Dear Friends of Wireless Messaging,

Welcome back to The Wireless Messaging News.

It's a beautiful day here in Southern Illinois. Fortunately no damage to my place from the big storm that came through here on Wednesday night.

Many thanks to a reader who sent me two bags of freshly-roasted coffee beans from Seattle—by FedEx Express no less. Some of you may know how much I like espresso. Here is my espresso bar:

There are two machines. I am giving one of them to a friend's son who is studying to be a professional chef.

None of the motorcycles in this picture can be seen in the trucker's mirrors or other blind spots. Help spread the word—it could save the life of someone you love.

Now on to more news and views.

Wayne County, Illinois

Emergency Radio Communications Wireless Messaging Critical Messaging Telemetry Paging 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.

Subscribe

IT'S FREE

* required field

If you would like to subscribe to the newsletter just fill in the blanks in the form above, and then click on the “Subscribe” button.

There is no charge for subscription and there are no membership restrictions. It’s all about staying up-to-date with business trends and technology.

Back To Paging

Still The Most Reliable Protocol For Wireless Messaging!

Follow @BradDye1

Can You Help The Newsletter?

You can help support The Wireless Messaging News by clicking on the PayPal Donate button above. It is not necessary to be a member of PayPal to use this service.

Newspapers generally cost 75¢ $1.50 a copy and they hardly ever mention paging or wireless messaging, unless in a negative way. If you receive some benefit from this publication maybe you would like to help support it financially?

A donation of $50.00 would certainly help cover a one-year period. If you are wiling and able, please click on the PayPal Donate button above.

If you are reading this, your potential customers are reading it as well. Please click here to find out about our advertising options.

The Wireless Messaging News
Board of Advisors

The Board of Advisor members are people with whom I have developed a special rapport, and have met personally. They are not obligated to support the newsletter in any way, except with advice, and maybe an occasional letter to the editor.

Advertiser Index

Be sure your infrastructure is up and running with the ProTek Flex Site Monitor from PageTek.

ProTek Flex—reliable, adaptable, expandable, affordable—and no surprises.

PageTek.net
sales@pagetek.net

Enhancing Mobile Alert Response

sales@wirelessmessaging.com
800-373-1466
2630 National Dr., Garland, TX 75041

New Products

OMNI Messaging Server

• Combines Nurse Call Monitoring and Browser Based Messaging
• Combines Radio Paging with Smartphone and E-mail Integration
• Embedded System with 2 RS-232 Ports and Ethernet
• Browser Based Messaging and Configuration
• Smartphone Alert Notification Using Low-Latency Communication Protocols
• TAP, COMP2, Scope, WaveWare, SNPP, PET and SIP Input Protocols
• PIN Based Routing to Multiple Remote Paging Systems
• 2W, 5W Radio Paging

MARS (Mobile Alert Response System)

• Combines Paging Protocol Monitoring and Wireless Sensor Monitoring (Inovonics and Bluetooth LE)
• Improves Mobile Response Team Productivity using Smartphone App
• Low-Latency Alerts using Pagers, Smartphones, Corridor Lights, Digital Displays and Annunciation Panels
• Automated E-mail Based Alert Response and System Status Reports
• Linux Based Embedded System with Ethernet and USB Ports
• Browser Based Configuration

STG (SIP to TAP Gateway)

• Monitors SIP protocol (engineered for Rauland Responder V nurse call)
• Outputs TAP protocol to Ethernet and Serial Port Paging Systems
• Linux Based Embedded System
• Browser Based Configuration

protect yourself !

Combination, Body, Desk or Dash Camera

Model EH-15 EYE-CAM

Standard Features Include:

Call: 662-284-6724 (Jim Tucker)

Email address: jim55@e1w.com
Web site: www.ultrateksecuritycameras.com

Easy Solutions provides cost effective computer and wireless solutions at affordable prices. We can help in most any situation with your communications systems. We have many years of experience and a vast network of resources to support the industry, your system and an ever changing completive landscape.

• We treat our customers like family. We don’t just fix problems . . . We recommend and implement better cost-effective solutions.
• We are not just another vendor . . . We are a part of your team. All the advantages of high priced full time employment without the cost.
• We are not in the Technical Services business . . . We are in the Customer Satisfaction business.

Experts in Paging Infrastructure

• Glenayre, Motorola, Unipage, etc.
• Excellent Service Contracts
• Full Service—Beyond Factory Support
• Contracts for Glenayre and other Systems starting at $100
• Making systems More Reliable and MORE PROFITABLE for over 30 years.

Please see our web site for exciting solutions designed specifically for the Wireless Industry. We also maintain a diagnostic lab and provide important repair and replacement parts services for Motorola and Glenayre equipment. Call or e-mail us for more information.

#TBT: New auction date draws mixed react; Ericsson up on US … this week in 1995

BY RCR WIRELESS NEWS ON MAY 12, 2016

A delay in the PCS auction proceedings drew mixed reactions from designated entities, while Ericsson posted US-fueled growth

Editor’s Note: RCR Wireless News goes all in for “Throwback Thursdays,” tapping into our archives to resuscitate the top headlines from the past. Fire up the time machine, put on the sepia-tinted shades, set the date for #TBT and enjoy the memories!

