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Welcome Back To The Wireless Messaging NewsWhy so many articles that are not related to Wireless Messaging? First of all, do to the worldwide decline in subscriber paging, there is just not a lot of news "on topic." So I include articles each week about art, science, literature, music, and technology that I enjoy — with the hope that my readers will enjoy them as well. Secondly, we are not only interested in only one thing. We all have several different topics that we would like to stay informed about. I found a new word (for me): monomaniac — "someone with an inordinate or obsessive zeal for or interest in a single thing, idea, or subject." Which we are not, of course. This is a big issue this week — I hope you enjoy it. By the way, there have been issues with Gmail subscribers receiving the newsletter or other messages from me. Delivery of messages from brad@braddye.com has been blocked for a while because they thought the newsletter was Spam. The newsletter policy, from the very beginning, has always been to only send it to people who want it. Never as un-asked-for Spam. This problem has been resolved by my ISP (Internet Service Provider). It just required the addition of a simple code string on the server. |
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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.
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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Major Internet Service Providers In The U.S. Ranked Worst To Best
BY JUSTIN OWEN Of the many things within American culture that we love to hate, our Internet service providers (ISP) are probably at the top of the list. It does not take long to search online for horror stories and abundant memes dunking on common providers across the country, suggesting that many customer service experiences seem to elicit a deep-seated hatred from their customers. Despite this sordid affair with much-needed Internet service, are all the tales filled with woe? In the United States, there are dozens of ISPs providing connections to wide-ranging areas of coverage, from the fastest, cheapest, and best-rated regional service owned by the City of Chattanooga to AT&T, the nationwide-serving juggernaut of communications. Pricing can also be widely varied, with rate increases being a point of serious contention, especially since residents of more than 100 countries enjoy cheaper access than us — residents of Seoul receive faster service for about $30 on average, more than half the cost of many American plans. Regardless, some of our providers do a much better job than others, so here is a list of major providers of non-cellular service ranked from the worst to best. Xfinity
Comcast has been a regular punching bag and poster boy for hated service providers. Among complaints about Comcast are stories about the Byzantine process to cancel the service, including news stories that broadcast recordings of customers being badgered by representatives trying to cancel their plan. Comcast may have received a lot of flack for those past practices, but the company hasn't gone away, it just changed its name to Xfinity. Most of us know changing a name does not automatically make everything better for a company. However, it can be an opportunity to set things straight. Based on more current information — those news stories are around eight years old — it looks like a mixed bag. ZDNet, a long-time business technology online media outlet, gave Xfinity high marks as recently as 2021 for offering fast speeds on its fiber network, good reliability, and a wide range of options. It also notes its poor customer service and limited availability of the fastest fiber optic network, although it has likely expanded since then. It is not clear why the writer says it is one of the best. Customer reviews on Sitejabber, an online review site, are less forgiving. Xfinity receives an overall score of 1.3 out of 5 stars with comments remarking on the company being run by crooks and that the corporation is evil and immoral. In 2017, Comcast was also fined $2.3 million for charging customers for services never received. Spectrum
Formed as a result of a Charter and TimeWarner merger, Spectrum is the second largest provider, covering 41 states. Giant mergers often result in worsening customer experience. Spectrum enjoys the dubious distinction of being the subject of an SNL skit from 2016 featuring Kieran Culkin highlighting the near-impossible task of canceling cable. Spectrum Internet claims to have upwards of 450 million IP devices connected to its network and serves 32 million customers in 41 states, making it one of the largest in the country. Pricing starts at an affordable $49 for a relatively generous 200 Mbps download speed and it offers up to 1,000 Mbps with no data caps, which is generous, although the upload cap of 35 Mbps is disappointing. Service is delivered through cable or fiber, which helps it to avoid having stiflingly slow Internet access, and all can be combined with TV. Spectrum service receives high marks from media reviews, including a 3.9/5 from U.S. News and a 3.9/5 from Forbes. There seems to be some disconnect between the official reviewers' opinions and those of customers based on comments posted online. Customer reviews should always be taken with a grain of salt, but still offer a glimpse of the public's general feelings. Sitejabber reviews, for example, leave Spectrum with a lowly overall score of 1 star, with comments including remarks saying it is overpriced, expensive, deceptive, and the customer service is awful. While that could be an anomaly, Trustpilot reviews also add up to barely more than a single star, with 93% of reviews being the lowest possible grade. HughesNet
