INCOMPAS NEWS -- June 11, 2018

Palo Alto, Calif., is seeking proposals to develop a business case to build a fiber-to-the-node network to multiple neighborhood nodes, with an expansion option to deploy a citywide fiber-to-the-premises network.

COMMENT DEADLINES

June 18

Comments Due in NPRM on BDS Regulation for RLECs

June 19

Reply Comments Due in Rural Call Completion Second Report & Order and Third FNPRM

July 2

Reply Comments Due on NPRM on Barring USF Funds for Equipment, Services Posing National Security Risk

Reply Comments Due in NPRM on BDS Regulation for RLECs

July 9

Reply Comments Due on Robocall FNPRM

August 6

Comments or Oppositions Due on USTelecom UNE Forbearance Petition

September 5

Replies Due on USTelecom UNE Forbearance Petition

Registration opens tomorrow for The 2018 INCOMPAS Show - THE place where dealmakers in the communications industry meet and do business.

Join us October 29-31 at the ARIA Resort in Las Vegas, and:

Discover new products and services that drive operational efficiency and reduce costs
Meet top buyers during the Buyers Forum
Learn about the state of competition during sessions in our educational agenda
Network, network, network - at social events, in the expo hall, and during pre-scheduled meetings in the Deal Center

Visit The INCOMPAS Show website today to learn more about discount registration rates, group packages, booking your room at the ARIA Resort and more.

INCOMPAS: Congress and Courts Will Make FCC Net Neutrality Move Nothing More than a Forgotten Footnote in History

After two decades of bipartisan net neutrality policy, the FCC will move forward today with a controversial proposal to end open internet protections that benefit consumers, and promote small business competition.

"Net neutrality is the main street business issue of the year. After a historic bipartisan vote in the Senate to reverse the FCC, the House must now listen to the 80 percent of Americans who are demanding net neutrality stay on the books," said INCOMPAS CEO Chip Pickering. "Conservative millennials starting small businesses in rural America are scratching their head at policymakers in Washington. Getting rid of net neutrality only helps Comcast and AT&T and hurts everyone else. They want Congress to act now, and make today's move by the FCC nothing more than a forgotten footnote in history."

Don't miss Pickering's recent Medium piece, "Yes Republicans - Voting to Save Net Neutrality is the RIGHT Thing to Do."

INCOMPAS Urges FCC to Apply Regulatory Flexibility to Providers under Rural Call Completion Act

Last week, INCOMPAS filed comments in the FCC's FNPRM on ensuring the completion of long distance telephone calls to rural areas and the adoption of implementing rules for the Improving Rural Call Quality and Reliability Act of 2017 (RCC Act).

This FNPRM follows a Report and Order in which the Commission decided not to mandate any specific best practices on originating and terminating (covered) providers of long distance calls, giving them the necessary flexibility to comply with the Commission's new monitoring requirements. In its comments, INCOMPAS urged the FCC to apply the same flexible regulatory approach as they did to covered providers to intermediate providers of long distance calls. They also called on the FCC to provide more clarity as to which intermediate providers will be subject to the RCC Act's requirements.

"We support the Commission's ongoing efforts to resolve problems associated with rural call completion. The FCC's previous decision not to apply specific mandates on covered providers was the right call and we urge them to apply the same regulatory flexibility to intermediate providers," INCOMPAS said. "Given that these providers are already proactively adopting solutions to reduce call failure rates and better serve their customers, allowing them to continue innovative policies that work for their businesses is the best way forward."

INCOMPAS Expresses Concern Over FCC Plans to Establish a Reassigned Number Database

INCOMPAS last week filed comments in the FCC's second FNPRM on potential mechanisms to address the problem of unwanted robocalls to reassigned telephone numbers. The FCC sought comments on the development of a single, FCC-designated reassigned numbers database, as well as proposals to require or allow service providers to voluntarily use commercial data aggregators to report reassigned number information. These proposals would allow callers to "discover potential reassignments before they occur."

Based on the prohibitive costs to service providers, together with the speculative use and ultimate value, INCOMPAS urged the Commission to reject any proposal that would require service providers to participate in a reassigned numbers database. Instead, INCOMPAS renewed CTIA's appeal for the Commission to conduct "a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis to evaluate the complex financial, operational and technical issues" of the reassigned number database proposal.

INCOMPAS noted that "given the significant investment that a service provider would have to make to participate in a reassigned number solution," service providers should be compensated for all of their costs of reporting information either to a single database or to data aggregators should the Commission proceed. "It would be a sound policy for such costs to be borne by robocallers accessing the database seeking comprehensive and timely information on reassigned numbers," INCOMPAS suggested.

Geoffrey Starks Nominated to Serve as FCC Commissioner

Last week, it was announced that Geoffrey Starks, the assistant bureau chief of the Commission's Enforcement Bureau, was being nominated to replace outgoing FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn. If confirmed by the Senate, Starks term would run through June 30, 2022.

"INCOMPAS congratulates Geoffrey Starks on his impending nomination to the FCC," said INCOMPAS CEO Chip Pickering. "His distinguished career shows a dedication to public service that will be an asset to the Commission. We look forward to working with him to ensure competition remains the driving force behind innovative policy that brings consumer benefits."

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