applications from companies starting about February 2023, and expects to announce awards that spring. The first set of grants are likely to be for smaller projects and the bigger ones may come later, she said, noted Roll Call. |
| Source: | Inside Towers newsletter | Courtesy of the editor of Inside Towers, Jim Fryer. Inside Towers is a daily newsletter by subscription. |
| BloostonLaw Newsletter |
FCC Announces Regulatory Fees – September Due Date To Be DeterminedOn September 2, 2022, the FCC released its Report and Order and Notice of Inquiry which announced the regulatory fees for Fiscal Year 2022 that will be due at some point prior to the end of September 2022. Unfortunately, the FCC has not yet issued a Public Notice announcing the opening of the Commission’s automated filing and payment system (Fee Filer) or the deadline for payment of the regulatory fees. We will follow up with this information once it has been released by the FCC. See the full article below for more information. BloostonLaw Contact: Richard Rubino HeadlinesFCC Announces Regulatory Fees – September Due Date To Be DeterminedOn September 2, 2022, the FCC released its Report and Order and Notice of Inquiry which announced the regulatory fees for Fiscal Year 2022 that will be due at some point prior to the end of September 2022. Unfortunately, the FCC has not yet issued a Public Notice announcing the opening of the Commission’s automated filing and payment system (Fee Filer) or the deadline for payment of the regulatory fees. We will follow up with this information once it has been released by the FCC. Below, we have listed Regulatory Fees of Interest that will be of interest to our clients:
The per subscriber charges are based upon the number of subscribers as of December 31, 2021, while the per license charges are based upon whether the license was valid as of October 1, 2021. Thus, if a license was cancelled or otherwise allowed to expire after October 1, 2021, a regulatory fee would still be due. Likewise, if a license was assigned to a new licensee after October 1, 2021, the licensee as of the date the regulatory fee is due is liable for payment of the regulatory fee. The Communications Act requires the FCC to impose a late payment penalty of 25 percent of the unpaid amount to be assessed on the first day following the deadline for filing these fees. Failure to pay regulatory fees and/or any late penalty will subject regulatees to sanctions, including withholding action on applications, including license applications, petitions for reconsideration, any application for review of a fee determination, or requests for authorization. The Commission also assesses interest and administrative processing charges on delinquent debts to recover costs incurred in processing and handling the debt, in addition to the 25 percent late charge penalty. In the case of partial payments (underpayments) of regulatory fees, the payor will be given credit for the amount paid, but if it is later determined that the fee paid is incorrect or not timely paid, then the 25 percent late charge penalty (and other charges and/or sanctions, as appropriate) will be assessed on the portion that is not paid in a timely manner. The FCC has extended the temporary COVID-19 regulatory fee relief measures that were implemented in 2020 in order to address the financial hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Commission is permitted to waive or defer the payment of a regulatory fee in a specific instance if the regulatee is able to demonstrate good cause. Last year, FCC indicated that those regulates seeking relief would be required to “unambiguously articulat[e] ‘extraordinary circumstances’ outweighing the public interest in recouping the cost of the Commission’s regulatory services.” We anticipate that the FCC will evaluate this year’s requests in a similar fashion. Any regulatees whose total FY 2022 annual regulatory fee liability, including all categories of fees for which payment is due, is $1,000 or less are exempt from payment of FY 2022 regulatory fees. The de minimis threshold applies only to filers of annual regulatory fees (not regulatory fees paid through multi-year filings), and it is not a permanent exemption. Thus, you must qualify for the de minimis threshold on an annual basis. BloostonLaw Contact: Richard Rubino. FCC Announces 2022 TRPs for RoR Business Data ServicesOn August 26, the FCC issued a Public Notice announcing the release of the tariff review plan (TRP) for use by rate-of-return carriers that elected incentive regulation for their business data services (BDS) offerings, pursuant to the Rate-of-Return Business Data Services Order (Electing Carriers). The TRP worksheets are posted on the Commission’s website