Welcome Back To

The Wireless
Messaging News

This Week's Wireless Headlines:

• THE DEMISE OF HENRY RADIO RUMORS ARE GREATLY EXAGGERATED!
  • So said Mark Twain some years ago and today I am here to dispel the rumors of Henry Radio closing down too
• Henry Radio Amplifiers to Remain on the Market Under New Ownership
• Apple Music Classical will give your smartphone some culture on March 28
  • Classical music app will be included with an Apple One or Apple Music sub.
• Sergio Buniac and Dr. Martin Cooper
• INSIDE TOWERS
  • Sohn Withdraws as Nominee For FCC
• BLOOSTONLAW TELECOM UPDATE
  • Fiscal Year 2023 Application Fees Effective March 2
  • Accessibility Recordkeeping Compliance Certification Due April 3
  • Inmate Calling Service Annual Reports and Certifications Due April 3
  • 2023 Supply Chain Reports Due March 31; Results from Initial Supply Chain Reports Now Available
  • FCC Grants Seven Auction 108 Licenses
  • Justice Department to Increase Scrutiny of Corporate Messaging App Policies
  • USAC Reminds Lifeline Providers of Advertising Obligations
  • NTIA Disburses Last of Minority Communities Pilot Program Funding
  • Deadlines
  • BloostonLaw Contacts
  • Calendar At-a-Glance
  • Who Is BloostonLaw
• LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
  • Robert L. “Bob” Burchett
• TECHNICIAN'S CORNER
• Cat 6 vs Cat 7. What is the difference?
• THIS WEEK'S MUSIC
  • Take Me Home, Country Roads
  • The Petersens (LIVE)

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.

FREE TO EVERYONE — SUPPORTED BY READERS

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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Advertiser Index

Service Monitors and Frequency Standards for Sale

Motorola Service Monitor

IFR Service Monitor

IFR 500A Service Monitor

(Images are typical units, not actual photos of items offered for sale here.)

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.

THE DEMISE OF HENRY RADIO RUMORS ARE GREATLY EXAGGERATED!

So said Mark Twain some years ago and today I am here to dispel the rumors of Henry Radio closing down too

By Robert L. “Bob” Burchett the new pin-compatible replacement for Ted Henry (or so I think anyway)

The torch passes: Bob WB6SLC saying goodbye to Ted Henry W6YEY in the offices of Henry Radio in Los Angeles

After 50+ years working with 40+ years of it in the family business as Henry Radio, Inc. Ted Henry has retired (over my protests I want you to know) and is now happily living in Colorado but still maintaining his eBay store distributing parts, Tohtsu relays and Bird RF products; you just can’t get it out of the DNA eh? The good news is that after years of working with him we made a deal and I have taken up the reins of the amplifier business to ensure continuity of the product line what with TPL folding up there are few left in this US industry base that all started here. It is nice to say “Made in the USA” and we intend to keep it going and improving the product line started by Ted and his dad with tube type amps, plasma & sintering RF sources and even 5K & 8K transmitters; many still in full-time service.

Early on Ted worked with my long-time friend Gene Proctor W6TFS who used to bag the “floor sweepings” as he called them out of the TRW transistor labs located nearby to make amplifiers for us hams starting in the 1980’s. Gene lived near my house and I was a frequent visitor. I even bought all of his equipment when he retired which is now in our Novexcomm machine shop making radio rack mounts and more. Gene engineered most of the current amplifier designs still in use to this day. Every ham in town seemed to have a hand in the company; Jay Procenko NY6L worked for Ted for years and helped rework the designs to improve stability resulting in a very reliable product line Ted continued to make until the end of September when he closed the doors on the building at Olympic and Bundy in Los Angeles. Jay has agreed to come over and help us from time to time, it seems once your heart is in it there is no leaving it behind.

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.

Newspapers generally cost 75¢ $1.50 a copy and they hardly ever mention paging or wireless messaging, unless in a negative way. If you receive some benefit from this publication maybe you would like to help support it financially?

A donation of $50.00 would certainly help cover a one-year period. If you are wiling and able, please click on the PayPal Donate button above .

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

Technology Special:

A favorite made-in-America amplifier brand gets a new lease on life from a new owner.

