Dear Friends of Wireless Messaging,

A big thank you to all my friends who helped out this week. You know who you are. Some sent in support for the newsletter via PayPal and others helped me a lot with advice for a consulting assignment that I am working on.

In school, Science was always my favorite subject. It still fascinates me. I couldn't find much news about Paging and Wireless Messaging this week, so I have included a very interesting article from The Atlantic entitled, “The 50 Greatest Breakthroughs Since the Wheel.” I enjoyed it, and I hope you do too.

[I certainly hope this is not true.]

Mavericks: The end of Macs in the enterprise?

Summary: Macs have never been that popular in business. But if Apple is indeed no longer supporting security updates for older Mac OS X versions, Macs won't have any place left in the enterprise office.

By Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols for Between the Lines | October 24, 2013 — 20:01 GMT (13:01 PDT)

Macs have never been that popular in the enterprise office. Sure, people love their MacBook Airs and their MacBook Pros, but CIOs usually frown at their price-tags. Still, the shiny Macs laptops have induced some big businesses, including ZDNet's own parent company CBS Interactive, to buy these high-end laptops and, thanks to the Adobe Creative Suite/Creative Cloud, publishing, graphics design, and Web design departments all still use and love their Macs. Well, they do for now. They may not tomorrow because of Apple's lack of security updates for older versions of Mac OS X.

Apple's new Mac OS X, Mavericks, looks great, but can you trust it with your enterprise apps?

ZDNet Larry Seltzer's found that while Apple announced that Mac OS X 10.9, Mavericks fixed numerous security bugs Apple did not issue these same security fixes for Mountain Lion or other older versions. So far, Apple, as is its wont, hasn't said that they're going to release any either.

Apple's OS X Mavericks hands-on, in pictures

Apple used to release security fixes for their older operating system versions. At the least, they'd release them for the version that came before their newest one. It doesn't look they are this time.

We all know what happens when a company reveals security holes don't we? Yes, that's right. We get zero day attacks: Lots and lots of zero day attacks. It's like giving every junior-high hacker in the world a free treasure map.

What's that? The Mac has no security problems? Please, ever hear of the Flashback Trojan? Icefog? Backdoor:OSX/KitM.A? You would have if you'd been paying attention to Apple security. They're all successful Mac malware programs.

No, Macs don't have the dozens of new malware attackers every month that Windows PCs have . . . yet. But then, we never had a major, widely used Mac OS without the latest security fixes either.

So, if you're running Mountain Lion, you should run, not walk, to your Mac and download Mavericks today. That's no real hardship right? I mean Mavericks is free, so other than the couple of hours it takes to download the multi-Gigabyte update and then install it, updating your operating system isn't going to hurt you is it? Wrong!

Yes, Mavericks looks pretty darn good and the upgrade is, outside of the time it takes, as smooth as silk. I've installed it and I like it.

So, what's the problem? Well, I'll tell you what the problem is. If I'm a CIO, I'm being forced by security concerns to upgrade my users' Macs to an untested operating system. Maybe my company's programs will work with it, maybe they won't. I don't know.

As a CIO all I really know is that Apple is forcing me to choose between opening my Mac desktops to attacks or taking a chance that everyone in my office is going to come screaming to my door with complaints about broken programs. In fact, some of you may already be facing the latter problem since it's been confirmed that if your company uses Google Gmail Internet message access protocol (IMAP) for corporate e-mail you're very likely to run into a show-stopping bug with the Mavericks mail client. Whoops! This is the kind of dilemma that causes CIOs to lose their hair.

This is not a headache any IT manager ever wants to face. So, if Apple really is taking a leaf from their iOS book and no longer supporting their older versions, the long-term answer is to simply start walking away from Apple no matter how pretty their computers are.

Microsoft may really, really want you to move to Windows 8.1, but they're still supporting Windows XP. Linux desktop distributions are constantly delivering security upgrades. Only Apple demands that you either upgrade your PCs to a major unproven upgrade or leave yourself open to attackers. No IT department ever wants to face a choice like this. [source]

Now on to more news.