For many Americans living across the vast open spaces of this country, the only Internet access is via satellite. This leaves few options and they tend to be pricey. One of the oldest and largest operators of satellite broadband is HughesNet, with its first consumer services via satellite commencing in the 1990s. What you need to know about satellite broadband is that it is highly limited. Speeds of data transfer are limited to a maximum of 25 Mbps and total data packages are limited to plans offering from 15 GB to 100 GB per month, which compares very unfavorably to the 1,000+ GB of terrestrial Internet providers. However, if you live far outside of the city, your options may only be dial-up Internet, with a maximum speed of 56 Bbps, over a phone line or this. Some locations, such as those deep into the mountains, may not even have phone service, making HughesNet the only connection to the world. While data may be limited, costs are high. Prices start at $64.99 and range up to $149.99. All plans offer the same 25 Mbps speed, but data caps vary, although access is never cut. When your plan has used all its included data, speeds are limited to just 3 Mbps. Overall, HughesNet is a terrible value, but its existence is a godsend to many who eschew city life or whose work is what feeds the rest of us every day. Starlink
As a part of the first private company tasked with shuttling cargo and personnel to the International Space Station, SpaceX has also launched its own communications network called Starlink. In contrast to HughesNet, which operates two satellites in geosynchronous orbit 22,000 miles above land, Starlink utilizes nearly 3,200 tiny satellites in low Earth orbit just 340 miles from land. They constantly travel around the Earth rather than being locked into a single position. That provides for much less latency with Starlink as information has a much shorter distance to travel. The downside of the Starlink setup is the extensive initial investment, and the benefit is more reliable Internet for consumers. The tradeoff is cost. Starlink's initial cost to consumers is very high, with an equipment cost of $599 and a service subscription starting at $110. The Starlink data cap is set for a generous 1,000 GB, and the service remains active after that but is throttled without paying additional fees. In the Tom's Guide review of Starlink, reviewers found speeds down below 80 Mbps, which was significantly less than the advertised goal of 300. This is still far better than DSL and certainly better than dial-up. Starlink coverage is limited by the constellation of satellites but currently covers most of the contiguous United States along with Hawaii and parts of Alaska. Cox Communications
Cox is a regional player in 19 states, with services concentrated around cities within those states. Its service area is broad but limited. Despite serving a wide geographical area, its total subscriber base number is nearly 7 million, making it a much smaller player in the market. This has its pros and cons for consumers. Cox Internet is provided through its extensive metro cable service. Speeds available are competitive but come with data caps. The pricing of Cox Internet plans tend to be higher than those of its larger competitors, and customers are lured in by introductory offers that expire and then are coaxed toward higher-priced plans in future contracts. Two-year contracts are typical, and introductory prices, for example, may be set at $80 for its Gigblast 1,000 Mbps plan which will rise to $120 in year two. Cox is a bit lacking in value and its long contracts are not favored by most consumers. Furthermore, being a smaller company, one might hope that gives the company the ability to offer better customer service. A J.D. Power survey for 2022 customer satisfaction found that Cox rated below its biggest competitor with middling scores for most parameters. AT&T
As one of the largest Internet providers in the U.S., AT&T covers most of the country with either DSL through the telephone lines or its new fiber optic network in limited but growing neighborhoods. Experiences with its service vary depending on which product you use, with satisfaction of the fiber networks enjoying much higher ratings. Experiences with such a large company can vary widely simply due to the sheer volume of customer interactions possible. AT&T Internet services cover 21 states, but the speeds available vary widely from one neighborhood to another. This is primarily because the most widely available service is delivered through phone lines for DSL and the fastest data speeds are only possible through its fiber-optic network, which is still under development. This leaves two-thirds of its customers with a low download speed and data caps. It should be noted that in recent customer satisfaction surveys, AT&T fared well, receiving marks well above most of its competitors and above the average for the industry. Still, when a service cannot adequately offer competitive download speeds to more than a third of its customers, that brings it down in the rankings overall. Verizon Fios
Verizon is a giant in the communications industry but is nationally known more for its cellular telephone service than it is home Internet And while most people are probably familiar with the "Can you hear me now?" part of the Verizon company, its broadband Internet service is only available on the East Coast. Fios is the brand name for Verizon's fiber optic network and offers the best data speeds, although the company also offers DSL and 5G options. Like AT&T, the fiber network is only in those neighborhoods where it has been built. However, coverage of the most highly populated area of the country, including New Jersey, New York City, and the vicinity, enjoys thorough implementation. Sadly, for anyone not in these densely populated neighborhoods, Verizon only offers you slow DSL. The DSL is offered only in a package with a landline telephone for $74.99 per month with a maximum download speed of 15 Mbps, which is expensive and very slow. The good news for those in the coverage area is that Fios is highly rated. Fios comes with no lengthy contract requirements, no data caps, and up to 1,000 Mbps speeds. Furthermore, Verizon ranks highly in customer satisfaction surveys, which bodes well for potential subscribers. Google Fiber
