Connection MasterHead 600x113
Vol. 11, No. 9March 2, 2015
IN THIS ISSUE
TOP OF THE NEWS
POLICY SUMMIT
GOLF TOURNAMENT
BOARD ELECTIONS
ON THE HILL
WEBINAR PROGRAM
COMMITTEE MEETINGS
COMPTEL PLUS 
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS


Milo Medin
Vice President, 
Access Services
Google, Inc.
Monday, April 13
10:30 a.m.


Marcelo Claure
President & CEO
Sprint
Tuesday, April 14
2:30 p.m.

For more information, visit the 
MEMBER NEWS
















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

March 6

March 9


April 6


May 18
SOCIALIZE WITH COMPTEL

 

@COMPTEL 

@COMPTELPLUS 

                          

Diamond Rio publicity shot

 
TOP OF THE NEWS
FCC Approves Open Internet Order 

On February 26, the FCC voted along party lines (3-2) to approve an Open Internet Order, which it said enacts "strong, sustainable rules, grounded in multiple sources of legal authority, to ensure that Americans reap the economic, social, and civic benefits of an Open Internet today and into the future. These new rules are guided by three principles: America's broadband networks must be fast, fair and open-principles shared by the overwhelming majority of the nearly 4 million commenters who participated in the FCC's Open Internet proceeding." 


The order addresses uncertainties created when the Commission's 2010 Open Internet rules were struck down last year by the court in Verizon v. FCC. This new Open Internet order relies on multiple sources of authority, including Title II of the Communications Act and Section 706 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. Pursuant to its Title II authority, the Commission reclassified "broadband Internet access service" as a "telecommunications service" and its Title III authority to classify mobile broadband access service as a "commercial mobile service." As such, the new rules - in their entirety - will apply to both fixed and mobile broadband Internet access services. The Commission will forbear from enforcing many provisions of Title II and will not regulate retail rates.

COMPTEL supported the FCC's use of Title II together with forbearance to achieve a light touch regulatory framework that will continue to promote investment in the entire Internet ecosystem. To read COMPTEL's full statement, click here


The rules ban practices that are known to harm the Open Internet, including blocking, throttling and paid prioritization. They also establish a standard for future conduct, noting that ISPs cannot "unreasonably interfere with or unreasonably disadvantage" the ability of consumers to select, access, and use the lawful content, applications, services, or devices of their choosing; or of edge providers to make lawful content, applications, services, or devices available to consumers. The order gives the Commission authority to address questionable practices on a case-by-case basis, and provides guidance in the form of factors on how the Commission will apply the standard in practice. The order also gives the Commission authority to address interconnection complaints and take appropriate enforcement action if it determines the interconnection activities of ISPs are not just and reasonable. For a full overview of the order, see the FCC's press release


COMPTEL believes the new rules are important to the future of small businesses and entrepreneurs, because they offer protections that their customers will be able to reach them and that they will be able to reach their customers and that all Internet users will be able to go where they want and obtain the content and services of their choice on the Internet.

POLICY SUMMIT
COMPTEL Hosts Successful Policy Summit 
Last week COMPTEL's Competition and Innovation Policy Summit attracted nearly 200 attendees and an elite group of government officials and industry leaders to the Newseum in Washington, D.C.

Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS), at left, chairman of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation and the Internet began the summit with a one-on-one conversation with COMPTEL CEO Chip Pickering. 

FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn, at right, provided the morning keynote, during which she discussed the special access data collection, and efforts being undertaken to address issues related to special access tariffs, as well as updating rules regarding incumbents' discontinuance of legacy technologies and copper retirement.

Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA), at left, ranking Democrat for the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology provided the afternoon discussion on the Open Internet and other issues before the 114 Congress. 

COMPTEL's panels also showcased industry leaders and senior executives from trade groups discussing critical topics, including Open Internet, Communications Act update, mergers, technology transitions and network deployments. The theme that drove the day and discussion on social media was promoting and protecting competition, and benefits that consumers and businesses can receive in a competitive market.

To view videos from the Policy Summit, visit the COMPTEL website.

COMPTEL would like to thank all those that traveled to attend and present at the summit. We are also grateful to our sponsors for their support:
  • Platinum - The Broadband Coalition
  • Gold - Amazon, Netflix, Hogan Lovells, Level 3 Communications, Granite Communications, Steptoe
  • Silver - Kelley Drye
  • General - British Telecom, Davis Wright Tremaine
COMPTEL PLUS
Golf Tourney Scheduled April 12 at Celebration Club
The COMPTEL PLUS Spring 2015 Golf Tournament will tee off Sunday, April 12, 2015, at the Celebration Golf Club, a highly rated Orlando course that offers players challenges, such as strategic hazards and difficult greens, throughout a picturesque setting.

You must be registered for the COMPTEL PLUS Business Expo 2015 to participate in this tournament. Golf registration is available on a first-come, first-served basis. The entry fee is $165 per person and includes greens fees and cart, coffee and breakfast, lunch and prizes. Rental clubs are available for $40.

For more information on golf tournament sponsorships, email Amy Smith or call 202-296-6650. For questions regarding golf registration and pairings, please email Tracy MacDonald.
BOARD ELECTIONS
COMPTEL Board Nominations Due Wednesday
COMPTEL's annual board elections will take place on Monday, April 13, during the COMPTEL PLUS Business Expo 2015. We are currently accepting nominations for candidates for the Board of Directors. Companies may nominate themselves or other member companies within their membership voting category. 

All nominations should include the company name and the name of the company representative who will hold the seat on the Board. All nominations should be emailed to COMPTEL CFO Steve Trotman no later than Noon ET, this Wednesday, March 4, 2015. 

Elections will be held for five seats in the Small Member category, five seats in the Medium Member category, and three  seats in the Large Member category. Elections will take place immediately following the Annual Meeting of the COMPTEL Membership, which is scheduled for Monday, April 13 at 4:15 p.m. in Osceola 1 of the Gaylord Palms. 
ON THE HILL
House Energy and Commerce Subcommittees to Host Hearings on Cyber Threats and FCC Budget
This week, two subcommittees of the House Energy and Commerce Committee will host hearings:
WEBINAR PROGRAM
UNITEL Webinar Explains How to Get 
Expert HR Advice When You Need it Most 
Who can you turn to when you need answers to tough human resources questions or need to train your employees? COMPTEL partner UNITEL Insurance offers an outsourced HR advisory service that can help you 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. 
 
Learn more about UNITEL HR Solutions during a FREE, live webinar on March 17 at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT. 
 
During the webinar, UNITEL account executive Carl Zeutzius will explain how this unique HR service can help you save money and reduce the overall risk related to managing people and safety within your company. 
 
To register, click 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.

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

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