Wayne County, Illinois Weather

Wireless Messaging News
Emergency Radio Communications Wireless Messaging Critical Messaging Telemetry Paging WiMAX Wi-Fi	WIRELESS MESSAGING

A new issue of the Wireless Messaging Newsletter is posted on the web each week. A notification goes out by e-mail to subscribers on most Fridays around noon central US time. The notification message has a link to the actual newsletter on the web. That way it doesn't fill up your incoming e-mail account.

There is no charge for subscription and there are no membership restrictions. Readers are a very select group of wireless industry professionals, and include the senior managers of many of the world's major Paging and Wireless Messaging companies. There is an even mix of operations managers, marketing people, and engineers — so I try to include items of interest to all three groups. It's all about staying up-to-date with business trends and technology.

I regularly get readers' comments, so this newsletter has become a community forum for the Paging, and Wireless Messaging communities. You are welcome to contribute your ideas and opinions. Unless otherwise requested, all correspondence addressed to me is subject to publication in the newsletter and on my web site. I am very careful to protect the anonymity of those who request it.

I spend the whole week searching the Internet for news that I think may be of interest to you — so you won't have to. This newsletter is an aggregator — a service that aggregates news from other news sources. You can help our community by sharing any interesting news that you find.

Editorial Opinion pieces present only the opinions of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the views of any of advertisers or supporters. This newsletter is independent of any trade association.

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The NSA spied on the phone calls of 35 foreign leaders, according to The Guardian

By Carl Franzen on October 24, 2013 02:46 pm

The US National Security Agency obtained over 200 foreign phone numbers for surveillance from a US government official, including 35 phone numbers of world leaders, according to a classified memo dated 2006 obtained by The Guardian, provided to the newspaper by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden. As The Guardian reports, these telephone numbers were given to the NSA by an unnamed US government official outside of the spy agency. And far from being an irregular occurrence, the NSA is said to have actively encouraged other US government officials who are in regular contact with foreign officials — such as members of the US State Department, the Defense Department, even the White House — to voluntarily hand over the phone numbers of "leading foreign politicians" to the NSA for the purposes of surveillance.

"In one recent case, a US official provided NSA with 200 phone numbers to 35 world leaders," reads the memo. "S2 [Signals Intelligence] Operations Staff immediately supplied this information to the S2 Production Centers." The memo says that many of the numbers would have been available from other sources, but 43 were new. The memo notes that "little reportable intelligence" came from the numbers noted above, which "appear not to be used for sensitive discussions." They had, however, connected the NSA to other numbers that were then tracked as well. "This success leads S2 to wonder if there are NSA liaisons whose supported customers may be willing to share their 'Rolodexes' or phone lists with NSA as potential sources of intelligence," it continues. "S2 welcomes such information!"

The allegations are arguably the most explosive yet to come from the massive trove of leaked documents obtained by Snowden, and come the day after German Chancellor Angela Merkel was reported to have called US President Barack Obama directly over concerns that the NSA was spying on her phone conversations. It's unclear from the leaked memo obtained by Snowden whether Merkel was among the 35 foreign leaders whose numbers had been turned over to the NSA. White House Press Secretary Jay Carney released a statement yesterday saying that the US was not and would not spy on Merkel going forward, but his statements were ambiguous when it came to potential NSA surveillance of the German leader in the past.

The news also comes the same day that an Italian newspaper published allegations that the NSA was spying on millions of that country's residents, and days after the NSA was reported to be conducting similar broad surveillance of phone lines in France, which the agency denied. Today also marks the start of a European Union summit in Brussels wherein leaders are supposed to be debating the future of data protection on the content. The latest leaks seem conveniently timed to influence their decision-making process, especially as Merkel has continued to question the US' behavior. "We need trust, and now the trust has to be reestablished," she said upon arriving at the summit this morning. "Spying among friends is never acceptable. Now we have to discuss what sort of data protection do we need and what sort transparency is there."

Adi Robertson contributed to this report.

Tablet smackdown: Apple, Microsoft unveil newest gadgets

Megabyte
Published October 23, 2013
FoxNews.com

The great tablet smackdown of 2013 has just begun.

Apple on Tuesday announced the latest in its line of iPads, including a new iPad Mini and the iPad Air. The new Air weighs just one pound and is eight times speedier than the original. It also has the new iOS7 and a ton of updated apps, including iWork, a free rival to Microsoft Office.

It goes on sale November 1 and costs $499 and up.