Google Fiber is a broadband service provider that, despite coming from one of the top five biggest companies on Earth, is quite small. However, due to the prominence of its parent company and the potential for it to grow, it is worth discussing. At present time, Google Fiber is only available in 21 cities in 15 states, leaving most of us out in the cold. It launched in 2012 building out fiber optic networks in Kansas City and then moderately expanded until 2016 when the company decided to pause its growth. Plans to continue its buildout have recently restarted, but do not extend to nationwide coverage. Google Fiber service is impressive. For just $70, users enjoy 1 Gbps upload and download speed with no data caps and no contracts, delivered to the home via two Google Wi-Fi devices. For an additional $30 per month, download speeds can be increased to 2 Gbps, one of the most generous consumer plans available, which represents a considerable value. Time will tell if this service ever does expand coast to coast. If it does, it will crush the competition with the best service of all. |
| Source: | Slash Gear |
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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How to Use Passkeys on Your iPhone or MacIf you’re ready to ditch the password, Apple is more than happy to help.By Khamosh Pathak
A seamless login future is coming for all Apple users. Starting with iOS 16 and macOS Ventura, Apple offers built-in support for passkeys. You can add these new cryptographically generated keys directly to your iCloud Keychain and they’ll sync across all your devices using end-to-end encryption. As long as a service, app, or website supports passkeys, you’ll be able to generate them and log into your account without ever needing a password, SMS 2FA, or an authenticator app. Here’s how to set one up to work with your iCloud keychain across all of your devices. How Apple’s ecosystem of passkeys worksPasskeys are an industry-wide initiative to replace passwords with something a lot stronger, and actually easy to use. We’ve outlined how the FIDO Alliance (consisting of Apple, Google, Microsoft, and more) is moving towards implementing passkeys. Here’s a quick refresher, though: Passkeys are cryptographically generated keys that are unique to the device they are generated on. They work in pairs: One key is stored on your device, while the other is stored with the service holding your account. The passkey will only work with a particular account in concert with a particular device, removing the risk of phishing and other scam attacks. When you generate a passkey using Safari on an Apple device, the passkey is stored to your iCloud Keychain account directly. This means that the same passkey will work on all your Apple devices signed in to iCloud. There’s no need to regenerate passkeys for each device, like you would have to do with Android and Windows devices. It’s important to note that this won’t work if you’re using a third-party browser like Chrome or Edge. You’ll either have to generate a new passkey for those browsers, or you’ll need to use your iPhone to authenticate, which can be done using a QR code scanner. Now that you know how everything works, let’s learn how to set up a passkey. The exact steps will differ based on the website or app that you’re using. Currently, many websites like PayPal, Best Buy, and more support passkeys, and more companies are adding support every day. To ease this process, some companies like Google are still allowing users to use their password as a backup (though this is just a transitional tool). How to create a passkey on iPhone and MacBefore you get started, make sure your iPhone is running iOS 16 and your Mac is updated to macOS Ventura. Next, you’ll need to enable iCloud Keychain and the Autofill Passwords feature from Settings > Passwords > Password Options. If you’re signing up for a new service, you can directly start using passkeys, and iCloud Keychain will take care of the whole thing for you—no need to generate a password. Similarly, if you already have an account, you can go to account settings in the app or website to find the option for adding passkeys. We’ll take Google as an example, because they have done the best job so far embracing passkeys, including incorporating iCloud Keychain’s sync feature. You can create a passkey when signing up for a new Google account, or you can add a new one from Google Account > Security > Passkeys. (Here’s the direct link to the page). Here, click Create a passkey and from the popup, click Continue to create a passkey. iCloud Keychain’s popup for creating a passkey will show up. Tap the Continue button and scan using Face ID on iPhone or Touch ID on Mac. (You can use the device password as a fallback, as well.) Tap the Done button. Once an iCloud Keychain passkey is created, it is synced to all your devices. You can go to the same Passkeys page in any account to delete, redo, or add a new passkey. Once the passkey is created, using it is simple. To start, log in with your email. Google will know that your account has a passkey associated with it. Click the Continue button and authenticate using Face ID or Touch ID on your device.
Once the authentication is done, you’ll be logged in. (It won’t take more than a second or two.) If you’re logging in with a different browser, or if you want to temporarily log in to a different computer, you can use passkey’s cross-device authentication feature, which Google supports. After entering your email address on the login page, use the Try another way option when you’re asked for a passkey. Here, choose the Use your passkey option to bring up a unique QR code.
