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Vol. 10, No. 40September 8, 2014
IN THIS ISSUE
TOP OF THE NEWS
COMPTEL PLUS
AT THE FCC
SILICON FLATIRONS
WEBINAR
COMMITTEE MEETINGS
MEMBER NEWS












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

September 10

September 15


September 23

September 30

October 6

October 8

November 17
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@COMPTEL 

@COMPTELPLUS 

                          

Diamond Rio publicity shot

 
TOP OF THE NEWS
FCC Chairman Wheeler Addresses Future of Broadband 
On September 4, FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler discussed "The Facts and Future of Broadband Competition" during remarks at an event hosted by 1776, a start-up incubator based in Washington, D.C.

COMPTEL applauded Chairman Wheeler for again underscoring the importance of competition in the broadband market for connecting consumers, driving business and economic growth, spurring greater investment and encouraging continued innovation.

COMPTEL CEO Chip Pickering said, "we agree with the Chairman that competition in the current broadband market is not sufficient and that, as he noted, 'the exercise of uncontrolled last mile power is not in the public interest. This has not changed as a result of new technology.' Whether the infrastructure is copper or fiber, or transmission is via TDM or IP, does not change the need for policies that promote competition and access to the customer via the last mile. Last mile access - regardless of the technology - is an absolute requirement for ensuring a competitive marketplace, and COMPTEL supports the Commission's efforts to address its last mile access policies so competition will flourish. We also applaud the Chairman recognizing the need to ensure rural Americans are not caught in a new digital divide as broadband speeds increase."

Pickering added that COMPTEL and its members look forward to working with the Chairman and Commission staff to achieve the goals of promoting and protecting competition and ensuring that the U.S. has the most dynamic broadband ecosystem, which reaches every one of its citizens.
COMPTEL PLUS
Join Us for the Lone Star Celebration at COMPTEL PLUS
Once the sessions are over and the trade show ends for the day, join COMPTEL for a Lone Star celebration from 7 p.m.-9 p.m. on Monday, October 6. Sit back, relax, enjoy hors d'oeuvres and drinks while listening to Dallas' own Jackopierce. This party is free and open to all attendees.

Jackopierce is acoustic rock duo - comprised of Jack O'Neill and Cary Pierce - which first got together in 1998 to play cover songs in a dingy club. Since that time, the've sold a half-million records over six albums - including two for major label A&M. They've toured across three continents, nine countries and 44 states, sharing the stage with artists such as the Dave Matthews Band, Counting Crows, The Wallflowers, Sheryl Crow, Jewel, Alanis Morissette and Semisonic.

Have You Registered Yet?
If you signed up to attend  the COMPTEL PLUS Fall 2014 Convention & EXPO, register today. And don't forget to book your room at our host hotel, the Gaylord Texan - rooms are nearly sold out!

Go Mobile with the COMPTEL PLUS MAP
We're putting the power of the COMPTEL PLUS Fall 2014 Convention & EXPO in the palm of your hand with the COMPTEL PLUS Mobile Access Planner. Whether you're looking for a specific exhibitor in the EXPO hall, trying to find the time and location of that presentation you can't miss, keeping up with the latest show news, or seeking a meeting with other attendees, the COMPTEL PLUS MAP can help.

The COMPTEL PLUS MAP is an easy-to-use mobile platform that allows you to access all the vital information about COMPTEL PLUS right from your Apple, Android or Blackberry smartphone or tablet. With the COMPTEL PLUS MAP, you can: For more details about how to leverage the MAP to make your trip to the convention more successful, visit the COMPTEL PLUS website.

Visit Exhibitors and Enter to Win in EXPO Hall Raffle 
While at the COMPTEL PLUS Fall 2014 Convention & EXPO, don't miss your chance to win one of the grand prizes - American Express gift cards worth $1,500, $1,000 and $500.