Meanwhile, the Microsoft Surface 2 weighs about 1.5 pounds and went on sale Tuesday for $449 — keyboard not included. Microsoft's slick $129 touch cover is very cool, but Apple owns the tablet space. Then there's the new Nokia tablets, which run Windows as well and also rock a pretty slick design.

And the winner is . . . clearly the consumer. Choice is great, isn't it?

       CHECK THIS OUT

USA: IRIDIUM SATELLITE AWARDED CONTRACT FOR VOICE, DATA, PAGING AND DISTRIBUTED TACTICAL COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM SERVICES

October 21, 2013

According to DOD: Iridium Satellite, LLC, "Iridium", McLean, VA is being awarded a maximum cumulative $400,000,000 multi-year, sole-source contract that provides unlimited DISA Enhanced Mobile Satellite Services (EMSS) Iridium airtime for voice, data, paging and Distributed Tactical Communications System services for an unlimited number of federal government subscribers, and other DISA-sponsored subscribers. The contract will utilize the following effective pricing schedule: $64,000,000 (year one); $72,000,000 (year two); $88,000,000 (year three); $88,000,000 (year four); and $88,000,000 (year five). The first contract year is funded by fiscal 2014 Defense Working Capital funds. The period of performance is Oct. 22, 2013 through Oct. 21, 2018. Airtime service delivery is world-wide. The contract was awarded under other than full and open competition, specifically FAR 6.302-1, only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. The Defense Information Technology Contracting Organization-National Capital Region is the contracting activity (HC1047-14-C-4000).

Specialists in sales and service of equipment from these leading manufacturers, as well as other two-way radio and paging products:

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NOVEMBER 2013

The 50 Greatest Breakthroughs Since the Wheel

Why did it take so long to invent the wheelbarrow? Have we hit peak innovation? What our list reveals about imagination, optimism, and the nature of progress.

JAMES FALLOWS
OCT 23 2013, 7:08 PM ET
The Atlantic

The List

The Atlantic asked a dozen scientists, historians, and technologists to rank the top innovations since the wheel. Here are the results.

Our Panel of Experts

Michelle Alexopoulos
Professor of economics, University of Toronto.

Leslie Berlin
Historian of business and technology, Stanford; author, The Man Behind the Microchip: Robert Noyce and The Invention of Silicon Valley.

John Doerr
General partner, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers George Dyson Historian of technology; author, Turing's Cathedral and Darwin Among the Machines.

Walter Isaacson
President and CEO, the Aspen Institute; author, Steve Jobs, Einstein: His Life and Universe, and Benjamin Franklin: An American Life.

Joi Ito
Director, MIT Media Lab.

Alexis Madrigal
Senior editor, The Atlantic; author, Powering the Dream: The History and Promise of Green Technology.

Charles C. Mann
Journalist; author, 1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus and 1493: Uncovring the New World Columbus Created.

Joel Mokyr
Professor of economics and history, Northwestern University.

Linda Sanford
Senior vice president for enterprise transformation, IBM.

Astro Teller
Captain of moonshots, Google[x]; co-founder, Cerebellum Capital and BodyMedia.

Padmasree Warrior
Chief technology and strategy officer, Cisco Systems.

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Study Reveals Top Emergency Communications Challenges

10/16/2013

As mobile technologies and social media channels continue to penetrate Americans' communications behaviors, emergency managers are working diligently to ensure emergency communications keep pace. This is one of the findings from the 2013 Federal Signal Public Safety Survey, which examines some of the greatest challenges currently faced by emergency managers. The survey, following on the heels of September's National Emergency Preparedness Month, comes as recent tragedies in Yosemite National Park and Aurora, Colo., remind Americans of the unpredictable and devastating effects man-made and natural disasters can have.

Now in its fourth year, and conducted again by Zogby, the annual report has traditionally surveyed the general public on safety awareness and emergency preparedness attitudes and behaviors. For the first time, however, this year's survey shifts the conversation by asking emergency managers about the most significant challenges they face and the measures they are taking to address them.

"Last year's Federal Signal Public Safety Survey showed that complacency and a lack of safety awareness are common public perception when it comes to emergency preparedness and response," said Joe Wilson, president of the Industrial Systems Division, Safety and Security Group at Federal Signal. "This year, we wanted to assess the complexity of the issues emergency managers face and uncover the actions they are taking to find effective solutions."

