TIA Member Connect, August 2015
Message from TIA CEO Scott Belcher
As a member of TIA, I don’t have to describe to you the unprecedented change that has taken place in the tech and telecom industry in recent years. Every day, you and your companies are innovating remarkable new technologies that are reshaping our world – from communications to healthcare to transportation and more.
What will the next innovation be and what will it bring? How does the industry continue to evolve to meet the changing ICT landscape and consumer demands? What standards should be created to bring innovations to scale?
TIA’s new CTO Council will discuss, debate, and provide thought leadership on these questions. TIA is currently seeking top leadership nominations for this invitation-only CTO Council, which will drive the work of the association as we seek to pave the way for the network of the future.
For more information or to nominate your CTO, vice president of product development, executive vice president for product marketing, chief information officer or other similar executive, please contact: TIA CTO Franklin Flint, 703.907.7703.
Best regards,
Scott Belcher
Chief Executive Officer
Telecommunications Industry Association
Upcoming TIA Events
September 28-29, 2015: TIA Data Center Workshop
September 30, 2015: TIA Wireless & Cellular Workshop #3: Understanding Small Cell & DAS
October 18-19, 2015: TIA CTO Council Meeting at Dell World, Austin, TX (Invitation Only - Contact Franklin Flint, 703.907.7703)
October 20, 2015: SAVE THE DATE: TIA Women in High-Tech Dinner
October 21, 2015: TIA Wireless & Cellular Workshop #4: Microwave Backhaul & Design
November 11-12, 2015: TIA DAS & Small Cell Workshop
December 2, 2015: TIA Wireless & Cellular Workshop #5: Understanding LTE & LTE-Advanced
December 8, 2015: SAVE THE DATE: Joint TIA-ITU Vehicle Communications Workshop
Please consult the TIA Standards Calendar for meetings of the Engineering Committees. For policy events, see the Washington Weekly Advance, sent by email to TIA members.
TIA Member Download
A bulletin board for TIA membership news. To submit an item, please contact April Ward at award@tiaonline.org
Make Plans Now to Join TIA’s Data Center Workshop in Arlington, VA
Back by popular demand, TIA’s 2015 Data Center Workshop will include a tour of RagingWire's Data Center in Ashburn, VA on Monday, September 28, 2015 and a day-long discussion on the latest data center trends on Tuesday, September 29, 2015.
The workshop features experts from Raging Wire, CenturyLink, Dell, Sumitomo Electric Lightwave, Current Analysis, and others, discussing next-generation data centers, infrastructure agnosticism, international trade policy developments and best practices.
View TIA’s events calendar to see other exciting happenings planned for remainder of 2015. Contact: Florence Sumaray, 703.907.7471.
Spread the Word: TIA’s Wireless and Cellular Workshop Series Offers BICSI Credits, No Prereqs
TIA’s Wireless and Cellular Workshop series consist of excellent one-day programs taught by Dr. Rikin Thakker (formerly of Commscope) and Dr. Michael Dellomo. Both are professors who founded the Telecom and Business Curriculum at University of Maryland and now have started a company called RF Academics. TIA, together with RF Academics, is offering the series, with the next three being held at TIA headquarters in Arlington, VA.
There are no prerequisites, and each workshop also earns 6 BICSI Continuing Education Credits (CECs). The next Workshop, on Small Cell and DAS, is being held at TIA’s headquarters in Arlington, VA on September 30, 2015, from 9 am – 5 pm. Next in the series are workshops on Microwave Backhaul and Design (October 21, 2015), and LTE and LTE-Advanced (December 2, 2015).
Contact: Taly Walsh, 703.907.7744.
TIA NOW Welcomes TIA Members to Participate in Upcoming Programing
Starting with TIA’s Data Center Workshop on September 28-29, 2015 TIA NOW will be assisting with the booking and production of the workshop and industry panels to follow. TIA NOW will also cover the TIA CTO Council Meeting on October 18-19, 2015 at Dell World. The following month, TIA NOW will assist in providing panelists and content for the two-day DAS and Small Cell Workshop, to be held on November 11-12. To wrap up the year, the TIA and ITU Vehicle Connectivity Workshop will be held on December 8, 2015 and TIA NOW will cover the event with video and studio interviews.
Please visit TIA NOW’s website for additional information on how you can be a part of TIA NOW’s Network of the Future Documentary Series and TIA’s CTO Council Roundtable. Contact: Abe Nejad, 703.907.7004.
Special Offer to Attend Smart Industry 2015
Smart Industry 2015, October 5-7, 2015 in Chicago, IL provides attendees with three days of forward-thinking, actionable sessions covering current and emerging benefits derived from the Industry Internet of Things (IIoT) implementation, increased efficiency, asset optimization, security, and much more.