New PCS auction date prompts mixed bag of responses from DEs
While the two-month delay of the entrepreneur block auction gave some designated-entity companies more time to wheel and deal for funding and allies, one businesswoman said investors slipped away from her in favor of small-business designated companies. The DE personal communications services auction, originally scheduled for June, was rescheduled for Aug. 2. The stumbling block was a lawsuit filed in February by Telephone Electronics Corp., which challenged auction rules that give financial preferences to minority- and female-owned businesses. The case was dropped voluntarily last month and the court stay on the auction lifted. … Read More

Ericsson posts 65 percent gain in first quarter 1995 earnings
Boasting a 65 percent increase in first quarter earnings, Ericsson Inc. reported its radio communications sector is largely accountable for the company’s financial results. For the period ended March 31, Ericsson’s net income totaled $114 million, compared with $69 million for the same period in 1994. Net revenue also soared, reaching $2.7 billion, up 23.9 percent from $2.2 billion last year, reported the Stockholm, Sweden-based company. Radio communications, dominated by mobile telephony, is responsible for $1.4 billion of those revenues, increasing 41.3 percent from $977.8 million in 1994. The United States remains Ericsson’s largest single market, claiming slightly more than 10 percent of net sales. Combined, Ericsson’s European interests account for about 52 percent of net sales, most heavily concentrated in Sweden. Sales in Asia collectively represent 22 percent of total sales, derived primarily from China. … Read More

Paging evolves into messaging with technological innovations
As the onset of narrowband personal communications services nears, the industry is abuzz about what promises to be the next wave of wireless wonder. But for many narrowband providers-to-be, it is only a natural extension of one-way paging. Two camps have emerged among advanced messaging providers, according to Roberta Wiggins, director of wireless/mobile communications for Boston-based Yankee Group. Paging giants Paging Network Inc. and Mobile Telecommunication Technologies Corp. acquired enough bandwidth that they have “nothing to lose and everything to gain,” remarked Wiggins. The companies’ networks and messaging features are extensive. … Read More

Paging not threatened by PCS, nationwide growth predicted
Growth in the paging industry exploded this year, led by public companies that have pushed boldly across market borders, stepped confidently into marriages of convenience and reaped tremendous opportunities from serving a new consumer-oriented market. The result is a 38 percent industry growth rate at the end of 1994, according to Economic & Management Consultants International Inc.-a 9 percent increase when compared with 29 percent growth at year-end 1993. Industry leaders say that as paging companies grow, they tend to attract more investors. With narrowband personal communications services networks gearing up to offer advanced messaging services, traditional one-way paging companies must have their feet firmly in place-or at least firmly in offering their own type of PCS. … Read More

Bill would create federal site guidelines
The House telecommunications subcommittee last week approved creating an industry-government panel to craft federal antenna siting guidelines and temporarily derailed a wireless resale proposal to regulate commercial mobile radio carriers like regional Bell telephone companies. The antenna siting measure, offered by Scott Klug, R-Wis., and cosponsored by Thomas Manton, D-N.Y., was added to telecommunications reform legislation that passed the subcommittee 24-5. The bill, spearheaded by Commerce Committee head Thomas Bliley, R-Va., and designed to allow local telephone companies, cable TV operators and long-distance carriers to compete against one another, goes before the full committee this Wednesday. … Read More

Companies pushing or pausing with plans for enhanced paging
As one company fine-tunes its debut for narrowband personal communications services, others bide their time by determining market position and devising rollout strategies. SkyTel Corp.-through its PCS bidding entity Destineer Corp.-plans to activate its nationwide two-way advanced messaging service during the second half of the year. But AirTouch Paging, BellSouth Corp.’s MobileComm and others express no hurry, possibly waiting an additional year before initiating services. Along with its pioneer’s preference license awarded by the Federal Communications Commission, SkyTel, a subsidiary of Jackson, Miss.-based Mobile Telecommunication Technologies Corp., won two other nationwide narrowband licenses in last fall’s auction. SkyTel will operate its two-way service using Motorola Inc.’s ReFLEX 50 protocol and Tango pager unit. ReFLEX 50 transmits outbound data at up to 25,600 bits per second, 11 times the speed of POCSAG. … Read More

Motorola takes equity positions in three Asian wireless markets
Although Motorola Inc. has been actively refining its worldwide focus to be solely an equipment manufacturer, the Schaumburg, Ill.-based company holds ownership interests in cellular operating companies in three blooming Asian markets-Pakistan, Thailand and Hong Kong. Motorola reported last year that transactions in Asia collectively accounted for about 26 percent of the company’s market sales. Comparatively, the European region accounted for 21 percent and U.S. sales were 44 percent. … Read More

Judge dismisses lawsuit that alleged relationship between phones, cancer
The Florida brain-cancer lawsuit that questioned the safety of cellular phones was dismissed May 17 by a federal court judge on grounds that the claim was not supported by adequate scientific research. H. David Reynard of Madeira Beach filed a wrongful death lawsuit in late 1992 against cellular phone manufacturer NEC Corp. and service provider GTE Mobilnet of Tampa, alleging the cellular phone used by his wife contributed to her fatal brain tumor. The case received exorbitant media attention after Reynard appeared on the high-profile TV program “Larry King Live.” The Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association responded by decrying any relationship between cellular phone use and brain cancer. Industry sources pooled financial support and CTIA established the Wireless Technology Research L.L.C. to research the potential public health impact of wireless instruments and infrastructure equipment. … Read More

