At its open meeting last week, the FCC voted unanimously on an order 

that significantly modifies the broadband data collection requirements that are filed twice a year on Form 477. This order initiates the most comprehensive collection of broadband deployment data by the FCC ever, which will be used to populate and update the National Broadband Map, a key resource on broadband deployment for consumers, policymakers, researchers, economists and others.  Highlights of the changes include:

• Increasing consistency through creating a single, uniform format for deployment data, and replacing the current separate state-by-state voluntary collections under differing methodologies.
• Reducing the burden on providers by eliminating certain data collections, including the requirement to file speed data in tiers.
• Collecting fixed broadband deployment data by census block, and mobile broadband and mobile voice network coverage areas using a standard geographic information system software format.
• Obtaining mobile broadband deployment data by technology, minimum advertised speed, and spectrum band to help assess competition in the mobile wireless marketplace and mobile broadband availability to consumers.
• Receiving emergency contact information to expedite agency disaster response.
• Collecting company identification information to facilitate merger reviews, assess competition, and combat waste, fraud and abuse in universal service.
• Exploring development of an application that providers could use to automate their data-gathering, which would further reduce the burden of collection and improve the quality of the data.

Today is the first day you can get a sneak peek at the agenda for the COMPTEL PLUS Fall 2013 Convention & EXPO, which is being held Monday, September 23, through Thursday, September 26 at the Gaylord Palms in Orlando.  The focus of this Fall's agenda is "Designing a Winning Playbook," featuring three targeted tracks:

• The Team: Implementing the Game Plan to Maximize Revenue - This track will focus on business strategies, including how to develop the right mix of cloud services for your customer base, overcoming broadband deployment barriers, best practices for OSS, strategies for M&A and financing, and expanding into new services to strengthen your company's bottom line.
• The Game Changer: Innovation Strategies for a Competitive Advantage - This track will explore technologies that can help your company win more business, including carrier Ethernet and Ethernet over copper (EoC), tools for countering cyber attacks, small cell solutions for backhaul, cloud deployment models and how to prepare for the IP transition.
• The Rules of the Game: Knowledge to Ensure Success on the Playing Field - This track will examine the regulatory issues impacting your business, including IP transition trials, lifeline rules, rural call completion, universal service contributions, and rural healthcare and e-rate opportunities.

Early Bird Registration Rates End Friday, July 12

The early bird registration deadline is quickly approaching. If you want to save up to $330 off your registration for COMPTEL PLUS, be sure to  register before July 12.  Also, don't miss out on reserving a room at our host hotel, the Gaylord Palms. Book your room today. The COMPTEL PLUS rate is $235 per night.    

On June 25, the FCC took further steps to ensure that providers participating in the Lifeline program follow rules that protect the program against waste, fraud and abuse. 

In an Enforcement Advisory, the FCC's Enforcement Bureau reminded providers that they are responsible for the conduct of their agents or representatives marketing the service. The Bureau is concerned that some providers are not taking steps to make certain that their agents follow Lifeline rules, and is investigating possible misconduct on the part of these providers, as well as their agents. The advisory also reminds providers that it is unlawful to sell or transfer Lifeline service to anyone else.

In addition, the Wireline Competition Bureau emphasized in an Order that providers must verify eligibility of a new subscriber before initiating service. Despite the directives provided in the Lifeline Reform Order, some ETCs may be activating phones for consumers prior to fully verifying their eligibility. 

Hosts Hearing on Mobile Medical Apps 

On June 27, the House Small Business Committee's Health and Technology Subcommittee held a hearing on "Mobile Medical App Entrepreneurs: Changing the Face of Health Care." The purpose of the hearing was to highlight the entrepreneurs who are creating the apps that will empower consumers to make better health care decisions and have that data any time. To download testimony or view the hearing, visit the subcommittee's website. 

House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee Addresses Spectrum Issues for Federal Agencies, Private Sector 

On June 27, the House Energy and Commerce Committee's subcommittee on Communications and Technology hosted a hearing on "Equipping Carriers and Agencies in the Wireless Era," focusing on meeting the needs of wireless carriers and federal agencies in a time of limited spectrum and financial resources.  The hearing looked at the availability of wireless spectrum and what steps Congress, agencies and the private sector should take to maintain and improve Federal agencies' capabilities while freeing spectrum for commercial use. Testimony and a webcast of the hearing can be found on the subcommittee's website. 

Sens. Martin Heurich (D-N.M.) and Jeff Chiesa (R-N.J.) were recently added to the roster of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee in the wake of the death of committee member Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.).  

Sean Lev, the acting director of the FCC's Technology Transitions Policy Task Force, recently discussed at a TIA event the efforts being taken with regards to the transition of the PSTN to IP technology.

He noted that the new technologies present tremendous opportunities for consumers, for businesses, for community anchor institutions, and for our Nation's economy, and have enormous potential to improve lives.  However, he underscored that the FCC is "mindful that these developments are disruptive, and there is no guarantee that all of the services consumers and businesses rely on today will continue to be available in the same form, if at all, in the future. Simply put, these developments have important policy implications."

To read his full speech, click here. 

The FCC last week announced the tentative agenda for its July open meeting. Topics currently scheduled to be addressed include:  

• 15th Annual Video Competition Report
• Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities
• Modernizing the E-Rate Program for Schools and Libraries
• Update on the Implementation of the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA)

The meeting is scheduled for July 19 at 10:30 a.m. in Room TW-C305, at FCC headquarters in Washington, D.C. The event also will be shown live at FCC.gov/live.