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INCOMPAS Comments on Proposed FCC Robocall Rules
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The FCC is considering new rules that facilitate call blocking by voice service providers in order to mitigate the threat of unlawful robocalls to consumers. In its comments, INCOMPAS praised the Commission's efforts to crack down on the predatory practice of robocalls, but urged caution when pursuing sweeping call blocking proposals that ignore the potential unintended consequences these policies may have on consumers and competitive providers.
In addition to the FCC filing, INCOMPAS released the following statement: "We support the FCC's diligent efforts to address illegal robocalls - the number one consumer complaint at the FCC. These predatory calls are designed to take advantage of consumers, and our members are striving to effectively address this problem. They are working with others in the industry on several innovative approaches to crack down on unwanted robocalls, while meeting consumer expectations that legitimate calls will be connected.
"We caution the Commission that unfettered call blocking could open the door to anticompetitive behavior by large providers that have the incentive and ability to block calls originated by competitive providers. As such, the FCC must make clear that anticompetitive call blocking is prohibited.
"INCOMPAS supports the Commission's proposal to amend its rules to codify its guidance permitting a subscriber to a particular telephone number to request blocking of calls that originate from that number, as well as proposals that allow providers to block telephone numbers that are either invalid or not allocated to any provider. However, we urge the Commission to reject its proposal to permit blocking of numbers that have been allocated to a provider, but not assigned to a customer as there is no technically feasible method to accurately identify that information in real-time, which potentially increases the risk of legitimate calls being blocked when customers begin using a new number." |
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Registration Opens Next Week for
INCOMPAS Show: Fall 2017
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Mark your calendars! Next week registration will open for
The INCOMPAS Show: Fall 2017, which is taking place October 15-17 in San Francisco.
We've revamped our registration rates, enabling you to register for the full conference for as low as $550.
In addition, you'll find new features - like The INCOMPAS Bar, providing refreshments and seating all day - and favorites - such as the Buyers Forum and dedicated networking and meeting space - all in a single location: the Marriott Marquis San Francisco.
Stay tuned for more highlights in the weeks to come!
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FCC Releases Order on
Privacy Requirements
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Last week, the FCC issued an
order that provides guidance on how voice service providers and ISPs can comply with the privacy requirements of Section 222 of the Communications Act. This guidance comes in the wake of Congress using its authority under the Congressional Review Act to overturn the Commission's 2016 Privacy Order.
The Order reestablishes the privacy rules for Section 222 that were in existence prior to the 2016 Order, including the annual compliance certification requirements and record-keeping requirements, which now must be filed no later than March 1, 2018.
The Commission did not reconsider the enterprise customer exemption that had been adopted as part of the 2016 Order. ISPs remain subject to Section 222 but need not comply with the Commission's implementation rules as a result of the forbearance granted in the 2015 Open Internet Order.
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City-Vendor Connect Event to Take Place at Gigabit City Summit
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Next Century Cities invites you to participate in City-Vendor Connect at Westport Commons in Kansas City, Mo., on August 3. This one-day event, scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., is hosted in conjunction with KC Digital Drive's Gigabit City Summit. City-Vendor Connect is designed to bring together cities looking for innovative partnerships to expand broadband access and vendors offering a variety of proposed solutions.
The City-Vendor Connect event is free for city representatives and there are significant discounts for Gigabit City Summit registration as well as travel subsidies provided for Next Century City members. Interested city and vendor representatives should register here, and email Katie Watson with any questions.
Gigabit City Summit is scheduled for August 1-3, also at Westport Commons. It is the premier conference for leaders in cities that either have or are planning to build out gigabit fiber networks. The summit drew more than 350 attendees from across the nation last year. In addition to speakers from the tech, smart city and entrepreneurial sectors, the Summit features leaders from communities that will offer first-hand experience about what it takes to successfully manage a large-scale fiber buildout and its impact on the community.
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Competitors' Reception to be
Held July 15 in San Diego
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INCOMPAS invites you to the Competitors' Reception, Saturday, July 15, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel.
Sponsors of the event include TPX Communications, T-Mobile, MACC - Midwest Association of Competitive Communications, CALTEL, CompSouth, Granite Telecommunications, Level 3 and Sonic.
The event will take place prior to the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) Summer Policy Meeting. Please note that the Competitors' Reception is not sponsored by NARUC, nor is it a part of the meeting agenda.
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Trump Nominates Brendan Carr as FCC Commissioner
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President Donald Trump nominated Brendan Carr to serve on the Federal Communications Commission. Serving as the FCC's general counsel since January, Carr spent three years as Chairman Pai's legal advisor for wireless, public safety and international issues. Before joining the FCC, Carr worked as a telecommunications attorney at the Wiley Rein law firm, where his clients included AT&T Inc., Verizon Communications Inc. and USTelecom.
In a statement, INCOMPAS CEO Chip Pickering said: "We welcome and congratulate Brendan Carr on the President's announcement to nominate him to the Federal Communications Commission. Brendan is a substantive expert with deep knowledge of the agency and wireless policy. We look forward to hearing his positions on a number of issues, from preserving an open internet to strategies that foster more competition in both wired and wireless networks, so that all American's can benefit from increased choice, faster speeds and lower prices."
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