at: https://www.fcc.gov/tariff-review-plan-incentive-regulation-rate-return-carriers. Electing Carriers must file tariff review plans reflecting any exogenous cost adjustment for Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS), North American Numbering Plan Administration (NANPA), and regulatory fees in rates to be effective October 1, 2022. The exogenous cost adjustment for TRS must be “grossed up” to spread the entire adjustment over the remaining months in the tariff year. The TRP worksheets adjust BDS rates using factors for TRS, NANPA, and regulatory fees. Because the Commission has not yet adopted a final schedule of regulatory fees for fiscal year 2022 (FY 2022), as of the release date of the Public Notice, the TRPs include a blank cell for electing carriers to use to enter the regulatory fee factor. Once the Commission releases its Report and Order adopting the schedule of regulatory fees for FY 2022, submitting carriers should enter an amount equal to the FY 2022 annual regulatory fee (per revenue dollar) for interstate telecommunications service providers listed in the final schedule. According to the Public Notice, the TRP worksheets linked above were prepared by the National Exchange Carrier Association (NECA) for electing carriers for which NECA files BDS. Electing Carriers that do not participate in the NECA tariff are nevertheless encouraged to use the linked TRPs, as they have been reviewed by the FCC. Finally, Electing Carriers are reminded that the exogenous cost filing and rate adjustment is optional for electing carriers if the total amount of such exogenous cost adjustments would either increase rates or meet a de minimis threshold of $930.00, which is the current standard tariff filing fee. BloostonLaw Contacts: Ben Dickens, Gerry Duffy, and Sal Taillefer. Broadband Fabric Bulk Challenge Process Begins Sept. 12On September 1, the FCC issued a Public Notice announcing that as of September 12, 2022, state, local, and Tribal governments, service providers, and other entities can begin to file bulk challenges to data in the Broadband Serviceable Location Fabric (Fabric). As we have reported in previous editions of the BloostonLaw Telecom Update, the Fabric serves as the foundation for the Broadband Data Collection (BDC) fixed availability maps. The FCC also reminded filing entities planning to submit challenges that the Fabric is intended to identify BSLs as defined by the FCC, which will not necessarily include all structures at a particular location or parcel. The FCC also reiterated that bulk Fabric challenges must conform to the specifications set forth in the July 1, 2022 Data Specifications for Bulk Fabric Challenge Data Public Notice. BloostonLaw attorneys are available to answer questions or assist with preparing and filing challenges. Finally, the FCC also announced that it will host a webinar on September 7, 2022, at 2 p.m. EDT, to assist entities who intend to submit bulk challenges, or proposed corrections, to the location data in the Fabric. The virtual event will stream on www.fcc.gov/live and the Commission’s YouTube page at www.youtube.com/FCC and will provide an overview of Fabric challenges and a walk through of the BDC system’s bulk Fabric challenge submission process. Once the BDC broadband maps are published later this year, members of the public will be able to view the maps and submit online challenges to the Fabric data associated with an individual location using the map interface. BloostonLaw Contacts: Ben Dickens, Gerry Duffy, and Sal Taillefer. Auction 108 Winning Bidders Announced; T-Mobile DominatesThe FCC last week published its Winning Bidders’ PN for 2.5 GHz Auction No. 108. To nobody’s surprise, T-Mobile was the big winner, walking away with 7,156 of the 7,872 total licenses that received winning bids. T-Mobile’s winning bids totaled $304 million and accounted for 90% of all licenses won in the auction. T-Mobile is the only nationwide wireless carrier that uses the 2.5 GHz band, which it acquired in its 2020 merger with Sprint. Bidding lasted 73 rounds from July 29 to August 29 with most of the available spectrum in the 2.5 GHz band located in rural areas. Total auction proceeds were just over $427 million, which was far less than the $1 billion to $5 billion most analysts expected. T-Mobile’s spending accounted for roughly 71% of all spending in the auction. There were 63 winning bidders overall, and 77% of these qualified as small businesses or as entities serving rural communities. Other companies that won big were Cellular South Licenses, LLC ($11.8 million net for 38 licenses in 29 counties); Evergy Kansas Central ($12.7 million net for 54 licenses in 50 counties); and North American Catholic Educational Programming