Facing the Facts
As the technology landscape continues shifting, the American public's communication methods are increasing and gradually becoming more mobile-oriented. The 2013 study showed that nearly one-in-three (28 percent) emergency managers identify the public's varied communication preferences as the greatest challenge they face. These challenges include effectively reaching a growing, older population with many special language and other needs. For those with hearing and vision impairments, physical limitations and varying debilities, communication preferences may extend beyond traditional landline phone calls and email, to include text messages and social media channels and more.

"The increase in the number of communication layers emergency managers are up against has drastically added to the complexity of developing an effective, all-encompassing communications program," said Wilson. "Age, physical disabilities and cultural differences are human factors that they have always had to recognize and take into consideration, but rapid mobile and social media technology growth has only compounded the issue —€” making it not only challenging to reach community members wherever they are, but increasingly difficult to drive a sense of urgency."

As communication preferences continue to change and diversify, emergency managers must consider a layered approach that can reach all community members effectively and efficiently. That includes not only enabling new technologies, but successfully integrating these with traditional communication methods in a way that drives citizens —€” of all ages, needs and communication preferences — to action.

Driving a Public Sense of Urgency
Community members trust emergency managers to provide them with the tools they need during an emergency, making it critical that they leave no stone unturned when it comes to effective communication. More than half of respondents (58 percent) trust local and regional government officials to ensure sufficient public safety standards, communication and planning, according to the 2012 Federal Signal Public Safety Survey.

The 2012 survey results found that less than one half (47 percent) of community members would take action based on a potential severe weather warning. It comes as no surprise, then, that nearly one-in-four (22 percent) emergency managers said that apathetic community members are their greatest challenge, according to the 2013 study. In fact, the study found only 20 percent of emergency managers feel that their community members are very aware of existing alerting and notification systems in their area.

"An emergency manager's goal is to generate 100 percent awareness among the community," said Wilson. "It is critical that they not only ensure that families and community members have an emergency plan in place, but that they understand all of the possibilities for receiving real-time messages in emergency situations —€” from siren notifications, to a text message or email alert, and much more."

In order to best reach community members, emergency managers need to consider the places where each of their citizens seeks information. As expected, one of the toughest challenges for emergency managers is the cost associated with new tools and equipment. The 2013 survey found that for 75 percent of emergency managers, the greatest deterrent to updating emergency communication systems is their budget. Yet, there are many ways to interact with the public that are simple and cost effective, many of which emergency managers have already embraced. According to the 2013 Federal Signal Public Safety Survey:

• 81 percent are promoting their activities and programs at community events and meetings
• 72 percent are communicating with their community directly though emails, direct mail, and phone calls
• 67 percent are communicating with the public through a community website

The Need to Be More "Social"
New technology enables community-wide engagement and can help drive emergency responsiveness among citizens —€” often at the touch of a button. This presents new opportunities for emergency managers to expand their reach. Only 55 percent of emergency managers are currently using Facebook as part of their alerting and notification system, and three-in-ten currently are not providing educational tools through websites and social media.

"By evaluating modern technology, emergency managers can supplement communications plans with new ways to take a more comprehensive outreach approach and ultimately connect with more community members," said Wilson.

For more information on the 2013 Federal Signal Public Safety Survey, visit http://www.alertnotification.com/.

Brad Dye, Ron Mercer, Allan Angus, Vic Jackson, and Ira Wiesenfeld are friends and colleagues who work both together and independently, on wireline and wireless communications projects. Click here for a summary of their qualifications and experience. Each one has unique abilities. We would be happy to help you with a project, and maybe save you some time and money.

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Selected portions of the BloostonLaw Telecom Update, and/or the BloostonLaw Private Users Update —newsletters from the Law Offices of Blooston, Mordkofsky, Dickens, Duffy & Prendergast, LLP are reproduced in this section with the firm's permission.

Headlines

FCC Sets New Deadlines for Filings Due During the Shutdown

On October 17, 2013, the FCC released a Public Notice revising the deadlines associated with filings that fell due during the government shutdown of October 1 through October 16. With some exceptions, filings that were due between October 7 and October 16 are now due 16 days after their original deadline and filings that were due between October 17 and November 4 are now due November 4, 2013.

