TRANSITION: POLICY REFORM FOR THE FUTURE
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Monday, March 11, 2013 |
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1:30 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. |
A Network in Transition: The Competitive Imperative of the 21st Century
The transition to IP technology is a massive undertaking, comparable in scope to implementing the AT&T divestiture or the Telecommunications Act of 1996. Unlike those transformations, however, there is no clear path that will protect customers, competition and universal service. This panel will discuss the steps that carriers and regulators must take to ensure a smooth transition. |
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| Moderator: |
 Joseph GillanConsultant Gillan Associates |
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| Speakers: |
 Mike RomanoSenior Vice President of Policy National Telecommunications Cooperative Association (NTCA) |
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 Richard ShockeyChairman, SIP Forum, and Principal Shockey Consulting |
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 Geoffrey G. WhyCommissioner Massachusetts, Department of Telecommunications and Cable |
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2:30 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. |
Filling the White Space: Spectrum Benefits for Consumers and Communications
With the completion of the FCC’s White Space rules, 2013 will see an increase in commercial deployments of this technology both here in the U.S. and around the world. During this session, speakers will discuss the domestic and international implications for this technology in terms of supporting multi-megabit enterprise broadband, backhaul, Wi-Fi, services in rural markets and M2M communications. The panel will examine the immediate opportunities available and how current projects, such as Super Wi-Fi, are progressing. |
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| Moderator: |
 Alan HillSenior Vice President, Government Relations COMPTEL |
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Speakers: |
 Tim DonovanVice President, Legislative Affairs Competitive Carriers Association |
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 Darrin MyletBusiness Operations & Regulatory Affairs Adaptrum |
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 Greg RogersDeputy General Counsel Bandwidth.com |
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Tuesday, March 12, 2013 |
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9 a.m. - 10 a.m. |
Grand Theft Copper: Protecting Against the ILEC Assault ILECs appear to be making a full frontal assault on their copper networks in order to migrate to next generation fiber or wireless. These initiatives have the potential to have a significant impact on other providers that rely on copper for last mile access to their customers. Panelists will discuss the range of legal and regulatory options available to combat these tactics by the ILECs, as well as potential alternative network infrastructure solutions from cable, fiber and fixed wireless companies. |
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Moderator: |
 James HenrySenior Managing Director Bank Street Group |
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| Speakers: |
 Andrew LipmanPartner Bingham McCutchen |
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 Nancy LubamerskyVice President, Public Policy and Strategic Initiatives TelePacific Communications |
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Mike Robinson President and CEO Broadview Networks |
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 Margi ShawPresident First Communications |
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10:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. |
Follow the Money: A USF Round-Up
Huge amounts of money are at stake in ongoing Universal Service Fund (USF) contribution reform and Lifeline proceedings. Panelists on this roundtable will discuss the latest developments on the contribution side of the federal USF and timely information and insights that will enable you to understand how money is flowing into and out of the fund – and more importantly, how these money flows impact your business. |
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Moderator: |
 John HeitmannPartner Kelley Drye |
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Speakers: |
 Mark E. BrownSenior Director and Senior Counsel Charter Communications |
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Nancy Lubamersky Vice President, Public Policy and Strategic Initiatives TelePacific Communications |
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 Dale SchmickChief Operating Officer YourTel America, and Chairman, COMPTEL Board of Directors |
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11:15 a.m. - Noon |
The Competitive Spark for Innovation: Where Policy and Business Strategy Converge With their cutting-edge technology and state-of-the-art high-performance services, competitive broadband providers have been at the forefront of communications innovation for the past two decades. And, as a result of competition, incumbent carriers have been forced to become more responsive, speeding the cycle of innovation, benefiting consumers and businesses, and enabling achievements in important economic and public policy goals. During this interactive session, panelists will showcase the innovative products and services launched by competitive providers, how customers are benefiting from them, and why competition policy plays a vital role in continued innovation as networks evolve to IP technology. | ||
| Moderator: |
Alan Hill Senior Vice President, Government Relations COMPTEL |
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Speakers: |
 Jerry CadyDirector of Sales and Marketing LS Networks |
