COMPTEL Names Former Rep. Pickering as New CEO 

COMPTEL last week announced that former Mississippi Congressman Chip Pickering has been named as its CEO, effective January 2, 2014. Jerry James, who has served as COMPTEL's CEO for the past six and a half years, plans to pursue new ventures in the telecom private sector.

"On behalf of the Board of Directors, I applaud Jerry for his great dedication to the mission of COMPTEL. I look forward to working with Jerry in the future, as I know he will continue making valuable contributions to our dynamic industry," said Dale Schmick, COMPTEL chairman and COO of YourTel America Inc. "We welcome Chip to COMPTEL, and are confident that his experience and knowledge of the telecom sector will offer a strong foundation as the association continues its leadership in advocating for pro-competitive, pro-consumer policies and legislation."

"For more than 30 years, COMPTEL has been a significant force for change in the communications industry - from the break-up of AT&T, to the passage of the '96 Telecom Act and ushering in of the information age," Pickering said. "COMPTEL's advocacy work has been responsible for creating an environment that fostered billions of dollars of investments, product and service innovation and hundreds of thousands of new jobs."

"I commend Jerry for his stewardship, leaving the association in a strong position to continue its advocacy and support its members' business development activities. I am looking forward to joining COMPTEL as the industry embarks on another great era of change, and hope that by working with policymakers and other industry stakeholders we, together, can develop a path for fostering greater competition and sparking new innovations in the way consumers communicate, learn and receive the vital services they need," Pickering added.

"I am proud of our accomplishments over the past six years as we have expanded our membership and strengthened COMPTEL's reputation as the effective voice for the competitive industry. COMPTEL is well positioned and on a clear path to accomplish its goals for the future with Chip at the helm," said James. "I am sincerely grateful for the support I've received from the Board of Directors, our members and our employees. I wish COMPTEL and this group continued success in the endeavors that are on the horizon."

Elected in 1996, Pickering was a six-term Congressman, representing Mississippi's Third District. During this time, he served on the House Energy & Commerce Committee, where he was vice chairman from 2002 to 2006 and a member of the Telecommunications Subcommittee. He also was co-chairman and founder of the Congressional Wireless Caucus and an assistant minority whip of the House. Previously, Pickering worked for Sen. Trent Lott (R-Miss.) and served as a staff member on the Senate Commerce Committee, where he helped shape the Telecommunications Act of 1996. Because of his role in drafting the 1996 Act, he became well known as a Congressional leader on telecommunications issues.

Currently, Pickering is a partner with Capitol Resources LLC, a public affairs and government relations firm based in Jackson, Miss., with offices in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Tennessee. In this role, he has represented an array of telecom clients, including wireless, cable and competitive broadband providers, as well as non-profits and companies specializing in education, energy, technology and defense. He also played a vital role as one of the principal negotiators in developing a wireless industry agreement for interoperability in the 700 block.

Senate, House Leaders Urge FCC to Suspend, Investigate AT&T Plan to Eliminate Special Access Contracts

On December 6, Sen. Edward Markey (D-MA) and Reps. Mike Doyle (D-PA), Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and Doris Matsui (D-CA) sent letters to FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler expressing concern about AT&T's plan to eliminate longer-term special access contracts, which will result in price increases for consumers. They urged the FCC to suspend and investigate AT&T's proposal to ensure that premature actions do not impact the special access market before the Commission concludes its ongoing data collection process and analysis.

COMPTEL Call on  Special Access This Thursday

On Thursday, December 12, from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. EST, COMPTEL will host the third in a series of calls for members only about the FCC's special access mandatory data request. During this call, COMPTEL staff and members will discuss the remainder of the questions in Section II.A. of the request.

If you are a COMPTEL member and are interested in participating in this call, please e-mail Jenny Gilbert for the dial-in information.

COMPTEL Discusses IP Transition in Meetings at FCC

Last week, COMPTEL attended several meetings with FCC leadership and staff a number of critical issues, including the transition of the public switched telephone network (PSTN) to IP technology.

In its presentation during these meetings, COMPTEL stressed the continued need for and importance of the wholesale wireline provisions of the Act throughout, and upon completion of, the IP transition. The association urged the FCC to reform its current approach, which is comprised of a "hodgepodge of wholesale access rights and pricing mechanisms that were developed without the benefit of a consistent, rigorous analytical framework."

COMPTEL also asserted that the Commission could speed the IP transition and spur benefits to consumers by confirming that IP interconnection for voice services falls under Sections 251 and 252 of the Act.

And, during its meeting with the Technology Transitions Task Force, COMPTEL reiterated that the current numbering databases suffice for purposes of moving forward, as quickly as possible, with IP interconnection for current PSTN traffic. The association also noted that any attempt to redesign industry databases to address perceived, future requirements would be premature without first interconnecting carrier networks on an IP basis.  

COMPTEL Member Company Executives Discuss 

IP Transition at New America Foundation Event 

On December 4, the New America Foundation hosted an event called "Making the Network Work: Competition, Innovation and Broadband for Business and the Communities They Serve."  Participating in the panel discussion were leaders of three COMPTEL member companies:  Jeff Gardner, president and CEO of Windstream; Larissa L. Herda, chairman, CEO and president, tw telecom inc.; and Rolla P. Huff, chairman, CEO and president of EarthLink. 

Panelists discussed the opportunities and threats facing broadband networks, as well as the role of the FCC in ensuring the principles of competition are applied to markets as technology continues to evolve. To watch a recorded webcast of the event, visit the New America Foundation website.  

House Leaders Plan to Revisit Telecom Act

On December 3, House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) and Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR) announced a multi-year effort to examine and update the Communications Act. This process will involve a series of white papers asking questions about what can be done to improve the laws surrounding the communications marketplace, as well as a robust conversation about utilizing all platforms of digital media.

After the announcement, COMPTEL CEO Jerry James said, "COMPTEL welcomes Chairmen Upton's and Walden's upcoming examination of the 1996 Telecommunications Act. The '96 Act has been responsible for ushering in an era of innovation and competition, bringing an array of new services and products to consumers. We are confident that the committee's examination will confirm that the basic principles of the Act - which enable entrepreneurial companies to compete in the marketplace, and provide consumers with greater choice and lower prices - still remain relevant today. We look forward to working with the Chairmen and the members of the Committee."

House Subcommittee Hosts FCC Hearing on Dec. 12

The House Communications and Technology Subcommittee has scheduled a hearing on Thursday, December 12, 2013, at 10 a.m. to receive testimony from all five sitting FCC commissioners.

For more information, visit the subcommittee website. The hearing will be webcast on the Energy and Commerce Committee website.