IP Transition Order

Last week, the Commission adopted an IP Transition Report and Order (Order) on the transition of legacy networks to next-generation networks.  Under the Order, incumbent local exchange carriers (ILECs) have discretion as to when and where copper facilities will be retired but must provide business customers and consumers three months’ notice of any copper retirements (and fiber replacements).  The Order also adopts an interim rule obligating ILECs that discontinue time division multiplex (TDM)-based services to provide competitive carriers with replacement services at rates, terms and conditions reasonably comparable to legacy services.  ILECs are authorized to withdraw and replace services without prior FCC approval so long as service is not discontinued, reduced, or impaired. The FCC also issued a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNRPM) to define the criteria for determining whether a service (being replaced) has been discontinued, reduced or impaired.

Back-Up Power Required for Copper Replacements

At last week’s Open Meeting, the Commission adopted a Report and Order that requires local telephone companies and cable operators offering residential voice services to make available eight-hours of standby backup power and, within three years, an option for 24-hours of standby backup power for replacement facilities. Unlike copper lines, fiber and coax cable are not powered by central office-based electrical power.  Service providers have multiple options for offering back-up power solutions, almost all of which will be installed at the customers’ premises. Additionally, providers must inform all customers about any service limitations during electric outages and steps to mitigate these risks.

Connect America Fund Support

Windstream Communications accepted nearly $175 million in annual support from the Connect American Fund II (CAFII).  Price cap carriers accepting the state-by-state CAF II offers must extend broadband into “unserved” rural areas that meet the 10 Mbps downstream/ 1 Mbps upstream national broadband speed metric.  The other price cap -carriers, principally AT&T, Verizon and CenturyLink, have until August 27, 2015 to accept their respective offers.  Price cap carriers accepting state-wide offers must complete 40% of the broadband buildout by the end of 2017, 60% by the end of 2018, and 100% by the end of 2020.

FirstNet Industry Day

On August 27, FirstNet will hold its second “Industry Day” to discuss recent developments and the next steps pertaining to the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network (NPSBN).  FirstNet will also discuss responses to the draft Request for Proposal (RFP), Special Notice and the 600 questions received pertaining to the RFP and Special Notice.  The meeting will be held at FirstNet’s headquarters in Reston, VA from 1PM to 4PM; an RSVP is required.