According to the Public Notice, the FCC has extended these deadlines because parties did not have access to electronic dockets and other online Commission resources during the suspension of operations. This way, filers will have access to Commission resources for the period of time they would have had otherwise, absent the suspension of Commission operations.

Under the extended deadlines, a filing that would have been due on October 7, for example, is instead due 16 days later on October 23. To the extent the revised due dates for filings under this Public Notice fall on a weekend or other Commission holiday, they will be due on the next business day. This includes the filing of copies of eligible telecommunications carriers' Form 481 with the FCC, which were originally due on October 15. Under the FCC's Public Notice, they are due October 31. (Please note this only applies to the copy of Form 481 that was due to the FCC; as we have reported in previous editions of the BloostonLaw Telecom Update, the filing was still due at USAC and the relevant state and tribal authorities on October 15.)

It is important to note that this extension does not apply to Network Outage Reporting System (NORS) filings, and to the following specific proceedings, for which the FCC has established a specific deadline:

• Verizon Communications, Inc.; Petition for Declaratory Ruling under Section 310(b)(4) of the Communications Act, as Amended, IB Docket No. 13-230. Comments due by October 25, 2013; replies due by November 1, 2013.
• 2014 Modification of Average Schedule Company Universal Service High-Cost Loop Support Formula, WC Docket No. 05-337. Comments due by November 4, 2013; replies due by November 19, 2013.
• Modernizing the E-Rate Program for Schools and Libraries, WC Docket No. 13-184. Replies due by November 8, 2013.
• Domestic section 214 transfer of control applications, WC Docket Nos. 13-223, 13-228, 13-235, 13-237. 16-day filing extension applies; reply comments will be due seven days after the applicable comment deadline.
• ULS Applications/Notifications. All ULS applications and notifications filed in accordance with the Commission's rules (e.g., sections 1.913, 1.946) that were originally due on October 1, 2013, through and including November 4, 2013, are now due on November 4, 2013.
• Vanity Call Sign Requests. Vanity call sign applications filed via ULS between October 17 and October 22 will all be processed as if they were filed on October 22, 2013. In addition, any vanity call sign applications that were filed by mail between October 1 and October 22 also will be treated as if they were filed on October 22, 2013.
• Tribal Mobility Fund Phase I Auction (Auction 902). The Wireless Telecommunications Bureau and Wireline Competition Bureau will release a separate Public Notice in the near future announcing new dates and deadlines applicable to Auction 902
• Amendment of the Commission's Rules with Regard to Commercial Operations in the 1695-1710 MHz, 1755-1780 MHz, and 2155-2180 MHz Bands; GN Docket No. 13-185. Reply Comments are due by October 28, 2013.
• DISH Network Corporation Petition for Waiver and request for Extension of Time, WT Docket No. 13-225. Reply Comments are due by October 28, 2013.
• Reassessment of Exposure to Radio-frequency Electromagnetic Fields Limits and Policies in ET Docket Nos. 03-137 and 13-84; FCC 13-39. Reply Comments are due November 18, 2013.

H-Block Auction Rescheduled for January 22, 2014

On October 21, 2013, the FCC released a Public Notice officially rescheduling the auction for H-Block licenses (i.e., those licenses in the 1915-1920 MHz and 1995 MHz-2000 MHz bands) for January 22, 2014. The auction, designated Auction 96, was rescheduled as a result of the government shutdown on October 1.

The following schedule for Auction 96 has been set:

• Auction Tutorial becomes available (via Internet) November 4, 2013
• Short-Form Application filing window opens November 4, 2013; 12:00 noon ET
• Short-Form Application filing window closes November 15, 2013; 6:00 p.m. ET
• Upfront payments (via wire transfer) are due December 18, 2013; 6:00 p.m. ET
• The Mock Auction will be held on January 17, 2014
• Auction 96 will be held on January 22, 2014

All other procedures, terms and requirements as set out in the Auction 96 Procedures Public Notice remain unchanged.

Please let us know as soon as possible if you would like to participate in this auction. The filing deadline is only 3 weeks away and we will want to be sure that we have all of the necessary information for the application well in advance of the November 4, 2013 filing deadline.

