COMPTEL PLUS Fall 2012 Convention and EXPO

Monday, April 16, 2012
1:30 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.	IP Interconnection: What is the Optimal Regulatory Framework for the Industry? As the telecommunications industry transitions to IP networks, it will be increasingly important for service providers to establish suitable interconnection arrangements for the exchange of voice in IP format. This panel will explore the regulatory issues associated with such interconnection from the perspective of each major sector in the industry – CLECs, ILECs, cable and edge providers.
Moderator:
	Thomas Jones (bio) Partner Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP
Speakers:
	Joe Gillan (bio) Consultant Gillan Associates

	Hank Hultquist (bio) Vice President, Federal Regulatory AT&T

	Richard S. Whitt (bio) Director and Managing Counsel for Telecom and Media Policy Google, Inc.

2:30 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.	Privacy Primer: Everything You Need to Know About Data Privacy and Security The White House, Federal Trade Commission, Federal Communications Commission and Department of Homeland Security are all focusing on privacy, data security and cybersecurity, while related legislative proposals are sprouting up in Congress. Service providers need to understand the risks and opportunities presented by the latest developments in Washington, D.C. This interactive session will provide carriers and broadband service providers with takeaways that include a primer on data privacy and security laws and regulations and offer insights about how future developments may affect their businesses.
Speakers:
	John Heitmann (bio) Partner Kelley Drye & Warren LLP

	Alan Hill (bio) Senior Vice President Government Relations COMPTEL

Tuesday, April 17, 2012
9 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.	USF Reform: How Will the FCC Pay to “Connect America”? The FCC’s new Connect America Fund (CAF) promises to help bring broadband to the 18 million Americans that do not have access to it today – all within the budget of its current high-cost universal service program. But at the same time, the contribution base used to fund this program has continued to erode. With the universal service contribution factor reaching a record 17.9 percent of interstate and international telecommunications revenues, it begs the question: Is the USF contribution factor the Achilles’ Heel of the CAF’s transformation? This panel of telecom and broadband industry experts will examine how the current system affects provider service offering and pricing; alternative funding mechanisms the FCC is likely to consider- and how they can be implemented; and limits on the FCC’s authority to undertake any such reforms. Other questions relating to how the FCC can (or should) implement a stable and predictable means of funding its universal service programs will also be addressed.
Moderator:
	Tom Koutsky (bio) Chief Policy Counsel Connected Nation Inc.
Speakers:
	Doug Garrett (bio) Regional Vice President of Regulatory Affairs – West Region Cox Communications

	Nancy Lubamersky (bio) Vice President, Public Policy and Strategic Initiatives TelePacific Communications

	Jim Lamoureux (bio) Senior Attorney Microsoft

	Rich Morris (bio) Senior Counsel-Federal and State Government Affairs Sprint

10 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.	Implementing ICC/USF Reform -- The Next Steps in the States The FCC’s plan to reform intercarrier compensation and universal service relies on a "state-federal partnership" to achieve its goals. The states are responsible for overseeing a variety of implementation steps and are likely to see pressure for additional revenue support from ILECs. Because almost every existing interconnection agreement has expired, and CLECs now require IP interconnection for their next-generation networks, there are likely to be change of law proceedings with far reaching implication. This panel will address how the states are moving to implement the ICC/USF Order and the effects on CLECs, the cable industry and state regulators.
Moderator:
	Joe Gillan (bio) Consultant Gillan Associates
Speakers:
	John Burke ESQ (bio) Board Member, Vermont Public Service Board and Telecommunications Committee Chair NARUC

	Sarah DeYoung (bio) Executive Director CALTEL

	Roy Lathrop (bio) Senior Director NCTA

	Pamela (Sherwood) Hollick (bio) Vice President, Regulatory tw telecom

11 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.	The View from the FCC: A Conversation with Sharon Gillett This session will consist of an in-depth interview with FCC Wireline Competition Bureau Chief Sharon Gillett on a variety of topics of interest to telecommunications carriers.
Moderator:
	Dale Schmick (bio) Chief Strategy Officer, YourTel America, and Chairman, COMPTEL
Speaker:
	Sharon Gillett (bio) Chief, Wireline Competition Bureau Federal Communications Commission

Wednesday, April 18, 2012
8:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.	Wednesday Workshop Cloud Computing: Exploring the Opportunities and Overcoming the Challenges Sponsored by: Datacenter Operations, Due Diligence, and Cloud Reseller Options. What issues do telcos face when buying and operating datacenters offering cloud services, and what reseller arrangements are available to telcos that desire to offer cloud services to their customers but are not yet able to do it alone. In this session, we will review the issues associated with buying and operating cloud datacenters and discuss cloud reseller opportunities available to telcos as an initial step to satisfy their customer needs. This workshop will offer a comprehensive review of the legal and regulatory issues associated with cloud computing. Participants will come away with a deep understanding of the key issues and all the tools necessary to move forward with the development of a cloud offering. Panelists will focus on conceptual discussion of big issues, as well as the practical guidelines and solutions to real world challenges associated with deployment of cloud services. Legal specialists will address, among other things: Strategic aspects and considerations for telecommunications companies seeking to develop cloud solutions; Data privacy and security issues; Agreements between cloud providers, hosting companies and customers, including software license arrangements; and Merger and acquisition considerations in acquiring cloud assets (including data centers and hosting companies). At the end of this workshop, competitive telecommunications stakeholders should walk away with a 'holistic' view of their cloud computing market and the opportunities before them.
Speakers:
	Michael Bennett (bio) Partner Edwards Wildman

	Lawrence Freedman (bio) Partner Edwards Wildman

	Alan Friel (bio) Partner Edwards Wildman

	Jeffry Hardin (bio) Partner Edwards Wildman

Download Agenda (pdf)

Speakers

TM Forum

Microsoft Track

Wednesday Workshop

Business Track

Technology Track