Telecom Law Monitor : Washington D.C. Telecom Lawyer & Attorney : Kelley Drye & Warren Law Firm : New York, Chicago, Connecticut, New Jersey, Brussels

Big changes continue to be made in the Universal Service Fund. With substantial reform of the High Cost Fund, the Lifeline program and a new rural healthcare connect fund, USF occupied a major place in the FCC agenda in 2012. Moreover, comprehensive contributions reform is under consideration and the FCC is clearing out a backlog of USF appeals affecting resold services, MPLS and more.

In this annual webinar, Kelley Drye will walk you through the USF changes you need to know, with an eye toward what to expect in 2013. We also will discuss the audit and appeal process in detail, including the differences between USAC and Inspector General audits. Our speakers will offer analysis and practical advice based on frontline experience in audits and appeals, and years of providing compliance and enforcement advice in this area.

The following topics will be addressed:

• Major Changes in the High Cost (CAF), Low-Income (Lifeline), and Rural Healthcare Funds
• Prospects for Contributions Reform in 2013
• Changes in the 499-A Form and Instructions
• Developments in the USF Audit and FCC Appeal Processes

Kelley Drye Speakers:

Steve Augustino, Partner

John Heitmann, Partner

Date: 

March 19, 2013
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM EDT

Location:
Webinar

Additional Information:

Registration is free of charge. Please click here to register.

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On December 4th, Kelley Drye held a timely discussion of the key insights regarding the Communications legal and regulatory landscape for 2013 in Washington, D.C.

Our seasoned team brought the audience up to speed on post-election activity and personnel changes at the FCC and on Capitol Hill, focusing on the committees that matter and the initiatives likely gain traction in the new Congress. Also, we projected the expected activity at NTIA (FirstNet, privacy and spectrum), the White House (cybersecurity), DOJ (antitrust) and the FTC (privacy and marketing) that could impact your business.  We narrowed down which FCC priorities may impact your business, including broadband, IP interconnection, network access rights, USF reform, spectrum auctions and program access.

Click here to download the slides from the webinar and click here to watch the recording.

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Mobile marketing, sweepstakes and services, including location-based services, are governed by an alphabet soup of statutes and regulations: TCPA, COPPA, CAN-SPAM, CPNI, etc. To complicate compliance even further, numerous class action lawsuits in state and federal courts have addressed issues and nuances that the Federal Communications Commission, Federal Trade Commission, and state regulatory agencies or legislatures have not. On November 16th, Kelley Drye held a webinar which discussed the new rules of the road for mobile communications, marketing, and sweepstakes, and offer suggestions for reaching consumers while mitigating the legal risks. Click the links below to listen to a recording and download a PDF of the slide presentation.

Click here to download the slides from the webinar and click here to listen to a recording.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Kelley Drye Webinar Speakers listed below.

Steven A. Augustino, Partner
saugustino@kelleydrye.com

John J. Heitmann, Partner
jheitmann@kelleydrye.com

Gonzalo E. Mon, Partner
gmon@kelleydrye.com
 

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Mobile marketing, sweepstakes and services, including location-based services, are governed by an alphabet soup of statutes and regulations: TCPA, COPPA, CAN-SPAM, CPNI, etc. To complicate compliance even further, numerous class action lawsuits in state and federal courts have addressed issues and nuances that the Federal Communications Commission, Federal Trade Commission, and state regulatory agencies or legislatures have not. This Kelley Drye webinar will discuss the new rules of the road for mobile communications, marketing, and sweepstakes, and offer suggestions for reaching consumers while mitigating the legal risks.

Kelley Drye Speakers:
Steven A. Augustino, Partner

John J. Heitmann, Partner

Gonzalo E. Mon, Partner

Date:
October 30, 2012
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM EDT

Location:
Webinar

Additional Information:

Registration is free of charge.  Please click here to register.  
 

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With the Universal Service Fund continuing to grow and the USF contribution factor skyrocketing to nearly 18%, the federal Universal Service Fund remains a critical area for all telecommunications providers. Customers increasingly are focusing on the USF surcharge in negotiations, and the competitive consequences of over- or under- reporting USF directly affect the company’s bottom line.

In this annual webinar, Kelley Drye will walk you through the USF changes you need to know, with an eye toward what to expect in 2012. We also will discuss the audit and appeal process in detail, including the differences between USAC and Inspector General audits. Our speakers will offer analysis and practical advice based on front line experience in audits and appeals, and years of providing compliance and enforcement advice in this area.

The following topics will be addressed:

• The 2012 USF Reform Agenda -- High Cost (CAF) and Low-Income (Lifeline)
   
• Changes to the 2012 Form 499A and instructions
   
• Significant USF Appeals in 2011
   
• Developments in the USF Audit and FCC Appeal Process

Kelley Drye Speakers: 

Steve Augustino, Partner
John Heitmann, Partner

When: 
March 13, 2012, 12:00PM - 1:00 PM

Where: 
Webinar

RSVP: 
This webinar is free of charge. Presentation slides and a recording of the webinar will be available to registrants. Email dcevents@kelleydrye.com or contact Cassidy Russell at 202.342.8400.