Senator Ted Cruz Places Hold on President Obama's FCC Nominee

The Hill reports that Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) has placed a hold on the confirmation of Tom Wheeler to be the next Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission. A spokesman for Senator Cruz said the Senator has placed the hold on the nomination until Mr. Wheeler clarifies whether he would require more disclosure about the donors behind political TV ads. Senator Cruz wants to know Mr. Wheeler's views on whether the FCC has the authority or intent to implement the requirements of the failed Congressional "Democracy is Strengthened by Casting Light on Spending in Elections Act" or DISCLOSE Act (which would have amended the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971). Mr. Wheeler had previously declined to give specific answers on the issue, but now may be ready to revisit the Senator's questions.

FCC regulations require television broadcasters and cable providers to identify the "true sponsor" of all ads. Some Democrats, including House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL), have urged the FCC to use that power to require political groups advertising on TV to reveal their major donors. But Senator Cruz argues the Democrats are trying to use the FCC to implement the goals of the DISCLOSE Act — which would have required political groups to reveal more information about their donors. He and other Republicans claim that the bill would have chilled political speech.

Senator Cruz pressed Mr. Wheeler about the issue during his committee hearing in June, but the nominee said he would have to study the issue more carefully before taking a position. Senate Democrats could override Senator Cruz's hold on Wheeler, but that would require 60 votes and take up valuable floor time.

Law & Regulation

October 28 FCC Open Commission Meeting

On Monday, October 28, 2013, the FCC will hold an open meeting at 11:30 a.m. in Room TW-C305, at 445 12th Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. The Commission is waiving the sunshine period prohibition contained in Section 1.1203 of the Commission's rules until 12 noon on Thursday, October 24, 2013. As a result, presentations dealing with the items to be considered at the meeting are permitted until that time. Audio/Video coverage of the meeting will be broadcast live with open captioning over the Internet from the FCC Live web page at www.fcc.gov/live.

Items to be considered at the meeting include (i) a Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to address problems associated with completion of long distance calls to rural areas; (ii) a Report and Order that implements an industry solution to provide interoperable service in the lower 700 MHz band; and (iii) consider a Second Report and Order adopting technical rules for the 700 MHz broadband spectrum licensed to the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet).

Senate Announces Hearing on Broadband Adoption: The Next Mile

The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce and Transportation's Subcommittee on Communications, Technology and the Internet has announced a hearing, titled "Broadband Adoption: The Next Mile," to be held on Tuesday, October 29, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. in Room 253 of the Russell Senate Office Building. During the hearing, the Subcommittee will consider how to increase broadband adoption in the United States; explore challenges to broadband adoption among various demographic groups and regions; and strategies to overcome those barriers. At this time, a list of witnesses has not been disclosed. The hearing will be webcast live via the via the Senate Commerce Committee website.

Industry

AT&T Announces $4.85 Billion Tower Sale to Crown Castle

AT&T has reached an agreement to assign lease rights for some 9,100 of its company-owned wireless towers and to sell approximately 600 other towers outright to Crown Castle International for $4.85 billion in up-front cash.

The deal, which was announced Sunday, gets AT&T out of the business of being a landlord while shoring up the company's balance sheet in the midst of a 3-year $14 billion network investment plan it announced last year and plans for a stock buyback that could exceed $11 billion. For Crown Castle, it increases the company's tower count by approximately 33 percent.

Under the reported terms of the arrangement, Crown Castle will secure exclusive rights to lease and operate the AT&T towers for an average duration of 28 years, and will have a fixed price purchase option to acquire the facilities when the leases expire. Reports indicate that AT&T will lease back space on the towers for a minimum of 10 years at $1,900 per month per site with 2% annual increase to accommodate its own operations. AT&T has also reserved rights to excess capacity on the towers for its future needs.

"AT&T is selling when tower values are at a historical high," said an analyst at Cowen & Co. "It's helpful to have a stronger balance sheet. They've been interested in making acquisitions abroad and probably looking to get spectrum when the auction comes up."

The terms of the transaction appear to be quite similar to last fall's $2.4 billion deal between Crown Castle and T-Mobile USA, which involved the transfer of rights to operate 7,200 T-Mobile USA towers.

