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PLACE YOUR AD HERE! CONTACT US HECTIC 1ST QUARTER FOR AB518 COMPLIANCE RULEMAKING 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. Because of the extent of this docket, the Commission decided to split up the issues into Phases. 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.pdf. To see all documents pertaining to this docket go to http://pucweb1.state.nv.us/PUCN/(X(1)S(zmaqzsngiwspzqzruj150d45))/Dktinfo.aspx?Util=Rulemaking
Cell Phone Directory Raises Alarms MS NBC published an article about an online directory that publishes cell phones which have customers up in arms. CLICK HERE to read the article. PUCN Accepts Electronic Filings/Payments Effective February 4, 2008 Companies can now file and pay for their filings electronically at the Public Utilities Commission starting officially on February 4, 2008. Regulations have been adopted outlining the requirements for electronic filing (LCB File No. R107-07, effective December 4, 2007)Some companies have already filed electronically as part of the testing and wholeheartedly agree that electronic filing is the "way to go." To get to the Electronic Filing information, go to the PUCN website Home Page, Mouse Over the Administration Button and then Mouse Down to Regulatory Obligations.... then click on Electronic Filing System. You must register your ID (your email address) and password before you can proceed with a filing. Please read the User Guide before beginning because the Commission will reject your filing if not done in the format they require. APA Cables & Networks Changes Name APA Cables & Networks, which provides fiber management products, fiber frames and OSP cabinets, has officially changed its name to CLEARFIELD, INC. <www.clearfieldconnection.com> Nevada's area representative, Matt Quillin will still be able to assist you with any product information. Please change your member directory to show this change. Thank you.
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DHS Releases Guidelines for Federal Agencies When Responding to Disasters (Source:
OPASTCO 411, 1/25/08) The Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
recently published the National Response Framework, a comprehensive set of
guidelines for federal agencies to follow when responding to disasters.
The guidelines cover the roles of federal, state and local governments
when working to restore telecom infrastructure and facilities. DHS and the
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will activate the guidelines
when a significant disaster occurs or is expected to occur, and will scale
them to meet the needs of each incident. The guidelines will take effect
on March 22. To view the summary of the guidelines, please visit
NTCA Survey Reveals Abundant Wireless
Options for Rural Consumers
January 24, 2008, Arlington, Va. - Rural independent
communications providers are actively delivering a broad range of wireless
services to remote areas-ensuring rural wireless consumers have access to
the same variety of wireless services as their non-rural counterparts,
according to a new survey by the National Telecommunications Cooperative
Association (NTCA). NTCA's 2007 Wireless Survey revealed
that 67% of respondents are currently providing wireless service to their
customers, while nearly half (48%) of respondents not currently offering
wireless indicated that they are considering entering the wireless
marketplace. Sixty-five percent of survey
respondents experience annual customer churn of less than 10%, with just
29% reporting annual churn of between 10% and 25%-well below the FCC's
reported industry annual average of between 18% and 36%. Despite enjoying impressive customer
loyalty, a full two-thirds of respondents indicated that competition from
nationwide carriers is a top concern. This concern was closely followed
by the ability to make necessary investments (53%). Respondents reported
increased difficulty in obtaining financing for wireless projects: 73%
indicated the process was "somewhat difficult" to "very difficult"-a
marked change from the 2006 survey in which more than half of respondents
(52%) classified the process as "relatively easy" or "very easy." The survey was conducted online
during the fall of 2007. Survey responses were received from 99 companies
(20% response rate) in 28 states. Those respondents providing wireless
services range in size from approximately 35 wireless customers to more
than 150,000, and the average respondent served approximately 13,000
wireless customers. This heterogeneity in size and geographic location
mirrors that of NTCA's membership as a whole. REMINDER - Annual Certification of CPNI Compliance is due March 31, 2008 (Source:
OPASTCO 411, 1/31/08)The FCC recently published non-binding guidance for
carriers to file customer proprietary network information (CPNI) compliance
certifications, which are due on March 1, 2008. The guidelines include a
template that carriers can use. The template contains sample text, with fields