Sun introduces Solstice family to enable system management
Targeting a wireless industry with complicated network management needs, Sun Microsystems Inc. said it has introduced its Solstice family of products to wireless manufacturers and operators as an easier way to manage their networks. Sun said it plans to offer network management via software-based solutions that combine centralized and distributed computing control and support open standard-based protocols. Sun’s Solstice products decrease the complexity of managing extensive networks and lower operating costs, according to the Mountain View, Calif.-based company. … Read More

Bells’ long-distance chains loosened
The telecommunications reform bill introduced in the House last week would give the seven regional Bell telephone companies more freedom to offer wireless long-distance service than offered by the waiver granted late last month by U.S. District Judge Harold Greene. The House measure, sponsored by Commerce Committee Chairman Thomas Bliley, R-Va., and a handful of Democrats, would let Bells offer wireless long distance immediately with few strings attached. The Senate telecommunications bill would do much the same. Telecommunications bills in both houses leave commercial wireless carriers largely deregulated. Nevertheless, Greene’s ruling is seen as a big victory for the Baby Bells in light of the uncertain fate of telecommunications legislation in the 104th Congress. … Read More

Kansas City

Premium Newsletter Supporter

Premium Newsletter Supporter

Canyon Ridge Communications

Premium Newsletter Supporter

ProPage Inc.

Newsletter Supporter

Metropolitan Communications

Newsletter Supporter

e*Message Wireless Information Services Europe

Newsletter Supporter

Incyte Capital Holdings LLC
Dallas, Texas

Premium Newsletter Supporter

Le Réseau Mobilité Plus
Montreal, Quebec

Newsletter Supporter

Communication Specialists

Newsletter Supporter

Cook Paging

Premium Newsletter Supporter

MethodLink

Premium Newsletter Supporter

Citipage Ltd.
Edmonton, Alberta

Newsletter Supporter

Repair and Refurbishment Services

Product Support Services, Inc.

511 South Royal Lane
Coppell, Texas 75019
(972) 462-3970 Ext. 261
sales@pssirl.com
www.pssirl.com

PSSI is the industry leader in reverse logistics, our services include depot repair, product returns management, RMA and RTV management, product audit, test, refurbishment, re-kitting and value recovery.

Marathon PageCom meeting yields results

Mike Peterson
May 13, 2016

(Clarinda)—"Fix it"—that's the message Page County's first responders sent regarding the county's communications system at a special meeting Thursday evening.

Members of the county's E-911 board, the county's emergency management agency, and the county's technical oversight committee conducted a marathon joint meeting at Clarinda City Hall to hammer out short-and-long-term solutions to problems associated with PageCom, the county's joint communications center. During the two-hour session, officials reached agreement on this short tern solution: By a 8-to-1 vote, the county's emergency management agency approved a resolution requesting Raycom and Electronic Engineering to inspect the county's communication equipment, and not leave until problems are repaired.

Shenandoah Mayor Dick Hunt cast the lone dissenting vote, citing dissatisfaction with Electronic Engineering—the company which installed the center's radio system. Hunt based his comments from public feedback about the current problems—including garbled dispatches.

"How can I hear the man on the moon in my living room when you can't hear Clarinda or Page County?" asked Hunt. "I just want somebody to tell me what to tell these people on why we can't."

Distorted dispatches aren't limited to Shenandoah first responders. Essex Fire Chief Sam Jones outlined problems with calls on his pager.

"Electronic Engineering programmed every pager in this county," said Jones, "at the Shenandoah Fire Station. They've programmed every pager, every radio. I'm still using that pager—I can't understand nothing. I had to call over to dispatch the other night when we were in a warning to find out what we had, because I couldn't hear it."

Clarinda Mayor Gordon Kokenge made the original motion to request Electronic Engineering's assistance. Kokenge based his recommendation from first responders—whom he called "the people in the field" at Thursday's meeting—and from what he called "the height of frustration."

"You people are out there," said Kokenge. "If you people feel like we should do something as a recommendation to us, that would expedite that, and make it quick, then I feel we should do that as a commission. We're not out on the field, and you're throwing a lot of light on a lot of things for us, at least for me tonight."

Consensus of personnel in attendance was for the company to fix the county's radio problems. Page County Emergency Management Coordinator Marvin McClarnon recommended also requesting Raycom's services, as the company installed the center's radio consoles.

Officials also decided on a long term objective: by an 8-to-0 vote, the EMA directed McClarnon to quickly contact Tusa Consulting Services of Kansas City to see if the company's November, 2014 study on the county's radio system is still valid, and to update the company's proposal. Tusa recommended that the county switch to a simulcast radio system, which would alleviate problems with overlapping communications.

County Sheriff Lyle Palmer says progress is needed on solving the county's radio problems—problems he says didn't exist when he began his law enforcement career several years ago.

"You could pick up a radio and you could talk," said Palmer. "I know that's been a while back, but still, we didn't have this problem. You could hear Clarinda cars in Shenandoah. We've got to get to a point where it's like that, instead of people not being able to hear what they're saying. If they can do it in other counties, surely we can figure out how to do it in Page County."

McClarnon is expected to report back to the three commissions at a future joint meeting—the date of which has not been set.

