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Vol. 9 No. 34                   August 26, 2013
In This Issue
TOP OF THE NEWS
REGULATORY WORKSHOP
COMPTEL PLUS
FREE WEBINARS
MEMBER PROFILE
COMMITTEE MEETINGS
NEW MEMBER


For more information about joining COMPTEL, e-mail Kevin Morris or call 202-296-6650.
UPCOMING EVENTS

September 5
MEMBER NEWS










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

 

August 29

Reply Comments due on Petition to  Further Reform the Lifeline Program

 

August 30

Reply Comments due on FNPRM on Streamlining or Eliminating Computer Inquiry and CEI Rules

 

September 6

Comments due on Proposed Sample Reseller Certification Language for FCC Form 499-A Instructions

 

Comments due in Petition for Preemption of the N.C. Rural Electrification Authority with Respect to Arbitration of Interconnection Agreement 

 

September 13

Reply Comments due on Proposed Sample Reseller Certification Language for FCC Form 499-A Instructions

 

September 20

Reply Comments due in Petition for Preemption of the N.C. Rural Electrification Authority with Respect to Arbitration of Interconnection Agreement

SOCIALIZE WITH COMPTEL

 

@COMPTEL 

@COMPTELPLUS 

@COMPTELADVOCACY
                          

Diamond Rio publicity shot

 
TOP OF THE NEWS

COMPTEL to Host Panel Discussion on IP Transition

Sept. 12 Event in D.C. Looks at Various Perspectives

On Thursday, September 12, COMPTEL is hosting a free event in D.C. that will give you the opportunity to learn more about the various industry perspectives on the transition of the public switched telephone network (PSTN) to IP technology. 

From 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m. at the offices of Wilkie Farr & Gallagher (1875 K St. NW), you are invited to join us for a panel discussion on "
The IP Transition - An Evolution of the Network, Regulatory Environment, or Both?"  Among the questions to be discussed are: How does the FCC's record on aspects of the IP transition shape up? Should the Commission move forward with technical trials? If so, what kinds of trials? Should the Commission focus on completing its pending proceedings on the regulatory framework for interconnection and/or initiate new rulemaking proceedings? Which pending and prospective rulemaking proceedings, if any, are key to the transition? What is the expected timing for all of this? What will incoming FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler do? 

The panel will be moderated by David Kaut, Associate Analyst at STIFEL. Panelists include:
  • Tom Cohen, Partner, Kelley Drye, on behalf of the American Cable Association (ACA)
  • Eric Einhorn, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs & Strategy, Windstream
  • Harold Feld, Senior Vice President, Public Knowledge
  • Rochelle Jones, Vice President-Regulatory, tw telecom inc.
  • Maggie McCready, Executive Director for Public Policy, Verizon
  • Mike Romano, Senior Vice President of Policy, NTCA-The Rural Broadband Association
To attend, please register by no later than September 5.
REGULATORY WORKSHOP

Half-Day Workshop to Share Strategies for
Striking the Right Balance with VoIP

Technologies Management Inc. (TMI) will host a free, half-day workshop during the COMPTEL PLUS Fall 2013 Convention & EXPO, which takes place September 23-26 at the Gaylord Palms in Orlando. The workshop, scheduled for Thursday, September 26 from 8:30 a.m. to noon, is entitled "Striking the Right Balance with VoIP: A Primer on Maintaining Compliance while Improving Profits and Gaining a Competitive Edge."

"We are standing at the point where various services are transitioning to IP technology, including cable digital phone, mobile and landline telephony. Questions have arisen about how traditional regulatory models apply to these services," said Connie Wightman, president of TMI. "Our half day workshop will bring key industry experts together to explore the strategies that are setting - and in some cases challenging - the new standards for VoIP regulatory policies, numbering resources, and federal USAC fee obligation strategies. Our workshop will explore federal and state policy differences among cable operators and examine the impact of VoIP direct number allocation on various business models. Our panelists will delve into challenges that face the sellers and resellers, from how managing traffic data to how exemption certificates can impact fees. After attending this workshop, attendees will have practical margin-enhancing ideas and thought-provoking strategic insight on today's intricate marketplace." 

The workshop will focus on how, as regulatory requirements for VoIP providers evolve, so must a company's business strategy. Speakers from a cross section of companies will explain their business strategies, and what they've done to establish or maintain regulatory compliance, improve profits and continue to grow market share. For more details, including a list of speakers, visit the COMPTEL PLUS website.
COMPTEL PLUS

COMPTEL PLUS Debuts Booth Crawl on September 24

Quench your thirst with exhibitor-hosted libations and snacks while you check out trend-setting companies and latest industry innovations in the EXPO hall at the COMPTEL PLUS Fall 2013 Convention & EXPO.


Please join us for our inaugural Booth Crawl on Tuesday, September 24 from 3:30 p.m. - 5 p.m. Navigate the show floor seeking out refreshments while also networking and exploring the latest telecom solutions. Booth Crawl sponsors COMLINK (Booth 701), Communications Data Group (Booth 209) and Walker and Associates (Booth 501) will be providing snacks and/or beverages at their booths.

