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Click on the Categories of Interest to go to the Articles
State Legislators Firing Up for 2011 See State Legislation below to see the list of BDRs and Bills the NTA is tracking. convention 2011 The 2011 annual convention will be held at Harvey's Lake Tahoe, August 16-18, 2011. Hot August Nights classic car show will be held in Reno through August 14th. Mark your calendar and extend your vacation!
Industry
News
OPASTCO Encourages Obama Administration to Look at All Forms of
Broadband Investment
Following President Obama's State of the Union address this week,
OPASTCO released a statement addressing the President's mention of high-speed
Internet access for rural America.
OPASTCO stated it was encouraged by the President's remarks and the
Administration's understanding of the importance of rural America to our
nation's global competitiveness. In order to realize this fully, OPASTCO urged
the Administration to look at all forms of broadband network investment, but
especially wired networks, on which even the most innovative, wireless
technologies depend to operate successfully. "Investing in a fiber
broadband infrastructure throughout rural America is essential to the
Administration's goals for rural access to high-speed Internet," said 2011
OPASTCO Chairman Ron Laudner. "Rural America is a place of continuous innovation
and has much to offer our nation's ability to compete globally. With universal
support for a ubiquitous, robust broadband network, rural America is an asset
that is crucial to helping our nation reach its goals." (Source: OPASTCO
411, 1/27/11) Innovative Systems Releases IPTV Progress Report Joint Board Releases 2010 Universal Service Monitoring Report 5th Circuit Rules AT&T Is Not Entitled To Refunds From Certain USF Payments
FCC News
FCC To Decide Connect
America Fund, Intercarrier Comp Issues at February 8 Open Meeting CPNI Annual Certification Due March 1 Carriers (including, e.g., facility-based wireline and
carriers, resellers, paging providers and certain for profit Part 90 licensees)
should complete their "Annual Certification of CPNI Compliance" for 2010. The
certification must be filed with the FCC by March 1. In the past, the FCC
Enforcement Bureau has conducted a computerized audit to identify any
non-filers, who have faced monetary fines of up to $20,000. Therefore it is
important to ensure the timely filing of this certification. Each affiliate of
your company that files a Form 499-A Telecom Reporting Worksheet should file a
CPNI certification. Note: If you file the CPNI certification, you must also file
the FCC Form 499-A Worksheet by April 1, as the FCC is likely to cross-check to
identify any carrier filing one but not the other. The annual certification must include: (a) a detailed
Statement Explaining How The Company’s Operating Procedures Ensure Compliance
With The FCC’S CPNI Rules; (b) a Statement of Actions Taken Against Data
Brokers; and (c) a Summary of Customer Complaints Regarding Unauthorized Release
of CPNI. A company officer with personal knowledge that the company has
established compliant CPNI operating procedures must execute the Certification,
place a copy of the Certification and accompanying Exhibits in the Company’s
CPNI Compliance Records, and file the certification with the FCC in the correct
fashion. (Source: BloostonLaw 1/12/11) FCC Offers Guidance Concerning Duplicate Lifeline Service The FCC sent a letter to the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) outlining its directions for addressing duplicate Lifeline service, including a recipient receiving Lifeline service from more than one provider and multiple individuals receiving Lifeline services while living in the same household. For more information, please visit the FCC and USAC websites. (Source: OPASTCO 411, 1/25/11) FCC Approves Comcast-NBCU Merger
The FCC
announced that it had approved the merger of Comcast with NBC Universal (NBCU),
pursuant to certain conditions placed by the FCC that address, among other
concerns, access to Comcast-NBCU programming by other multichannel video
programming distributors (MVPDs), including access to online content and
arbitration procedures for resolving disputes regarding pricing, terms, and
conditions for licensing Comcast-NBCU programming.
