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Vol. 10, No. 18 May 12, 2014
IN THIS ISSUE
COMPTEL PLUS
AT THE FCC
ON THE HILL
MEMBER BENEFITS
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.
UPCOMING EVENTS

May 15

June 2
FCC DEADLINES

May 12

May 19

October 6

November 17
CAREER CENTER

Enventis is seeking individuals for several positions, including:



SOCIALIZE WITH COMPTEL

 

@COMPTEL 

@COMPTELPLUS 

@COMPTELADVOCACY
                          

Diamond Rio publicity shot

 
COMPTEL PLUS
Fall Session Proposals Due Friday 
COMPTEL wants you to share your expertise on business strategies, innovative technologies or regulatory trends that are shaping the future of the competitive communications industry. We are now accepting session proposals for the COMPTEL PLUS Fall 2014 Convention & EXPO, which is scheduled for October 5-8 at the Gaylord Texan in Dallas.

Proposals must be submitted online by no later than this Friday, May 16. If you have questions, please email Tracy McDonald or call 202-296-6650.
AT THE FCC
Open Internet on Agenda of FCC May 15 Open Meeting 
The FCC will hold an Open Meeting on Thursday, May 15 at 10:30 a.m. ET at its headquarters in Washington, D.C.  On the agenda are: 
  • Protecting and Promoting the Open Internet: The Commission will consider a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking addressing the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals' remand of portions of the Commission's 2010 Open Internet Order and proposing enforceable rules to protect and promote the open Internet.
  • Revisions to Rules Authorizing the Operation of Low Power Auxiliary Stations in the 698 - 806 MHz Band (WT Docket No. 08-166); Public Interest Spectrum coalition, Petition for Rulemaking Regarding Low Power Auxiliary Stations, Including Wireless Microphones, and the Digital Television Transition (WT Docket No. 08-167); Amendment of Parts 15, 74 and 90 of the Commission's Rules Regarding Low Power Auxiliary Stations, Including Wireless Microphones (ET Docket No. 10-24):The Commission will consider a Report and Order that provides a limited expansion to the class of wireless microphone users eligible for a license.
  • Expanding the Economic and Innovation Opportunities of Spectrum Through Incentive Auctions (GN Docket No. 12-268): The Commission will consider a Report and Order that adopts key policies and rules for the broadcast television spectrum incentive auction, lay ing the groundwork for an unprecedented, market-driven process for repurposing spectrum for mobile broadband use, and promoting competition and innovation.
  • Policies Regarding Mobile Spectrum Holdings (WT Docket No. 12-269): The Commission will consider a Report and Order that modifies the Commission's policies and adopts rules regarding the aggregation of spectrum for mobile wireless services through initial licensing and secondary market transactions to preserve and promote competition. 
The meeting also will be webcast live at www.fcc.gov/live.

FCC Blog Focuses on Protecting Consumers in 
Transition from Copper Networks
Last week, Julie Veach, chief of the FCC's Wireline Competition Bureau wrote a blog about the importance of Protecting Consumers in the Transition from Copper Networks. She stated that "The FCC supports the transition to fiber and other next-generation networks while ensuring that the core values entrusted to us by Congress remain in place.  We intend to monitor technology transitions closely to assess how communications providers are maintaining this balance and to keep consumers informed.  If we find that core values are not being maintained in these transitions, then it is the FCC's responsibility to protect customers consistent with what Congress told us to do."

She added three points about ways the public can be informed about, and have a voice in, technology transitions that affect them-including in transitions away from copper networks:
  1. As carriers make changes to their networks that affect other providers or the ability of their customers to use previously-supported equipment, they are required to file network change notices with us.
  2. Federal law also requires carriers and interconnected VoIP providers to notify the public and obtain our permission before they "discontinue, reduce, or impair service to a community, or part of a community."
  3. consumers who have concerns about any particular situation can contact our Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau to file complaints-either by calling 1-800-CALL-FCC or by filing a complaint online at www.fcc.gov/complaints. 
FCC Hosts E-Rate Modernization Workshop
On May 6, the FCC hosted an E-Rate Modernization Workshop, which focused on the Commission's goal of connecting all schools and libraries to high-capacity broadband networks, and effective strategies and lessons learned in achieving that goal. To view the workshop webcast, visit the FCC website.
ON THE HILL 
House Hosts Hearing on Video and Broadband
On May 8, the U.S. House Judiciary Committee hosted an oversight hearing on "Competition in the Video and Broadband Markets: The Proposed Merger of Comcast and Time Warner Cable."
 
Witnesses included representatives from American Cable Association, Cogent Communications, Columbia Law School, Comcast Corp., DeepField Networks Inc., Geyer Gorey LLP, Rural Media Group and Time Warner Cable.  To view a webcast of the hearing or see prepared testimony, visit the Committee website.  
MEMBER BENEFITS
UNITEL Offers HR Solutions for COMPTEL Members
When you need answers to tough human resource questions, who can you trust? Your attorney? Colleagues? The web? These options either cost too much or leave you with incomplete answers in a constantly changing environment.

COMPTEL members can now get the HR information they need, when they need it, through UNITEL HR Solutions a revolutionary HR advisory service offered by UNITEL Insurance. This enhanced benefit of membership will help association members navigate the constantly changing health care environment, including new Affordable Care Act requirements, as well as hundreds of complex employment law issues that businesses face with regard to hiring, termination, discrimination, pay and classification, time off/FMLA continuation, COBRA, employee relations and employee safety.

UNITEL HR Solutions is comprised of three main components:
  • HR Hotline
  • HR Library
  • HR Training
For more information, visit the COMPTEL website or email Carl Zeutzius or call 800-755-0048 ext. 7275. 
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.

May 13             Regulatory/Legislative Committee Meeting
2 p.m.              Contact Karen Reidy

May 20             Regulatory/Legislative Committee Meeting 
2 p.m.              Contact Karen Reidy
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