VOL. 13, NO. 9
February 27, 2017
UPCOMING EVENTS

April 3-5
The INCOMPAS Show
Morial Convention Center
New Orleans

October 15-18
The INCOMPAS Show

INCOMPAS
IN THE NEWS

Broadband Companies Can't Build Out Their Networks, and It's Hurting Consumers
HILL HEARINGS THIS WEEK

March 1
MEMBER NEWS

Kristi Moody Named General Counsel of Windstream
FCC DEADLINES

March 6
March 13


March 16
Municipal and Industry Leaders Meet at The INCOMPAS Show to Discuss Small Cells Opportunities
Small cells are a key to meeting growing wireless demand and expanding broadband access to more people, and can even be used for other applications, such as emergency preparedness. 

The INCOMPAS Show, taking place April 3-5 in New Orleans, will bring together municipal officials and industry leaders to talk about innovative strategies for deploying small cells on Wednesday April 4 at 11:45 a.m. Moderated by Next Century Cities Deputy Director Todd O'Boyle, the panel Small Cells, Big Opportunities will feature Rondella Hawkins, Telecommunications & Regulatory Affairs Office for the City of Austin, Texas; Rahul Chopra, chief innovation officer for Mayor Lee, City of San Francisco; and Charles McKee, vice president of Government Affairs Federal and State Regulatory at Sprint.

The Small Cells panel is just one of many educational sessions you'll find at The INCOMPAS Show. Check out the agenda to learn more about the keynote address by Kenny Gunderman, president and CEO of Uniti Group Inc., as well as a Regulatory and Legislative session, and panel discussions on Key Strategies and Emerging Trends for Buyers, and Mergers and Acquisitions. The schedule also includes ample time for networking, deal making and fun, with breakfast and lunch on the show floor, and receptions every evening. 

Register today! There are a number of options you can choose from: Full Conference, which includes all activities; Single Day access on Tuesday, April 4 or Wednesday, April 5; and a Networking pass to attend only networking receptions throughout the show. 

Please note: To qualify for member rates, all companies must have renewed their membership for 2017.  

Make Your Hotel Reservations Today!
By registering now, you also can secure your hotel reservation and benefit from the INCOMPAS preferred rate of $239 per night at our host hotel, the Hilton New Orleans Riverside (just 256 steps from the Morial Convention Center). Attendees will receive a link for housing reservations in their registration confirmation email. Discounted rates are limited and only available to registered conference attendees, so book soon!
FCC Adopts Orders at
February Open Meeting 
At its open meeting on February 23, the FCC adopted a number of items, including:
  • Open Internet/Enhanced Transparency Waiver: The FCC adopted an Order along partisan lines to grant a five-year waiver to small broadband Internet access service providers (serving 250,000 or fewer subscribers) from complying with the FCC's enhanced transparency requirements in the FCC's 2015 Open Internet Order.
  • Part 32 Accounting for ILECs: The FCC adopted an Order that streamlines Part 32 accounting for incumbent LECs. In response to concerns about impact on pole attachment rates, Chairman Pai stated that "...a change in accounting methodology does not affect what costs are includable in pole attachment rates, but only when they are recognized. The solution we adopt mitigates any rate shock. Moreover, the Commission will monitor pole attachment rates and will take appropriate action should the need arise."
  • CAF-Mobility Fund II: The FCC adopted an Order and Further Notice to implement Phase II of the Mobility Fund, which was originally planned in the FCC's 2011 USF/ICC Reform Order. The FCC will use a reverse auction to distribute $453 million annually for 10 years for 4G mobile service where there is not an economic case for the private sector to serve.
  • CAF II-Reverse Auction: The FCC adopted a Report and Order and Order on Reconsideration that sets rules for the CAF Phase II reverse auction that will provide nearly $2 billion for rural broadband deployment over the next decade. This action focuses on census blocks unserved by broadband in 20 states where the ILEC "price cap" carriers declined last year's Connect America Fund offer of support.
NARUC Adopts Three Telecom Resolutions at Winter Meeting 
NARUC adopted a number of final resolutions at its 2017 Winter Meeting, including three on telecommunications. The first two reiterate NARUC's support for the federal-state partnership envisioned in its 2013 Federalism Paper and urge the FCC to act consistent with the principles of federalism as it applies to the federal-state partnership underway in the deployment of wireless and wireline facilities. The third resolution endorses its Task Force on Telecommunications Act Modernization recommendations as set out in the appendix and urges Congress and/or the FCC to implement the recommended reforms.
FCC Extends Filing Deadline for
Form 477 Due to Technical Issues
The FCC Wireline Competition Bureau is extending the March 1, 2017, filing deadline for  the submission of Form 477 data as of December 31, 2016, because of technical difficulties with the site. Once the site reopens, the Bureau will release a Public Notice announcing that the system is accessible for filers and establishing the new filing deadline.
Verizon to Host Rural Call Completion Workshop March 29
Verizon will host its second Rural Call Completion Industry Workshop on Wednesday, March 29 from noon to 4:30 p.m. at the National Press Club (529 14th St. NW, 13th Floor, Washington, DC).

The workshop will include an overview and discussion of investigative activities into rural call completion issues, and a presentation by Dr. Eric Burger of Georgetown University on research he has completed about the issue.

If you would like to attend, you must register no later than Wednesday, March 15. To register, email your name, title, company and email address to
ruralcallcompletionworkshop@verizon.com.