Foundation ($7.8 million for 107 licenses in 84 counties). TeleGuam Holdings LLC was an especially big spender for its areas of interest ($16.5 million net for 3 licenses in 2 counties) as was PTI Pacifica, Inc. ($17.6 million for 9 licenses in 5 counties). Companies that appeared to win some bargains included LICT Wireless Broadband Company, LLC ($5.4 million net for 46 licenses in 40 counties); and Broadband One of the Midwest, Inc. ($3.1 million net for 42 licenses in 35 counties). The Public Notice also established a September 16 deadline for down payments and FCC Forms 601 and 602, with final payments due September 30, 2022. Auction applicants are prohibited from discussing the substance of their bids or bidding strategies (including post-auction market structure) or negotiating settlement agreements until after the post-auction down payment deadline for Auction 108 on Friday, September 16, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. ET. BloostonLaw Contacts: Cary Mitchell, John Prendergast, Richard Rubino Law and RegulationUpcoming WEA Performance Exercise Will Evaluate Wireless Alerts for Geographic AccuracyThe FCC has announced it has entered into partnerships with 42 state and local government agencies to assess the geographic accuracy of Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs) during local tests that are planned for September 12 and 13, 2022. As part of this effort, the FCC sent letters to nationwide wireless providers asking them to provide information on their performance in those tests. The FCC’s analysis of survey and industry data will further its effort to ensure that Wireless Emergency Alerts—which have been used more than 70,000 times to warn the public about dangerous weather, missing children, and other critical situations—are as geographically accurate, timely, and reliable as possible. “Wireless Emergency Alerts are a life-saving tool, but emergency managers tell us that they need more information on the geographic accuracy of these alerts in order to use them with confidence,” said FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel. “Simply put, public safety officials want to know that the alerts will reliably reach the public throughout—but not beyond—targeted areas during emergencies.” Each state and local agency partnering with the FCC will send a Wireless Emergency Alert to the public in a targeted local area of its choosing at a specified time on either September 12 or 13. The alert will sound and appear on compatible mobile devices using participating wireless networks in that area. The alert message will make clear that it is only a test and contain a link for the recipient to complete a survey about their receipt of the alert. Each agency will have a control group of volunteers in the targeted geographic area complete the survey, and members of the public may also do so. To facilitate the location accuracy testing, the FCC has granted a waiver of the Commission’s rules to allow PSHSB’s 2022 WEA Performance Exercise Partners to conduct WEA tests using the Public Safety Message category, consistent with their assigned test schedules and geographic areas. A complete list of participating emergency management agencies, target area, and date/time that these local tests will be conducted is found in the Appendix of the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau’s Order of August 30. Authorized national, state, and local government authorities send WEAs through FEMA's Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) to participating wireless providers, which then push the alerts to compatible mobile devices in the affected area. Wireless provider participation is voluntary but widespread. Participating wireless providers must deliver the alerts to the area specified by the alert originator with no more than a 1/10 of a mile overshoot where technically feasible. According to industry estimates, approximately 60 percent of active smartphones in the U.S. support this “enhanced geotargeting” functionality, with the number to increase as consumers replace their devices with newer models. BloostonLaw Contact: Cary Mitchell FCC Seeks Comment on Effectiveness of STIR/SHAKEN for Report to CongressOn August 5, the FCC issued a Public Notice seeking comment on, among other things, the effectiveness of the STIR/SHAKEN call authentication framework. Comments are due October 3, and reply comments are due October 21. Specifically, the FCC is seeking comment for its first triennial assessment of the efficacy of the STIR/SHAKEN call authentication framework as a tool in combating illegal robocalls. The big question is straightforward: has STIR/SHAKEN proven to effectively authenticate caller ID information? The FCC also asks:
