Connection MasterHead 600x113
Vol. 11, No. 5February 2, 2015
IN THIS ISSUE
TOP OF THE NEWS
COMPTEL PLUS
POLICY SUMMIT
COMPETITORS' RECEPTION
COMMITTEE MEETINGS
MEMBER NEWS










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

February 5


March 9


April 6

May 18
SOCIALIZE WITH COMPTEL

 

@COMPTEL 

@COMPTELPLUS 

                          

Diamond Rio publicity shot

 
TOP OF THE NEWS
"Don't Comcast the Internet" Campaign Urges Regulators to Deny Comcast-Time Warner Cable Merger 
COMPTEL, ITTA - the Voice of Mid-Size Communications Companies, and NTCA - The Rural Broadband Association - associations representing more than one thousand competitive video, Internet and voice services companies - joined forces today to launch "Don't Comcast the Internet," a business-driven campaign calling on federal regulators to deny the merger of Comcast and Time Warner Cable. The campaign is designed to mobilize businesses and other voices to urge the Department of Justice and Federal Communications Commission to protect competition, innovation and consumer choice by denying the transaction. 

The campaign features a new website; a vigorous media and advertising campaign, including digital and social media platforms; and efforts to engage member companies and other businesses to ensure that policymakers who are reviewing the proposed merger hear from business and understand their very serious concerns. 

During the campaign launch this afternoon, a panel of leading antitrust and technology experts briefed reporters on the many anticompetitive consequences this merger would have for businesses and consumers alike. Among the concerns they raised were expansion of Comcast's bottleneck control over the Internet; the company's gatekeeper behavior that favors its own content while harming rival online video providers; past anticompetitive acts; and limiting choice and curbing innovation in the set-top box and streaming device markets. 

For more information on why federal regulators should deny the Comcast-Time Warner Cable merger, follow us on Twitter @TogetherIsWorse or visit www.dontcomcasttheinternet.com.
COMPTEL PLUS
Robert Randolph & the Family Band to Headline COMPTEL PLUS Opening Night Party 
The COMPTEL PLUS Business Expo 2015 will be bringing in the funk during its Sunday, April 12, opening night party featuring Robert Randolph & the Family Band. Following the reception in the exhibit hall, join COMPTEL at 7:30 p.m. for a party headlined by the American funk, blues/rock and soul band. 

Robert Randolph & The Family Band first gained national attention with the release of the album "Live at the Wetlands" in 2002. The band followed with three studio recordings over the next eight years - "Unclassified," "Colorblind" and "We Walk This Road" - which, together with tireless touring and unforgettable performances at such festivals as Bonnaroo, Austin City Limits and the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, won them an expanding and passionate fan base. Randolph's unprecedented prowess on his instrument garnered him a spot on Rolling Stone's "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time" list, and also attracted the attention of such giants as Eric Clapton and Carlos Santana, who have collaborated with him on stage and in the studio. Randolph's latest album is "Lickety Split." 

The COMPTEL PLUS Sunday Night party is open to all registered attendees. Register for COMPTEL PLUS now to save. Early bird rates end Friday, February 13.
POLICY SUMMIT
Register Today for COMPTEL's February 24
Competition and Innovation Policy Summit 
Don't miss out on the chance to hear from leaders in Congress and at the FCC, as well as top industry executives, at the Competition and Innovation Policy Summit, February 24 at the Newseum in Washington, D.C. 

This signature event brings together the industry with lawmakers and policymakers for discussions about issues and policies of interest to telecom stakeholders today.

For more information or to register, visit the Summit webpage. For press registration, email Gail Norris.
COMPETITORS' RECEPTION

Join COMPTEL Feb. 14 for the Competitors' Reception

As you may know, NARUC's Winter Committee Meetings are being held in Washington, D.C., February 15-18.  On Saturday, February 14 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., COMPTEL will be hosting a Competitors' Reception at the Renaissance Washington Hotel. Please note that the Competitors' Reception is not sponsored by NARUC, nor is it a part of the Winter Meeting agenda.

 

COMPTEL would like to thank its reception sponsors: CompSouth, Davis Wright Tremaine, HyperCube LLC, Kelly Drye & Warren LLP, KSFiberNet, Level 3, Midwest Association for Competitive Communications (MACC) and Windstream.

 

For more information about the Competitors' Reception, please email Karen Reidy 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.

February 3       Regulatory/Legislative Committee Meeting
2 p.m.              Contact Karen Reidy

February 10     Regulatory/Legislative Committee Meeting 
2 p.m.              Contact Karen Reidy
© 2015. All Rights Reserved.