Vol. 21, No. 5

February 3, 2025

UPCOMING EVENTS

March 11

The 2025 INCOMPAS

Policy Summit

Washington, DC


Week of April 7

The SIP Forum 

Virtual Branded Calling Summit 2025


April 14-16

Cloud Connections 2024

St. Petersburg, FL


September 16-18

SIPNOC 2025

Hernon, VA


November 2-4

The 2025 INCOMPAS Show

Tampa, FL

MEMBER NEWS


Boldyn Networks US Secures $1.2 Billion Debt Financing to Fuel Future Growth and Innovation


Caller ID Reputation Launches Master Sales Agent Program to Combat Negative Mislabels that Harms 90% of Businesses


Fidium Promotes Digital Education as Tool for Equity, Data Privacy Amid Fiber Access Growth


LB Networks Supports Conterra Networks Customer Empowerment with the NetPulse360 Portal


Corero Network Security Enhances UK Dedicated Servers’ DDoS Defense with High-Performance Upgrade

Forte Telecom Becomes First to Launch Corero Network Security’s Cutting-Edge DDoS Solution


GoNetspeed Connects First Easthampton Residents to 100% Fiber Internet


Greenlight Revving Up Fiber Internet Expansion Plans for 2025


Intermedia Announces Availability of Contact Center for Microsoft Teams®


Silver Lake Next in Line to Join Metronet’s Fiber-Optic Network


Marion Oaks Gains Ultrafast Fiber-Optic Internet from Metronet


Stow to Be Connected to Metronet’s 100% Fiber-Optic Internet


Sinch Launches FCC-Compliant 911 PSAP Outage Services to Strengthen Public Safety 


COMMENT DEADLINES


February 5

Comments Due on NECA Modification of Average Schedules


February 20

Reply Comments Due on NECA Modification of Average Schedules

Registration Now Open for The

2025 INCOMPAS Policy Summit

Join us on March 11 in Washington, D.C. for The 2025 INCOMPAS Policy Summit. Connect with top policy makers, lawmakers, and industry leaders. Dive into critical discussions on AI, broadband deployment, robocalls, permitting reform, Section 230, antitrust and more.


Why Attend?

  • Hear from the Experts: Meet key leaders and build valuable connections.
  • Engage in Dynamic Discussions: Learn about latest trends and policies.
  • Drive Industry Change: Be part of conversations that matters.


Register Now – Seats Are Limited!

Don't miss out on this exclusive opportunity. Register now to secure your spot at The 2025 INCOMPAS Policy Summit.

AWS, Canva and General Catalyst Support INCOMPAS and AICC

In a landmark development for U.S. artificial intelligence policy, INCOMPAS announced Amazon Web Services, Canva and General Catalyst, as new participants in their AI Competition Center (AICC) offering. These companies join existing AICC supporters DC BLOX, Granite Telecommunications LLC and Meta, bolstering the first-ever coalition that spans the entire AI technology stack from energy infrastructure to consumer applications. This coalition stresses the importance of taking an all-of-the-above approach to energy and the way models are built — embracing both open source and proprietary models to make AI accessible to all.


“The future of AI isn’t just about algorithms and large language models — it’s about having secure energy supplies to power our data centers, robust digital infrastructure to move data, and innovative companies building products and services that improve people’s lives,” said INCOMPAS CEO Chip Pickering, who has spearheaded the AICC initiative. “By bringing together the world’s best infrastructure operators, transformational venture capital firms, and consumer-facing innovators, we’re building an alliance that understands how all these pieces must work together. That’s the only way America can lead the AI revolution.”


This comprehensive membership structure sets INCOMPAS apart from traditional tech industry groups. While other organizations focus on specific segments of the AI industry, the AICC initiative represents the full spectrum of companies needed to ensure American economic and geopolitical leadership in AI:

  • Energy Security: Power suppliers and infrastructure developers unlock reliable and affordable energy to power the industry’s massive computing requirements.
  • Homegrown Infrastructure: U.S. data center operators and networks like DC BLOX and Granite Telecommunications provide the critical foundation for AI deployment.
  • Investment & Innovation: Global investment and transformation companies, like General Catalyst, identify, nurture and scale the next generation of homegrown AI startups.
  • Consumer Applications: Companies like Canva and Meta make AI accessible and valuable for everyday users.
  • Enterprise Solutions: Cloud providers like AWS enable businesses of all sizes to leverage AI capabilities.