"We are very pleased with our agreement with AT&T, which strengthens our position as the largest provider of shared wireless infrastructure in the US," stated Crown Castle President and CEO Ben Moreland. "Consistent with our focus on the top 100 US markets, nearly half of the AT&T towers are located in the top 50 markets, where we expect the majority of network densification and upgrade activity to occur."

The AT&T-Crown Castle transaction is expected to close by the end of the year.

Calendar At-a-Glance

Oct. 23 – Comments on proposed changes to FCC Form 555 (annual Lifeline ETC certification)(originally due Oct. 7).
Oct. 28 – Reply comments are due on FCC's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Advanced Wireless Services (originally due Oct. 16).
Oct. 28 – Responses to FCC Census Blocks that price cap carriers have requested funding to serve as part of the second round of CAF Phase I are due.
Oct. 28 – FCC Open Meeting.
Oct. 30 – Deadline to seek extension of CALM Act small provider grace period (originally due Oct. 14).
Oct. 30 – New 57-64 GHz Rules become effective.
Oct. 31 – Filing deadline for copies of the FCC Form 481 filed with USAC on October 15 (originally due Oct. 15).
Nov. 1 – FCC Form 499-Q is due.
Nov. 4 – Comments on the continuation of the BroadbandMatch website tool are due.
Nov. 4 – Comments are due on NECA's 2014 Modification of the Average Schedule Universal Service High-Cost Loop Support Formula.
Nov. 7 – Reply comments are due on EAS Testing Issues.
Nov. 8 – Electronic filing deadline for Form 497 for carriers seeking support for the preceding month and wishing to receive reimbursement by month's end.
Nov. 8 – Reply comments are due on FCC's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on E-Rate 2.0.
Nov. 18 – Reply Comments are due on FCC's guidelines for human exposure to RF electromagnetic fields.
Nov. 18 – Comments on revising and updating the record on cramming are due.
Nov. 19 – Reply comments are due on NECA's 2014 Modification of the Average Schedule Universal Service High-Cost Loop Support Formula.
Dec. 2 – Reply comments on revising and updating the record on cramming are due.
Dec. 2 – Form 323 ( Biennial Ownership Report) is due.
Dec. 8 – Electronic filing deadline for Form 497 for carriers seeking support for the preceding month and wishing to receive reimbursement by month's end.
Jan. 8 – Electronic filing deadline for Form 497 for carriers seeking support for the preceding month and wishing to receive reimbursement by month's end.
Jan. 15 – Annual Handset Accessibility Compliance Report due.

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Internet address system expands with 4 suffixes, first of hundreds of additions expected

Published October 24, 2013
FoxNews.com

SAN FRANCISCO — The World Wide Web just got a little wider.

The oversight agency for Internet addresses says it has added four domain name suffixes — the first of hundreds expected in the coming years in the online addressing system's largest expansion ever.

"It's happening — the biggest change to the Internet since its inception," said Akram Atallah, president of ICANN's Generic Domains Division, in a statement. "In the weeks and months ahead, we will see new domain names coming online from all corners of the world, bringing people, communities and businesses together in ways we never imagined."

The first four are all in foreign languages to reflect a growing international population that still has to enter Latin characters for many websites. They represent Chinese for "game," Arabic for "network" and Cyrillic for "online" and "site."

• شبكة (xn--ngbc5a—d) – Arabic for "web/network"
• онлайн (xn--80asehdb) — Cyrillic for "online"
• сайт (xn--80aswg) — Cyrillic for "site"
• 游戏(xn--unup4y) — Chinese for "game(s)"

People and businesses should be able to start registering names ending on those suffixes soon. The announcement Wednesday reflects the addition of those suffixes into the master database.

There are currently more than 300 suffixes, mostly codes assigned for specific countries. The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers has been taking bids for new ones in English and other languages.

"It's this type of innovation that will continue to drive our global society," Atallah said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

WIRELESS NETWORK PLANNERS LLC
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Hark Technologies 717 Old Trolley Rd Ste 6 #163 Summerville, SC 29485

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“Two prisoners whose cells adjoin communicate with each other by knocking on the wall. The wall is the thing which separates them but is also their means of communication. It is the same with us and God. Every separation is a link.”

—Simone Weil

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