Finally, the Commission asks whether it should consider revising or replacing the STIR/SHAKEN framework already (though it recognizes this may also be premature). Any comments indicating that the STIR/SHAKEN framework is ineffective at authenticating caller ID information should identify alternatives that would more effectively authenticate caller ID information. As we have reported in previous editions of the BloostonLaw Telecom Update, the framework allows an originating voice service provider to share what it knows about the caller ID information transmitted with a call. This information allows terminating providers to block or label illegal robocalls before they reach their subscribers and ostensibly promotes enforcement by including information about the source of a call into the metadata of the call itself. BloostonLaw Contacts: Ben Dickens and Sal Taillefer. IndustryFCC Announces Latest Round of RDOF Authorizations; Bid DefaultsOn March 10, the FCC announced that it is ready to authorize $791,604,299 through the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund to six providers to fund new broadband deployments to over 350,000 estimated locations in 19 states. The top three states receiving funding include Illinois, $212 million, Arizona, $140 million, and Iowa, $113 million. To date, the program has provided has provided more than $6 billion in broadband deployment to 47 states. To be authorized to receive the total 10-year support amounts, these long-form applicants are required to submit acceptable irrevocable stand-by letter(s) of credit and Bankruptcy Code opinion letter(s) from their legal counsel for each state where they have winning bids that are ready to be authorized in accordance with the instructions provided below by the applicable deadline — prior to 6:00 p.m. ET on September 15, 2022. In addition, the FCC announced a number of defaults. These winning bidders or their assignees have notified the FCC that they do not intend to pursue all or some of their winning bids in a state. A list of the eligible census blocks covered by these winning bids will be made available on the Auction 904 website under the “Results” tab, https://www.fcc.gov/auction/904/round-results. Auction 904 support will not be authorized for these winning bids. The FCC considers these winning bidders and assignees to be in default for these bids. A list of the eligible census blocks covered by the winning bids announced is available under the “Results” tab on this page: https://www.fcc.gov/auction/904/round-results. For a list of RDOF providers and funding amounts by state, see https://www.fcc.gov/auction/904. DeadlinesAUGUST 29: COPYRIGHT STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS. The Copyright Statement of Accounts form plus royalty payment for the first half of year is due to be filed August 29 at the Library of Congress’ Copyright Office by cable TV service providers. BloostonLaw Contact: Gerry Duffy. SEPTEMBER 1: FCC FORM 477, LOCAL COMPETITION AND BROADBAND REPORTING FORM. Four types of entities must file this form: (1) Facilities-based Providers of Broadband Connections to End User Locations (must complete and file the applicable portions of this form for each state in which the entity provides one or more such connections to end user locations); (2) Providers of Wired or Fixed Wireless Local Telephone Services (must complete and file the applicable portions of the form for each state in which they provide local exchange service to one or more end user customers (which may include “dial-up” ISPs)); (3) Providers of Interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) Service (must complete and file the applicable portions of the form for each state in which they provide interconnected VoIP service to one or more subscribers, with the state determined for reporting purposes by the location of the subscriber’s broadband connection or the subscriber’s “Registered Location” as of the data-collection date); and (4) Providers of Mobile Telephony Services (must complete and file the applicable portions of this form for each state in which they serve one or more mobile telephony subscribers). BloostonLaw Contacts: Ben Dickens, Gerry Duffy, and Sal Taillefer. SEPTEMBER 30: FCC FORM 396-C, MVPD EEO PROGRAM REPORTING FORM. Each year on September 30, multi-channel video program distributors (“MVPDs”) must file with the FCC an FCC Form 396-C, Multi-Channel Video Programming Distributor EEO Program Annual Report, for employment units with six or more full-time employees. Users must access the FCC’s electronic filing system via the Internet in order to submit the form; it will not be accepted if filed on paper unless accompanied by an appropriate request for waiver of the