One note: Page County's Emergency Management Agency consists of mayors from each community, plus a county supervisor and the county sheriff. The county's E-911 commission includes those officials plus police and fire chiefs in each community. The county's technical oversight committee's membership consists of Shenandoah and Clarinda's police chiefs, plus the county sheriff, one firefighter and one medical representative. Jones and Shenandoah EMS Director Ty Davison were appointed to the commission during Thursday night's meeting.

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

	Motorola SOLUTIONS
	Motorola MOBILITY

Disaster-Proven Paging for Public Safety

Paging system designs in the United States typically use a voice radio-style infrastructure. These systems are primarily designed for outdoor mobile coverage with modest indoor coverage. Before Narrowbanding, coverage wasn’t good, but what they have now is not acceptable! The high power, high tower approach also makes the system vulnerable. If one base station fails, a large area loses their paging service immediately!

Almost every technology went from analog to digital except fire paging. So it’s time to think about digital paging! The Disaster-Proven Paging Solution (DiCal) from Swissphone offers improved coverage, higher reliability and flexibility beyond anything that traditional analog or digital paging systems can provide. 

Swissphone is the No. 1 supplier for digital paging solutions worldwide. The Swiss company has built paging networks for public safety organizations all over the world. Swissphone has more than 1 million pagers in the field running for years and years due to their renowned high quality.

DiCal is the digital paging system developed and manufactured by Swissphone. It is designed to meet the specific needs of public safety organizations. Fire and EMS rely on these types of networks to improve incident response time. DiCal systems are designed and engineered to provide maximum indoor paging coverage across an entire county. In a disaster situation, when one or several connections in a simulcast solution are disrupted or interrupted, the radio network automatically switches to fall back operating mode. Full functionality is preserved at all times. This new system is the next level of what we know as “Simulcast Paging” here in the U.S.

Swissphone offers high-quality pagers, very robust and waterproof. Swissphone offers the best sensitivity in the industry, and battery autonomy of up to three months. First responder may choose between a smart s.QUAD pager, which is able to connect with a smartphone and the Hurricane DUO pager, the only digital pager who offers text-to-voice functionality.

Bluetooth technology makes it possible to connect the s.QUAD with a compatible smartphone, and ultimately with various s.ONE software solutions from Swissphone. Thanks to Bluetooth pairing, the s.QUAD combines the reliability of an independent paging system with the benefits of commercial cellular network. Dispatched team members can respond back to the call, directly from the pager. The alert message is sent to the pager via paging and cellular at the same time. This hybrid solution makes the alert faster and more secure. Paging ensures alerting even if the commercial network fails or is overloaded.

Swissphone sets new standards in paging:

Paging Network

• It’s much faster to send individual and stacked pages digitally than with analog voice.
• If you want better indoor coverage, you put sites closer together at lower heights.
• A self-healing system that also remains reliable in various disaster situations.
• Place base station where you need them, without the usage of an expensive backhaul network.
• Protect victim confidentiality and prevent unauthorized use of public safety communications, with integrated encryption service.

Pager

• Reliable message reception, thanks to the best sensitivity in the industry.
• Ruggedized and waterproof, IP67 and 6 1/2-feet drop test-certified products.
• Battery autonomy of up to three months, with a standard AA battery.
• Bluetooth enables the new s.QUAD pager to respond back to the dispatch center or fire chief.

Dispatching:

• Two-way CAD interfaces will make dispatching much easier.
• The new s.ONE solution enables the dispatcher or fire chiefs to view the availability of relief forces.
• A graphical screen shows how many of the dispatched team members have responded to the call.

Swissphone provides a proven solution at an affordable cost. Do you want to learn more?
Visit: www.swissphone.com or call 800-596-1914.

Wireless Communication Solutions

USB Paging Encoder

• Single channel up to eight zones
• Connects to Linux computer via USB
• Programmable timeouts and batch sizes
• Supports 2-tone, 5/6-tone, POCSAG 512/1200/2400, GOLAY
• Supports Tone Only, Voice, Numeric, and Alphanumeric
• PURC or direct connect
• Pictured version mounts in 5.25" drive bay
• Other mounting options available
• Available as a daughter board for our embedded Internet Paging Terminal (IPT)

Paging Data Receiver (PDR)

• Frequency agile—only one receiver to stock
• USB or RS-232 interface
• Two contact closures
• End-user programmable w/o requiring special hardware
• 16 capcodes
• POCSAG
• Eight contact closure version also available
• Product customization available

Other products

Please see our web site for other products including Internet Messaging Gateways, Unified Messaging Servers, test equipment, and Paging Terminals.

Contact

Hark Technologies 717 Old Trolley Rd Ste 6 #163 Summerville, SC 29485

Tel: 843-821-6888

Fax: 843-821-6894

E-mail: sales@harktech.com CLICK

Web: http://www.harktech.com CLICK

SEE WEB FOR COMPLETE LIST:

www.preferredwireless.com/equipment

Rick McMichael
Preferred Wireless, Inc.
Telephone: 888-429-4171
(If you are calling from outside of the USA, please use: 314-575-8425)
rickm@preferredwireless.com

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.

