---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message-ID: <20190805134945.GA10195@telecom.csail.mit.edu> Date: Mon, 5 Aug 2019 13:49:45 +0000 From: Bill Horne <bill@horneQRM.net> Subject: Union extends contract talks with AT&T in attempt to avoid strike by Rick Smith RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK - Negotiators from the union representing thousands of workers at AT&T across the southeast and the communications giant agreed to put off a strike over the weekend. But the delay may only be temporary. https://www.wraltechwire.com/2019/08/05/union-extends-contract-talks-with-att-in-attempt-to-avoid-strike/ -- Bill Horne (Remove QRM from my email address to write to me directly) ------------------------------ Message-ID: <EE072066-002E-4BD9-B9E7-69998EE35A3A@roscom.com> Date: 5 Aug 2019 08:14:22 -0400 From: "Monty Solomon" <monty@roscom.com> Subject: FCC removes requirement for analogue voice-grade, copper loop unbundling WASHINGTON, August 2, 2019 - Recognizing sweeping changes over the past two decades in the market for voice telephone service, the Federal Communications Commission issued an Order today granting certain local phone companies relief from two 1996-era regulatory obligations that no longer serve their intended purpose. Specifically, the FCC granted certain legacy telephone companies (called price cap incumbent local exchange carriers (LEC)) relief from outdated and burdensome requirements from the Telecommunications Act of 1996 designed to foster competition in the market for local telephone service - (1) a requirement they offer competitors "analog voice-grade copper loops" on an unbundled basis at regulated rates and (2) a requirement they offer legacy services for resale at regulated rates. The communications marketplace has transformed over the past twenty years, with consumers migrating away from plain old telephone service provided over copper wires by their local telephone company toward newer, any-distance voice services provided over next-generation networks by cable, mobile and fixed wireless, and over-the-top VoIP providers. In fact, according to the FCC's latest published data, of the nearly 455 million active voice subscriptions in the United States, only 55.8 million were provided by incumbent LECs. https://www.telecomtv.com/content/policy-and-regulation/fcc-removes-requirement-for-analogue-voice-grade-copper-loop-unbundling-35939/ ------------------------------ Message-ID: <055039BC-0357-4E4E-87F7-55861CE5EC9E@roscom.com> Date: 3 Aug 2019 00:30:41 -0400 From: "Monty Solomon" <monty@roscom.com> Subject: FCC bans spoofed text messages and international robocalls It can punish the 'bad actors' behind the scams too. By Christine Fisher, @cfisherwrites This week the FCC voted to approve rules that ban spoofing text messages and international robocalls. The new rules close long-standing loopholes in the Truth in Caller ID Act, which banned spoofing domestic calls but made it hard for the FCC to combat malicious text messages and calls coming from overseas. The FCC now has the legal authority to punish the "bad actors" behind these scams. https://www.engadget.com/2019/08/02/fcc-bans-spoofed-text-messages-international-robocalls/ ------------------------------ ********************************************* End of telecom Digest Mon, 05 Aug 2019