Nevada Telecommunications Association

Celebrating 50 Years Serving the Industry

 
Volume 73, April 2008

Editor:  Karen Pearl

This is how Power & Telephone Supply Company looked way back when.  As part of our 50th anniversary, we need pictures of you and your business from the 1950s and later.  We've only received a few!!!  We will present commemorative albums to our convention guests.  Send your pictures TODAY!  [The Editor]

Headlines

Click on the Headline of Interest to go to the Article

ASSOCIATION NEWS

NTA Announces 2008-2009 Scholarship Winners

 - An Update - AB518 COMPLIANCE RULEMAKING

INDUSTRY NEWS

USAC Files USF Second Quarter Revenue Base with FCC

GAO Reports on FCC’s Responsiveness to Consumer Complaints

OPASTCO, WTA Oppose Altering LNP Interval for Rural ILECs

Federal Appeals Court Stays New E-911 Location Accuracy Rules

Wireless Spam Looms As Big Problem For Cell Phones

FCC NEWS

FCC Releases Working Papers on Making Spectrum More Efficient

Small Carriers Exempt From FCC’s New Backup Power Rule

Revised Slamming Rules to Take Effect on April 11

FCC Mandates Carriers to Include DTV Transition Education Materials in Bills for Lifeline/Link-Up, MVPD Customers

FCC DTV Transition Education Bill Insert Mandates Go Into Effect on April 30

FCC Approves New Broadband Data Collection Requirements

FCC Reports on Broadband Deployment Statistics

FCC Assesses USF Lifeline Program Effectiveness

FCC Reports on Telephone Penetration Rates

FCC Reports on CLEC Marketplace

FCC Proposes 11.3% USF Contribution Factor for Second Quarter 2008

FCC Bans Exclusive Contracts for Telecom Services in Apartment Buildings

FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE NEWS

Senate Passes VoIP E911 Mandate Legislation

Kerry, Ensign Introduce Wireless Telephone Tax Modernization Bill

Senate Phantom Traffic Hearing Set for April 10

Dingell, Markey Address Private Equity in Telecom Market

Senate Phantom Traffic Hearing Rescheduled for April 23

New Members

dates to note

archives

 

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 ASSOCIATION NEWS

NTA ANNOUNCES 2008-2009 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

The NTA is proud to announce this year's winners of the John and Mary Louise Christian Memorial Scholarship.  Established in 1987, the Scholarship honors John and Mary Louise Christian who owned the Lincoln County Telephone System until their tragic death in an automobile accident near Panaca, NV in November 1986. John and Mary Louise were active in operating their company as well as being involved in continuing efforts for the economic development of Lincoln County and their hometown of Pioche. The scholarship recognizes academic achievement and service to school and community, which embody the ideals of John and Mary Louise Christian.

JENNIFER NEIL

Daughter of Larry & Angela Neil of Overton, NV.  Ms. Neil has decided to major in Early Childhood Education obtaining her AAS degree at CSN and BS at UNLV.

 

CYNTHIA JEAN GUBLER

Daughter of Warren & Pamela Gubler of Las Vegas, NV.  Ms. Gubler plans to attend Brigham Young University in Utah.

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AB518 COMPLIANCE RULEMAKING - Docket No. 07-06016

An update

Docket No. 07-06016.  Since July of 2007, AT&T, Embarq, Verizon, NTA along with CLECs and cable companies have been working diligently on amendments to the Nevada Administrative Code to adhere with the edicts of AB 518 that was passed in the 2007 Legislature.  Cooper, White & Cooper LLC, representing Lincoln County Telephone and Moapa Valley Telephone has now jumped on board to participate in Phase IV and V of this docket. The following is a status report on each phase and dates for upcoming workshops and hearings.  If anyone is interested in becoming involved with Phase IV and V of this docket, the NTA recommends that you submit a form to be placed on the PUCN Service List for this specific docket.  http://pucweb1.state.nv.us/PDF/Admin/AddressChangeRequest.pdfTo see all documents pertaining to this docket go to

http://pucweb1.state.nv.us/PUCN/(X(1)S(zmaqzsngiwspzqzruj150d45))/Dktinfo.aspx?Util=Rulemaking

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PHASE I - Repeal Regulations/Minor Amendments - Latest Status:  An Order adopting the proposed regulations was issued December 23, 2007 by the Public Utilities Commission.  The Legislative Commission adopted the LCB version on January 30, 2008,

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PHASE II - Provider of Last Resort Obligations - Latest Status:  A draft order was submitted to the Commission and approved at its Agenda meeting scheduled February 27, 2008.  Seeing the final order has yet to be published, a copy of the approved draft order is available here.

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PHASE III - Amendments Not Covered in Other Phases - Latest Status:  The Commission has sent its draft regulations to the LCB for final draft before Commission approval.  On March 28, 2008 an order was issued that this phase in the docket will not have adverse impact on small businesses.  In the proposed regulations of this phase, the Commission is to adopt regulations for:

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Discontinuance of basic network service by a competitive supplier

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Change in service area boundaries by a competitive supplier

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Changes to the consumer bill of rights regarding small-scale providers of last resort and fees charged for use of a credit card to pay a consumer's bill.

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PHASE IV - Small Provider of Last Resort - Latest Status:  Parties have submitted recommended changes to the proposed language prepared by the Commission Staff.  A consensus document was presented to the hearing officer at the workshop February 28, 2008.  This phase addresses the information that should be submitted by a small-scale provider of last resort in its application to become a competitive supplier.  Procedural Order No. 6 was issued February 29, 2008 to order the PUCN Staff to do an impact study on whether there is a direct and significant economic burden on small businesses.  Their findings must be presented  within 45 days of this order.  A copy of the proposed language sent to the LCB for final draft is attached here.

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PHASE V - Universal Service Fund - Latest Status:  Proposed language is due to the Commission April 3, 2008.  Comments on the proposed language is due April 17, 2008, with reply comments due April 24, 2008.  A workshop is scheduled for May 1, 2008.

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NEW Members

***

dates to note

April 7-11, 2008, - IP Possibilities, Sponsored by OPASTCO and NTCA, Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers, Chicago, IL.  For more information, go to www.BuildIPNow.com.

April 28, 2008 - NTA Board of Directors Meeting, North Tahoe Conference Center, 2:00 p.m. with dinner at 6:00 p.m.  Open to NTA Board Members only.  For more information, click on the mail link below.

April 29-May 1, 2008 - CalCom Suppliers Tech Expo, Radisson Hotel, Sacramento, CA.  CLICK HERE for more information.

May 19-21, 2008, 2008 Legislative & Regulatory Conference - OPASTCO & WTA, Renaissance M Street Hotel, Washington, DC.  CLICK HERE for more information.

June 5-6, 2008 - Network Evolution - A Manager's perspective on Evolving the Telephony Network from TDM to IP - at the Embassy Suites, South Lake Tahoe - A CalCom Training Course taught by industry professionals from MetaSwitch, Nortel, Occam, Calix, Mid State, Martin Group, and CISCO. Make reservations before May 22, 2008 to get special rate 800-988-9894. Agenda / Registration Reception Sponsored by MARTIN GROUP

June 16-19, 2008 - NXTcomm08, The DNA of all Things Broadband, Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV.  For more information, go to www.NXTcommShow.com.

Seminar Series for 2008

Moss Adams Telecom Seminars CLICK HERE 

JSI Seminar Series for 2008 CLICK HERE 

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ARCHIVES

March 2008          February 2008           January 2008

 

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