Henry Radio Amplifiers to Remain on the Market Under New Ownership

Henry Radio’s amplifier line (Photo A) will remain available to the amateur and commercial markets following a sale of that portion of the company following the retirement at the end of September of longtime owner Ted Henry, W6YEY. The new owner is Bob Burchett, WB6SLC (Photo B), owner of Torrance, California-based NovexComm, a manufacturer of radio rack mounts for amateur and government users (Photo C). Henry Radio was founded in Missouri in 1927 as a ham radio dealership and stayed in the family for three generations, expanding to California and later consolidating operations in the Los Angeles area (Photo D). Photo A. A sampling of the Henry Radio amplifier line currently available from the brand’s new owner. A high-power solid-state HF amplifier is in the works. (Henry Radio Amplifiers website photo) Burchett announced ... after years of working with him (Ted Henry), we made a deal and I have taken up the reins of the amplifier business ... it is nice to say ‘Made in the USA’ and we intend to keep it going and improving the product line started by Ted and his dad. Photo D. The Henry Radio store at Olympic and Bundy in Los Angeles is now closed. Amplifier sales and service are now based out of the Novexcomm facility in Torrance, California; and Ted Henry, W6YEY, continues to sell some non-amplifier products online from his retirement home in Colorado. (Henry Radio website photo) The company began making vacuum tube RF amplifiers in the 1960s. Burchett announced the transition to the amateur community in early November: “After 50+ years working, with 40+ years of it in the family business as Henry Radio, Inc., Ted Henry has retired (over my protests I want you to know) and is now happily living in Colorado but still maintaining his eBay store and distributing Tohtsu relays and Bird RF products,” he wrote. “The good news is that after years of working with him, we made a deal and I have taken up the reins of the amplifier business to ensure continuity of the product line ... It is nice to say ‘Made in the USA’ and we intend to keep it going and improving the product line started by Ted and his dad with tube-type amps, sintering RF sources and even 5K & 8K transmitters; many still in full-time service.”

Photo B. Bob Burchett, WB6SLC, is the new owner of Henry Radio Amplifiers. (Photo from WB6SLC page on QRZ.com)   Photo C. Novexcomm rack mounts on display at a hamfest. (Novexcomm website photo) Burchett also recalled the earlier days of Henry Radio’s amplifier business and his own longtime links. “Early on they made a deal with my long-time friend Gene Proctor, W6TFS, who used to bag the ‘floor sweepings,’ as he called them, out of the TRW transistor labs located nearby to make amplifiers for us hams starting in the 1980s. Gene lived near my house and I was a frequent visitor; I even bought all of his equipment when he retired which is now in our Novexcomm machine shop making rack mounts and more. Gene engineered most of the current amplifier designs still in use to this day, and my friend Jay Procenko worked for Ted for years and helped rework the designs to improve stability, resulting in a very reliable product line Ted continued to make until the end of September when he closed the doors on the building at Olympic and Bundy in Los Angeles.” Burchett continued, “Last month (October), we moved the company lock, stock and barrel to our offices in Torrance, California, and with the help of two of the long-time Henry Radio employees who assemble, test, and repair the solid-state amplifiers, we were drowned in orders the day it opened up for business,” adding that hams comprise about 40% of the company’s customers. Henry Radio stopped making its tube-type amplifiers in 2005, according to the company website, even though many of them are still in service today. The company’s solid-state amplifier line currently focuses on VHF and UHF products, with only two low-powered HF amps. But Burchett told CQ he plans to introduce a solid-state high-power HF amplifier in 2023. The company’s new contact information is: Henry Radio Amplifiers, 22826 Mariposa Ave., Torrance, CA 90502; Phone: (310) 534-4456; Website: www.HenryRadioAmplifiers.com.

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

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

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

Apple Music Classical will give your smartphone some culture on March 28

Classical music app will be included with an Apple One or Apple Music sub.

ANDREW CUNNINGHAM - 3/9/2023, 4:21 PM

Apple is launching a version of Apple Music specifically for classical music later this month, the company announced today. The Apple Music Classical app, currently available for preorder in the App Store, will be separate from the main Apple Music app. But access to the service will be included with a $17-per-month Apple One subscription or most Apple Music subscriptions (excluding the basic $5-per-month Apple Music Voice tier).

In August 2021, Apple acquired a classical music service called Primephonic. If you're wondering why classical music might benefit from a dedicated app, this PCMag piece about Primephonic will answer that question for you: You could search for music not just by song title or its composer, but by the name of the orchestra that recorded it, or the person who conducted it, or information about soloists or other performers. Primephonic could also account for the different possible spellings of composers' names, among other features.

