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Vol. 9 No. 35                   September 3, 2013
In This Issue
TOP OF THE NEWS
IP TRANSITION EVENT
COMPTEL PLUS
AT THE FCC
FREE WEBINARS
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

 

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


 FY 2013 regulatory

fees due

 

September 27

Petitions to Deny the AT&T/Leap Wireless Merger Due

 

October 7

 Oppositions to Petitions to Deny the AT&T/Leap Wireless Merger Due 

  

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Diamond Rio publicity shot

 
TOP OF THE NEWS

NARUC Finalizes Report on Cooperative Federalism

The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners' (NARUC) Federalism Task Force last week released its final report on "Cooperative Federalism and Telecom in the 21st Century, which is expected to be voted on at the group's November Annual Meeting.  

COMPTEL is particularly encouraged by the Task Force's recognition of the states' role in arbitrating interconnection agreements and its acknowledgement that the interconnection provisions of the Act do not depend on the technology used by the interconnecting parties. We also are pleased that the report encourages states to monitor the state of competition, as this is critical in evaluating the effect of the FCC's last mile policies and the need for modernizing them in order to enable a wholesale market that ensures and further enhances competition. 
IP TRANSITION

Registration Due Thursday to Attend 

COMPTEL 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. To attend, you must register no later than this Thursday, September 5.

From 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m. at the offices of Wilkie Farr & Gallagher (1875 K St. NW), the panel discussion will focus on "The IP Transition - An Evolution of the Network, Regulatory Environment, or Both?"  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
COMPTEL PLUS

Business Track to Show How to Implement a
Winning Game Plan and Maximize Revenue
  

During the COMPTEL PLUS Fall 2013 Convention & EXPO, Monday, September 23 through Thursday, September 26, in Orlando, a track of educational sessions focused on business topics will show attendees how to implement a winning game plan and get an edge on boosting revenues. This track combines with two others, focusing on regulatory and technology topics of interest to the competitive communications industry.  
 
Topics in the business track, entitled "The Team: Implementing the Game Plan to Maximize Revenue," include:     
  • Maximizing Your Investment in the Cloud: How to Find the Right Mix for your Customer Base - Panelists from Alteva, Broadview Networks, BTI Systems and Verizon Global Wholesale will share insights on sales strategies, differentiating services to market segments such as small and mid-sized businesses, and current trends in the market.
  • Broadband Deployment: Removing Barriers and Obstacles This session will examine issues related to deploying a network and strategies for urban and rural markets. Speakers include representatives from FiberLight, LS Networks, Tech Valley Communications, TeleQuality Communications, Inc. and tw telecom inc.
  • Keeping Operational Systems in Check: Compliance & Best Practices - In this session, panelists from BillSoft Inc., GSAssociates LLC, Profitec Billing Services and Telispire will talk about best practices for OSS systems, including strategies for integrating tax and reporting with OSS applications to improve financial reporting accuracy and satisfy compliance obligations. 
  • Show Me the Money: Exploring the Market for M&As and Financing for Growth - Mergers & acquisitions continue to heat up the communications market. This panel of industry insiders and financial market experts from Alpheus Communications, GE Capital, M/C Partners, Tech Valley Communications and Waller Capital will provide insight into leveraging M&A for growth and exit strategies, trends in valuation and what the current market is for communications companies.
  • Strengthening the Bottom Line: Assymmetrical Ethernet, Cable, OTN and White Spaces - In this session, panelists from Adaptrum, Fujitsu Network Communications, MegaPath and WOW! will review some of the latest strategies and offerings, such as asymmetrical Ethernet, and share insights on how wholesale cable offerings, white spaces and other spectrum can be integrated into a company's existing service set. 

Don't miss any of these great sessions, or other networking events scheduled during COMPTEL PLUS. You can instantly include them all in your personal calendar by clicking on the calendar icon in our Schedule-at-a-Glance

 

One Week Remains to Submit Show Daily News  
Exhibitors, sponsors and COMPTEL members - just one week remains to submit your news for the COMPTEL PLUS Fall 2013 Convention & EXPO. The deadline for COMPTEL PLUS Show Daily is Tuesday, September 10. 

 

The Show Daily will hit the newsstands in the Gaylord Palms in Orlando at COMPTEL PLUS the mornings of Tuesday, September 24, and Wednesday, September 25.


For full details about how to submit your news to the Show Daily and other editorial guidelines, please visit the Official Publications page on the COMPTEL PLUS website. Companies wishing to advertise in the Show Daily should e-mail Publisher Berge Kaprelian or call 480-503-0770.

AT THE FCC

FCC Releases Order and FNPRM in IP Captioned Service

On August 26, the FCC released a report and order and FNPRM on the misuse of IP captioned telephone service (CTS). Earlier this year the Commission had implemented interim reform as a result of the increased participation in this program and the financial impact of the sudden increase in the demand on the Fund. This order makes permanent and amends, in part, those interim changes. The Commission also is seeking to implement further reforms for IP CTS, including the rate methodology for reimbursement of providers that could possibly lead to reduced rates for this program. Comments will be due 45 days after the notice is published in the Federal Register.
 
FCC WCB Public Notice Details Information
to Be Collected in Reformed Form 477
On August 26, the FCC's Wireline Competition Bureau released a public notice that lists the information to be collected in the reformed Form 477 that will not be in effect until Paperwork Reduction Act approval has been met. The notice states that the FCC will file for such approval with the Office of Management and Budget, and the public will have an opportunity to comment on the burden of the data collection at that time. The FCC anticipates that its first collection of the revised Form 477 data will take place in September 2014, for data as of June 30, 2014.  
 
FCC Seeks Further Comment on Cramming Proceeding
On August 27, the FCC's Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau released a public notice seeking further comment on the Commission's open cramming proceeding. The notice notes the recent developments in this area, including several wireline companies' commitments to eliminate the practice of permitting third-party charges on consumer bills and the increase of cramming complaints for mobile service consumers.  The PN requests comments and replies on these recent developments, as well as a refreshing of the record of the FCC's outstanding Further Notice from last year in this proceeding. Comments will be due 45 days after the notice is published in the Federal Register.
WEBINAR PROGRAM
Register Now for Thursday Webinar on  
Best Practices for IPv6 Implementation
On Thursday, September 5, at 11 a.m., 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.

Brandon Ross, a Gold Certified IPv6 network engineer and chief network architect and CEO of Network Utility Force, will discuss:
  • 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.

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

Level3+AlianzaOn 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

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.

September 10   
Regulatory/Legislative Committee Meeting
2 p.m.              Contact Karen Reidy

September 17   Regulatory/Legislative Committee Meeting
2 p.m.              Contact Karen Reidy
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