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Vol. 19, No. 37

September 11, 2023

UPCOMING EVENTS

September 19, 1 p.m. ET

INCOMPAS Webinar:

The Economics of Universal Service Fund Reform


October 8-10

The 2023 INCOMPAS Show

Tampa, Florida


March 5, 2024

The 2024 INCOMPAS

Policy Summit

Washington, D.C.

NEW @ INCOMPAS

Please welcome

Clay Marlin to the INCOMPAS staff. Clay, a recent graduate of the University of Mississippi and former Congressional intern, will have responsibility for membership sales and engagement.

MEMBER NEWS


Amazon: How Project Kuiper's Satellite Network Helps Telecom Partners like Vodafone and Vodacom Enhance Reliability and Extend Reach


GoNetspeed Construction to Bring Portland High-Speed Fiber Internet


Google Fiber Scores Another Deal in Colorado


Starry Ready to Start Anew After Exiting Chapter 11


WOW! to Bring Its Reliable, High-speed, All Fiber Network to Several New Michigan Communities

COMMENT

DEADLINES


September 15

FCC Broadband Data Collection Filings Due for All BIAS Providers


September 18

Comments Due on Enhanced A-CAM Program NPRM


September 20

FCC Regulatory Fees for FY 2023 Due


September 21

Comments Due on NTIA Limited Waiver for BABA Requirements in BEAD


September 25

Comments Due on Streamlining E-Rate Application Process


Comments Due on ACP Computer Matching Program


October 2

Reply Comments Due on Proposed Changes on Renewing International Section 214 Authority


October 2

Reply Comments Due on Enhanced A-CAM Program NPRM


October 23

Reply Comments Due on Streamlining E-Rate Application Process


Comments Due on NTIA Middle Mile Program Reports - Questions


October 23

Comments Due on Enhanced A-CAM NOI


November 21

Reply Comments Due on Enhanced A-CAM NOI

Meet Top Telecom Buyers Who Have Millions of Dollars to Spend

Where can you meet with telecom industry buyers who have millions of dollars to spend on your products and services?  


Only during The 2023 INCOMPAS Show Buyers Forum, October 8-10, at the Tampa Marriott Water Street.


Take advantage of dedicated Buyers Forum time to discover potential new partners. Download our Buyers Forum Guide to see who you can meet in person next month, which includes:

How the Buyers Forum Works

Set up in a "speed-meeting" format, the Buyers Forum is free and open to all registered attendees, exhibitors and sponsors. There's no need to schedule meetings in advance - you can simply walk up to the buyers you'd like to meet and have an impromptu introduction or meeting. 


To participate, come to the tables located in the Expo Hall during dedicated Buyers Forum hours:

  • Monday, October 9: 1 p.m. - 2 p.m.
  • Tuesday, October 10: 11 a.m. - Noon


Are You A Buyer Interested in Being Featured?

If you are involved in purchasing decisions at your company and would liked to be featured in the 2023 INCOMPAS Show Buyers Forum, please e-mail Gail Norris for more information, no later than Friday, September 15.


Once Registered, You've Got an IN

Maximize your time and travel ROI by booking meetings with other partners and prospects using ConnectIN, our LinkedIn group designed to connect registered attendees and share important information about the show.


After registering for the show, you'll receive a link to join ConnectIN in your confirmation email. Once you're IN, you can:

  • Access our detailed attendee list
  • Start making connections and networking right away
  • Set up meetings for the show in Tampa
REGISTER

12 GHz Band is a Win-Win

INCOMPAS filed reply comments urging the FCC to expand the 12.2-12.7 GHz band (12.2 GHz band) for high-powered, two-way fixed wireless access.


"We are at a unique moment in broadband history where the massive infusion of private and public deployment funding must be met with an infusion of mid-band spectrum so that providers can offer services that finally bridge the digital divide. The record in this proceeding demonstrates that is technically feasible for two-way, high-powered fixed wireless to co-exist in 12.2 GHz band. This is a win-win for terrestrial and satellite deployments and will open up cost effective, robust, and reliable options for all consumers," said INCOMPAS CEO Chip Pickering.


"As a member of the 5G for 12 GHz Coalition, INCOMPAS has worked diligently to move this process forward. We urge the FCC to act swiftly to complete this proceeding by the end of this year so this spectrum can be put to its best use," he continued. "I specifically would like to applaud DISH, Go Long Wireless and RS Access for their proposals that include a commitment to make part of this spectrum available on tribal lands to interested tribal entities. This is another important step in an ongoing effort to bridge the digital divide and broaden digital equity."