ANDREW CUNNINGHAM Andrew is a Senior Technology Reporter at Ars Technica with over a decade of experience in consumer tech, covering everything from PCs to Macs to smartphones to game consoles. His work has appeared in the New York Times' Wirecutter and AnandTech. He also records a weekly book podcast called Overdue. EMAIL andrew.cunningham@arstechnica.com // TWITTER @AndrewWrites

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 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
prism-ipx.com

Sergio Buniac President, Motorola Mobility (a Lenovo Company)

At Mobile World Congress I had the pleasure of meeting Martin Cooper, a visionary and former Motorola VP and director of R&D, that made history 50 years ago by making the first-ever mobile phone call with a Motorola Dynatac. He always believed that we could revolutionize the way people connected with each other and look how far we've come!

Sergio Buniac President, Motorola Senior Vice President, Lenovo Sergio was appointed Lenovo MBG co-president and Motorola chairman and president in February 2018. In this role, Sergio leads all facets of Lenovo’s Mobile business, including R&D, product, sales, strategy, and supply chain, across global markets. As a 20-year veteran of Motorola, Sergio has held various leadership roles within the Company. Under Sergio’s leadership, the Company has returned to profitability with 5 consecutive quarters of growth realized over the course of his tenure. Sergio’s redefined business strategy has put the Company back on track, with many regions seeing significant market growth. Besides his global role, he is acting as senior vice president and general manager for MBG Latin America, responsible for the business strategy for all operations in the region. With his guidance, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia and Peru, reached a solid #2 position in market share across Latin America. Previously, he spent three years in the U.S. leading the Strategic Planning and Companion Products businesses for the Americas region. Sergio also held leadership positions at IBM and Booz Allen Hamilton. Sergio holds an MBA from the University of Chicago, a postgraduate degree from the Fundação Getúlio Vargas (FGV), and bachelor’s in Engineering from the University of São Paulo’s Escola Politécnica. Source

Sohn Withdraws as Nominee For FCC

Citing “unrelenting, dishonest and cruel attacks,” President Biden’s nominee for the FCC, Gigi Sohn, withdrew her name from consideration late yesterday. Sohn’s decision follows a contentious 16-month lobbying battle to appoint her to the Commission.

The White House nominated Sohn in October 2021, which was followed by three Senate confirmation hearings. Opponents to her nomination, according to the Washington Post, described her as “extreme” and “partisan” using billboard ads and social media outlets to voice their opinions.

“The unrelenting, dishonest and cruel attacks on my character and my career as an advocate for the public interest have taken an enormous toll on me and my family,” Sohn said in an issued statement. “This means that your broadband will be more expensive for lack of competition, minority and underrepresented voices will be marginalized, and your private information will continue to be used and sold at the whim of your broadband provider,” she added.

Prior to her withdrawal, Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) announced she would not get his vote stating she held “partisan alliances with far-left groups.” “Especially now,” Manchin said in a statement, “the FCC must remain above the toxic partisanship that Americans are sick and tired of, and Ms. Sohn has clearly shown she is not the person to do that.”

The White House said they currently have no replacement for nomination at this point. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said, “We appreciate Gigi Sohn’s candidacy for this important role. She would have brought tremendous intellect and experience, which is why the president nominated her in the first place.”

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, & 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.

Fiscal Year 2023 Application Fees Effective March 2

On February 28, the FCC published a Public Notice announcing that the new FY 2023 application fee rates will become effective on March 2, 2023. Application Fee Filing Guides will be available on or after March 2, 2023 at https://www.fcc.gov/licensing-databases/fees/application-processing-fees. This includes new tariff filing fees for this year’s upcoming access tariff filings.

Carriers with questions about particular fees or filings may contact the firm for more information.

BloostonLaw Contacts: Richard Rubino and Sal Taillefer.

Headlines

Accessibility Recordkeeping Compliance Certification Due April 3

On March 1, the FCC issued a Public Notice reminding service providers and equipment manufacturers that are subject to section 255, 716, or 718 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (the Act), of their obligation to maintain records of their efforts to implement these requirements. BloostonLaw offers a compliance manual to help its clients meet the requirements of these sections.

The FCC also reminded these entities of their obligation to file their annual recordkeeping compliance certifications and required contact information no later than April 3, 2023, in the Recordkeeping Compliance Certification and Contact Information Registry (RCCCI Registry), a web-based system designed to facilitate compliance with these obligations.