electronic filing requirement. Certain MVPDs also will be required to complete portions of the Supplemental Investigation Sheet (“SIS”) located at the end of the Form. These MVPDs are specifically identified in a Public Notice each year by the FCC. BloostonLaw Contacts: Gerry Duffy and Sal Taillefer. SEPTEMBER 30: FCC FORM 611-T, DESIGNATED ENTITY REPORT. Each year on September 30, entities that won licenses at auction with bid credits must file a combined 611-T Designated Entity report for any licenses still subject to the “unjust enrichment” rule, which requires licensees to maintain their eligibility for small business and rural service provider bid credits for the first five years of the license term. BloostonLaw Contacts: John Prendergast and Cary Mitchell. OCTOBER 15: 911 RELIABILITY CERTIFICATION. Covered 911 Service Providers, which are defined as entities that “[p]rovide[] 911, E911, or NG911 capabilities such as call routing, automatic location information (ALI), automatic number identification (ANI), or the functional equivalent of those capabilities, directly to a public safety answering point (PSAP), statewide default answering point, or appropriate local emergency authority,” or that “[o]perate[] one or more central offices that directly serve a PSAP,” are required certify that they have taken reasonable measures to provide reliable 911 service with respect to three substantive requirements: (i) 911 circuit diversity; (ii) central office backup power; and (iii) diverse network monitoring by October 15. Certifications must be made through the FCC’s portal. BloostonLaw Contact: Sal Taillefer. NOVEMBER 1: FCC FORM 499-Q, TELECOMMUNICATIONS REPORTING WORKSHEET. All telecommunications common carriers that expect to contribute more than $10,000 to federal Universal Service Fund (USF) support mechanisms must file this quarterly form. The FCC has modified this form in light of its decision to establish interim measures for USF contribution assessments. The form contains revenue information from the prior quarter plus projections for the next quarter. Form 499-Q relates only to USF contributions. It does not relate to the cost recovery mechanisms for the Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) Fund, the North American Numbering Plan Administration (NANPA), and the shared costs of local number portability (LNP), which are covered in the annual Form 499-A that is due April 1. BloostonLaw Contacts: Ben Dickens and John Prendergast.
Calendar At-a-GlanceSeptember October November 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. |
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THE 7805 IS DEAD! LONG LIVE THE 7805!by: Al Williams — September 5, 2022
The 78XX series of regulators are very handy to use. If you need, say, a 5V regulator, you grab a 7805, add a capacitor for stability, and send in enough voltage for the regulator to work with. Cheap and easy. However, the part is not without its faults. A stock 7805 can’t convert 5.1V to 5V. You need to have a good bit more voltage coming in. But the more voltage you put in, the more the part is going to dump out as heat. So running from 9V is going to be cooler than running from 24V. All that heat isn’t very energy efficient on batteries, either. [Stefan] wanted to do better, so he made a drop-in replacement for these venerable regulators some time ago. But he’s recently made the board layouts available so you can build your own replacement, too. The device accepts 4.5 to 16V, and you can select the output voltage using two resistors. You can draw up to 2A out of the regulator, which is more than you can say for a stock 7805. The heart of the tiny board is an SD8942 buck converter. There are two voltage-setting resistors, one more resistor, a handful of capacitors, and — of course — an inductor. The schematic notes you can also replace the IC with an MT2492. With a right-angled header, you can swap the board in for a standard 78XX. Note the values on the schematic are set for 5V, but you can change them pretty easily. This is a great example of how surface mount has changed so many things. We remember old 7805 “drop in” switching supplies that were much fatter and they weren’t inexpensive. Boards are cheap these days, and if you want the boards assembled, it looks like they’d cost $20 or $25 each in small quantities. But most of that is in setup and loading, so in larger quantities, the unit price would drop quickly. Or just solder them yourself. If you want to see how the real McCoy works, we’ve watched [Ken] look inside the 7805 before. If you want to dive into the mechanics of buck converters, we did two simulations about that, too. Posted in Misc Hacks |
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