Pull up your iPhone and scan the QR code using the camera. This will only work if your Bluetooth is enabled, as it uses Bluetooth proximity as a security feature. Once the QR code is scanned, tap the Sign in with a passkey button in the Camera app itself. Right here, the iCloud Keychain will pop up. Tap Continue, authenticate using Face ID, and bam, you’ll log in. It’s important to note your passkey won’t be added to the device where you’re logging in, and once you log out, you’ll have to authenticate using your iPhone again. |
| Source: | Life Hacker |
| SPECTRUM INTEL |
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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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Computer Hardware How Long Do USB Thumb Drives Hold Data?SYDNEY BUTLER @gendowasright | ✔ REVIEWED BY JORDAN GLOOR MAY 10, 2023, 7:00 AM EDT
USB thumb drives are a convenient and portable means of storing data. However, how long can flash drives actually keep your data maintained? To answer that question, we need to explore the inner workings and factors that can impact their data retention. How USB Thumb Drives Store DataUSB thumb drives (also called flash drives or USB sticks) use NAND flash memory to store data. NAND flash memory is a non-volatile storage type, meaning it retains data even when the power is disconnected. This feature makes it ideal for portable storage devices like USB thumb drives. NAND flash memory stores data in memory cells. These cells use electrons trapped in a “floating gate” to represent binary values (0s and 1s). Over time, the electrical charge in these cells can leak, leading to data degradation because it becomes harder to read whether the charge level represents a 1 or 0. Factors That Affect USB Thumb Drive Data RetentionWhile a thumb drive might seem like a pretty sturdy storage device thanks to its solid-state nature, several factors can impact the longevity of data stored on a USB thumb drive:
If you know anything about SSDs (Solid State Drives) these factors might sound familiar to you, and with good reason. SSDs use the same NAND memory technology. However, thumb drives are usually much smaller in capacity, and don’t have nearly the quality and temperature endurance of SSDs, else they’d cost too much! How Long Can USB Thumb Drives Last?There is no definitive answer to this lifespan question for data stored on a USB thumb drive because it depends on the above-mentioned factors. However, under normal storage conditions and usage, a high-quality USB thumb drive should be able to retain data for at least 10 years. Where does the figure of 10 years come from? This isn’t a prediction nor an observation of how flash drives based on older technology have fared. Instead, it’s an educated estimate based on what we know about how flash memory and its materials behave. The JEDEC JESD47 standard (described at the bottom of page 5 of the linked PDF) requires that flash memory chips withstand 10 hours of 125-degree Celsius operation in a process known as a Data Retention Bake. This is taken to be the equivalent of 10 years at 55 degrees Celsius. However, this is a general estimate and will obviously vary depending on the specific drive and usage conditions. If you write to a flash drive, put it away in a drawer and make a point of plugging it in every few months to refresh it, it could hold your data for much longer, but the only way to know for sure is to actually do it! Tips for Extending the Lifespan of USB Thumb DrivesWhile you shouldn’t rely on flash drives for long-term archival storage, if you want to get the most out of them, here are some tips to help extend the lifespan of your USB thumb drives and ensure data integrity:
For true long-term storage, you’ll want to use archival-grade tape or optical discs, but regardless of the medium, you should never keep crucial data in the same place and on a single medium. Flash drives are best used for file transfers, or to make bootable media.
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| Source: | How To Geek |
| 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 |
| Readers of the Newsletter who are Ham Radio Operators |
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| Source: | Amateur Radio callsigns of readers. Please click here to add yours. |
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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Wright County Fire Departments Receive a Grant for Digital Pagers AJ Taylor
Wright County Fire Departments may be in line to receive new digital pagers thanks to some work done by the Wright County Public Health Department. Public Health Director Sandy McGrath found a way to make it possible for the county fire departments. She had learned that there was a mixture of analog and digital pagers within the county departments and that the analog systems were soon going to be obsolete. McGrath was able to locate the pagers and give the departments a price. The grant format can be used again, and McGrath hopes that the departments can go about writing for smaller grants in the future. The Wright County Public Health Department will have a representative present to receive the grant at an awards ceremony coming later this month. |
| Source: | KIOW.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.
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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| Telephone: 631-786-9359 | |
wirelessplannerron@gmail.com  |
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A New Official ATSC 3.0 Nextgen TV Tuner is Coming This Summer For Less Than $100By Luke Bouma on May 9, 2023