A summary of these conditions
can be found in the related FCC news release. Latest FCC Local Telephone Competition Data Released The FCC published Jan. 11 its most recent Local Telephone Competition report, which summarizes data collected by FCC Form 477 as of Dec. 31, 2009. Highlights of the report can be found in the related news release. Chairman Genachowski Names Six Members to the Board of Directory of USACLatest FCC E-Rate, Broadband Usage Survey Now Available The FCC today released its most recent report on the state of broadband connectivity at schools and libraries participating in the Universal Service Fund (USF) E-rate program. The report is based on survey data collected by the Commission in 2010 that examined successes and challenges related to broadband use among E-rate funding recipients. Highlights of the report can be found in the related news release. (Source: OPASTCO 411, 1/6/11) FCC Amends Interim High-Cost USF Support Rules for CETCs The FCC adopted Dec. 30, 2010, an Order in which it amended its rules to reclaim high-cost Universal Service Fund (USF) support surrendered by a competitive eligible telecommunications carrier (CETC) when it relinquishes ETC status in a particular state. Under the amended rules, a state's interim cap amount will be reduced if a CETC serving that state relinquishes its ETC designation, rather than redestributing the excess funding to other CETCs operating in the state. (Source: OPASTCO 411, 1/4/11) Latest Telephone Numbering Utilization Report Now Available The FCC published Jan. 3 its most recent report on telephone number utilization in the U.S. The report's statistics reflect industry data as of Dec. 31, 2009. Highlights of the report can be found in the related news release. (Source: OPASTCO 411, 1/4/11) Back to top
Eshoo Elected House Telecommunications Subcommittee Ranking Member
Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.) today was
elected the ranking member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee's
Subcommittee on Communications and Technology for the 112th Congress.
Her work on technology and telecommunications issues while serving in the
U.S. House of Representatives include expanding broadband deployment and
E-911 services. (Source: OPASTCO 411, 1/19/11)
Back to top
Rockefeller Says Senate Commerce Will Focus on USF, Broadband Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Jay Rockefeller (D-W.V.)
has announced his panel’s priorities for the 112th Congress—a focus on jobs,
economic security, and growth. He emphasized bolstering U.S. infrastructure
through (Source: BloostonLaw 1/26/11): • Improving transportation in the highway, rail,
pipeline, and maritime sectors; • Making necessary investments in our nation’s aviation
infrastructure and air service development; and • Broadband deployment and Universal Service Fund
reform. While the list of priorities encompasses a broad range of
topics, the following areas may be of interest: • Enacting comprehensive cybersecurity legislation and
ensuring the necessary public safety communications resources for our nation’s
first responders. • Continuing oversight of important federal agencies,
such as the Federal Trade Commission, the Consumer Product Safety Commission,
the Surface Transportation Board, and the Federal Communications Commission.
• Protecting consumer information and privacy on the
Internet. • Cracking down on consumer fraud, including online
billing scams • Boosting the accuracy and effectiveness of forensic
science by employing the National Institute of Standards and Technology and
National Science Foundation scientific and standards expertise.
NTA Bill Tracking
What's New at BroadbandUSA.gov
Back to top
RUS Publishes Broadband Stimulus Awards Report
The USDA Rural Utilities
Service (RUS)
released a report,
"Advancing Broadband: A Foundation for Strong Rural Communities," which focuses
on the 320 awards made through the two funding rounds of the Broadband
Initiatives Program (BIP). In summary, under BIP, RUS awarded:
$3.4 billion in grants and
loans to 297 rural broadband infrastructure projects;
$100 million in grants to
four satellite projects; and
$3.4 million in grants to
19 technical assistance projects.
RUS also
estimates that BIP will have helped provide broadband access to approximately 7
million people; more than 360,000 businesses; and 30,000 hospitals, schools and
public safety agencies. (Source: OPASTCO 411, 1/21/11)
Back to top
February 8-10, 2011 - GVNW 2011 Strategic Planning Seminar,
Waikoloa on the Big Island of Hawaii. For more information
click here.
February 13-15, 2011 -
NTCA Annual Meeting and Expo, Dallas TX
February 13-17, 2011 -
NARUC Winter Committee
Meetings, Washington DC
March 6-8, 2011 - NTCA Telecom
Executive Forum, Phoenix, AZ. For more information
click here.
April 3-6, 2011 - WTA Spring Meeting,
Napa, CA For more information
click here.
April 12-14, 2011 -
NTCA IP Possibilities Conference and Expo, Kansas City, MO Seminar Series for 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010
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