Ed’s Telecom Alert

Folks..

By now I imagine many of you got this email below as well.

Self explanatory so no comment from me other than that is simply a great idea to see how emergency broadcast works out.

eyes open & thumbs up,

Ed Bosson

*************************************************************

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are planning the first EAS nationwide test, which will take place at 2:00 PM (EST), on Wednesday, November 9, 2011.  The test will last approximately three (3) minutes.  Normal programming will return following the test.

• The November 9 test will utilize what is called a “live” national alert code, i.e., a coded message that will present itself to viewers as an actual emergency announcement, not a test.  This is necessary in order to allow FCC and FEMA to test the reliability of EAS equipment and the state of readiness of EAS operators and participants.  
• As a consequence, however, while an audio message will announce that the exercise is a “Test Only,” there may not always be a corresponding visual message alerting viewers that this is only a test.
• FCC and FEMA are conducting a public relations campaign utilizing print, broadcast, and other media to prepare the public for the test.
• We kindly request that you assist us in getting word out about the Nov. 9^th test to your constituents and communities, so that they know that the November 9^th event is only a test.  
• The FCC is also working with broadcasters and other television distributors to ensure that audio and video public service announcements will air during the weeks before November 9.  
• Attached is a brief explanation about the test, that you may use in your group’s newsletters, telephone trees, blogs, meeting announcements, or any other way your group uses to communicate important information.   
• Additional information about the test is available at the FCC’s website (www.fcc.gov/nationwideeastest ).

We will send you a reminder about the test 2 weeks before the Nov. 9^th test, 2 days before the test and the day of the test.  We appreciate your consideration of this request. 

Best Regards,

Karen Peltz Strauss                  Gregory Hlibok                        Cheryl King

Folks,

As I get ready to go to Ark for a 50 year high school class reunion, noticed a letter to the FCC and thought I'll post that before the trip. 

It is a letter to the FCC from TDI, NAD, ALDA and, CCASDHH on following up on a meeting with the FCC expressing caution to the FCC to make the right decision on VRS reimbursement.

LETTER

Quotable quotes:

"..to discuss a likely Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“NPRM”) that may include proposed changes to the per-minute rate of compensation mechanism for Video Relay Service (“VRS”)."

"..For example, the Commission’s NPRM should include questions about how to provide incentives for VRS providers to engage further in technological innovation, research and development, outreach and education, etc. Whatever compensation methodology the Commission adopts for VRS should support these incentives in a substantial way."

"The Consumer Groups expressed concerns that a per-user system would create incentives for providers to avoid high volume customers, that providers may game the system to reduce the number or length of calls from customers (i.e. longer answer times), and that consumers need the ability to change service providers if service quality deteriorates, just as hearing users have the ability to switch telephone providers (e.g., wireline to cable)."

It is good that the Consumer Group and the FCC are communicating on this very important issue.   Remember this is a letter reporting on a meeting that the Consumer Group had with the FCC so not everything is reported in the letter.  If you want to understand this more, contact the FCC or the Consumer Group.  

eyes open & thumbs up,

Ed Bosson

Long Link: 

http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/ecfs/document/view?id=7021712351

Folks,

A combined telephone representatives expressed a concern in their letter that I agree.

USF DEBT

I know Congress is desperate to find additional funds to pay off the debt, but this quote scares me.

"Our concern first materialized upon seeing the flawed recommendation in the December 1, 2010 report of the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform that identified the private Universal Service Fund (USF) as a source of public debt reduction."

"And in recent days our unease has grown as we have learned that the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction may also be focusing on this ill-advised proposal."

Basically this is saying why not use USF to pay off federal debt.   

"Throughout its long history, the USF has always been maintained outside the U. S. Treasury and managed by a non-governmental entity."

The above quote, I agree.   The sticky problem is whether the USF is a public fund or private fund?   This group responded to this with the following quote:

"..legal precedents and guidance definitively confirm that the USF monies do not constitute “public monies” that are received for the use of the United States, but rather are private funds that are merely derived and distributed at the direction of federal statute. "

Now I admit I am at dilemma.  In this very edsalert, I have maintained that TRS Fund is a public fund.  What I believe is that any private funds contributed into a "public" service now becomes public fund.  However, I am of the opinion that even though TRS Fund is public fund, it is used only for TRS alone and cannot be used for other.  I see the same thing for the USF.   However, I see that this group is concerned that Congress looks for loopholes to use "public fund" to pay off the federal debt.   Their worrisome concern is valid, I think.  

Let me know what you think?  

eyes open & thumbs up..

Ed Bosson

Long Link: https://prodnet.www.neca.org/publicationsdocs/wwpdf/92611ntca.pdf

Folks,

Reason for certification is:

"On September 21, 2011, rules issued by the Federal Communications Commission (“Commission”) establishing the National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program (“NDBEDP”) pilot program became effective."

Also this:

"..the Commission established the NDBEDP as a pilot program to distribute equipment used for telecommunications services, Internet access services, and advanced communications, including interexchange services and advanced telecommunications and information services, to eligible people who are deaf-blind. The duration of this pilot program will be two years, with a Commission option to extend the program for an additional year."

Deaf Blind Certification

So that means the National Deaf Blind Equipment Distribution Program now is a reality.   This PN is to alert organizations, states, whomever is interested in setting up this very worthy program.  

Quotable quotes:

"..the Commission will certify a single program as the sole authorized entity to participate in the NDBEDP and receive reimbursement for its NDBEDP activities from the Interstate Telecommunications Relay Service Fund (“TRS Fund”).5 Such entity will have full oversight and responsibility for distributing equipment and providing related services in the state for which it is certified,6 either directly or through collaboration, partnership, or contract with other individuals or entities in-state or out-of-state, including other NDBEDP certified programs."

Who may apply?

"..Any public program or private entity may apply to the Commission for certification to become the sole authorized entity for a state to participate in the NDBEDP and receive reimbursement for NDBEDP activities from the TRS Fund.8 For example, public programs, such as state equipment distribution programs, vocational rehabilitation programs, assistive technology programs, or schools for the deaf, blind or deaf-blind may apply. Likewise, private entities, such as organizational affiliates, independent living centers, or private educational facilities, may apply. Either local or national entities may apply, so long as the application is clear as to the specific state(s) to be covered by the applicant’s proposed program(s)."

I hope that many states or organizations will apply as this is really worthy project.  Deaf Blind have too long been ignored or marginalized.  

eyes open & thumbs up,

Ed Bosson

Long Link: http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2011/db0922/DA-11-1591A1.pdf