VOL. 12, NO. 6
February 8, 2016
TELECOM ACT ANNIVERSARY


20 years of competition, innovation and investment thanks to the 1996 Telecom Act

#96x20



WELCOME 
NEW MEMBER



MEMBER NEWS






FCC DEADLINES

February 16

February 19
Reply Comments Due in Special Access Reform Rulemaking

February 22

February 26

March 1

March 7
Reply Comments Due on Refresh of Record on US Telecom Petition for Declaratory Ruling on ILEC Non-Dominance for Switched Access Services
Last Chance to Register!
 
INCOMPAS Policy Summit Brings Together Innovators, Government Leaders in D.C. This Wednesday
Rep. Mike Doyle Added to Line-Up of Exciting Keynotes, Dynamic Panelists

Time is running out to register for the INCOMPAS 2016 Policy Summit, which takes place this Wednesday, February 10, at the Newseum in Washington, D.C.

With a robust agenda, the day-long summit features high-level government and industry keynotes: 
In addition, we are bringing together individuals who are at the forefront of innovation, technology and policy for dynamic panel discussions on topics such as: 
  • The Disruptors, Innovators and Investors Panel - Featuring speakers from Microsoft, Shapeways, TeleQuality, TiVo and Twitter 
  • Streaming Content: The Competition Catalyst - Panelists from Amazon, Netflix, Verizon, and a WGAM Member who is also a supervising producer and writer on Netflix series "Narcos" 
  • The New Network Builders/Companies Creating Competition - Speakers from Bank Street Group, EarthLink, Level 3, Pacific Communications Group LLC, TelNet Worldwide and T-Mobile
  • The Stories Behind the Drafting of the 1996 Telecommunications Act - Panelists will focus on the process that led to the adoption of the 1996 Telecommunications Act, its subsequent impact and discuss how Republicans and Democrats compromised during the process.
And there's more. Celebrate the 20th anniversary of the 1996 Telecommunications Act alongside the original authors of this landmark legislation at the "Telecom Turns 20!" party on Wednesday night at the Newseum. Cap off this amazing summit and celebration with food, drinks and live music.  

Time is running out - Register today!  For a full agenda and more information, visit the Policy Summit website.
Discounted Registration for The INCOMPAS Show Ends Friday
Register Now and Save!

Want to tackle all of your business and networking needs in a single location?  Then you can't afford to miss The INCOMPAS Show, April 10-13, 2016, in Washington, D.C.

Register Today!
Discounted registration rates for The INCOMPAS Show are available until Friday, February 12.  

If you want to be where the action is, be sure to book your room at our host hotel, the Gaylord National Hotel & Convention Center. In order to qualify for our exclusive room rates, you must first be registered for The INCOMPAS Show.
INCOMPAS Files Comments
with FCC on Abuse in the Broadband Access Marketplace
INCOMPAS filed comments with the FCC encouraging it to end "lock up" provisions that are holding back business market competition. In the filing, INCOMPAS urged the FCC to end "terms and conditions" that are holding back more options and lower prices for consumers while simultaneously delaying the deployment of new advanced broadband networks.

"These lock-up provisions are tethering customers to old technology and keeping broadband prices high. Business customers want more choices in the market, but lock up provisions make it difficult to attract new network builders," said INCOMPAS CEO Chip Pickering. "Central to all healthy open markets is the freedom customers have to take their business someplace else. But consumers, including small and medium-sized business customers, schools, libraries, and health and government offices are being denied that option as a result of a broken market that enables anticompetitive terms and conditions.

"We are glad the FCC has launched this investigation into large Bell company lock up provisions, and eager to work with it on ending these types of terms and conditions as part of an overall reform, and advancing the goals of the tech transitions," he added.
Effective Date Established for Revised Pole Attachment Rates
Last November the Commission adopted an Order on Reconsideration and implemented rules that builds on its prior efforts to harmonize pole attachment rates that cable and telecom service providers pay utility pole owners.  The order grants requests made in a petition filed by COMPTEL (now INCOMPAS), NCTA, and tw telecom (now Level 3).  

The Order has been published in the Federal Register, and the effective date of is March 4, 2016.
FCC Chairman Addresses Lifeline Reform in February 3 Speech
FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler discussed lifeline reform during a February 3 speech on "Digital Equity: Technology and Learning in the Lives of Lower Income Families."

In the speech, he explained how using a retooled Lifeline program would bridge the digital divide as championed by Commissioner Mignon Clyburn and close the "homework gap" identified by FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel.

The speech presented a general outline of the Commission's plans for Lifeline reform, including:
  • Allowing Lifeline to support both fixed and mobile broadband service;
  • Establishing minimum standards of service that Lifeline providers must deliver to receive program funding;
  • Improving Lifeline's management and design;
  • Making it easier for carriers to participate in the Lifeline program by streamlining the requirements to become a Lifeline provider; and
  • Encouraging robust participation in the program by eligible consumers. 
INCOMPAS to Host Competitors' Reception February 13
INCOMPAS invites you to the Competitors' Reception, Saturday, February 13, 5 p.m. - to 7 p.m. in the Penn Quarter Room at the Renaissance Washington, D.C. The event takes place prior to the NARUC Winter Meetings.

We would like to thank our sponsors: CompSouth, Midwest Association of Competitive Communications, Level 3, Davis Wright Tremaine LLP, Eckert Seamans, Kelley Drye and Windstream.

If you have questions, please email Karen Reidy or call 202-296-6650.

2016 INCOMPAS
All rights reserved. 1200 G St. NW, Suite 350, Washington, DC 20005
T: (202) 296-6650 | F: (202) 296-7585