“Supporting one of the largest portfolios of transformative companies in the world, General Catalyst is keen to ensure America establishes a policy framework that harnesses the AI revolution and unleashes the best founders," said Teresa Carlson, president of the recently launched General Catalyst Institute (GCI). "To get there, we need to develop frameworks that ensure U.S. start-ups build, innovate and compete onshore — while carving out a global edge. In a world that is getting more complex, our national reliance will increasingly be tied to the success of our domestic AI sector. We are keen to use our seat at the table to be a constructive and committed partner.”


The timing is critical. As the global AI race intensifies, America’s competitive advantage lies in its ability to innovate across the entire AI stack. While U.S. private AI investment reached $67 billion in 2023 — nine times that of China — maintaining this lead requires coordination across all layers of the AI ecosystem. This gap is shrinking while the stakes get ever higher.


To support this mission, the AICC also recently released its comprehensive framework for U.S. AI policy development and instituted an open comment period to generate feedback from the best and brightest minds working on public policy and AI. The framework emphasizes how different parts of the AI stack require closer integration and a systematic approach to ensure we harness competition and open markets to win this global race:

  • Energy Independence: Accelerating permits for next-generation power infrastructure to ensure reliable AI computing capacity.
  • Startup Innovation: Reducing barriers to entry for new AI companies through access to computing resources and public datasets.
  • Consumer Trust: Developing clear privacy and security standards that work across the entire AI stack.
  • Regional Development: Creating technology hubs that bring together local energy providers, infrastructure operators, and AI developers.


“Building a connected, national AI ecosystem requires getting every layer right — from how we generate massive power to train the models, to protecting open markets, open development and open competition,” Pickering added. “Our members represent every piece of this puzzle, giving us unique insight into how policy can support innovation while ensuring AI benefits all Americans.”


The AICC’s approach draws on INCOMPAS’s four decades of experience promoting competition in telecommunications and technology. Just as the policies of the 1990s enabled the Internet revolution by addressing challenges across the technology stack, the AICC’s framework provides a comprehensive roadmap for maintaining America’s AI leadership.


INCOMPAS invites additional members from across the AI supply chain — including energy companies, infrastructure providers, investors and technology developers — to join in shaping policies that will define the future of AI. Through this unique coalition, INCOMPAS aims to ensure that American innovation continues to lead the world while creating economic transformation in communities across the country.


Learn more about joining INCOMPAS and participating in the efforts of the AI Competition Center.

FCC's Carr Ends Consideration of Bulk Billing and

Tower Build Environmental Review Proposals

FCC Chairman Carr announced that he is ending the FCC’s consideration of a Biden-Harris administration proposal that sought to regulate bulk billing arrangements for apartments and other multitenant environments. Carr asserted the proposal could have raised the price of internet service for Americans living in apartments by as much as 50%. 


Chairman Carr also announced that he is ending the FCC’s consideration of a rulemaking proposal that would have subjected tower builds to additional and onerous environmental reviews.

Cloud Groups Seek Declaratory Ruling on CPUC Decision

The Cloud Communications Alliance and the Cloud Voice Alliance filed a petition at the FCC seeking a declaratory ruling that the California Public Utilities Commission's (CPUC) regulatory framework for interconnected VoIP services adopted in Decision 24-11-003 is preempted by federal law, including the FCC's Vonage preemption order, and conflicts with federal policies designed to promote competition, innovation and affordable communications services. Petitioners also requested the FCC to reaffirm its end-to-end jurisdictional analysis as the definitive standard for determining the regulatory treatment of VoIP services.

Republican Senators Seek to Nullify Wi-Fi Hotspots Order

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and 12 Republican Senators introduced a resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act that would nullify the FCC’s Wi-Fi hotspot order. This order updated the E-Rate Program rules to make the off-premises use of Wi-Fi hotspots and wireless internet services eligible for program support. They claimed the order threatens to increase taxes and does not impose any limit on the amount of federal dollars that can be expended on the hotspots.

Sen. Wicker Reintroduces National Broadband Strategy Bill

Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS) reintroduced the Proper Leadership to Align Networks for Broadband Act, which would require the NTIA to develop a national strategy to close the digital divide and a plan to implement it. Wicker noted a 2022 Government Accountability Office report found federal broadband efforts are fragmented and overlapping and recommended the executive branch develop a national broadband strategy.

INCOMPAS | www.incompas.org
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