INCOMPAS NEWS -- June 18, 2018

Palo Alto, Calif., is seeking proposals to develop a business case to build a fiber-to-the-node network to multiple neighborhood nodes, with an expansion option to deploy a citywide fiber-to-the-premises network.

COMMENT DEADLINES

June 19

Reply Comments Due in Rural Call Completion Second Report & Order and Third FNPRM

July 2

Reply Comments Due on NPRM on Barring USF Funds for Equipment, Services Posing National Security Risk

Reply Comments Due in NPRM on BDS Regulation for RLECs

July 9

Reply Comments Due on Robocall FNPRM

August 6

Comments or Oppositions Due on USTelecom UNE Forbearance Petition

September 5

Replies Due on USTelecom UNE Forbearance Petition

Registration Now Open for

The 2018 INCOMPAS Show

Registration is now open for one of the industry's most vibrant marketplaces - The 2018 INCOMPAS Show.

Now taking place just once a year, The INCOMPAS Show maintains its long-standing reputation as the place where deals are done, bringing together top purchasing decision makers and influencers throughout the communications ecosystem.

Learn about the state of competition, including a Policy Workshop and special session on what the UNE Forbearance Petition means for your business, during educational sessions
Explore new product and services in the Exhibit Hall
Meet face-to-face with the industry's top buyers at the Buyers Forum
Network with industry colleagues, and make new connections, during receptions and social events

Members Save $200 on Registration Fees

INCOMPAS members can save $200 per person on full conference registrations.

Not an INCOMPAS member? Learn how you can save at the show, and capitalize on the benefits of membership year round.

Save More -- Group Packages Available

Planning to bring your entire team? The INCOMPAS Show offers group pricing packages with savings up to $250 off per person, and the opportunity to secure a block of hotel rooms. Click here for more details.

Secure Discounted Hotel Rates

When you register, make sure to book your room at our host hotel - the ARIA Resort - and receive our exclusive discounted rates.

Another large event

will be taking up rooms in multiple hotels while The INCOMPAS Show is in Las Vegas, so plan ahead, book your room and don't risk limited availability and higher prices.

Discounted hotel rates won't last long...and space is limited, so secure all your travel plans today!

AT&T-Time Warner is the

Merger No One Wants,

But Everyone Pays For

On June 12, Judge Richard Leon announced his decision in the AT&T-Time Warner proceeding. In a stunning blow to competition and consumers, the merger was allowed to proceed without any of the conditions recommended by the Department of Justice.

"AT&T is getting the merger no one wants, but everyone will pay for. While the world focused on the merger, AT&T has been lobbying the FCC to cut off broadband competition in rural America and raise prices on consumers, small businesses and schools," said INCOMPAS CEO Chip Pickering. "Without question, a bigger, more powerful AT&T in a world absent net neutrality is a very, very dangerous proposition for consumers and content creators who have thrived during the streaming revolution. Now is the time for Congress to listen to the 80 percent of Americans who are demanding that a free and open internet become the law of the land. With a broadband monopoly in one hand, and paid prioritization in the other, AT&T poses a threat to fiber deployment and the streaming revolution."

He added that INCOMPAS believes "net neutrality should have been part of the DOJ's case, and we believe critical merger information from the ISPs should be included in our court challenge to the FCC's net neutrality repeal. We want to commend Makan Delrahim and the Department of Justice for their efforts. We encourage them to keep fighting, and continue applying a competition test to markets, as they did in the Century Link-Level 3 merger, to ensure consumers have more choices in the marketplace."

INCOMPAS Makes Recommendations on Interpretation of TCPA

On June 13, INCOMPAS filed comments in response to the FCC's Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau's Public Notice seeking comment on how the Commission should interpret and implement the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) following the court decision in ACA International v. FCC.

INCOMPAS noted the D.C. Circuit's decision represents "a unique opportunity to reexamine important provisions that impact our members and their ability to reach their customers." INCOMPAS:

Urged the FCC to narrow its interpretation of the term "automatic telephone dialing system" and provide specific recommendations for how the FCC should address other key terms related to the definition of autodialers.
Explained how the FCC should interpret the term "called party" as it relates to how to treat calls to reassigned wireless numbers under the TCPA.
Discussed the impact this may have on the Commission's proceeding on establishing a single, FCC-sponsored reassigned numbers database.
Encouraged the FCC to give callers the flexibility to develop procedures that will provide a called party with the "reasonable means" to revoke prior express consent to receive robocalls.

T: (202) 296-6650