Speakers from BASF, Boeing, Honda North America, and ThyssenKrupp Elevator, among others, will take the stage to share next-level advice and real world examples on areas such as digitization of manufacturing, IIoT technological trends and business model transformation.
TIA Members can receive a 20% discount on registration, use code “TIA” discount during registration.
TIA NEWS AND ALERTS
ACCESSIBILITY
TIA, Gallaudet University Announce Friendship Agreement Regarding Accessibility Standards
TIA and the Technology Access Program of Gallaudet University recently announced a friendship agreement to facilitate communication regarding standards development for performance and accessibility for wireline communications products.
“Standards are a critical tool for easing the use of communication equipment for those with disabilities,” said Stephanie Montgomery, Vice President of Technology and Standards for TIA. “This agreement provides a great opportunity for TIA to exchange ideas with TAP as we work to develop and maintain voluntary standards used to increase accessibility.”
TIA NOW was there to capture the essence of why this friendship is important to our members. Watch the video here.
Contact: Abe Nejad, 703.907.7704.
BROADBAND
TIA Supports Lawsuit Against FCC Internet Rules, Says Broadband Networks will Falter as Investment Shrinks
With support from members, TIA filed an amicus brief challenging the legality of the FCC’s order to regulate the Internet under Title II regulations. According to TIA, the FCC’s decision to use a regulatory framework developed in 1934 for a monopoly telephone network did not include a proper evaluation of the impact on broadband investment.
TIA Board Members Tim Regan, Senior Vice President at Corning, and Glenn Laxdal, Chief Technology Officer and Head of Strategy at Ericsson North America, provided public statements of support.
A one-page summary of TIA’s amicus brief is available by clicking this link. The full amicus brief is available by clicking this link.
BROADBAND
TIA Applauds Rural Broadband Funding
TIA applauded the FCC's recent announcement that 10 carriers accepted $1.5 billion in annual support from the Connect America Fund. As a result of the commitments, $9 billion from the Connect America Fund will expand and support broadband for nearly 7.3 Million rural consumers in 45 states over the next six years. The carriers include CenturyLink, AT&T, Cincinnati Bell, Consolidated, Fairpoint, Frontier, Hawaiian Telecom, Micronesian Telecom, Verizon and Windstream. Contact: Mark Uncapher, 703.907.7733.
BROADBAND
TIA’s Engineering Subcommittee Advances Standards Development Work on Next-Gen Copper Cabling
TIA’s engineering subcommittee on copper cabling systems (TR-42.7) met at TIA’s headquarters July 28-29, 2015. More than 30 companies continued critical Category 8 copper cabling standards development work. Sterling Vaden, TR-42.7 Vice-Chair, noted that “Category 8 copper cabling will allow data centers to transport data four times faster on the same type of cable that is currently being used.”
Active TR-42.7 companies that provide input into Category 8 come from the U.S., Brazil, France, Mexico and Switzerland. They include: 3M, Anixter, Bel Stewart Connector, Belden, Berk-Tek, Beta LaserMike, CommScope, Condumex, Corning, Daikin, Dupont, Ericsson, Fluke Networks, Furukawa, General Cable, Harger, Hitachi, Hubbell, Ideal Industries, JP Morgan Chase, KITCO Fiber Optics, Intertek, Legrand, Leviton, Molex, NEPTCO, NetIG, Newell-Rubbermaid, Optical Cable, Orange, Panduit, Psiber Data, Quabbin, Superior Essex, Surtec America, TE Connectivity, Telegartner, The Siemon Company and UL.
Contact: Germaine Palangdao, PMP, 703.907.7497.
BROADBAND
The FCC Adopted New Rules for Carriers for the IP-Transition
On August 6, 2015, the FCC adopted new rules requiring providers to directly notify retail customers – including consumers and businesses – of plans to retire copper networks at least three months in advance.
The new rules increase the notice period for interconnecting carriers from three months to at least six months. This requirement covers all parts of the copper network essential for providing service. However, carriers will retain the flexibility to retire their copper networks in favor of fiber without prior Commission approval – as long as no service is discontinued, reduced, or impaired.
TIA previously filed comments to the FCC, which were cited in the order for the new rules. Specifically, TIA noted that appropriate consideration needs to be given to the fact that equipment exceeding its anticipated life cycle will inevitably become less reliable with age. TIA also noted that while some technological solutions can have the effect of extending the usefulness of legacy equipment, the choice to employ these should be a business decision rather than a regulatory mandate. Read a Law360 article on this issue here.
Once the new rules have been published in the Federal Register, TIA will file comments to the FCC on additional requirements being proposed. Contact: Mark Uncapher, 703.907.7733.