IP-based Wi-Fi Calling or VoLTE Service Providers Can Seek Waivers of TTY Rules

When the FCC granted the nationwide carriers temporary waivers of requirements to support TTY technology during the pendency of the TTY rulemaking, and until RTT is fully deployed, to allow these carriers to offer VoIP services that do not reliably support TTY, it chose not to issue a blanket waiver of its TTY rules to smaller wireless service providers that offer IP-enabled services. As a result, our law firm’s wireless service provider clients who are currently offering IP-based Wi-Fi calling or VoLTE services — as well as those who have plans to offer such services in the foreseeable future — can contact us to discuss whether they also need to seek waivers of the TTY rules.

We are preparing a waiver request for interested Blooston Rural Carriers who are affected by the TTY transition, and we are proposing to charge $350 per participating company. Our law firm will also be available to assist affected clients with preparing RTT implementation status reports, which reports will be required as a condition of their waiver grant.

See the article in this week’s edition for more information.

Headlines

BloostonLaw Preparing TTY Waiver Request and Assisting Clients with Status Reports

As we noted in last week’s BloostonLaw Telecom Update, the FCC issued a Notice of Proposed Rule Making seeking comment on the proposed transition from text telephone for the hearing impaired (TTY) technology to real-time text (RTT) for assistive communications over IP-enabled networks. As a related matter, the FCC has granted AT&T, Verizon, Cellular South and members of the Competitive Carriers Association temporary waivers of requirements to support TTY technology for wireless devices and services on VoIP networks during the pendency of the rulemaking, and until RTT is fully deployed, to allow these carriers to offer VoIP services that do not reliably support TTY. The waivers expires on December 31, 2017, or upon the effective date of new rules providing for alternative IP-based wireless accessibility solutions, whichever is earlier.

In granting its waiver to AT&T, the FCC chose not to issue a blanket waiver of its TTY rules to smaller (i.e., Tier III) wireless service providers that offer IP-enabled services. As a result, it is necessary that our law firm’s wireless service provider clients who are currently offering IP-based Wi-Fi calling or VoLTE services – as well as those who have plans to offer such services in the foreseeable future – obtain a similar waiver. Therefore we recommend that clients in this situation contact us immediately about seeking a waiver of the TTY rules. We are proposing to charge $350 per participating company. Our law firm will also be available to assist affected clients with preparing RTT implementation status reports, which reports will be required as a condition of their waiver grant.

By way of background, a TTY is a device that relies on a legacy transmission technology to transmit coded signals via a wire or radio communication system. The Commission’s Rules contain several requirements for compatibility with TTY technology, and providers of Commercial Mobile Radio Services (CMRS) are required to be capable of transmitting 911 calls “through means other than mobile radio handsets, such as TTY technology.” As the Commission has recognized, however, wireless IP networks do not reliably transmit TTY signals, and these technical and functional limitations have resulted in a steady decline in TTY’s use in favor of other forms of text communications that offer greater ease of use, improved features and practicability.

Given that TTY support is not achievable for IP-enabled wireless services (like VoLTE and Wi-Fi calling), AT&T and Verizon are spearheading efforts to develop and deploy RTT as a successor technology to TTY. RTT permits text to be sent immediately as it is being created, and allows the use of off-the-shelf rather than specialized end-user devices.

Last month, AT&T advised the Commission that it expects to reach agreements with mobile device manufacturers to provide an RTT solution embedded within mobile devices after the Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS) and 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) finalize the RTT standards, followed by testing of that embedded solution. ATIS and 3GPP are conducting meetings to advance these standards, which are expected to be finalized in mid to late 2016.

To the extent any of our law firm’s clients are planning to implement Wi-Fi calling or operate VoLTE-only wireless networks (or other voice services for which TTY connectivity cannot be reliably achieved), they will need to secure waivers of the FCC’s TTY rules until such time as they are able to implement RTT. The terms of the waiver should be substantially the same as granted to AT&T and clarified in subsequent waivers. Specifically, (1) no later than twenty days prior to the roll-out of IP-based wireless calling, or within sixty days of the effective date of the waiver, whichever is later, they must commence providing customer notification of the absence of TTY capabilities for 911 calling over IP-based networks, and inform customers of alternative means of reaching 911, and continue providing such notice throughout the waiver period; and, (2) every six months they must file with the Commission and make available to their customers reports detailing their progress toward implementing RTT.

As part of the recent TTY-to-RTT NPRM, the FCC has proposed that Tier I wireless service providers and device manufacturers implement RTT by December 31, 2017. For smaller carriers and other non-Tier I wireless providers, the FCC is seeking comment on an appropriate timeline for implementation of RTT. AT&T has noted that the company hopes to offer mobile devices with a manufacturer-embedded RTT solution in 2018, dependent on standards-setting and manufacturer development cycles.

If your company may seek to offer IP-based wireless voice services in the next 2-3 years, we would strongly recommend that you act now to secure a waiver of the Commission’s TTY rules. Small carriers are placed at a disadvantage because RTT is only in early stages of development and there is little certainty with regard to establishing RTT interoperability or backwards compatibility. Moreover, if the experience with HAC-enabled devices is to be any guide, it is unlikely that smaller carriers will have access to RTT-enabled devices they need to achieve compliance on the same timeframe as Tier I carriers.

FCC Extends Comment Deadline for EAS Amendment Proceeding

On May 5, the FCC granted a request for extension of time to respond to the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in its proceeding to amend Part 11 of the FCC’s rules regarding the Emergency Alert System (EAS). Comments are now due June 8, and reply comments are now due July 8.

