What You Need To Know Now…
ACA To The FCC: Don’t Reinvent The NBM Wheel
The American Cable Association (ACA) asked the FCC to continue to support all the work it’s done so far regarding the National Broadband Map (NBM) and not to duplicate efforts, despite some Connect America Fund (CAF) adjustments sought by the U.S. Telecom Association (USTelecom). According to the ACA, the telco group wants the commish to ask state broadband-mapping authorities to gather new data and information from all broadband providers. ACA points out states already have been retained by the NTIA, pursuant to the State Broadband Initiative, to collect data twice a year to populate and update the NBM. “The development of the map is a process with checks and balances, and while there is some under- and over-reporting, this can be addressed by a reasonable and fair process such as proposed by the FCC with refinements suggested by ACA,” ACA President and CEO Matthew M. Polka said in a statement. “Starting over is not an option.”
Tower Owners Advised To Scrutinize Nextel Lease Terminations
As Sprint Nextel continues to power down its iDEN network made up of Nextel gear colocated on existing towers, cellsite landlord advocate Tower Seekers is warning Nextel cellsite landlords to “use care” when they deal with the lease-termination and site-decommissioning process. The entire iDEN network could be dead as early as this summer. Says Mike Ritter, president of Tower Seekers, landlords need to check the facts presented by Nextel reps and to “avoid succumbing to pressure to quickly sign the proposed agreement and general release,” adding “the lease termination agreement and general release significantly alter the original lease terms in Nextel’s favor. It releases Nextel from all responsibility after the lease is terminated.” Tower owners also are being advised to tell Nextel to haul its gear away when the lease is terminated, because it has “little or no value to a future cell company tenant,” Ritter explains.
Comcast, NBCU Broaden Hire-A-Vet Program
Comcast and NBCUniversal reached their joint goal of hiring 1,000 vets as part of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s “Hiring Our Heroes” initiative two years ahead of schedule, and they now say they’ll employ 1,000 more by 2015. During March 15-28, Hiring Our Heroes will host several job fairs across America, including Washington D.C., New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Fort Hood, Fayetteville and Dayton, all supported by Comcast and NBCU. Comcast also is offering its programming resources to help vets find careers at other employers through such programs as the “Hire a Veteran” Xfinity TV initiative. “Our goal is to offer veterans tangible tools that help them with their transition back into the workforce and civilian life,” comments Beth Colleton, senior vice president/Corporate Social Responsibility at NBCU.