Today Pearl TV has announced that it is officially certifying a new ATSC 3.0 Nextgen TV from DTH (ADTH) and Tolka. This new tuner will allow you to connect to any Android or Linux platform and receive free over-the-air Nextgen TV with an antenna. You can also connect directly through HDMI to your TV. ATSC 3.0 NextGen TV offers the promise of 4K TV, better signal coverage, improved alerts, on-demand, and more all through your antenna. Though to take advantage of this you will need a new tuner. “On behalf of the nation’s broadcasters who are spearheading the introduction of NEXTGEN TV channels throughout the country, we delighted to recognize Tolka for its expertise in developing a software stack that can power the ADTH upgrade accessory receiver comments,” Anne Schelle, Managing Director of Pearl LLC, a business organization promoting the interests of more than 820 network-affiliated U.S. television stations. “The TV industry is eager to promote the advantages of NEXTGEN TV — including enhanced audio and video — and the addition of an affordable set-top device with the official NEXTGEN TV certification opens new avenues for broadcasters and for the millions of viewers looking for an easy upgrade solution. It’s as simple as connecting the power, an antenna, and an HDMI cord with the new ADTH device. And this is just the first of several products that are coming for viewers who are hoping upgrade to enjoy the enhanced NEXTGEN TV experience.” NEXTGEN TV certification services and tools are provided by Resillion on behalf of the CTA and the National Association of Broadcasts, which joined forces in 2019 to launch the innovative logo program. “We congratulate ADTH and Tolka for being the first accessory device to be certified NEXTGEN TV,” says Dr. Bob Campbell, Director of Engineering at Resillion. “The NEXTGEN TV logo is essential to maximize device sales, demonstrating compliance to the standards and giving consumers confidence in a product, and we hope to support many more to carry the mark in the coming months.” “We would like to thank Pearl TV, the Consumer Technology Association, the U.S. National Association of Broadcasters and Resillion for their efforts in promoting NEXTGEN TV as a major step in the advancement of broadcast television standards across the USA,” adds Alex Day, Tolka Telecommunications’ Vice President of Business Development “NEXTGEN TV offers a major advance in terms of viewer experience including 2160p 4K video resolution, 120 Hz frame rate, high dynamic range, wide color gamut and cinema-quality audio. It is already accessible in 60 percent of homes across the USA and expected to reach 75 percent of American viewers by December of this year.” The ADTH NEXTGEN TV Box will be available in July 2023 and is available now for pre-order on ADTH’s website. The MSRP for the NEXTGEN TV receiver is $119.99, and it is available for pre-order at the discounted price of $79.99 for a limited time. |
| Source: | Cord Cutter's News | Coverage Map |
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 |
Van Gogh’s last paintings go on show in Amsterdam and ParisThe two exhibitions are the first to highlight the artist’s productive final months in AuversMartin Bailey
An exhibition of Vincent van Gogh’s final paintings is to be presented in Amsterdam and then Paris. During his astonishingly productive period from May to July 1890, in the village of Auvers-sur-Oise, he completed a picture a day. Then, on 27 July, he shot himself, dying two days later. This will be the first comprehensive show devoted to Van Gogh’s period in Auvers, which lies 30km north-west of Paris. Van Gogh in Auvers: His Final Months sets out to argue that his work there was just as important as his better-known pictures painted in sunny Provence. The Van Gogh Museum and the Musée d’Orsay have succeeded in borrowing 48 of the 74 paintings that he completed in Auvers, along with 25 of the 57 drawings (he also filled a small notebook with rough sketches). Loans of Van Goghs are always very difficult to secure, so this represents an astonishing success.
Among key pictures on display will be Portrait of Dr Paul Gachet (from the Musée d’Orsay collection), Church at Auvers (Musée d’Orsay), Farmhouses in Auvers (Finnish National Gallery) and Wheatfield with Crows (Van Gogh Museum). There will also be rarely seen loans from private collections, such as Glass with Carnations and The Fields. What is special is that the Musée d’Orsay is lending to Amsterdam all the Van Goghs donated by the son of Paul Gachet in 1949-54. In accordance with his wishes, these pictures are virtually never lent. Along with the seven Gachet Auvers paintings, Van Gogh’s finest self-portrait, done in 1889 at the asylum and later presented to the doctor, will also be loaned. Years of researchVan Gogh made only 13 large “double-square” paintings—measuring 1m by 50cm—during his career, all in Auvers. Eleven of these will be brought together in the exhibition, including Tree Roots, now deemed to be his final painting, done a few hours before he shot himself. Preparations for the exhibition required years of research, which included making the best possible estimate of the dates for all 74 paintings. This will add enormously to scholarship, and the display should provide a vivid impression of how Van Gogh’s work evolved during the final weeks of his life.
Most of the sites where the pictures were painted have been located. Although Van Gogh made portraits and flower still-lifes, it was with landscapes that he excelled. His panoramic views of the wheatfields above the Oise valley are among his most memorable works. Despite struggling with feelings of failure, loneliness and melancholy, Van Gogh continued to work. Painting represented a form of therapy, giving him a purpose in life. Sadly, his efforts went unrecognised, at least in terms of sales, during his lifetime. He is only known to have sold a single identified painting in his entire career. How different it is now: Vase with Poppies and Daisies, which is coming on loan, sold for $62m in 2014. Murder vs suicideThe exhibition catalogue deals with the recent theory that Van Gogh did not die by suicide but was murdered. In a detailed rebuttal, the organisers dismiss this as “entirely unfounded”. They argue that “when a person feels compelled to end their own life, the least they deserve is to be heard with empathy”. Auvers retains much of its distinctive 19th-century atmosphere in its back streets. The inn where Vincent lodged, now the Maison de Van Gogh, has just reopened to visitors for the season. One can step into the empty garret room where the artist worked—and died. Climbing the steps, one inevitably thinks of the last time that Vincent trudged up to his bed, in great pain from the bullet lodged in his abdomen and weary of life.