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Don MacNeil Chief Marketing Officer XO Communications |
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 Mike RouleauSenior Vice President, Business Development tw telecom, inc |
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 Bill WeberGeneral Counsel Cbeyond |
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Wednesday, March 13, 2013 |
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8:30 a.m. - Noon |
WEDNESDAY WORKSHOP Interconnection Under the Telecommunications Act of 1996: Past, Present and Future The Section 251/252 interconnection process has been a fundamental aspect of competitive carriers’ ability to enter new markets and compete with entrenched incumbent carriers. It has led to consumer benefits such as increased customer choice, innovative new products and more responsive customer service. The purpose of this workshop is to discuss the ongoing significance of interconnection negotiations and arbitrations, including Section 251/252 negotiations and arbitrations relating to Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) interconnection. Topics will include a review of some of the widely discussed definitional issues relating to SIP interconnection, the manner in which the Section 251/252 process should apply to SIP interconnection and some of the threats posed to that process in the future. This workshop will help providers who are adapting to the challenges posed by new technologies and new impediments to Section 251/252 interconnection. |
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8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m |
Definitional Issues Relating to SIP Interconnection At some point in every SIP Interconnection panel, there is a pause in the discussion where all the panelists stop to define their terms and attempt to agree upon common definitions. This panel will brings together technology experts to discuss those definitional issues up front. What do we mean by over-the-top vs. managed network interconnection? Are we just focused on the regulatory treatment of managed network interconnection or should certain types of over-the-top traffic also be subject to Section 251/252 interconnection? This panel will address these issues and other critical definitional issues to kick off the workshop. | ||
| Moderator: |
 Deanne O’DellPartner Eckert Seamans |
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Speakers: |
 John BarnhillOffice of the CTO GENBAND |
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 Kyle BertrandVice President of Network Planning and Regulatory Broadvox |
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 Dave MalfaraPresident,and CEO The ETC Group |
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8:30 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. |
Break | ||
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9:45 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. |
How should the Section 251/252 Process Apply to SIP Interconnection? There is a general consensus, at least among competitive carriers, that the Section 251/252 process needs to apply to SIP interconnection in order to sustain and expand competitive entry. Incumbent carriers do not all share in that consensus. Should SIP interconnection be regulated any differently than any other form of ILEC interconnection? If so, on what basis and, if not through the Section 251/252 process, how will regulators discipline the dominant market players that still control the vast majority of facilities. This panel will explore these issues with competitive carriers and incumbents alike. |
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Moderator: |
 Jim FalveyPartner Eckert Seamans |
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Speakers: |
Joseph Gillan Consultant Gillan Associates |
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 Jeffrey LanningVice President of Federal Regulatory Affairs CenturyLink |
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Michael Moore Senior. Director and Senior. Counsel, Regulatory Affairs Charter Communications |
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Bill Weber General Counsel Cbeyond |
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11:00 a.m. - Noon |
Threats to the Section 251/252 Process Perhaps because it plays such an integral role in market entry by competitive providers, the Section 251/252 is constantly under assault. If the interconnection process is undermined,, further competitive entry will be impeded and it will be harder for new entrants to compete on a competitively neutral basis. Today, non-carrier providers seek to obtain direct access to phone numbers, which could permit them to interconnect with incumbents in unregulated and potentially discriminatory arrangements. AT&T has petitioned the Commission to permit trials in a number of geographic areas that would be deregulated, potentially eliminating Section 251/252 interconnection and consumer protections in these areas. And in many states, the number of agreements available for smaller new entrants to opt into is dwindling and new arbitrations are few and far between. All of these issues present threats to the Section 251/252 interconnection process. Panelists in this session will discuss how their companies are impacted and how these threats can be diminished. |
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Moderator: |
 Brett Heather FreedsonPartner Eckert Seamans |
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Speakers: |
Kristi Ince Vice President, Regulatory Affairs tw telecom |
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 Roy LathropSenior of State Government Affairs NCTA |
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 Michael MooneyGeneral Counsel, Regulatory Policy Level 3 Communications, LLC |
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Greg Rogers Deputy General Counsel Bandwidth.com |
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