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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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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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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Kelley Drye will host a free webinar, on March 9, 2010 at 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM EST.  The webinar will discuss the most recent USF developments that could threaten your company’s bottom line today. Our speakers will offer expert analysis and practical take-aways based on front line experience in ongoing audits and appeals, and years of providing compliance and enforcement advice in this area. 

Click here for additional details and registration.

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