INCOMPAS NEWS -- April 16, 2018

On April 17, the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Communications and Technology will hold a hearing entitled "From Core to Edge: Perspective on Internet Prioritization."

In light of concerns raised over the perceived anticompetitive nature of certain forms of prioritization, the Committee seeks a better understanding of the inner-workings of how network operators manage data flows over the Internet and how data is prioritized from the network core to the edge.

The hearing will begin at 10:15 a.m. in 2322 Rayburn House Office Building with witnesses:

Richard Bennett, Founder, High Tech Forum
Peter Rysavy, President, Rysavy Research, LLC
Paul Schroeder, Director, Public Policy and Strategic Alliances, Aira Tech Corporation
Matt Wood, Policy Director, Free Press

INCOMPAS Urges Committee to
Consider Impact of Paid Prioritization on
Free, Open Internet

Earlier today, INCOMPAS sent a letter to Rep. Marsha Blackburn, chairwoman, and Rep. Michael Doyle, ranking member, of the Subcommittee, noting that the hearing "presents an opportunity to further explore why preserving a free and open internet for American consumers is critical for the economy and is strongly supported by the American people."

The letter details how allowing paid prioritization would give internet service providers (ISPs) an incentive to monetize network congestion. This will lead to an internet of 'haves' and 'have-nots' - of fast and slow lanes - in which ISPs can control the winners and losers online by prioritizing some internet traffic over others - all for their own profit.

INCOMPAS conducted a survey which found that 72 percent of voters are against paid prioritization. Additionally, 86 percent believe that ISPs should treat all websites and content equally.

"The ink isn't even dry on the FCC's proposal to end net neutrality, and ISP lobbyists are already urging Congress to allow for paid prioritization. You can have an open internet, or you can have paid prioritization, but you cannot have both," said INCOMPAS Chief Advocate and General Counsel Angie Kronenberg. "An open internet provides equal and nondiscriminatory access for all individuals and businesses. Paid prioritization, on the other hand, incentivizes scarcity in the networks and discrimination, allowing ISPs to leverage their position and squeeze more money from consumers who have cut the cord and joined the streaming revolution"

She added that "72 percent of Americans oppose paid prioritization that will relegate small business to an internet slow lane. Americans want Congress to protect an open internet. Without strong net neutrality protections, ISPs see gold in paid prioritization schemes that commoditize congestion and strengthen their hand as the gatekeepers of content. Their attempts to confuse and conflate localized network management with network neutrality is a threat to any small business who has migrated to the cloud to save money and boost efficiency."

INCOMPAS General Counsel Speaks About Net Neutrality at Practising Law Institute Event

INCOMPAS Chief Advocate and General Counsel Angie Kronenberg was a featured panelist at the April 11 Practising Law Institute's Broadband and Cable Industry Law program in New York City. The panel debated the impact of the FCC's order last year that rescinded net neutrality laws, and discussed possible action by Congress and legal challenges to the Commission's order.

Kronenberg, citing results of an INCOMPAS survey, noted that there's broad consumer support for reinstating net neutrality rules. She added that there is ample evidence at the FCC showing that ISPs took advantage of their gatekeeper role, engaging in attempts to slow internet competition. She also indicated that INCOMPAS intends to file an appeal of the FCC's order, and seeks to engage Congress in codifying the FCC's original principles of net neutrality.

The INCOMPAS Show: Where Decision Makers Make Deals

If you're looking to meet the top decision makers in the communications industry, The 2018 INCOMPAS Show is the place to be.

The show brings together senior businesses executives from all facets of the industry. The INCOMPAS Show consistently features one of the highest ratios of C-level, vice presidents/senior directors and directors of any trade show in the industry. These key decision makers make up nearly 50 percent of show attendees.

Save the Date: October 29-31
Interested in meeting buyers and decision makers from today's highest profile fiber, broadband, wireless, internet, cloud, managed services, Over-the-Top and content providers? Then mark your calendar for October 29-31, for the The 2018 INCOMPAS Show, taking place at the ARIA Resort in Las Vegas.

Take advantage of the popular Buyers Forum, benefit from multiple networking events, explore exhibits and demonstrations, and learn about the latest technology trends and policy issues impacting your business.

Registration opens in early June.

Senate Commerce Committee to Hold Robocall Hearing on April 18

The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee will hold a hearing on Wednesday, April 18, entitled "Abusive Robocalls and How We Can Stop Them."

Witnesses include:

Lois Greisman, Associate Director, Marketing Practices Division, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Federal Trade Commission
Rosemary Harold, Chief, Enforcement Bureau, FCC
Adrian Abramovich, former President of Marketing Strategy Leaders
Scott Delacourt, Partner, Wiley Rein LLP and U.S. Chamber of Commerce representative
Kevin Rupy, Vice President, Law and Policy, United States Telecom Association
Margot Saunders, Senior Counsel, National Consumer Law Center

This hearing will take place in Russell Senate Office Building, Room 253. Witness testimony, opening statements, and a live video of the hearing will be available on www.commerce.senate.gov.

Southeast NPAC Region Transitions to iconectiv NPAC

iconectiv, the next Local Number Portability Administrator (LNPA) for the U.S., announced the successful transition of the Southeast Number Portability Administration Center (NPAC) Region to iconectiv on April 8. This marks the first regional cutover of NPAC data and services for service providers, service bureaus and providers of telecom-related services. The Southeast Region covers the states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, parts of Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The remaining regions are currently scheduled to transition to iconectiv on May 6 (Mid-Atlantic, Midwest and Northeast Regions) and May 20 (Southwest, West and West Coast Regions). Services for law enforcement, public safety agencies and businesses that must comply with the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) successfully transitioned to iconectiv on March 4, 2018.

For information, visit www.numberportability.com, email [email protected] or call 844-820-8039.