The Consumer Video Choice Coalition, of which COMPTEL is a member, last Friday responded to the FCC's request for comment on the status of competition in the video programming delivery market. The Coalition's submission is part of a wider effort to promote policies for navigation devices that foster competition and benefit consumers.

Lack of competition in the video device market costs Americans billions of dollars each year. According to a report recently released by Senators Ed Markey (D-MA) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), set-top box rentals net pay TV providers approximately $19.5 billion per year. More than $231 per year leaves the average American household's pockets to pay for video device rentals.

"Innovation is literally being boxed up," said Chip Pickering, CEO of COMPTEL and member of the Consumer Video Choice Coalition. "At a time when consumers have more new sources for content than ever before, they find themselves locked into leasing the same old set-top boxes for their TVs. In addition to costing more, these set-top boxes don't even provide full access to content on a competitive basis. If other consumer electronic device markets are any guide, adoption of the right policies by the FCC will enable device makers to innovate and unleash more consumer choice at lower prices. Finally, consumers will be able to see all of the content that they pay for using the devices of their choice. In an age where consumers are cutting the cord and breaking the bundle, the FCC should act expeditiously to give consumers choices in how they view their content."

Over the past two decades, the meaningful competition envisioned by Section 629 of the Communications Act has not been achieved. The Coalition's input in this proceeding, as well as through the Downloadable Security Technology Advisory Committee (DSTAC), will lead to updated standards to allow consumers to use navigation devices of their choice, rather than those that pay TV providers
choose to lease to them.

To read more about the Consumer Video Choice Coalition and its filing with the FCC, click here.

COMPTEL PLUS

Education Sessions You Want at COMPTEL PLUS

Keep an eye on the stimulating education line up we have in store for you at the COMPTEL PLUS Fall 2015 Business Expo, October 18-21 in San Francisco! Look for interactive discussions, thought leadership and debate on current policy and business issues in The Hub. Attend panel sessions discussing the future of content, fiber, video, technology - all topics that are relevant to your business today.

We are particularly excited to announce "Beyond the CRM - New Advanced Tools for Helping to Improve Your Sales Team" with Ben Hatten, founder and CEO of Insight Signals. There has been explosion of new tools that can help sales teams better target prospects and save time in their sales process. Ben will explore the new tools that have been defining Sales 2.0 and which ones will work for your business.

Register today for COMPTEL PLUS, October 18-21 in San Francisco. Follow us! #COMPTELFall15

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!

Get Noticed at COMPTEL PLUS

Key Sponsorships, Prime Exhibit Spots Going Fast

The COMPTEL PLUS Fall 2015 Business Expo will bring together networks, companies, representatives and industry partners from all corners of the telecommunications industry. Don't miss this opportunity to get your products and services in front of the industry's top decision makers.

There are still great sponsorship, exhibit space and meeting room opportunities available. Whether it's lanyards, the CEO Breakfast or the Twitter wall, we can create a customized package to meet your marketing needs. For more information, email Lorien Parry.

WEBINAR PROGRAM

This Week: GSAssociates and OneBill Host 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. 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, illustrating 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 Wednesday, August 26 at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT. To register, click here.

MEMBER PROFILE

VoIP Logic Helps Providers Deliver
Business Communications Services

VoIP Logic provides hosted PBX and unified communications Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) using best-of-breed technology from BroadSoft, Oracle, IBM, GenBand and Cisco to deliver a neutral core technology to service providers that are focused on the business community. The company enables operators to produce and integrate business communications services with the control and flexibility that they would have as facilities-based service providers and, at the same time, allow them to focus their efforts and resources more directly on customer acquisition and support rather than on technology management.

Visit the COMPTEL website to learn more about VoIP Logic.

For more information on submitting a member profile, or updating an existing one, email Nathan Pawley.

MEDIA PARTNER

Capacity to Host North American Event Sept. 30-Oct. 1

While consolidation dominates the United States (the third largest mobile market in the world) and Canada looks towards finding a potential fourth major operator, both markets still hold opportunity for growth and expansion. However, with the recent decline in voice, what are the technologies that will drive new revenue streams in the region?

Capacity North America 2015 - September 30-October 1 in Toronto - brings together both the regional and international market to debate the most important issues and deliver new perspectives on how the industry will evolve.

With representation from the entire wholesale ecosystem, Capacity North America expects attendance to include 300+ key decision makers from the region and more than 20 hours to learn and network. To see the full event agenda and speaker line-up, download the brochure.

Book your discounted place! Quote the code COMPNA15 to receive 15 percent discount when you book 1 or 2 tickets or save more when you book 3+ passes. Register now.

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 25 Regulatory/Legislative Committee Meeting

2 p.m. Contact Karen Reidy

August 31 Regulatory/Legislative Committee Meeting

2 p.m. Contact Karen Reidy