 

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On February 16, 2012, Kelley Drye & Warren LLP hosted the seminar and audiocast, “Privacy in 2012: What to Watch Regarding COPPA, Mobile Apps, and Evolving Law Enforcement and Public Policy Trends.” The seminar highlighted regulatory and legislative developments in privacy and information security during the past year, with an emphasis on children's online privacy and mobile applications.

Peter Swire, a professor at The Ohio State University Michael E. Moritz College of Law and a Senior Fellow with the Center for American Progress, opened the seminar with a keynote address that gave historical context to the most recent regulatory efforts addressing consumer privacy. Professor Swire’s remarks were followed by two panel sessions that included six experts representing key industry representatives and the federal agencies integral to recent privacy initiatives. The first panel discussed children's online privacy and the Federal Trade Commission’s proposed revisions to the Children's Online Privacy Protection Rule. The second panel discussed various consumer privacy enforcement and regulatory initiatives relating to mobile apps.

For more on the seminar, including a synopsis of key takeaways, see the Kelley Drye client advisory. An audio recording of the full program is also available.

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Changes to privacy regulations, such as proposed revisions to the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), and continuously evolving technologies, including mobile apps with location-based services, can make it difficult for businesses to ensure their privacy practices are up to par.

On February 16, Kelley Drye will gather government leaders from the FTC and FCC, and thought leaders in the industry, for a discussion about new regulations, enforcement trends, and best practices to avoid consumer privacy risks. Please join us for "Privacy in 2012: What to Watch Regarding COPPA, Mobile Apps, and Evolving Law Enforcement and Public Policy Trends."

Email dcevents@kelleydrye.com to register for the live seminar or teleconference.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Peter Swire, Professor of Law, Ohio State University; former Clinton Administration Chief Counselor for Privacy, U.S. Office of Management and Budget

PANEL 1:  COPING WITH COPPA: CHILDREN'S PRIVACY AND PROPOSED REVISIONS TO THE COPPA RULE

Ellen Blackler, Vice President - Global Public Policy, The Walt Disney Company

Mamie Kresses, Senior Attorney, Division of Advertising Practices, Federal Trade Commission

Saira Nayak, Director of Policy, TRUSTe

Moderated by partners Dana Rosenfeld and Alysa Hutnik of Kelley Drye & Warren LLP

PANEL 2:  MOBILE APPS: A PRIVACY AND CONSUMER PROTECTION HOT SPOT

Michael Altschul, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, CTIA

Jessica Rich, Associate Director, Division of Financial Practices, Federal Trade Commission

Jennifer Tatel, Associate General Counsel, Federal Communications Commission (invited)

Moderated by partners John Heitmann and Gonzalo Mon of Kelley Drye & Warren LLP

When:
February 16, 2012,  2:30 PM - 5:30 PM EST

Location:
Kelley Drye & Warren LLP
3050 K Street, NW, Suite 400
Washington, DC 20007-5108

And via audio webcast

RSVP:
Email dcevents@kelleydrye.com or contact Cassidy Russell at 202.342.8400.

This seminar is free of charge, but space is limited. Reserve your place today.

CLE and CPE credit may be available in certain jurisdictions.

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Do you know what kind of data your smartphone apps are collecting?

Understanding the flow of data, how it is shared, and whether your apps collect sensitive information such as mobile payments or location-based data is critical to avoiding regulatory scrutiny and litigation risks.

Join Kelley Drye on May 16 from 12 noon – 1:00pm EST for a webinar exploring this uncharted legal territory, “Mobile Applications: Privacy and Data Security Considerations.” Topics of discussion will include:

• The mobile ecosystem, including data flows and parties involved.
• Privacy and security considerations, including unintended data uses.
• Current issues in the legal landscape, including media coverage; inquiries and actions from Congress, the FTC, and FCC; litigation risks; and industry activity.
• Emerging “rules for the road” for developing and marketing mobile apps.

Our speakers will address the privacy and information security questions that are top of mind for anyone involved in developing, marketing, selling, or serving mobile apps.

Kelley Drye Speakers:

John J. Heitmann
Partner, Telecommunications and Privacy & Information Security Practices

Dana B. Rosenfeld
Chair, Privacy & Information Security Practice and Partner, Advertising & Marketing Practice

Alysa Z. Hutnik
Partner, Privacy & Information Security and Advertising & Marketing Practices

This webinar is free of charge, but space is limited. To reserve your place today, please e-mail dcevents@kelleydrye.com or contact Alexandra Meaza at 202.945.6674.
 

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Access to and rates for pole attachments under Section 224 of the Communications Act have been issues of both importance and contention for facilities-based broadband providers of all types, more traditional providers of telecommunications, and electric utilities. On April 7, 2011, the Federal Communications Commission issued the most significant order regarding pole attachments in many years affecting a wide variety of matters.