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| Source: | The Art Newspaper |
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| Inside Towers Newsletter |
WisconsinMid-Western State Approves 50-Plus Tower UpdatesWisconsin Gov. Tony Evers announced that a portion of the $125.7 million funding from the State Building Commission would go towards tower projects. According to a release from the Governor, the state will update 53 towers with “remediation of life-safety, equipment-safety, and code compliance issues.” “These projects approved by the Commission represent…opportunities for…visitors and residents to enjoy our many incredible natural areas and state parks, and for our state to have the resources in place to work with partners to respond quickly and efficiently to an emergency,” stated Evers last Thursday. “We must continue to make needed investments in our state buildings and infrastructure to ensure we can rely on these essential systems for years to come.” The towers slated for an upgrade contain the Wisconsin Interoperable System for Communications radio network allowing communication between state, municipal, federal, and emergency medical entities. The projects include 24 radio communication tower sites in the state's eastern half and 29 radio communication tower sites in the western half of Wisconsin. |
| Source: | Inside Towers newsletter | Courtesy of the editor of Inside Towers, Jim Fryer. Inside Towers is a daily newsletter by subscription. |
| BloostonLaw Newsletter |
USAC Changes Lifeline National Verifier URLOn May 5, USAC indicated that it has recently modified the URL for the National Verifier, for both Lifeline and ACP application flows. According to USAC, all prior URLs redirect to the new URLs so there should be no issue with navigation, even when using the old URLs. Nevertheless, USAC encourages providers and consumers to sign-in and start Lifeline applications at LifelineSupport.org using the Sign In, Apply Now, or Recertify buttons. BloostonLaw Contacts: Sal Taillefer. HeadlinesFCC Proposes $8.7 Million in Fines Against 22 Companies over RDOF DefaultsOn May 1, the FCC issued a Notice of Apparent Liability (NAL) against 22 companies totaling almost $9 million for apparently defaulting on their bids for Rural Digital Opportunity Fund support between May 3, 2022, and December 16, 2022. In this instance, each applicant defaulted on its respective bid for support by withdrawing its application with respect to certain areas, or by its failure to meet deadlines and requirements to which it agreed when it participated in Auction 904. A list of defaults, along with individual explanations of each default can be found here. An NAL advises parties that they apparently violated the Commission’s rules and proposes a monetary penalty for violations. Neither the allegations nor the proposed sanctions in the NAL are final Commission actions. The parties named will be given an opportunity to respond and the Commission will consider each party’s submission of evidence and legal arguments before acting further to resolve the matter. BloostonLaw attorneys routinely assist in responding to NALs. Providers with questions about NALs, or needing assistance preparing their response (including a showing that a lower fine is justified) may contact the firm for more information. BloostonLaw Contacts: Ben Dickens and John Prendergast. NTIA Suggests Changes in Broadband Map Not Likely to Have “Significant” Impact on Initial AllocationOn May 4, NTIA said in a blog post that it did not expect changes in the FCC’s National Broadband Map (the “Map”) to have a significant impact on the final allocations of funding to the states for the Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program. According to NTIA, the current version of the FCC map reflects 113 million broadband serviceable locations, of which eight million are designated as unserved. Due to the size of the data set, NTIA asserts that it would take “an outsized increase or decrease” in the number of unserved locations within a state to increase or decrease that state’s funding allocation. NTIA’s blog post, which can be found here, is likely a response to recent criticism from stakeholders and legislators about the program’s reliance on the Map. It is important to note that NTIA’s statement does not diminish the importance of challenging inaccurate data in the Map. Even assuming NTIA is correct, and States will likely get the same amount of funding allocated for award through the programs they develop, the Map still plays a key role in the ultimate award and distribution of funding to State-program participants. BloostonLaw attorneys can assist in all aspects of the BEAD program. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law directs NTIA to use the Map to determine how much money each state, territory, and the District of Columbia will be allocated in the BEAD program. The allocation formula set in the law includes three components: 1) a baseline of $100 million for each state and $25 million for each territory, 2) a calculation of the number of unserved locations in each state divided by the nationwide total of unserved locations, and 3) the number of “high cost” unserved locations in each state divided by the nationwide total of high cost unserved locations. BloostonLaw Contacts: Ben Dickens and Sal Taillefer. Comments on STIR/SHAKEN FNPRM Due June 5On May 5, the FCC published in the Federal Register its Sixth Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Sixth NPRM), in which it seeks comment on third-party caller ID authentication and eliminating the extension for providers who are unable to obtain an SPC token. Comments are due June 5, and reply comments are due July 5. Specifically, the Commission seeks comment on the use of third-party caller ID authentication solutions, including whether any changes should be made to the Commission’s rules to permit, prohibit, or limit their use. Currently, the Commission’s rules do not address whether an originating voice service provider may use a third party to perform third-party authentication obligations. According to the Commission, third-party authentication is occurring, but it does not provide sufficient information to fully assess the impact that explicitly authorizing or prohibiting third-party authentication may have on the STIR/SHAKEN ecosystem. The Commission also seeks comment on whether to eliminate the STIR/SHAKEN implementation extension for