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Vol. 9 No. 49             December 16, 2013
In This Issue
IP TRANSITION
COMPTEL PLUS
AT THE FCC
IN THE STATES
ON THE HILL
COMMITTEE MEETINGS
WELCOME
NEW MEMBER


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





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

December 16
 
 
December 17

January 8

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TOP OF THE NEWS

Technology Transition Task Force Delivers 

Presentation at December Open Meeting

At the FCC's Open Meeting last week, the Technology Transitions Policy Task Force gave presentation on its findings thus far regarding the move to Internet protocol (IP) technology and outlined its path forward. The Task Force noted it is working toward an order for Commission consideration in January that would invite service-based experiments, recommend actions to support targeted experiments and research, describe structured observations and data collection initiatives, and establish a timeline for the adoption of a managerial framework to resolve the important legal/policy questions raised by the technology transitions.

In a statement following the FCC meeting, Angie Kronenberg, COMPTEL's chief advocate and general counsel, said "We are grateful for the leadership of Chairman Wheeler and the FCC's Technology Transitions Task Force in addressing the ongoing evolution of the network and recognition of the importance of competition. When the critical wholesale tenets of the Telecom Act have been fully implemented, competition has thrived. The principles of the Act do not change, however, as the network transitions to new technologies. New entrants have been leveraging IP technology for more than a decade to cost-effectively deliver a host of innovative products and services to consumers.

"As legacy carriers begin to more fully embrace IP technology and the Task Force explores a variety of issues related to this network evolution, it is important that the fundamental goal of the Act - to provide consumers with greater choice through competitive options - is not diminished. We believe the Commission can best promote competition and ensure that consumers can access their provider of choice by ensuring last mile access and interconnection on reasonable terms, regardless of technology. We look forward to working with the Chairman and the Task Force on the experiments, data collection, and establishing the legal and policy framework to ensure that all consumers - including residential, business and wholesale customers - can benefit from the network evolution."
COMPTEL PLUS
Spring Golf Tournament Registration Now Open 
 Join COMPTEL for a fun day on the links at Spanish Trail Country Club for the COMPTEL PLUS Spring 2014 Golf Tournament, sponsored by Oracle.  Registration is now open for the tournament, which is scheduled for Sunday, March 16, before the COMPTEL PLUS Spring 2014 Convention & EXPO. 
 
Players will enjoy the picturesque scenery and networking opportunities at the Spanish Trail Country Club, an exclusive private club with a 27-hole championship course that has hosted the PGA's Las Vegas Invitational. The course includes more than 120 bunkers and 15 lakes bearing streams and waterfalls. 

To participate in this tournament, you must be registered for the COMPTEL PLUS Spring 2014 Convention. Golf registration is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

In order to secure your tournament tee time, you must fill out the entire golf registration form. The entry fee is $180 per person, and includes greens fees and cart, coffee and breakfast, lunch and prizes. If you need to rent clubs for the tournament, they are available for $50.
 
Golf sponsorships also are available. For more information, e-mail Amy Smith or call 202-296-6650.
 
Register Now for COMPTEL PLUS and Save  
Take advantage of significant registration savings on the COMPTEL PLUS Spring 2014 Convention & EXPO! Register now and receive the early bird discount on full conference and networking passes! COMPTEL PLUS will take place March 16-19 in Las Vegas.

In addition to being able to register early, you can book your room at our host hotel, the Aria Resort & Casino. Rooms typically go fast, so plan to make your reservations now! 
AT THE FCC
COMPTEL Applauds FCC Denial of AT&T's Proposal to
Eliminate Longer-Term Special Access Contracts
Last week, the FCC to denied AT&T's request to eliminate longer-term special access contracts. COMPTEL chief advocate and general counsel Angie Kronenberg said, "We applaud today's decision by FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler and the Wireline Competition Bureau to deny AT&T's request to eliminate certain long-term special access contracts. Now is not the time for blanket approval of such significant changes, as the Commission has undertaken a comprehensive review of the special access market and will be conducting significant data analysis next year. We are pleased that the Commission will take a closer look at AT&T's claims. In addition, we are confident that the Commission's data collection will show that there is a lack of competitive alternatives for special access services, and that allowing AT&T to continue to unduly wield its expansive market power is contrary to a vibrant, competitive marketplace. Competition in the special access market is not an end to itself. With just and reasonable terms for special access services, competition will thrive and consumers will benefit from robust, innovative offerings and high-quality services." 
 
COMPTEL Urges FCC to Forbear from 
Enforcement of TRS Line Item Prohibition 
On December 12, COMPTEL filed a petition urging the FCC to forbear from enforcing its uncodified "rule" or requirement that prohibits interstate telecommunications providers from passing through contributions to the Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) Fund to their end users as separately identified line items. COMPTEL noted that the Commission must grant forbearance because (1) enforcement of the line item prohibition is not necessary to ensure that charges, practices, classifications or regulations are just and reasonable and not unjustly or unreasonably discriminatory; (2) enforcement of the line item prohibition is not necessary to protect consumers; and (3) forbearance from enforcement of the line item prohibition would be consistent with the public interest. 
IN THE STATES

COMPTEL Commends Michigan PSC for 

Confirming IP Interconnection Requirements

Last week, the Michigan Public Service Commission (PSC) released a decision that addresses, in part, IP interconnection between Sprint and AT&T. Ruling in Sprint's favor, the PSC reversed an arbitration panel decision relating to IP interconnection and other matters.
 
Angie Kronenberg, COMPTEL's chief advocate and general counsel, said "COMPTEL applauds the Michigan PSC for its decision confirming that AT&T must provide Sprint IP interconnection for the transmission of telephone calls that AT&T provides to itself, affiliates or third parties pursuant to Section 251(c)(2) of the Act. The FCC has held that Section 251 is technologically neutral and applies to traffic whether it is exchanged via TDM or IP and has confirmed that carriers must negotiate in good faith for IP interconnection. As the PSC found, there is no reason why states should wait for further action from the FCC. It is critical that states use their authority granted by Congress to address interconnection when parties cannot agree. The consumers served by competitors should not be asked to wait for the benefits of IP interconnection. We congratulate the Michigan PSC for putting consumers and competition first."
ON THE HILL 
FCC Commissioners Testify Before House Subcommittee
Last Thursday, all five FCC Commissioners testified before the House Energy & Commerce Committee Subcommittee on Communications and Technology. FCC Chairman Wheeler noted the importance of competition on promoting economic growth and emphasized that networks must work for everyone. Among the issues discussed by the Commissioners were FCC process reform, the IP Transition Task Force's work, spectrum and incentive auctions, rural call completion, Lifeline, and reform of E-rate and 9-1-1.  
 
A rebroadcast of the hearing can be found on the Committee's website.
COMMITTEE MEETINGS 
All COMPTEL Committee meetings are held at the Association's headquarters, 1200 G St NW, Suite 350, Washington, DC 20005, unless otherwise noted.  All times listed are Eastern. For more information, call 202-296-6650.

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

January 7        Regulatory/Legislative Committee Meeting
2 p.m.              Contact Karen Reidy
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