Back in January, the FCC proposed rules to strengthen the EAS by “facilitating involvement on the state and local levels, supporting greater testing and awareness of the system, leveraging technological advances, and enhancing EAS security.”

This included proposals to:

• Encourage more strategic engagement in EAS at the state and local levels by streamlining, automating, and improving the utility of state EAS plans filed with the FCC;
• Authorize state and local alert originators and EAS participants to conduct periodic “live” EAS tests, provided that steps are taken to prevent public confusion; and
• Allow federal, state, and local governments to issue public service announcements using the EAS Attention Signal (i.e., sound), provided that they are presented in a non-misleading and technically harmless manner.

The NPRM also sought comment on a number of issues, including:

• Measures to enhance EAS security, such as whether EAS participants should be required to submit an annual certification that they are following EAS security best practices;
• Whether technological advancements have improved the ability of cable providers to offer more specific and informative alert content and, if so, whether the FCC should retain certain related rule provisions;
• Assessing and meeting public expectations for receiving alerts as content is viewed across different technology platforms; and
• How community-based alerting exercises can best meet the needs of individuals with limited English proficiency and those with disabilities.

Filers originally petitioned the FCC for an additional 45 days, but received only 30.

Wireline Competition Bureau Releases RoR Density Data

On May 3, the FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau released the rate-of-return (RoR) study area density data that will be used in implementing various reforms adopted by the Commission in the Rate-of-Return Reform Order. The housing unit, land area and density data are posted on the Industry and Technology Analysis Division’s Study Area Boundary Data page, https://www.fcc.gov/wireline-competition/industry-analysis-and-technology-division/general/study-area-boundary-data , and available at https://www.fcc.gov/file/3722/download .

According to the Public Notice, the Bureau used the study area boundaries submitted as of March 10 and overlaid 2010 census blocks to determine the land area for each study area. Where a study area boundary covered a portion of the census block, its area, housing units, and population were multiplied by the percentage of the block covered. A significant range in density emerged among the 1,094 RoR study areas, as shown below:

Charter Settles Investigation of Customer-Owned Cable Modem Practices

On May 10, the Media Bureau (Bureau) of the FCC issued an Order settling its investigation into whether Charter Communications, Inc. (Charter or Company) prevented the connection of customer-owned cable modems to its network without determining that they posed a threat of harm to the Charter network or theft of Charter service. As a result, Charter will adopt a three-year compliance plan with reporting requirements; revise its cable modem testing regime; and will also make a settlement payment of $640,000.

In July 2015, the Bureau began an investigation into Charter after Zoom Telephonics, Inc. alleged that Charter had, over an extended period of time, infringed the right of Charter subscribers to attach and use non-harmful cable modems. Specifically, the Bureau’s investigation found that for a period of approximately two years beginning in 2012, Charter informed subscribers that they would no longer be permitted to attach new customer-owned modems. Charter later provided a list of authorized customer-owned modems, but new modems were only added to the list after passing a number of tests, many of which did not relate to harm to the network or theft of service.

Section 629 of the Communications Act prohibits MVPDs from “prevent[ing] the connection or use of navigation devices” on their network, unless “’electronic or physical harm would be caused by the attachment or operation’ of a navigation device (which term includes cable modems), or when the device could be, or is intended or designed to be, used for ‘the unauthorized receipt of service.’”

We recommend MVPDs to evaluate their own customer-owned device policies to ensure they are in accord with the FCC’s rules. MVPDs with questions about the requirements should contact the firm for more information.

Law & Regulation

May Open Meeting Agenda Announced

On May 4, the FCC announced that the following items are tentatively on the agenda for the May Open Commission Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, May 25, 2016:

• a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that seeks comment on proposals to eliminate the requirement that commercial broadcast stations retain copies of letters and emails from the public in their public inspection file and the requirement that cable operators reveal the location of the cable system’s principal headend.
• a Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to update its Part 4 communications network outage reporting requirements .
• a Report & Order adopting rules to implement a competitive bidding process for high-cost universal service support from Phase II of the Connect America Fund.

The Open Meeting is scheduled to commence at 10:30 a.m., and will be webcast live at www.fcc.gov/live .

Senate Judiciary Committee to Examine FCC Privacy Rules

On May 11, the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary’s Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology and the Law will hold a meeting to examine the proposed FCC privacy rules for broadband internet access service (BIAS) providers. Witnesses will be FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler, FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai, FTC Chairwoman Edith Ramirez, and FTC Commissioner Maureen Ohlhausen.

As we reported in last week’s edition of the BloostonLaw Telecom Update, the FCC is seeking comment on the following proposals:

• define the information that would be protected as “customer proprietary information” (customer PI) to include both CPNI as established by Section 222(h) of the Act and personally identifiable information (PII) collected by the broadband providers through their provision of BIAS.
• enhance the ability of consumers to make informed choices through effective disclosure of broadband providers’ privacy policies
• adopt a three-tiered approach to choice with respect to use of customer PI obtained by virtue of providing the broadband
• whether additional protection, above and beyond Section 705 of the Communications Act and the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (including those provisions known as the Wiretap Act), is needed.
• whether, and how, Section 222 should be applied to provide additional protection to some or all forms of content or to otherwise complement the effectiveness of existing federal laws.
• whether there are any small-provider-specific exemptions that are appropriate, such as for small providers who have already obtained customer approval, or who collect data from fewer than 5,000 customers a year (provided they do not share customer data with third parties).
• whether there are particular types of information, for example, Social Security numbers, financial account information, or geo-location information that, although included within the definition of customer PI, are so sensitive that they deserve special treatment.
• that consumers should be able to rely on their broadband provider to take reasonable steps to safeguard customer information from unauthorized use, disclosure, or access, and seeks comment on whether there are other data security requirements that the Commission should adopt, such as data minimization requirements.

