INCOMPAS NEWS -- January 22, 2018

Microsoft is now accepting applications for the Microsoft Airband Grant Fund, which seeks to spark innovation to overcome barriers to affordable internet access, through supporting high-potential, early-stage startups creating innovative new technologies, services and business models.

Applications will be accepted until midnight PST on January 31, 2018.

FCC DEADLINES

January 23

Comments Due on Eliminating Unlawful Robocalls FNPRM

January 24

Comments Due on Lifeline and Link Up Reform Modernization

January 26

Reply Comments Due on Nationwide Number Portability NPRM and NOI

February 2

Comments Due on Promoting Telehealth in Rural America NPRM

February 16

Reply Comments Due in Wireline Broadband Deployment FNPRM

February 22

Reply Comments Due on Eliminating Unlawful Robocalls FNPRM

February 23

Reply Comments Due on Lifeline and Link Up Reform Modernization

March 5

Reply Comments Due on Promoting Telehealth in Rural America NPRM

Rep. Coffman Added to

Keynote Speakers at

INCOMPAS Policy Summit


	Rep. Mike Coffman

We're honored to welcome Rep. Mike Coffman (R-CO) to our impressive line up of keynote speakers at The INCOMPAS 2018 Policy Summit, which takes place Wednesday, February 7, at the Newseum in Washington, D.C.

Rep. Coffman joins a host of prominent policymakers and legislators, who will address Policy Summit attendees, including;

FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn
Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA)
Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH)
Rep. Peter Welch (D-VT)

In addition there will be panel discussions featuring leaders from top communications, internet and content companies:

Building the Future Deployment Solutions for Fiber & Wireless Infrastructure featuring speakers from Fatbeam, Microsoft, Morgan Lewis, Uniti Fiber and Windstream
Streaming Revolution: Content & Services in an Over-the-Top World with panelists from Bandwidth; Facebook; Goldberg, Godles, Wiener & Wright LLP; Telestax Inc. and Twitter
Competition Comes Home: How Connected Devices and the Internet of Things Will Shape the Future featuring speakers from ADT and Hogan Lovells
C-Level Perspective on the Technology of Tomorrow: The Future of Business Strategy with panelists from Kelley Drye and TeleQuality

Stay and Network

After keynotes and panel sessions, stay and network with attendees during The Policy Summit happy hour.

For more information, or to learn how you can sponsor this premier policy event, email Jenny Gilbert.

INCOMPAS Applauds "Dig Once" and "Climb Once" Bills

House Subcommittee Introduces

Broadband Deployment Legislation

Last week, Reps. Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and David McKinley (R-WV) introduced two bills aimed at speeding broadband deployment.

The Broadband Conduit Deployment Act of 2018 will require all new federally-funded roads to include a broadband conduit, which are plastic pipes that house fiber-optic communications cable. This "Dig Once" approach will eliminate the need to dig up recently constructed roads when deploying new networks, drastically reducing deployment costs.
The CLIMB ONCE Act of 2018 will clarify that Section 224 of the Communications Act does not preempt states from passing "One Touch, Make Ready" policies when it comes to new pole attachments. This efficient approach to broadband infrastructure saves competitive providers time and money when deploying new networks.

"We applaud Reps. Eshoo and McKinley on their leadership in speeding broadband deployment. Both pieces of legislation are commonsense measures that will lower prices for consumers, spur innovation and bring much needed competition to the broadband market," said INCOMPAS CEO Chip Pickering. "We look forward to working with Congress to enact a future-forward deployment agenda this year. For too long outdated regulations stood as roadblocks to true broadband competition. It's more than time for 'Dig Once' and 'Climb Once' to be the industry standard."

House Subcommittee Bills Seek to Reduce Regulatory Barriers to Broadband Deployment

On January 16, the House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology announced a series of bills introduced by subcommittee members aimed at reducing the regulatory barriers to broadband infrastructure expansion.

The Communications Facilities Deployment on Federal Property Act of 2018 would require executive agencies to use common application forms and cost-based application fees for easements, rights-of-way and lease requests, and master contracts for placement of communications facility installations on federal property.
The Inventory of Assets for Communications Facilities Act of 2018 would require the GSA to coordinate with the NTIA to ensure federal agencies include an inventory of assets that can be used to attach or install broadband infrastructure. This inventory would be available to communications providers.
The Streamlining and Expediting Approval for Communications Technologies Act would require the Senior Real Property Officer of covered agencies to track, record and report on specified data on the applications to locate or modify communications facilities on covered, federal assets.

FCC Releases Draft 2018 Broadband Deployment Report

The FCC released its draft 2018 Broadband Deployment Report last Friday, highlighting local barriers to new network builders. In the report, the FCC also recommended maintaining the current fixed internet speed benchmark of 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload, even though both incumbent and competitive network builders have deployed faster speeds of a Gigabit and beyond.

INCOMPAS CEO Chip Pickering said that "if we want to keep our economy chugging along, then we must put broadband networks and the internet on a bullet train to the future. Increasing the fixed broadband benchmark to one Gigabit would encourage greater competition, lower prices and unleash investment."

He thanked Chairman Pai and the entire FCC for their continued focus on broadband deployment, adding that "we encourage them to be bold and strive for a better, faster broadband future. Eighty-nine percent of the nation remains tied to older, slower networks where monopolies and duopolies have blocked new competition. But in neighborhoods with three or more competitors, Gigabit speeds drive the market and families have faster speeds at lower prices. Competition is the answer, and the FCC should bring these benefits to all Americans with all deliberate speed."

Pickering concluded, "We support the Commission adopting policies that lower barriers for competitors, such as 'One Touch, Make Ready' for pole attachments. The FCC should also clarify that it will not preempt any city or state that enables broadband competition in multi-tenant buildings, and it should open a rulemaking that makes clear that exclusive access arrangements are not permitted. Consumers living in condos or apartments have a right to competition too."

FCC Announces Agenda for January Open Meeting

The FCC released the tentative agenda for its January Open Commission Meeting:

Wireless Emergency Alerts
Connect America Fund Phase II Reconsideration Order
Connect America Fund Phase II Auction (Auction 903)
Establishment of the Office of Economics and Analytics
Paper Filing of Contracts
Obsolete Media Rules

The Open Meeting is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, January 30, at FCC headquarters in Washington, D.C. Open Meetings are streamed live at www.fcc.gov/live and can be followed on social media with #OpenMtgFCC.