Limited Exhibit Spaces Still Remain

If you were considering exhibiting at COMPTEL PLUS, it's not too late. But don't delay much longer because the spaces are going fast!  For more information about the benefits of exhibiting or to secure your space, e-mail David Gerhardt or call 312-541-0567.
  

Host Hotel Rooms Selling Fast

Rooms at our host hotel, the Gaylord Palms, are going fast, too.Once you've registered, book your room today. The COMPTEL PLUS rate is $235 per night.  

Navigate COMPTEL PLUS from Your Apple, Android or Blackberry Devices with the Mobile Access Planner 
Fall13 MAP QR code
Scan to 
download the COMPTEL 
PLUS MAP
We're putting the power of COMPTEL PLUS in the palm of your hand with the COMPTEL PLUS Mobile Access Planner (MAP). Whether you're looking for a specific exhibitor in the EXPO hall, trying to find the time and location of that presentation you can't miss, keeping up with the latest show news, or seeking a meeting with other attendees, the COMPTEL PLUS MAP can help.

The COMPTEL PLUS MAP is an easy-to-use mobile platform that allows you to access all the vital information about the COMPTEL PLUS Fall 2013 Convention & EXPO right from your Apple, Android or Blackberry smartphone or tablet. You can use the COMPTEL PLUS MAP to:
  • Set Up Meetings with the COMPTEL PLUS Business PLANner
  • Navigate the EXPO Hall
  • Find the Must-Attend Events
  • Discover our Expert Speakers
  • Keep Up With Breaking News

To begin using the COMPTEL PLUS MAP, scan the QR code above and follow the instructions on the website for your particular brand of phone. 

WEBINAR PROGRAM
Free September 5 Webinar to Focus on  
Best Practices for IPv6 Implementation
On Thursday, September 5, the COMPTEL Webinar Program is proud to offer a free webinar hosted by Walker and Associates in partnership with Network Utility Force. The pre-recorded webinar will focus on IPv6 Implementation Best Practices for Service Providers.

Join Brandon Ross, a Gold Certified IPv6 network engineer and chief network architect and CEO of Network Utility Force, as he discusses:
  • How IPv6  differs from IPv4
  • The various transition mechanisms that help add support for IPv6 in existing networks
  • Security, routing and addressing with IPv6
  • Migration planning and implementation best practices, as IPv6 support is no longer optional.

The webinar will be available on September 5 at 11 a.m. ET/8 a.m. PT. To attend this free webinar, register by Wednesday, September 4. 

 

Level 3, Alianza to Examine Cloud Outsourcing for Carriers During Free Webinar on September 11

The $70 billion U.S. fixed line voice market remains largely stuck on antiquated infrastructure. In the face of price pressure and high ongoing legacy network costs, service providers 

must move quickly to reduce expenses and use the power of IP to deliver new services. The transition to VoIP has been slow (over a decade and counting) and at times painful - the capital expenditures and operational focus required can often destroy the business case. On Wednesday, September 11, during a free webinar entitled, The Clear Choice for Voice: The Cloud Outsource Model for Carriers, you can learn more about  a cloud-based solution that allows service providers to reduce the total cost of ownership, accelerate time to revenue and focus on growth instead of building and managing a voice network.


Level 3 Communications and Alianza will explain how outsourcing to the cloud profitably transforms delivery of voice communications in the all-IP world. Presenters will be J.P Gonzalez, Director of Product Management, Level 3 Communications and Kevin Mitchell, Vice President of Marketing at Alianza. The webinar will focus on:

  • Financial and strategic benefits to outsourcing voice to the cloud;
  • Key cloud and carrier requirements for manageability and scalability; and
  • Providing a blueprint for seamless migration

Deadline for registration is Tuesday, September 10.   

 

Need More Information?

For more information on these upcoming webinars, please e-mail Tracy MacDonald or call 202-296-6650. The COMPTEL Webinar Program is powered by Copper Services

MEMBER PROFILE
CIT Offers Financing and Leasing to Telecom Industry
Founded in 1908, CIT (NYSE: CIT) is a bank holding company with more than $35 billion in financing and leasing assets. It provides financing and leasing capital and advisory services to its clients and their customers across more than 30 industries. CIT maintains leadership positions in small business and middle market lending, factoring, retail finance, aerospace, equipment and rail leasing, and vendor finance. CIT has deep expertise financing emerging and established providers of value-added voice, video, data and information/technology-enabled services. Its highly experienced, industry-focused team offers customized financing solutions to support organic growth, expansion opportunities, strategic acquisitions, and recapitalizations.
 
Visit the COMPTEL website to learn more about CIT.

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.

August 27        
Regulatory/Legislative Committee Meeting
2 p.m.              Contact Karen Reidy

September 3    Regulatory/Legislative Committee Meeting
2 p.m.              Contact Karen Reidy
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