that carriers can fill in to complete the document. To view the guidelines, visit http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-08-171A1.pdf. FCC Issues Order on Defining Toll Services For Wireless and VoIP Traffic Studies (Source: OPASTCO 411, 1/25/08) The FCC issued an Order clarifying the definition of the term “toll services” to be applied to wireless and interconnected voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) traffic studies used to determine Universal Service Fund (USF) safe harbor contributions. The Commission determined that the definition of toll services to be applied to wireless and VoIP traffic studies is the same as the definition used on FCC Form 499 for reporting revenues derived from toll service charges. The FCC explains that wireless and VoIP service providers who perform traffic studies must account for toll service traffic that is assessed an additional charge in a manner that accurately reflects that traffic’s jurisdiction and associated revenue.The Order finds that some wireless plans may contain an additional airtime charge that is the same for both local and long distance calls, which is not a toll service charge. Other plans include an additional charge that applies only to calls made to points located outside of the customer’s plan-defined home calling area, which is a toll charge. Wireless and VoIP service revenues obtained by offering nationwide, fixed price calling plans that offer a fixed number of minutes, and do not distinguish between local, intrastate or interstate services must be identified as toll service revenues only to the extent that additional fees are assessed for calls made to points outside of the plan-defined home calling area. Revenues associated with regional or local plan-defined home calling areas must be reported as toll service revenues to the extent that there are additional fees assessed for calls made to points located outside of the plan-defined home calling area. Some wireless service providers charge on a per-minute basis for each call made. For long distance calls, the charges associated with these offers often consist of an air-time charge that is the same for local and long distance calls, and an additional toll charge that applies only to long distance calls made to points outside of the plan-defined home calling area. The Order explains that such providers are required to report toll service revenue to the extent that they charge additional fees beyond the air-time charges for calls to points located outside the plan-defined home calling area. To view the Order, visit http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-07-231A1.pdf.
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FCC Issues Revised Slamming Rules (Source: OPASTCO 411, 1/10/08) The Order requires third party verifiers to obtain the date of the verification at the time of the verification and make it readily available for review at a later date. If customers have questions that a verifier cannot answer, and the verifier indicates that the question can be deferred to the carrier’s sales representative after the verification, the verifier must explain that the carrier change can be effectuated once the verification has been completed. Carriers who allow customers to revoke their carrier change authorization within a certain amount of time after the verification should simply inform customers about their policies. Verifiers are required to inform consumers that a carrier change transaction will change their carrier, and not refer to the change as a service upgrade or other misleading description. Finally, verifiers are required to tell consumers that long distance services include both domestic and international services. Carriers who do not wish to use third-party verifiers are permitted to use another approved form of verification. To view the Order, visit http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-07-223A1.pdf. House to Investigate FCC Rulemaking Process (Source: OPASTCO 411, 1/08/08) House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman John Dingell (D-Mich.) and Ranking Member Joe Barton (R-Texas) today sent a letter to FCC Chairman Kevin Martin initiating a formal investigation into the Commission’s rulemaking procedures to determine if they are being conducted in a fair, open, and efficient manner. The investigation is being jointly conducted by the full committee and the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, which is chaired by Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.). To view the letter, visit http://energycommerce.house.gov/Press_110/110-ltr.010808.FCC.Martin.pdf.Martin had responded to a Dec. 3, 2007, inquiry from the committee asking questions about the Commission’s rulemaking procedures. To view Martin’s letter, visit http://energycommerce.house.gov/Press_110/110-ltr.FCC.respto120307.pdf.
February 10-13, 2008 - NTCA Annual Meeting & Expo, Sheraton New Orleans & New Orleans Marriott, New Orleans, LA. For more information go to www.ntca.org. February 24-28, 2008 - The Light Brigade, Optical Communications Conference, San Diego, CA. For more information CLICK HERE March 10-12, 2008 - CalCom Spring Conference, Monterey, CA for more information go to www.calcomwebsite.com March 16-19, 2008 - Utah Rural Telecom Association's Annual Conference, The Hilton Garden Inn, St. George, UT. For more information go to www.urta.org. March 31-April 3, 2007 - IEEE Wireless Communications & Networking Conference (IEEE WCNC 2008). Co-located with CTIA Wireless 2008, Las Vegas Convention Center. For more information go to www.ieee-wcnc.org/2008 March 31-April 3, 2008 - WTA Spring Annual Meeting, Heritage Resort & Spa, Napa, CA. CLICK HERE for more information. 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 29-May 1, 2008 - CalCom Suppliers Tech Expo, Radisson Hotel, Sacramento, CA. CLICK HERE for more information.
Seminar Series for 2008 Moss Adams Telecom Seminars CLICK HERE JSI Seminar Series for 2008 CLICK HERE January 2008 December 2007 November 2007
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