All providers of telecommunications services and telecommunications carriers subject to Section 255 of the Telecommunications Act are required to file with the FCC an annual certification that (1) states the company has procedures in place to meet the recordkeeping requirements of Part 14 of the Rules; (2) states that the company has in fact kept records for the previous calendar year; (3) contains contact information for the individual or individuals handling customer complaints under Part 14; (4) contains contact information for the company’s designated agent; and (5) is supported by an affidavit or declaration under penalty of perjury signed by an officer of the company. BloostonLaw can assist clients with preparation and submission of the required certification.

BloostonLaw Contacts: Sal Taillefer.

Inmate Calling Service Annual Reports and Certifications Due April 3

On March 1, the FCC issued a Public Notice reminding providers of inmate calling services (ICS) that the deadline for the submission of annual reports and certifications is April 1. However, because April 1 is a Saturday this year, the filing deadline falls on the following Monday, April 3. The forms and instructions for this year’s annual reports and certifications are available at https://www.fcc.gov/general/ics-data-collections.

In the Report and Order released on November 5, 2015 in WC Docket No. 12-375, the FCC implemented requirements designed to assist the FCC in monitoring the rates, fees, and practices of providers of ICS. These requirements include a consumer disclosure requirement, an annual reporting and certification requirement, and mandatory data collection.

ICS providers with questions or seeking assistance in filing their reports and certifications may contact the firm for more information.

BloostonLaw Contacts: Ben Dickens and Sal Taillefer.

2023 Supply Chain Reports Due March 31; Results from Initial Supply Chain Reports Now Available

On March 1, the FCC released public results from the Supply Chain Annual Report filings for the calendar year 2021 reporting period. Based on FCC analysis of the reports filed and any revisions or amendments thereto to date, 79 providers reported that they had purchased, rented, leased or otherwise obtained covered equipment or services subject to reporting for the 2022 Supply Chain Annual Report. Further information related to their reports remains presumptively confidential.

In addition to the results of its report, the FCC also reminded providers of advanced communications services that the filing deadline for the Supply Chain Annual Reporting requirement is March 31, 2023. Any provider that reported and certified in 2022 that it had purchased, rented, leased, or otherwise obtained covered communications equipment and services on the Covered List, as well as those providers that are reporting the presence of newly obtained covered equipment or services, must submit an annual report on or before March 31, 2023, covering information as of December 31, 2022. BloostonLaw attorneys are available to assist in the preparation and filing of these reports.

NOTE: A provider that does not have any covered communications equipment or services, but who has not previously filed a Supply Chain initial report, must nonetheless file their initial report this year, and certify they do not have covered equipment/service. In contrast, a provider that certified in 2022 that they do not have any covered equipment/service does not need to file an annual report in 2023 unless the provider has now purchased, rented, leased, or otherwise obtained communications equipment or services that appears on the current Covered List. In that case, the provider must report information on such equipment when it is obtained and then annually as described in the preceding paragraphs. The current version of the Covered List is available at https://www.fcc.gov/supplychain/coveredlist.

BloostonLaw Contacts: Ben Dickens and Sal Taillefer.

FCC Grants Seven Auction 108 Licenses

On March 1, the FCC issued a Public Notice announcing the grant of seven long-form applications and issuance of 29 licenses for Auction 108. Auction 108 offered new flexible-use geographic overlay licenses in the 2.5 GHz band and raised a total of $419,133,261 in net bids and $427,789,670 in gross bids, with 63 bidders winning a total of 7,872 licenses.

Specifically, the FCC granted the applications of City of Ketchikan d/b/a Ketchikan Public Utilities (Alaska); Evolve Cellular Inc. (Nevada and Texas); Inland Cellular LLC (Idaho and Washington); Inland MT LLC (Montana); Pathfinder Wireless Corp. (Florida); Skyrider Communications LLC (Arkansas); and Xtreme Enterprises, LLC (Pennsylvania).

In announcing the grant of these applications, the FCC reminded Auction 108 licensees that they must protect existing incumbent licenses, including Rural Tribal Priority Window (RTPW) licenses. The FCC further reminded licensees that pending RTPW applications may affect the licenses issued in Auction 108, and that licenses granted through applications received during the RTPW will have incumbent status vis-à-vis licenses awarded in Auction 108.

BloostonLaw Contacts: John Prendergast and Cary Mitchell.

Law and Regulation

Justice Department to Increase Scrutiny of Corporate Messaging App Policies

On March 3, Reuters reported that the U.S. Justice Department plans to begin examining company policies regarding employees’ use of personal cell phones and messaging apps when conducting investigations of corporate crime. The directive was part of remarks made the same day by Kenneth Polite, Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department's Criminal Division at an American Bar Association conference in Miami.