providers that cannot obtain Service Provider Code (SPC) tokens, which are necessary to participate in the STIR/SHAKEN caller ID authentication framework. Providers that rely on third-parties to handle authentication, or which are unable to obtain SPC tokens themselves, may contact the firm for more information. BloostonLaw Contacts: Sal Taillefer and Cary Mitchell. Comment Sought on 2023 Mandatory Data Collection for Incarcerated People’s CommunicationsOn April 28, the FCC issued a Public Notice seeking comment on specific requirements of the proposed 2023 Mandatory Data Collection for incarcerated people’s communications services (IPCS). Comment and reply comment deadlines have not yet been established. The 2023 data collection is the fourth such data collection for IPCS. The FCC proposes to retain the overall structure of the Third Mandatory Data Collection, while revising and supplementing the definitions, instructions, and templates to accommodate the Commission’s expanded authority under the recently-enacted Martha Wright-Reed Just and Reasonable Communications Act of 2022 (MWRA). Specific proposals include:
BloostonLaw Contact: Sal Taillefer. Law and RegulationEnforcement Orders Aren’t Always What They Seem: Failure to Pay Regulatory Fees May Result in License RevocationAn Order issued by the FCC’s Media Bureau last week stands as a reminder of the importance for licensees to timely pay their regulatory fees to avoid the potential fines or forfeitures (plus interest). Persistent disregard/oversight of a licensee’s financial obligations to the Commission — whether a broadcaster or a commercial wireless licensee — may even trigger license revocation proceedings. And while the FCC has discretion when enforcing its rules, cases where the agency goes out of its way for a licensee are all too rare. Section 9A of the Act, adopted in 2018 RAY BAUM’S Act, allows the FCC to dismiss any application or other filing for failure to pay application or regulatory fees. No surprise there. But few are aware that it also grants the FCC authority to pursue license revocation if a licensee fails to pay regulatory fees following at least 30 days formal written notice (the “Section 9A Notice”) and an opportunity to be heard. A hearing is not required unless the licensee’s response presents a substantial and material question of fact, so failing to respond could have drastic consequences. The broadcaster in question, WLLL(AM) in Lynchburg, VA, is a gospel radio station owned and operated by Hubbard’s Advertising Agency, Inc. The station’s operations were run by Pastor elder Fletcher Hubbard, Sr., who was reportedly on-air almost every day for 60 years. However, Pastor Hubbard passed away in March at the age of 96, leaving behind almost a decade of unpaid FCC regulatory fees (totaling almost $20k, without interest). The station’s latest renewal application (filed in 2019) remains pending, and it isn’t clear that the station was responsive to the FCC’s repeated efforts at outreach over the years (including outreach to the Pastor’s family). Last week’s Order to Pay or to Show Cause cites to the FCC’s authority to “waive, reduce, or defer payment of fee debt where good cause is shown and where waiver, reduction or deferral would promote the public interest” and the Commission is allowing the licensee sixty (60) days to pay or to make a showing why the payment is inapplicable or should be waived/deferred. The FCC had previously referred the licensee’s debts to the US Treasury for collection (as it is required to do under the Debt Collection Improvement Act) but it has requested that the previously transferred regulatory fee debt be transferred back to the Commission for collection. Reading between the lines, it would appear the Commission is trying to do the Pastor’s family a favor by giving them more than the minimum time to file a response. Moreover, by asking Treasury to return the debt to the Commission, this would restore the agency’s ability to waive or eliminate the station’s debt if a request is filed and if circumstances warrant. And of concern, the Order tees up the possibility of license revocation. The Hubbard’s Advertising demonstrates that the Commission has significant discretion when enforcing its rules, and of the importance of timely fee payments and timely responding to staff inquiries. While it is nice to think the FCC always gives licensees the benefit of a doubt, one should never count on leniency. BloostonLaw Contact: Cary Mitchell. Iowa Adopts Cybersecurity Affirmative Defense LawOn May 3, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed into law a bill establishing the parameters of an affirmative defense for companies using cybersecurity programs. Specifically, a company that suffers a data breach or other cybersecurity breach may assert that it has implemented and maintains a cybersecurity program as an affirmative defense if the requirements of the bill are met. The bill requires the cybersecurity program to be designed to: (a) continually evaluate and mitigate any reasonably anticipated internal or external threats or hazards that could lead to a data breach; (b) periodically evaluate no less than annually the maximum probable loss attainable from a data breach; and (c) communicate to any affected parties the extent of any risk posed and any actions the affected parties could take to reduce any damages if a data breach is known to have occurred. It must be of an appropriate scale and scope based upon company’s most recently calculated maximum probable loss value. The bill also provides a list of industry-recognized cybersecurity frameworks that satisfy the bill’s requirements. An affirmative defense is a defense in which the defendant introduces evidence which will negate liability, even if it is proven that the defendant committed the alleged acts. Under the Iowa bill, a company that satisfies all requirements of the bill is entitled to an affirmative defense to any cause of action under tort law that is brought under the laws of this state or in the courts of this state and that alleges that the failure to implement reasonable information security controls resulted in a data breach concerning personal information or restricted information. States like Ohio, Utah and Connecticut have adopted similar safe harbor cybersecurity legislation, and it can be expected that more states will enact protections for companies that agree to adopt designated cybersecurity measures. A copy of the