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Vol. 9 No. 16                         April 22, 2013
In This Issue
VOIP NUMBERING
FORBEARANCE
COMPTEL PLUS
CYBERSECURITY
AT THE FCC
MEMBER PROFILE
COMMITTEE MEETINGS
MEMBER NEWS









For more information about submitting member company news, please contact Gail Norris.
FCC
DEADLINES

 

May 13

Comments due on Rural Call Completion NPRM

  

May 28

Reply Comments due on Rural Call Completion NPRM

 

May 31

Reply comments due on Petition to Reverse Forbearance from Dominant Carrier Regulations of ILECs' Non-TDM-Based Special Access Services  

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Diamond Rio publicity shot

 
TOP OF THE NEWS
FCC Acts on VoIP Numbering Resources 
Last week, the FCC adopted a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), which requests comment on issues relating to providing interconnected VoIP providers direct access to numbering resources. 
 
The NPRM also contained an order granting Vonage a waiver of the existing rules to allow it to have direct access to numbering resources for a six-month trial period. The FCC stated that the data and information obtained from the trial will inform its decision making on the broader access issue. Other VoIP providers that have waiver requests pending also may participate in the trial if they agree to the reporting requirements and other conditions imposed on Vonage.
FORBEARANCE

COMPTEL Supports Reversing Broadband Forbearance

On April 16, COMPTEL filed comments in support of reversing forbearance from dominant carrier regulation and certain Computer Inquiry requirements granted to Verizon, AT&T, legacy Embarq, Frontier, and legacy Qwest in their provision of non-TDM-based special access services.

 

COMPTEL noted that with regard to the enterprise broadband services in particular, the economy is being impacted by a regulatory landscape that resulted from inaction in one case, and decisions that lacked traditional market analysis in the other instances. "It is time for the Commission to correct this situation," said COMPTEL in its filing, noting that the FCC "has a duty to ensure that the rates for these enterprise broadband services are just and reasonable" and that "prior grants of forbearance do not preclude Commission action."

 

In addition, COMPTEL pointed out that the Commission's approach in the Broadband Forbearance Order is inconsistent with current precedent for determining forbearance, and that claiming broadband is an emerging market does not justify ignoring evident market failure.

COMPTEL PLUS
Session Proposals Now Being Accepted for  
COMPTEL PLUS Fall 2013 Convention

Deadline For Submissions is Monday, May 13

 

COMPTEL is now accepting session proposals for the COMPTEL PLUS Fall 2013 Convention & EXPO, which is taking place Monday, September 23 to Thursday, September 26, at the Gaylord Palms in Orlando. All session proposals must be submitted by no later than May 13.   


We invite you to share your insights into business strategies, innovative technologies and/or regulatory trends that are shaping the future of the competitive communications industry.  To see the themes we are considering, visit the COMPTEL PLUS website. We also welcome your input on other relevant, thought-provoking and timely topics, panel discussions and case studies that would be of interest to the communications industry.

 

For details on how to submit a proposal and a link to the online submission form, please visit the COMPTEL PLUS website. If you have questions, please email Tracy MacDonald or call 202-296-6650. 

  

Increase Your Company's Visibility by Exhibiting or Sponsorships

We offer a number of other ways to increase your company's exposure among the more than 2,000 attendees expected at COMPTEL PLUS and attract new business at our upcoming show:  

  • Exhibit - COMPTEL PLUS attracts a diverse, expanding mix of attendees, with almost half who are senior-level decision makers. By exhibiting at COMPTEL PLUS, you can get the undivided attention of these individuals. Prime exhibit spaces are moving fast. Visit the COMPTEL PLUS website for more information regarding exhibiting, email Rick Ardalan or call 202-296-6650 or email David Gerhardt or call 312-265-9664.
  • Sponsor - By becoming a sponsor at COMPTEL PLUS, your company can stand out from the crowd. In addition, sponsors can improve their chance of securing a meeting room, save money on exhibit costs, and obtain conference passes and content space in the conference program guide. Information on available sponsorships and more is on the COMPTEL PLUS website. For questions, email Amy Smith or call 202-296-6650.
CYBERSECURITY
House Passes CISPA, White House Threatens Veto
On April 18, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (CISPA) by a vote of 288 to 127. The bill is designed to encourage the voluntary sharing of cyber threat information between the government and the private sector to better detect and defend against cyber attacks. In addition, the bill provides limited liability protection for companies that choose to share information with the government subject to the provisions of the legislation. Though the legislation adopted a number of amendments to address privacy concerns related to potential information shared between the private sector and the federal government, the White House, again, issued a statement of policy threatening to veto the legislation. No similar bill has yet to be introduced in the Senate.
AT THE FCC
FCC Commissioner Clyburn Announces Staff Changes
FCC Commissioner Mignon L. Clyburn last week announced the departure of Angie Kronenberg and the appointment of Rebekah Goodheart as Acting Wireline Legal Advisor. Kronenberg served as Clyburn's Wireline Legal Advisor since December 2009 and has provided advice on a wide variety of wireline, broadband, disabilities access and universal service matters. Goodheart has worked at the Commission since January 2008, most recently serving as deputy director of the Technology Transitions Policy Task Force and associate chief of the Wireline Competition Bureau.  She previously served as a senior policy advisor for the Omnibus Broadband Initiative, developing many of the recommendations in National Broadband Plan.  She also served as assistant division chief in the Industry Analysis Division of the Media Bureau. Prior to joining the Commission, Goodheart served as a trial attorney at the U.S. Department of Justice, Antitrust Division in the Telecommunications and Media Enforcement Section, and was an associate at the law firm Wiley Rein LLP. 
MEMBER PROFILE 
Wilcon Delivers Dense Fiber, Key Services in Calif.
Founded in 1998, Wilcon is a leading provider of communications infrastructure services based at the One Wilshire Building in Los Angeles. The company owns and operates dense fiber optic networks, delivering dark fiber, Ethernet and wavelength services to domestic and international carriers, Internet-related businesses and large enterprise customers throughout Southern California. Wilcon also owns and operates key data center and colocation facilities in Los Angeles, providing complete interconnection capabilities to its customers.

Visit the COMPTEL website to learn more about Wilcon.

For more information on submitting a member profile, or updating an existing one, e-mail Anna Bayer or call 202-296-6650.
COMMITTEE MEETINGS 
All COMPTEL Committee meetings are held at the Association's headquarters, 900 17th Street NW, Suite 400, Washington, D.C. 20006, unless otherwise noted.  All times listed are Eastern. For more information, call 202-296-6650.

April 23           
Regulatory/Legislative Committee Meeting
2 p.m.              Contact Karen Reidy

April 30           Regulatory/Legislative Committee Meeting
2 p.m.              Contact Karen Reidy
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