The FCC is also considering adopting rules that (1) harmonize the privacy requirements for cable and satellite providers with the rules for telecommunications providers, (2) address what barriers may exist to the ability of consumers to resolve disputes and (3) recognize the right to access and correct the customer information their broadband provider maintains about them.

Notice of Prohibited Presentations in Lifeline Reform Proceeding

On May 9, the FCC issued a Public Notice regarding the receipt of received several prohibited written presentations in the Lifeline Link Up Reform and Modernization proceeding between March 25, 2016 and April 13, 2016. The FCC’s rules prohibit the making of any presentation, whether ex parte or not, to decision-making personnel concerning any matter listed on the FCC’s Sunshine Agenda ( i.e., the finalized agenda issued shortly before the monthly meeting), from the day after the Sunshine Agenda are released until the text of the FCC’s decision on the matter is issued.

In this case, the final agenda for last month’s meeting, in which the FCC considered the Third Report and Order in the proceeding, was issued on March 24.The Third Report and Order itself was not released until April 27. Therefore, any presentations made relating to the Third Report and Order were in violation of the rules, and will be associated with, but not made a part of, the record in the relevant proceedings. In other words, these presentations will appear in the appropriate docket for public viewing, but they may not be relied upon for any purpose.

A list of the prohibited presentations can be found here . Carriers interested in presenting information to the FCC in any rulemaking should contact the firm for more information, and to ensure that they do not inadvertently engage in a similar rule violation.

Industry

Wireline Bureau Launches Inquiry into Mobile Device Security Updates

On May 9, according to an FCC press release, the FCC’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Chief Jon Wilkins sent a letter to mobile carriers asking questions about their processes for reviewing and releasing security updates for mobile devices. At the same time, the FTC has ordered eight mobile device manufacturers to provide the agency with information about how they issue security updates to address vulnerabilities in smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices.

Of particular concern are “a growing number of vulnerabilities associated with mobile operating systems that threaten the security and integrity of a user’s device, including “Stagefright” in the Android operating system, which may affect almost 1 billion Android devices globally.”

The FCC hopes that responses to the letters will inform discussions with industry about possible solutions and be shared with the FTC.

Deadlines

MAY 31: FCC FORM 395, EMPLOYMENT REPORT. Common carriers, including wireless carriers, with 16 or more full-time employees must file their annual Common Carrier Employment Reports (FCC Form 395) by May 31. This report tracks carrier compliance with rules requiring recruitment of minority employees. Further, the FCC requires all common carriers to report any employment discrimination complaints they received during the past year. That information is also due on May 31. The FCC encourages carriers to complete the discrimination report requirement by filling out Section V of Form 395, rather than submitting a separate report.

JULY 1: FCC FORM 481 (CARRIER ANNUAL REPORTING DATA COLLECTION FORM). All eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs) must report the information required by Section 54.313, which includes outage, unfulfilled service request, and complaint data, broken out separately for voice and broadband services, information on the ETC’s holding company, operating companies, ETC affiliates and any branding in response to section 54.313(a)(8); its CAF-ICC certification, if applicable; its financial information, if a privately held rate-of-return carrier; and its satellite backhaul certification, if applicable. Form 481 must not only be filed with USAC, but also with the FCC and the relevant state commission and tribal authority, as appropriate. Although USAC treats the filing as confidential, filers must seek confidential treatment separately with the FCC and the relevant state commission and tribal authority if confidential treatment is desired.

JULY 1: MOBILITY FUND PHASE I ANNUAL REPORT. Winning bidders in Auction 901 that are authorized to receive Mobility Fund Phase I support are required to submit to the Commission an annual report each year on July 1 for the five years following authorization. Each annual report must be submitted to the Office of the Secretary of the Commission, clearly referencing WT Docket No. 10-208; the Universal Service Administrator; and the relevant state commissions, relevant authority in a U.S. Territory, or Tribal governments, as appropriate. The information and certifications required to be included in the annual report are described in Section 54.1009 of the Commission’s rules.

JULY 29: CARRIER IDENTIFICATION CODE (CIC) REPORTS. Carrier Identification Code (CIC) Reports must be filed by the last business day of July (this year, July 29). These reports are required of all carriers who have been assigned a CIC code by NANPA. Failure to file could result in an effort by NANPA to reclaim it, although according to the Guidelines this process is initiated with a letter from NANPA regarding the apparent non-use of the CIC code. The assignee can then respond with an explanation. (Guidelines Section 6.2). The CIC Reporting Requirement is included in the CIC Assignment Guidelines, produced by ATIS. According to section 1.4 of that document: At the direction of the NANPA, the access providers and the entities who are assigned CICs will be requested to provide access and usage information to the NANPA, on a semi-annual basis to ensure effective management of the CIC resource. (Holders of codes may respond to the request at their own election). Access provider and entity reports shall be submitted to NANPA no later than January 31 for the period ending December 31, and no later than July 31 for the period ending June 30. It is also referenced in the NANPA Technical Requirements Document, which states at 7.18.6: CIC holders shall provide a usage report to the NANPA per the industry CIC guidelines … The NAS shall be capable of accepting CIC usage reports per guideline requirements on January 31 for the period ending December 31 and no later than July 31 for the period ending June 30. These reports may also be mailed and accepted by the NANPA in paper form. Finally, according to the NANPA website, if no local exchange carrier reports access or usage for a given CIC, NANPA is obliged to reclaim it. The semi-annual utilization and access reporting mechanism is described at length in the guidelines.

