Connection MasterHead 600x113
Vol. 11, No. 30
August 3, 2015
IN THIS ISSUE
TOP OF THE NEWS
AT THE FCC
WEBINAR PROGRAM
COMMITTEE MEETINGS
ON THE HILL
COMPTEL PLUS
MEMBER NEWS








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

August 5

August 17 

September 4

September 15

September 25

October16

SOCIALIZE WITH COMPTEL


 

@COMPTEL 

@COMPTELPLUS 

                          

 
TOP OF THE NEWS
FierceTelecom Names COMPTEL's Kronenberg 
Woman to Watch in Wireline Industry 
Kronenberg
Angie Kronenberg, COMPTEL's chief advocate and general counsel, was named a woman to watch in FierceTelecom's "Women in Wireline 2015" story, which honored the top female leaders shaping telecom services, innovation and policy in the United States. 

Kronenberg, a former FCC staffer who worked under Commissioner Mignon Clyburn, oversees the regulatory and advocacy issues for COMPTEL, including advocacy on special access, net neutrality and copper retirement. FierceTelecom noted that Kronenberg's "role will continue to come into the forefront as the FCC moves ahead with its review of special access, an issue that affects both COMPTEL's wireline CLEC and even wireless members, like T-Mobile, that use wireline facilities for wireless backhaul."
AT THE FCC
FCC to Address Tech Transitions on Thursday 
On Thursday, the FCC will hold an Open Meeting, during which it will address technology transition items: 
  • Emerging Wireline Networks and Services - In this competition item focusing on policies and rules governing retirement of copper loops by ILECS, the Commission will consider a Report and Order, Order on Reconsideration, and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that will advance longstanding competition and consumer protection policies on a technologically-neutral basis, and further the technology transitions underway in our nation's fixed communications networks that offer the prospect of innovative and improved services to consumers and businesses alike.

    This competition vote is one that COMPTEL has been focusing on, with its advocacy efforts on behalf of its members, through support from customers who enjoy the benefits of competition and the #StopBOB campaign. 
     
  • Ensuring Continuity of 911 Communications - The Commission will consider a Report and Order that would protect consumers through the transitions from legacy copper networks to modern networks by adopting rules to ensure that consumers have options, and sufficient information about those options, to maintain 911 communications at home during power outages.
Other items on the agenda include mobile spectrum holdings, incentive auction procedures, wireless microphones and deployment of advanced telecommunications capability.

The meeting is schedule for 10:30 a.m. EDT in Room TW-C305 at FCC headquarters in Washington, D.C. It also will be live webcast at https://www.fcc.gov/live.
WEBINAR PROGRAM
GSAssociates to Host Free Webinar on 
"Billing, Taxation and Compliance - Why Outsource?"
If your company is a complex subscription business, you likely have challenges and concerns around revenue management, taxation and compliance. But working these issues in-house may not result in the performance improvements you desire. Join Matt LaHood, CEO of COMPTEL member GSAssociates, LLC, and OneBill Software's Founder and CEO JK Chelladurai and CSO Anna Kennedy for a webinar, during which they will illustrate the benefits of outsourcing these activities and how it can reduce pressure on your billing and taxation department.

During the webinar - entitled "Billing, Taxation and Compliance - Why Outsource?" - you will learn:
  • How to reduce risk and cost in your back office;
  • What full-lifecycle revenue management can offer to close the gaps and improve your metrics;
  • How to understand your taxation footprint and work towards compliance - quickly; and
  • How outsourced solutions can streamline operations, reduce risk and maximize revenue and margins.
The FREE, live webinar will take place on August 26 at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT. To register, click here.
COMPETITION
Major Retailers Travel to DC to Support Competition
On July 28, the CTOs from Brooks Brothers, Pier 1 Imports and Simon Properties met with members of the FCC to express their support for protecting competition during tech transitions and beyond. Brooks Brothers is the nation's oldest clothing retailer with 250 retail locations in the US. Pier 1 has 1,000 locations in North America, including stores in all 50 states. Simon Properties is the largest real estate company in nation with 300 malls and outlets.
ON THE HILL
Senate Commerce Held Hearing on Spectrum Policy 
On July 29, the Senate Commerce Committee held a hearing on "Wireless Broadband and the Future of Spectrum Policy."  Witnesses included Meredith Attwell Baker, president and CEO, CTIA-The Wireless Association; Dr. Pierre de Vries, co-director of the Spectrum Policy Initiative, Silicon Flatirons Center at the University of Colorado School of Law; Dr. Thomas Lenard, president and senior fellow at the Technology Policy Institute; Blair Levin, former executive director of the National Broadband Plan and FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel. Written testimony and video of the hearing is available at the committee website

Wheeler and Pai Testified at FCC Oversight Hearing 
On July 28, the House Energy and Commerce Communications and Technology Subcommittee held a hearing on "Continued Oversight of the Federal Communications Commission." Opening statements; written testimony from witnesses, FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler and Commissioner Ajit Pai; and video of the hearing is available on the subcommittee website.
COMPTEL PLUS
Strike Gold at COMPTEL PLUS in San Francisco
From tech start-ups to major corporations, generations of communications entrepreneurs have found a special spark in San Francisco. Now you have the same opportunity to strike networking gold at the COMPTEL PLUS Fall 2015 Business Expo, October 18-21.

Getting to COMPTEL PLUS is Easy as 1-2-3
As one of the country's largest transportation hubs, the city is easily accessible from any starting point. San Francisco International Airport features non-stop flights from most major U.S. airports. Oakland International Airport, located just across the bay, is just minutes from downtown San Francisco. Once you arrive, you can take advantage of the area's extensive public transportation system for easy access into the city. 

San Francisco was named one of the best places to visit in the United States by U.S. News & World Report, and with good reason. The city's picturesque beauty, captivating attractions and rich culture provide plentiful exploration opportunities. Stroll the Golden Gate Bridge, ride the famed cable cars or take a day trip to nearby Napa Valley. With so much to see and do, you may want to consider arriving before or staying after the conference to take it all in.

Stay at the Official COMPTEL PLUS Hotel for Convenient Access
Book your hotel room at the San Francisco Marriott Marquis, the official host hotel for COMPTEL PLUS. Make your reservation before September 23 to receive the COMPTEL preferred rate!

Register today for this highly anticipated networking event. And follow us on Twitter @COMPTELPLUS, #COMPTELFall15 for the latest information.
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.

August 4           Regulatory/Legislative Committee Meeting
2 p.m.              Contact Karen Reidy

August 11         Regulatory/Legislative Committee Meeting 
2 p.m.               Contact Karen Reidy
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