INCOMPAS Congratulates

Anna Gomez on FCC Confirmation

The U.S. Senate voted last week to confirm Anna Gomez to serve as a Commissioner on the FCC.


"The FCC has been hampered by a 2-2 Commission for far too long, I am thrilled that Anna Gomez has finally broken the stalemate," said INCOMPAS CEO Chip Pickering. "Her vast experience at NTIA and decades of work in the telecom industry make her more than qualified to tackle the pressing issues facing our industry, such as breaking down barriers to deployment specifically in relation to pole attachments and railroad crossings, maximizing available spectrum use and allowing high-power two-way terrestrial use in the 12 GHz band, and making long overdue reforms to the Universal Service Fund to put it on a sustainable path."


"These are just a few of the issues the FCC must address to ensure competition in the marketplace, drive down costs for consumers, and move us closer to reaching our goal of internet for all," he continued. "We look forward to working with the Commission to meet this historic moment in broadband where technology, resources, and good policy can shape the future of connectivity."

INCOMPAS and Brattle Group to Host September 19 Webinar

on the Economics of Universal Service Fund Reform

Join INCOMPAS President Angie Kronenberg and Brattle Group Principal Paroma Sanyal to discuss the economics of reforming the Universal Service Fund’s contribution mechanism during a webinar taking place Tuesday, September 19 at 1 p.m. ET.


During the webinar, "The Economics of Universal Service Fund Reform," they will provide an overview of the current system and dive into a new economic report that highlights the most efficient ways to reform the program. They also will discuss why proposed suggestions to include tech companies will result in market distortion and potentially raise prices on consumers. 


Advance registration is required.

REGISTER

INCOMPAS Weighs in on Proposed Call Blocking Mandates, Provider Forfeitures in Robocall Proceeding Reply Comments 

INCOMPAS submitted reply comments in the FCC's proceeding on measures to stem the tide of illegal robocalls while increasing consumer trust in voice services.


In its comments, INCOMPAS addresses three issues that require additional attention following the initial comment period: 

  • Reservations about the FCC's analytics-based blocking proposals
  • Requiring the use of SIP Code 608, or in the alternative SIP Code 603+ for immediate call blocking notification
  • The need to modify the FCC's base forfeiture proposal to protect voice service providers whose networks may be unwittingly exploited by illegal robocallers

Hearing to Focus on Evolution of America's Video Marketplace

NTIA AWARDS NEARLY $50 MILLION TO EXPAND AND STRENGTHEN REGIONAL AND NATIONAL INTERNET NETWORKS


The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced nearly $50 million to four organizations to expand middle mile high-speed Internet infrastructure in New Hampshire, Tennessee, Virginia and Wyoming. 


Middle mile internet infrastructure carries large amounts of data over long distances, increases capacity to local networks, boosts network resiliency, lowers the cost of bringing high-speed Internet service to unconnected households, and helps connect unserved regions to the Internet backbone.


With these grants, all funding for grant awards from the Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Program has been awarded to 36 organizations across 40 states and territories. No additional awards will be announced.


New Middle Mile Grants highlights:

  • The projects will cover 27 counties across four states
  • The projects will deploy 518.5 miles of new fiber that will pass within 1,000 feet of 164 community anchor institutions
  • All projects use future-proof fiber as the primary technology
  • Awardees are investing an additional $23 million of outside match funding into the projects

Hearing to Focus on Evolution of America's Video Marketplace

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chair Bob Latta (R-OH) announced a hearing titled “Lights, Camera, Subscriptions: Assessing the State of the Video Marketplace.” The hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, September 13, at 2 p.m. ET and will cover how streaming services have disrupted the media marketplace. 


The hearing will be open to the public and streamed online at energycommerce.house.gov.

Sen. Cassidy Seeks Feedback on AI Benefits and Risks

Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), ranking member of the Senate HELP Committee, released a white paper focused on the benefits and risks of artificial intelligence (AI), and asked for stakeholder feedback on the role of government regulations and responsible AI development. Cassidy hopes to use the feedback to better understand the effects of AI and how potential legislation and regulation could impact the creation and utilization of this technology.


Sen. Cassidy will accept submissions until September 22.

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