Shelbi Lien STIR/SHAKEN – Originating Robocall Mitigation Plan Services Summary STIR/SHAKEN requirements were initially slated to go into effect June 30, 2021. However, voice providers with fewer than 100,000 access lines were granted an automatic extension until June 30, 2023, to implement STIR/SHAKEN on the IP portions of their network. Note that action is still required to … Read more
Reassigned Numbers Database FCC Public Notice released on February 8, 2021. Summary The FCC released a Public Notice on February 8, 2021, announcing the compliance date for service providers to report information to the Reassigned Numbers Database. Beginning April 15, 2021, and on the 15th of each month thereafter, service providers must report permanently disconnected … Read more
Reassigned Numbers Database Update Summary The FCC released a Public Notice on January 15, 2021. The Reassigned Numbers Database administrator, SomosGov, Inc., has been selected and reporting processes have been outlined for all carriers that receive numbering resources directly from the North American Numbering Plan (NANP). If you recall, the FCC released an Order on … Read more
HUBB Filing Carriers must file by March 1, 2021. Summary A reminder that all carriers participating in modernized Connect America Fund (CAF) programs must file High-Cost Universal Broadband (HUBB) deployment data via USAC’s HUBB portal by March 1, 2021. Below are the programs and the reporting timeframes: Download the full memo for additional detail. VPS … Read more
Protecting Aerial Fiber In the opening days of hunting season, we received several questions about how to protect aerial fiber from shotgun pellets. Eric Rajchel, PE shares three options in the video below. Additional Information For more information on this issue or if you would like VPS guidance, please contact these members of the Vantage … Read more
Caller ID Authentication Second Report & Order Also known as STIR/SHAKEN. Summary The FCC released its Second Report and Order on caller ID authentication requirements also known as STIR/SHAKEN on October 1, 2020. A few of the Order highlights are the extension of the STIR/SHAKEN implementation deadline from June 30, 2021, to June 30, 2023, … Read more
Fiber Supply Constraints: Be Prepared Over the last year, fiber lead times have been increasing as broadband deployments ramp up nationwide. VPS anticipates these lead times increasing even further as many federal and state grant and support programs come to fruition. Additionally, there are more yet-to-be-announced funding programs on the horizon that will further exacerbate … Read more
8YY Access Charge Reform Transition of 8YY Access Charges & Caps on Tandem Switched Transport & Database Query Charges. Summary On October 9, 2020, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) released a Report and Order relating to 8YY Access Charge Reform. The Report and Order announced a transition of 8YY originating end office access charges to … Read more
FCC Designation of 988 – 3-Digit Dialing for Suicide Prevention Effective for all carriers July 16, 2022. Reminder As a follow up to the August 13, 2020, Vantage Point Memo, we would like to remind carriers of their obligations to implement 988 3-digit dialing effective July 16, 2022. All service providers will be required to … Read more
911 Reliability Certification The Annual 911 Reliability Certification is due October 15, 2020. Beginning October 15, 2015, all “Covered 911 Service Providers” are required to certify annually that they have taken reasonable measures to provide reliable 911 service related to (1) 911 circuit diversity, (2) central office backup power, and (3) diverse network monitoring. The … Read more
Why Password Length is More Important than Complexity In today’s digital world, we access sensitive information and systems frequently. Administrators protect sensitive systems from unauthorized access by implementing some form of authentication mechanism, which requires users to prove their identity before being granted access. There are three primary methods of authentication: something you know, something … Read more
PsyberSecurity: Where Computer Security Meets Psychology We have all heard stories of computers being hacked, but did you know that your brain can also be hacked? High-tech computer hacking can be difficult, especially when the target organization has invested many resources into cybersecurity technologies. Because of this difficulty, many cyber-attackers have discovered that it is … Read more
We hear so much about data breaches and cyber-attacks these days. Learning that hackers exposed millions of credit card numbers or other pieces of personal information seems to happen more and more. Even large companies with well-funded security such as Facebook, Microsoft, and Equifax suffer at the hands of malicious cyber attackers. Considering how these … Read more
Lifeline Supported Services Minimum Standards New standards take effect December 1, 2020. On July 31, 2020, the FCC released a Public Notice announcing the new Lifeline Minimum Standards that will take effect on December 1, 2020: Download the full memo for additional detail. VPS Memo – Lifeline Minimum Standards Additional Information For information on this … Read more
TRS Fund Modifications Contributions will be modified for 2020-2021 fund year. The FCC released a Report and Order in November 2019 to broaden the support mechanism for Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service (IP CTS) and reduce the current burden put on Interstate Telecommunications providers. The FCC launched IP CTS many years ago with an interim … Read more
Performance Measures Module The Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) has developed a Performance Measures Module (PMM), which will be the reporting system used for performance measures testing. The PMM will: For USAC to generate a random sample of actively served locations, beginning with the testing start dates and biannually thereafter, carriers will need to download … Read more
CARES Act: COVID-19 Funding Assistance Measures The COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt daily life and business operations, creating additional urgent demand for reliable broadband networks while causing financial hardships for many. On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) was signed into law in an effort to help meet … Read more
Data Collection Extension On April 2, 2020, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced a 30-day extension for Supply Chain Data Collection in DA 20-370, making the new due date May 22, 2020. All Universal Service Fund (USF) recipients that were eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs) as of December 31, 2019, must respond to the mandatory FCC … Read more
COVID-19: Recommendations for Broadband & Telecom Providers These are unusual times, as COVID-19 has disrupted daily life and business operations across the country. In doing so, the current pandemic has highlighted the need for reliable, robust, fully supported broadband networks. Vantage Point offers the following recommendations and best practices for maintaining and supporting your networks … Read more
Part 90 Transition to CBRS Operations On March 19, 2020, the FCC released its Order, DA 20-291, in which the FCC has announced the extension of six-months for existing Part 90 license holders. April 17, 2020, was the original transition deadline from Part 90 operations to Part 96, Citizens Broadband Radio Services (CBRS), operations for … Read more