The Commission's intent was to clarify many rights and obligations regarding the relationship between pole owners and attachers and to put various providers of broadband communications on a more equal footing. The recent order creates new regulatory frameworks for pole owners and attachers to navigate, including the potential for a new wave of complaint and enforcement proceedings.

Join Kelley Drye on May 10 from 12 noon – 1:00pm EST for a webinar to discuss the new FCC order, "Practical Impacts of the FCC's Pole Attachment Rules." Our speakers will offer an analysis of the new rules focusing on practical advice based on extensive experience in negotiating pole agreements, prosecuting complaints regarding pole access and rates, and providing compliance and enforcement advice in this area. Topics of discussion will include: 

• Successful Navigation of the FCC's New Pole Attachment Application Timelines
• When Attachers May Use Independent Contractors to Complete Survey and Make Ready Work
• New Rules Governing Penalties for Unauthorized Attachments
• How Much Parity Is There under the New Attachment Rate Formula for Telecommunications Carriers?
• Improved Opportunities for Wireless Providers
• How Much Have Things Changed for Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers?
• Limits of the New Rules and the Impact on Enforcement
• Prospects for Appeal of the Pole Attachment Order

 
Kelley Drye Speakers:

Chip Yorkgitis
Partner, Telecommunications

Randall W. Sifers
Senior Associate, Telecommunications

Please visit our website for more information.  This webinar is free of charge, but space is limited. To reserve your place today, please e-mail telecomm@kelleydrye.com or contact Alexandra Meaza at 202.945.6674.

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We are pleased to announce that Kelley Drye is expanding its national presence by merging with White O'Connor Fink & Brenner LLP, a highly respected Los Angeles litigation firm best known for its success in complex business and entertainment industry litigation.

This merger returns Kelley Drye to California and adds a significant new expertise in the entertainment and media industry.  White O’Connor’s attorneys strengthen Kelley Drye’s capabilities in several other key practice areas and bring a well-established record of trial victories. They have defended and prosecuted a wide range of cases, including entertainment, First Amendment, insurance recovery, media-related torts, real estate, copyright, trademark, antitrust, class actions and other complicated commercial disputes.

To learn more, see our press release and review the practice group description on our website.

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Administration and reform of the federal Universal Service Fund remains center stage in Washington. In February, the FCC launched a rulemaking proceeding to reform intercarrier compensation and migrate high-cost support to the Connect America Fund. Meanwhile, as the USF contribution factor reached a new high of 15.5%, comprehensive reform of the USF contribution mechanism appears stalled even as USAC audits and contributor appeals continue to fill the Wireline Competition Bureau’s agenda.

Join Kelley Drye for a discussion of the most recent USF developments that affect your company’s bottom line today. Our speakers will offer analysis and practical advice based on front line experience in ongoing audits and appeals, and years of providing compliance and enforcement advice in this area.

The following topics will be addressed:

Intercarrier Compensation/USF Reform

• Inside the FCC’s February 8 ICC/USF NPRM
• What’s in store for the Connect America Fund for broadband deployment
• Prospects for USF contribution reform

Changes to the 2011 Form 499A and Instructions

• What you need to know to complete your April 1 annual filing

USAC Contributor Audits

• Trends and issues in current appeals
• Changes in USAC’s audit procedures
• Key strategies for a successful defense

WHEN: Wednesday, March 2, 2011, 12:00PM – 1:00PM EST

This event is free of charge.

Email dcevents@kelleydrye.com to register.

 

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The Telecom Law Monitor wishes you warm greetings for the holidays and a Happy New Year. We will return in January.

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Please Note: The host of the Telecom Law Monitor has made some technical improvements to how email notifications are sent. If you have signed up to receive email alerts, you will need to reconfirm to receive future alerts when we post new entries.

If you are not currently subscribed to receive email updates, but would like to, simply enter your email address in the field in the right-hand column of the blog home page.

Don’t miss out – the Telecom Law Monitor is your guide to enforcement-related news, events and trends within the telecommunications field. From the FCC to the FTC, to State PUCs and AGs, to private litigation, we cover USF enforcement, truth-in-billing rules, Do-Not-Call developments, CPNI actions, access charge litigation, prepaid card enforcement actions and other related developments. Visit our Resource Center that provides two-click access to enforcement websites and relevant statutes and rules.

Stay up-to-date by confirming your subscription!
 

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We are pleased to welcome Bill Hunt to our Telecom Practice Group.  Bill, who most recently worked as Vice President at Level 3, joins us in our Chicago office.  You may read our press release here.

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Online privacy concerns have been a hot topic in Washington recently.  The FCC, which is charged with spurring broadband deployment, adoption and innovation, recently concluded that privacy concerns are creating an impediment to these goals.  Our Telecom Practice Group partner, John Heitmann, published an article in The Metropolitan Corporate Counsel discussing the FCC's broadband privacy agenda and related jurisdictional issues, including shared jurisdiction with the FTC.  The article also highlights initiatives by the Department of Commerce's Internet Task Force and the FTC regarding online privacy.


The article is available here.

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