CYBERSECURITY
TIA Appointed to Lead Development of ‘Security by Design’ Recommendations for FCC Chairman
In a nod to TIA’s leadership within the cybersecurity space, TIA has been appointed as a chair to lead the industry in finding ways to develop voluntary recommendations to enhance the security of hardware and software in the core public communications network.
Specifically, TIA will lead the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Communication Security, Reliability, and Interoperability Council (CSRIC) – a key industry-led advisor to FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler.
The Council is tasked with developing recommendations on security-by-design principles to better ensure the security of the supply chain for critical communications infrastructure. TIA is continuing to aggregate member interest and subject matter experts.
Contact: Brian Scarpelli, 703.907.7714.
CYBERSECURITY
Floor Consideration of Senate Cybersecurity Legislation Remains Fluid, TIA Continues to Push for Passage
Along with industry partners in the Protecting America’s Cyber Networks Coalition, TIA continues to push for passage of the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015 (CISA). The bill will provide much-needed liability protections to businesses that choose to collaborate with the U.S. government to address cyber-based threats. TIA - along with 46 other trade associations - submitted a letter to Congress urging support of CISA and will continue to push for passage of this important legislation.
The Senate will begin debate on CISA in mid-September. When this debate takes place, under an agreement Republicans will be able to put forward 10 amendments and Democrats will be able to put forward 11 amendments.
Contact: Brian Scarpelli, 703.907.7714.
INTERNATIONAL ADVOCACY
TIA Urges Fair Treatment of U.S. ICT Firms by China
TIA recently joined a multi-association effort to reach out to President Obama on US-China ICT issues in advance of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit in September. In a letter to President Obama, TIA and 18 industry partners describe how China has increasingly pursued policies that have adversely affected the ability of U.S. ICT firms (and the companies that rely on them) to do business in China. The industry group further recommends priorities for the President in his planned meeting with President Xi Jinping. Read a Reuters article on the letter here.
Contact: Brian Scarpelli, 703.907.7714.
INTERNET OF THINGS
Sierra Telecom and Globecomm Join oneM2M
The TIA Delegation to oneM2M welcomed Sierra Telecom, Inc. and Globecomm Systems as the newest TIA member companies to join the Partnership Project. oneM2M is a global organization creating a scalable and interoperable standard for communications of devices and services used in M2M applications and the Internet of Things.
Formed as a partnership of the world's preeminent standards development organizations, including TIA, oneM2M membership today consists of thought leaders from industries including industrial manufacturers and suppliers, consumer device manufacturers, component suppliers, and telecommunications service providers.
For more information and to learn how to join oneM2M, contact: Victoria Mitchell; 703.907.7779.
PUBLIC SAFETY
TIA and the Project 25 Technology Interest Group (PTIG) Announce a Friendship Agreement
Recently, TIA and the Project 25 Technology Interest Group (PTIG) announced a Friendship Agreement to facilitate communication regarding standards development for interoperable radio communications systems and equipment for public safety. PTIG is non-profit organization made up of individuals and organizations who share the mutual interest of advancing the refinement, development, deployment, and applications of the digital communications technology represented by Project 25 industry standards. The Project 25 standard enables interoperable radio communications systems and equipment for public safety and was developed and maintained by TIA's engineering committee, TR-8.
To watch a video interview about TIA and PTIG’s friendship agreement featuring Del Smith, Chairman of PTIG, Stephen Nichols, Director of PTIG and Stephanie Montgomery, Vice President of Technology and Standards at TIA, click this link.
Contact: Abe Nejad, 703.907.7704.
SPECTRUM
FCC Moves on Items Related to Incentive Auction for Spectrum
At a monthly meeting on August 6, the FCC adopted four major items related to the first-of-its-kind voluntary incentive auction of broadcast TV spectrum.
Among other actions, the FCC set the auction for March 29, 2016, adopted a Procedures Public Notice for the spectrum auction, which addressed the 600 MHz band plan and the placement of TV stations after the auction, adopted a Part 15 Report and Order establishing rules for unlicensed devices to operate in remaining TV white spaces, the duplex gap, and adopted a Mobile Spectrum Holdings Order on Reconsideration and a Wireless Microphones order.
Read more on TIA’s blog and for more information contact: Dileep Srihari, 703.907.7715.
Contact Your Membership Team
For any membership concerns, and to take full advantage of your TIA connection please contact:
John Jacobs, VP, Membership & Industry Relations: 703.907.7747
Ancilla Brady, Director, Member Relations & Services: 703.907.7713
Lois Parks, Manager, Member Relations: 703.907.7739
Michele Weatherly, Director, Member & Industry Affairs, TIA, +1.703.907.7000