Iowa bill can be found here. BloostonLaw Contacts: Ben Dickens and Sal Taillefer. IndustryFCC Announces New Landing Page for Affordable Connectivity ProgramOn May 4, the FCC issued a Public Notice announcing a new Affordable Connectivity Program application landing page available at GetInternet.gov. The new site is designed to be more consumer-friendly, and more easily accessible through a simpler URL. It explains the benefits of the program, serves as a call to action for eligible consumers to apply, and enables consumers to easily apply for the program. GetInternet.gov was previously used by the Executive Office of the President, and the information previously available at GetInternet.gov will continue to be available by accessing whitehouse.gov/getinternet. AffordableConnectivity.gov and FCC.gov/ACP will continue to serve as resources providing detailed information According to the Public Notice, the Affordable Connectivity Program is now reaching over 17 million households and has saved eligible consumers hundreds of millions of dollars per month. The program provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward Internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. DeadlinesMAY 31: FCC FORM 395, EMPLOYMENT REPORT. Common carriers, including wireless carriers, with 16 or more full-time employees must file their annual Common Carrier Employment Reports (FCC Form 395) by May 31. This report tracks carrier compliance with rules requiring recruitment of minority employees. Further, the FCC requires all common carriers to report any employment discrimination complaints they received during the past year. That information is also due on May 31. The FCC encourages carriers to complete the discrimination report requirement by filling out Section V of Form 395, rather than submitting a separate report. BloostonLaw attorneys are available to assist. BloostonLaw Contact: Richard Rubino. JULY 1: FCC FORM 481 (CARRIER ANNUAL REPORTING DATA COLLECTION FORM). All eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs) must report the information required by Section 54.313, which includes information on the ETC’s holding company, operating companies, ETC affiliates and any branding in response to section 54.313(a)(8); its CAF-ICC certification, if applicable; its financial information, if a privately held rate-of-return carrier; and its satellite backhaul certification, if applicable. BloostonLaw Contacts: Ben Dickens and Sal Taillefer. JULY 1: MOBILITY FUND PHASE I ANNUAL REPORT. Winning bidders in Auction 901 that are authorized to receive Mobility Fund Phase I support are required to submit to the FCC an annual report each year on July 1 for the five years following authorization. Each annual report must be submitted to the Office of the Secretary of the FCC, clearly referencing WT Docket No. 10-208; the Universal Service Administrator; and the relevant state commissions, relevant authority in a U.S. Territory, or Tribal governments, as appropriate. The information and certifications required to be included in the annual report are described in Section 54.1009 of the FCC’s rules. BloostonLaw Contacts: John Prendergast and Sal Taillefer. JULY 31: FCC FORM 507, LINE COUNT DATA (A-CAM AND ALASKA PLAN RECPIENTS). Sections 54.313(f)(5) and 54.903(a)(1) of the FCC’s rules requires all rate-of-return telecommunications carriers to provide line count information on FCC Form 507 to USAC, the universal service Administrator. Carriers receiving Connect America Fund Broadband Loop Support (CAF BLS) must submit this information annually on March 31st of each year, and may update the data on a quarterly basis. Carriers that receive Alternative Connect America Model (A-CAM) I, A-CAM II, or Alaska Plan support are required to file by July 1st of each year. For 2020, the FCC has extended the A-CAM filing deadline until July 31. BloostonLaw Contact: Sal Taillefer. JULY 31: CARRIER IDENTIFICATION CODE (CIC) REPORTS. Carrier Identification Code (CIC) Reports must be filed by the last business day of July (this year, July 31). These reports are required of all carriers who have been assigned a CIC code by NANPA. Failure to file could result in an effort by NANPA to reclaim it, although according to the Guidelines this process is initiated with a letter from NANPA regarding the apparent non-use of the CIC code. The assignee can then respond with an explanation. (Guidelines Section 6.2). The CIC Reporting Requirement is included in the CIC Assignment Guidelines, produced by ATIS. According to section 1.4 of that document: At the direction of the NANPA, the access providers and the entities who are assigned CICs will be requested to provide access and usage information to the NANPA, on a semi-annual basis to ensure effective management of the CIC resource. (Holders of codes may respond to the request at their own election). Access provider and entity reports shall be submitted to NANPA no later than January 31 for the period ending December 31, and no later than July 31 for the period ending June 30. It is also referenced in the NANPA Technical Requirements Document, which states at 7.18.6: CIC holders shall provide a usage report to the NANPA per the industry CIC guidelines … The NAS shall be capable of accepting CIC usage reports per guideline requirements on January 31 for the period ending December 31 and no later than July 31 for the period ending June 30. These reports may also be mailed and accepted by the NANPA in paper form. Finally, according to the NANPA website, if no local exchange carrier reports access or usage for a given CIC, NANPA is obliged to reclaim it. The semi-annual utilization and access reporting mechanism is described at length in the guidelines. BloostonLaw contact: Ben Dickens.
Calendar At-a-GlanceMay June July 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. Meet our Partners (This week, Mr. Dickens)
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| MUSIC VIDEO FOR THE WEEK |
“Playing For Change”“Playing For Change” is an original song written by our dear friend, GRAMMY award-winning singer/songwriter, Sara Bareilles and features Chris Pierce, the PFC Band and musicians from six countries. This Song Around The World, featured at Peace Through Music 2021, embodies the Playing For Change movement to inspire and connect the world through music. Together we can overcome distances and differences. |
| Source: | YouTube |
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