According to Polite, “In a lot of circumstances, companies simply don't have policies at all in this space. They simply haven't given thought to the challenges that are raised by retaining messages off devices that their employees are dealing with on a regular basis." Reuters’ reporter Chris Prentice postulated that this could mean prosecutors will “push for stiffer penalties when negotiating with companies to resolve charges of wrongdoing. But it could also mean lower penalties for some,” as Polite also said, “[w]e are looking to reward companies who are being already thoughtful about these kinds of issues."

The new directive is reportedly part of a series of Justice Department policy changes.

BloostonLaw Contacts: Cary Mitchell and John Prendergast.

USAC Reminds Lifeline Providers of Advertising Obligations

On March 3, the Universal Service Administrative Company reminded Lifeline participants that they are required to advertise the availability of Lifeline program support in a manner reasonably designed to reach eligible households within its study area. As part of the notice, USAC encouraged Lifeline providers to utilize outreach materials and methods designed to reach eligible households that do not currently receive service, such as:

• Post notices at public transportation stops and agencies, shelters, and soup kitchens.
• Run public service announcements.
• Provide information booths at central locations.
• Provide customer service to program participants who have disabilities on an equal basis by using telecommunications relay services (TRS), text telephone (TTY), and speech-to-speech (STS) services.
• Provide outreach materials in braille.

USAC said service providers should develop advertising that can be read by members of any sizeable non-English speaking populations, and to offer the suggestions above in languages other than English, offer the toll-free number in other languages, or develop available applications in other languages.

USAC also encouraged service providers to coordinate their outreach efforts with government agencies that administer any of the relevant government assistance programs such as:

• Social service agencies.
• Tribal organizations.
• Community centers.
• Public schools.
• Nursing homes.
• Organizations such as AARP and United Way.

Finally, USAC noted that there are Lifeline resource materials listed on the LifelineSupport.org Community Education webpage here.

BloostonLaw Contacts: Ben Dickens and Sal Taillefer.

Industry

NTIA Disburses Last of Minority Communities Pilot Program Funding

On February 27, the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced it has awarded the last of the funding made available under the Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program (CMC). The CMC pilot program is part of the current Administration’s Internet for All Initiative. It specifically directs $268 million from the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 for expanding high-speed Internet access and connectivity to eligible Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal Colleges or Universities, and other Minority-serving institutions.

The latest batch of awards cover colleges and universities in 29 states and four territories. With these grants, all funding from this Internet for All grant program has been awarded to 93 universities, including 43 Historically Black Colleges and Universities, 24 Hispanic Serving Institutions, 21 Minority Serving Institutions, and five Tribal Colleges and Universities.

A full list of the pilot program awardees can be found here.

Deadlines

MARCH 31: ANNUAL SUBMARINE CABLE REPORT. The FCC’s rules require (1) any licensee of a submarine cable between the United States and a foreign point and (2) any common carrier with capacity on a submarine cable between the United States and a foreign point to file Circuit Capacity Reports by March 31 of each year.

Submarine cable landing licensees must file a Cable Operator Report with the available capacity (both lit and unlit capacity) of the cable as of December 31, 2022 and the planned capacity (the intended capacity, both lit and unlit, of the cable two years out from December 31, 2022). Cable landing licensees and common carriers must file a Capacity Holder Report identifying the capacity that they own or hold through an indefeasible right of use (IRU) or an intercarrier lease (ICL) as of December 31, 2022.

BloostonLaw Contacts: Cary Mitchell and Sal Taillefer.

APRIL 3: FCC FORM 499-A, TELECOMMUNICATIONS REPORTING WORKSHEET. This form must be filed by all contributors to the Universal Service Fund (USF) sup-port mechanisms, the Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) Fund, the cost recovery mechanism for the North American Numbering Plan Administration (NANPA), and the shared costs of local number portability (LNP). Contributors include every telecommunications carrier that provides interstate, intrastate, and international telecommunications, and certain other entities that provide interstate telecommunications for a fee. Even common carriers that qualify for the de minimis exemption must file Form 499-A. Entities whose universal service contributions will be less than $10,000 qualify for the de minimis exemption. De minimis entities do not have to file the quarterly report (FCC Form 499-Q), which was due February 1, and will again be due May 1. Form 499-Q relates to universal and LNP mechanisms. Form 499-A relates to all of these mechanisms and, hence, applies to all providers of interstate, intrastate, and international telecommunications services. Form 499-A contains revenue information for January 1 through December 31 of the prior calendar year. And Form 499-Q contains revenue information from the prior quarter plus projections for the next quarter. (Note: the revised 499-A and 499-Q forms are now available.) Block 2-B of Form 499-A requires each carrier to designate an agent in the District of Columbia upon whom all notices, process, orders, and decisions by the FCC may be served on behalf of that carrier in proceedings before the FCC. Carriers receiving this newsletter may specify our law firm as their D.C. agent for service of process using the information in our masthead. There is no charge for this service.