AUGUST 1: FCC FORM 507, UNIVERSAL SERVICE QUARTERLY LINE COUNT UPDATE. Line count updates are required to recalculate a carrier's per line universal service support, and is filed with the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC). This information must be submitted on July 31 each year by all rate-of-return incumbent carriers, and on a quarterly basis if a competitive eligible telecommunications carrier (CETC) has initiated service in the rate-of-return incumbent carrier’s service area and reported line count data to USAC in the rate-of-return incumbent carrier’s service area, in order for the incumbent carrier to be eligible to receive Interstate Common Line Support (ICLS). Because July 31 falls on a Sunday this year, the filing will be due August 1. This quarterly filing is due July 31 and covers lines served as of December 31, 2013. Incumbent carriers filing on a quarterly basis must also file on September 30 (for lines served as of March 31, 2014); December 30 (for lines served as of June 30, 2014), and March 31, 2015, for lines served as of September 30, 2014).

Calendar At-A-Glance

May
May 12 – Comments are due on Rate-of-Return FNPRM.
May 17 – Short Form Tariff Review Plans are due.
May 17 – Reply comments are due on TCPA Home Office Line Classification proceeding.
May 27 – Comments are due on Internet Privacy NPRM
May 31 – Comments on Short Form Tariff Review Plans are due.
May 31 – Comments are due on Mobile Competition.
May 31 – FCC Form 395 (Annual Employment Report) is due.

June
Jun. 1 – Deadline to increase local residential rates above $18 to avoid reductions in support.
Jun. 1 – Comments are due on Dormant Proceeding Termination.
Jun. 7 – Reply comments are Short Form Tariff Review Plans are due.
Jun. 8 – Comments are due in Emergency Alert System NPRM Proceeding.
Jun. 13 – Reply comments are due on Rate-of-Return FNPRM.
Jun. 15 – Reply comments are due on Mobile Competition.
Jun. 16 – 15-Day Tariff Filings are due.
Jun. 16 – Reply comments are due on Dormant Proceeding Termination.
Jun. 23 – Petitions to Suspend or Reject 15-Day Tariff Filings are due.
Jun. 24 – 7-Day Tariff Filings are due.
Jun. 27 – Replies to Petitions to Suspend or Reject 15-Day Tariff Filings are due.
Jun. 27 – Reply comments are due on Internet Privacy NPRM.
Jun. 28 – Comments are due on New Special Access Regulation.
Jun. 28 – Petitions to Suspend or Reject 7-Day Tariff Filings are due (by NOON EST).
Jun. 29 – Replies to Petitions to Suspend or Reject 7-Day Tariff Filings are due (by NOON EST).

July
Jul. 1 – FCC Form 481 (Carrier Annual Reporting Data Collection Form) is due.
Jul. 1 – FCC Form 690 (Mobility Fund Phase I Auction Winner Annual Report) is due.
Jul. 8 – Reply comments are due in Emergency Alert System NPRM Proceeding.
Jul. 26 – Reply comments are due on New Special Access Regulation.
Jul. 29 – Carrier Identification Code (CIC) Report is due.

August
Aug. 1 – FCC Form 507 (Universal Service Quarterly Line Count Update) is due.
Aug. 1 – International Traffic Data Report is due.

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.

Note: We do not like Patent Trolls, i.e. “a person or company who enforces patent rights against accused infringers in an attempt to collect licensing fees, but does not manufacture products or supply services based upon the patents in question.” We have helped some prominent law firms defend their clients against this annoyance, and would be happy to do some more of this same kind of work.

Some people use the title “consultant” when they don't have a real job. We actually do consulting work, and help others based on our many years of experience.

“If you would know the road ahead, ask someone who has traveled it.”
— Chinese Proverb

Wireless Network Planners
Wireless Specialists

www.wirelessplanners.com
wirelessplannerron@gmail.com

R.H. (Ron) Mercer Consultant 217 First Street East Northport, NY 11731
Telephone: 631-786-9359

Cruelty

“Man is the cruelest animal.”

― Friedrich Nietzsche

“People speak sometimes about the "bestial" cruelty of man, but that is terribly unjust and offensive to beasts, no animal could ever be so cruel as a man, so artfully, so artistically cruel.”

― Fyodor Dostoyevsky

“We keep on being told that religion, whatever its imperfections, at least instills morality. On every side, there is conclusive evidence that the contrary is the case and that faith causes people to be more mean, more selfish, and perhaps above all, more stupid.”

― Christopher Hitchens

Children cry after leaving their home following a nearby rocket-strike in Kilis on May 7, 2016. One person was killed and seven more wounded when rockets fired from Syria slammed into the Turkish border region of Kilis, which has been regularly targeted by jihadists this year, the Dogan news agency said.