Connection MasterHead 600x113
Vol. 10, No. 8     February 24, 2014
In This Issue
TOP OF THE NEWS
COMPTEL PLUS
AT THE FCC
ON THE HILL
IN THE NEWS
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

February 28


March 1

March 3


March 11

March 18

March 31
SOCIALIZE WITH COMPTEL

 

@COMPTEL 

@COMPTELPLUS 

@COMPTELADVOCACY
                          

Diamond Rio publicity shot

 
TOP OF THE NEWS
Kronenberg Named Rising Star by FierceTelecom 
Kronenberg
Last week, COMPTEL Chief Advocate and General Counsel Angie Kronenberg was named a Rising Star in Wireline by FierceTelecom. The publication honored eight up-and-coming executives, who are "propelling [the] network transition, launching new service initiatives and developing network buildout strategies to respond to emerging consumer and business services demands."
 
Congratulations also go out to executives from COMPTEL member companies who joined Angie on the list, including John Schmitt, chief development officer for FiberLight; Bob Udell, COO & president of Consolidated Communications; John Lunny, senior vice president & CTO for FairPoint Communications; and Bob Mudge, president of consumer & mass business markets at Verizon.
COMPTEL PLUS
Ante Up or Go All In at COMPTEL PLUS Casino Night 
Join your host TollFreeForwarding.com for Casino Night in the COMPTEL PLUS EXPO hall at the Aria Resort on Monday, March 17 from 3:30 p.m. - 5 p.m. and try your hand at blackjack and roulette, and get the chance to win real prizes. 

Players can pick up their $200 "play" money at the bank - TollFreeForwarding.com's booth (#116) - with chips distributed in $25 increments. Blackjack will have a $25 minimum, while roulette will offer $5 chips for inside betting. Players will receive a raffle ticket for each $100 cashed in, with a maximum cash out of $800. Raffle drawings will be held at 5 p.m. and you must be present to win.

TollFreeForwarding.com also will host the Opening Night Reception, Sunday, March 16 from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., in the EXPO Hall.

Visit Exhibitors and Enter to Win in EXPO Hall Raffle 
While at the COMPTEL PLUS Spring 2014 Convention & EXPO, don't miss your chance to win one of the grand prizes - American Express gift cards worth $1,200, $800 and $400.  

Entering is easy - take the entry card you receive in your conference bag at registration, then visit all eight of our sponsors' booths to receive a stamp on the entry card. Once completed, deposit the card in the bin at the COMPTEL booth. Only entry cards with all sponsors' stamps are qualified for entry. Entrants must be present at the time of drawing - Tuesday, March 18 at 3:15 p.m. at the COMPTEL booth - to claim their prize.

Sponsors of the EXPO Hall Raffle include:
  • CSF Corporation (Booth 412)
  • GeoResults (Booth 507)
  • GSAssociates (Booth 213)
  • Overture Networks (Booth 301)
  • RAD Data Communications (Booth 307)
  • Sales Tax Associates Inc. (Booth 411)
  • Sonus Networks (Booth 523)
  • Telco Systems (Booth 520)

Policy Track Focuses on Forecasts for 
E-Rate and Technology Transition 

If you're seeking more insight into some of the key competitive communications issues being addressed by the FCC, look no further than the COMPTEL PLUS Spring 2014 Convention & EXPO.  The policy track of educational sessions will give a Forecast for the Policy Climate in 2014, including sessions on:

 

The policy programming will conclude on Wednesday, March 19, with a comprehensive, half-day workshop hosted by Kelley Drye, entitled "The Next Big Thing: Capitalizing on Emerging Trends at the Intersection of Public Policy and Business."

AT THE FCC
FCC to Set Path for Preserving Open Internet 
Last week the FCC released several items that underscore its intent to set the path forward for preserving an open Internet:
  • Statement by FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler on the FCC's Open Internet rules
  • Fact Sheet: "Internet Growth and Investment"
  • Public Notice: This new docket has been established to address the court's Open Internet remand decision and consider what actions the FCC should take "consistent with its authority under section 706 and all other available sources of FCC authority, in light of the court's decision.
FCC Issues Report and Public Notice on Process Reform
On February 14, the FCC released a report on process reform, and issued a Public Notice seeking comment on the Report and its recommendations. Comments on the Public Notice are due by March 31.
ON THE HILL
Senate Subcommittee to Examine Wireless Competition
On Wednesday, February 26 at 10 a.m., the Senate Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights will host a hearing entitled "An Examination of Competition in the Wireless Market." Speakers include representatives from Cellular South, the Center for Communication, Media and Information Technologies at Aalborg University in Denmark, Free Press  Mobile Future, T-Mobile USA and Verizon.
 
The hearing will take place  in Room 226 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building, or can be viewed via a live webcast.
 
Rep. John Dingell Announces Retirement
After Almost 60 Years in Congress
Earlier today, Rep. John Dingell, the longest-serving member of Congress, announced that he would not seek another term in office. Chip Pickering, COMPTEL's CEO, commended Rep. Dingell for "his service to our country and leadership in the House of Representatives and on the Energy and Commerce Committee. He set the highest standard of public service, working as a fierce advocate for the principles in which he believes and leaving a legacy of legislative success on behalf of his constituents."  Pickering added, "I was honored to have served with Rep. Dingell. His love of and respect for the institution of Congress and of the Energy and Commerce Committee are irreplaceable. He will always be known as one of the true giants in Congressional history." 
IN THE NEWS
COMPTEL Members Featured on Gigabit Nation Radio
Today, COMPTEL members Jerry Cady, director of Sales and Marketing at LS Networks, and Mark Scully, president of Comspan Communications, joined Craig Settles on Gigabit Nation Broadband Talk Radio to talk about "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of Broadband Competition."

A replay of the broadcast can be found here.
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.

February 25    Regulatory/Legislative Committee Meeting
2 p.m.              Contact Karen Reidy

March 4           Regulatory/Legislative Committee Meeting 
2 p.m.              Contact Karen Reidy
© 2014. All Rights Reserved.