Connection MasterHead 600x113
Vol. 11, No. 23
June 15, 2015
IN THIS ISSUE
OPEN INTERNET
COMPTEL PLUS
IP3 AWARD
AT THE FCC
ON THE HILL
COMPETITORS' RECEPTION
COMMITTEE MEETINGS
MEMBER NEWS













For more information about submitting member company news, please contact Gail Norris.
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TOP OF THE NEWS
Open Internet Rules Go Into Effect June 12
After Appeals Court Denies Request for Stay
On June 11, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit declined to stay certain aspects of the FCC's February Open Internet Order. Those organizations seeking a stay included trade associations USTelecom, National Cable & Telecommunications Association, the American Cable Association, CTIA and the Wireless Internet Service Providers Association, as well as broadband providers AT&T Inc. and CenturyLink Inc. 

COMPTEL CEO Chip Pickering said that the court's decision "sends a message of full steam ahead for consumers, start-ups and new network builders.The court's decision reaffirms the Federal Communications Commission and Chairman Tom Wheeler's light-touch approach to deliver the strongest possible protections. We are already seeing the results in the marketplace, as interconnection agreements move forward, helping to deliver more content at a faster rate."

He added that the "stay request was simply a delay tactic by Internet gatekeepers that seek to control, block and assign new fees for Internet access. While we remain vigilant in the fight against future threats to open Internet protections, we are encouraged by today's court decision, and stand ready to oppose those seeking to pull up the tracks on Internet access, innovation and exploration."

The Open Internet rules went into effect on Friday, June 12. On the same day, Pickering published a blog that examined this "New Era of Internet Freedom." 
COMPTEL PLUS
Session Proposals Due This Friday, June 19
This is the last week to submit session proposals for the COMPTEL PLUS Fall Business EXPO 2015, which will take place October 18-21 in San Francisco. We're looking for topics that encourage interactive discussions about current and future trends. Visit our website to see suggested topics.

Session proposals are due this Friday, June 19, 2015, and must be submitted online. For more information, visit the COMPTEL PLUS website. If you have questions, email Chris Ballman or Tara Smith.
AWARD
Pickering Wins Public Knowledge IP3 Award
Public Knowledge will honor COMPTEL CEO Chip Pickering with one of its IP3 Awards, which are given to those who have made significant contributions in three areas of IP: intellectual property, information policy and Internet protocol.

PIckering was the winner for Internet protocol, while Shari Steele of the Electronic Frontier Foundation was honored for information policy and Rebecca Tushnet from Georgetown Law for intellectual property.

The winners will be honored during the 12th Annual IP3 Awards
September 24 at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, D.C. FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler will deliver remarks at the event. 
AT THE FCC
FCC to Host Open Meeting on Thursday, June 18
This Thursday, the FCC will host its June Open Meeting.  On the agenda are four items:
  • An order authorizing interconnected VoIP providers to obtain telephone numbers directly rather than going through another carrier; 
  • An order adopting further revisions to the Lifeline Rules and a further notice of proposed rulemaking; 
  • A declaratory ruling on robocalls; and 
  • An order on reconsideration of the incentive auction rules.
The meeting, which begins at 10:30 a.m. at FCC headquarters,will be broadcast live at www.fcc.gov/live.
ON THE HILL
House Considers FCC Funding and Open Internet 
in Fiscal Year 2016 Financial Services Bill 
The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government, which has jurisdiction over the FCC, began consideration of its fiscal year 2016 financial services bill.

The bill contains $315 million for the FCC - a cut of $25 million below the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $73 million below the request. The legislation prohibits the FCC from implementing net neutrality until certain court cases are resolved, requires newly proposed regulations to be made publicly available for 21 days before the Commission votes on them, and prohibits the FCC from regulating rates for either wireline or wireless Internet service.

Specifically the bill includes two fund-limiting provisions related to the FCC's Open Internet Order. The first prohibits the use of funds to regulate rates or fees that providers of broadband Internet access services may charge or impose. The second provision prohibits the use of funds to implement or enforce the Open Internet Order until the first date on which there is final disposition of the pending civil actions filed in opposition to the order.

The Senate also is drafting a bill to reauthorize the FCC for fiscal years 2016 and 2017. 
COMPETITORS' RECEPTION
COMPTEL Seeks Sponsors for Competitors' Reception 
The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) will host its Summer Committee Meetings July 12-15 at the New York Marriott Marquis. COMPTEL is planning to host a Competitors' Reception at New York Marriott Marquis on Saturday, July 11. Please note that the Competitors' Reception is not sponsored by NARUC nor is it a part of the Annual Meeting agenda.

If your company would like to sponsor, or you have questions, 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.

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

June 23           Regulatory/Legislative Committee Meeting 
2 p.m.              Contact Karen Reidy
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