BloostonLaw Contacts: Sal Taillefer.

APRIL 3: ANNUAL ACCESS TO ADVANCED SERVICES CERTIFICATION. All providers of telecommunications services and telecommunications carriers subject to Section 255 of the Telecommunications Act are required to file with the FCC an annual certification that (1) states the company has procedures in place to meet the recordkeeping requirements of Part 14 of the Rules; (2) states that the company has in fact kept records for the previous calendar year; (3) contains contact information for the individual or individuals handling customer complaints under Part 14; (4) contains contact information for the company’s designated agent; and (5) is supported by an affidavit or declaration under penalty of perjury signed by an officer of the company.

BloostonLaw Contacts: Sal Taillefer.

MAY 31: FCC FORM 395, EMPLOYMENT REPORT. Common carriers, including wireless carriers, with 16 or more full-time employees must file their annual Common Carrier Employment Reports (FCC Form 395) by May 31. This report tracks carrier compliance with rules requiring recruitment of minority employees. Further, the FCC requires all common carriers to report any employment discrimination complaints they received during the past year. That information is also due on March 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 attorneys are available to assist.

BloostonLaw Contact: Richard Rubino.

Law Offices Of Blooston, Mordkofsky, Dickens, & Prendergast, LLP 2120 L St. NW, Suite 825 Washington, D.C. 20037 (202) 659-0830 (202) 828-5568 (fax) — CONTACTS — Benjamin H. Dickens, Jr., 202-828-5510, bhd@bloostonlaw.com John A. Prendergast, 202-828-5540, jap@bloostonlaw.com Richard D. Rubino, 202-828-5519, rdr@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

March
Mar. 15 – Informal deadline for challenges to V3 of Broadband Fabric.
Mar. 21 – Reply comments on Digital Discrimination NPRM are due.
Mar. 24 – Reply comments are due on CPNI data breach reporting requirements.
Mar. 31 – Revised tower construction guidance for protection of Northern Long-Eared Bat is effective.
Mar. 31 – FCC Form 525 (Delayed Phasedown CETC Line Counts) is due.
Mar. 31 – FCC Form 508 (ICLS Projected Annual Common Line Requirement) is due.
Mar. 31 – FCC Form 507 (Universal Service Line Count – CAF BLS) is due.
Mar. 31 – Annual Submarine Cable Circuit Reports are due.
Mar. 31 – Annual Supply Chain Reports are due.

April
Apr. 3 – FCC Form 499-A (Annual Telecommunications Reporting Worksheet) is due.
Apr. 3 – Annual Accessibility Certification is due.
Apr. 3 – ICS Provider Annual Reports and Certifications are due.
Apr. 10 – Comments on Full Power/Class A Rule Revisions are due.
Apr. 25 – Reply comments on Full Power/Class A Rule Revisions are due.

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

Blooston, Mordkofsky, Dickens, & 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.

IWA Technical Services Inc. offers a complete set of RF engineering, installation, maintenance, training and support services, for the Land Mobile Radio and Paging industries.

From design to end user training, IWA Technical Services can solve any RF challenge

Hi Brad'

To insure continuity of the 2 main business models Ted Henry and I made a deal to transfer the amplifiers and UHF trunking network to our custody; now there are 2 “operations”:

www.HenryRadioNetwork.com
www.HenryRadioAmplifiers.com

The whimsical article I wrote for QRZ which was published in December in the “news” section is attached as “The Demise. . .” and I let CQ Magazine know so they did a full-on interview & a great article was the result. See what you think.

73 from,

Robert L. “Bob” Burchett
Henry Radio Amplifiers
22826 Mariposa Ave.
Torrance CA 90502
310.534.4456
Bob@HenryRadioAmplifiers.com
www.HenryRadioAmplifiers.com

Cat 6 vs Cat 7. What is the difference?

A video on the difference between Cat 6 and Cat 7 as well as an overview on how to terminate Cat 7. This walks through how to strip and terminate Cat 7 Shielded cable.

Take Me Home, Country Roads — The Petersens (LIVE)

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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Marketing & Engineering Papers
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