Entering is easy - take the entry card you receive in your conference bag at registration, then visit all of our sponsors' booths to receive a stamp on the entry card. Once completed, deposit the card in the bin at the COMPTEL Hub on the show floor. Only entry cards with all sponsors' stamps are qualified for entry. Entrants must be present at the time of drawing - Tuesday, October 7 at 2:15 p.m. at the Hub - to claim their prize.

Sponsors of the EXPO Hall Raffle include:
AT THE FCC
COMPTEL Urges FCC to Move Quickly on USF Reform
COMPTEL today filed reply comments urging the FCC to proceed expeditiously on universal service reforms because they are critical to ensuring unserved Americans can access both fixed and mobile broadband networks and services. In the comments, the association noted that "rural consumers should not be further short-changed from the opportunities that broadband can provide by further delay."

COMPTEL also underscored the importance of mobile broadband to rural America, and urged the Commission to reject its plan to decrease the Mobility Fund budget. "The universal availability of mobile broadband networks in rural areas has not been achieved, and the Commission is putting at risk achieving the goal of mobile broadband services in rural America. As demonstrated herein, the benefits of mobile broadband are significant. From supporting mobile rural healthcare services, ensuring public safety, and supporting robust rural economies, mobile broadband networks contribute greatly to serving rural America and allowing all Americans to benefit from a better connected nation."

FCC Outlines Changes to Regulatory Fees Due Sept. 23
The FCC recently released its Regulatory Fees Report and Order and FNPRM, which outlines a number of changes the Commission has made.  Regulatory fees are due by September 23.
Silicon Flatirons
Kronenberg to Speak on Telecom Panel at Silicon Flatirons Conference on Disruptive Innovation 
On September 11, COMPTEL Chief Advocate and General Counsel
Angie Kronenberg will participate on a telecom panel at the CU-Boulder's Silicon Flatirons Center conference on Understanding Disruptive Innovation: The Cases of Internet, Telecom, and Electricity. Other panelists include Dan Caruso, co-founder, chairman and CEO of Zayo Group; James Feger, vice president - Network Strategy & Development at CenturyLink; and Harold Teets, senior vice president - Information and Network Technologies for tw telecom.

This conference will examine the impact of disruptive innovation. Additional information, speaker bios and registration information can be found on the Silicon Flatirons website.
WEBINAR
Free Webinar on Designing a Scalable, Cost-Effective Ethernet Network Scheduled for September 11
Learn how an Ethernet architecture  can overcome many of these challenges this Thursday, September 11 at 2 p.m ET / 11 a.m. PT, when VarData LLC and Fujitsu Network Communications host a free webinar entitled Keys to Designing a Scalable, Cost-Effective Ethernet Network: An Overview of Benefits that Ethernet Offers vs. a Multi-layered Architecture. 

Speaker Jeff Babbitt, senior manager of Data Solutions at Fujitsu, will provide attendees with a better understanding of an ideal Ethernet network solution and why Ethernet is such a valuable technology choice for keeping up with network demands. He will present the characteristics that make an Ethernet network desirable for a carrier, making them more successful in the market as they:
  • Introduce new services faster, speeding time-to-market and revenue generation.
  • Achieve time-to-market objectives more cost effectively from an opex (management operations, software licensing, training, etc.) and capex (common Ethernet Layer 2 / Transport Layer 1 equipment, rather than separate equipment) perspective.
  • Have a packet optical transport network that can efficiently grow and scale both optical services and Ethernet services to meet current and future service requirements.
To register, visit the COMPTEL website.

COMPTEL Webinar Program
The VarData - Fujitsu webinar is part of the COMPTEL Webinar Program, which is powered by PGi. For more information about hosting your own Webinar, please e-mail Tracy MacDonald or call 202-296-6650.
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.

September 9    Regulatory/Legislative Committee Meeting
2 p.m.              Contact Karen Reidy

September 16  Regulatory/Legislative Committee Meeting 
2 p.m.              Contact Karen Reidy
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