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Intermediate/Advanced
Join us for an exploration of artificial intelligence – what it is, what it can do today and what it may be able to do tomorrow. We’ll also focus on the telecommunications industry and AI’s promise for growth opportunities as well as potential operational disruptions.
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Beginner/Intermediate
This class provides an understanding of the factors affecting average schedule settlements and USF support payments. We will cover average schedule reporting requirements, as well as resources and tools available on our website to help average schedule companies understand their payment information. This class benefits average schedule companies and their consultants who want to understand formulas, reporting requirements and support payments.
- B
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Beginner
Get an overview of NECA functions, the pooling process and how pool members recover costs and earn a return on investment. This class benefits new company employees, consultants or anyone who wants a refresher to understand our functions, the pooling process and how it all relates to settlements.
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Beginner
Learn about the cost and average schedule company settlements processes. Topics include basics of pooling, the settlements cycle, settlements forms, average schedule formulas and revenue distribution.
- C
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Beginner/Intermediate/Advanced
We cover the components of consumer broadband-only loop cost recovery, including cost and demand forecasting, per line cap on support, budget control mechanism, fully calculated rates and cost/support/demand true-up. The importance of accurate forecasts will be discussed, including how forecasting impacts the BCM, fully calculated CBOL rates, the common line rate of return and the timing of cash flow. This class benefits companies considering or currently offering CBOL.
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Intermediate/Advanced
Significant changes are coming to the Connect America Fund compliance process. All carriers that receive CAF support to bring high-speed internet access to rural communities must report their ongoing progress in meeting the broadband deployment obligations of the program. This session will provide an update on the CAF compliance framework and a preview of the changes ahead, to prepare carriers for the new requirements. The session will cover: reporting broadband deployment data in the HUBB portal; participating in CAF verification reviews for USAC to confirm deployment reported in the HUBB; and conducting speed and latency testing to measure network performance.
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Beginner/Intermediate
Learn about cloud switching technology, under what conditions a NECA tariff participant may use cloud switching technology, tariff considerations and permitted uses. This class benefits companies and their consultants wanting to understand cloud switching options.
- E
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Intermediate/Advanced
This session introduces edge computing and its potential effect on RLEC operations and networking. Edge computing is a way of processing data and running applications closer to where they're needed, such as nearby devices or servers, instead of sending everything to far-away data centers. Edge computing is used in telecommunications, health care, agriculture, facial recognition, voice assistants and much more. It has the potential to both positively and negatively affect RLECs. We will discuss pros and cons and help you better prepare for the expected growth in edge computing.
- F
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Beginner/Intermediate
Learn about the basics of fixed wireless technology. Topics include fixed wireless devices, antennas, spectrum, frequencies, technology, speeds and NECA pool reporting requirements. This class benefits companies and their consultants who want to understand how to expand their footprint using fixed wireless technology.
- H
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This panel examines how broadband technology, the cloud and network edge computing devices are bringing together rural communities to provide affordable service to rural Americans. We will discuss: how broadband services are delivered to all Americans through the proliferation of fiber; the migration to an all-IP network; the deployment of multifunctional clouds, smart devices and AI; and network connectivity. It is through the optimization of the network that carriers are able to provide innovative service to their customers.
- I
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This panel discussion will address how carriers can increase network demand by using innovative network connectivity technology. Through the use of advanced cloud-based technology, carriers are able to: attract interest and attention from prospective customers seeking to buy access to circuits; find new ways to be found by customers; and attract new customers as well as new business partners.
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Intermediate/Advanced
Hear the latest on telecommunications issues that have been hot topics before the FCC, Congress and the courts, including a roundup of who’s who behind these items and the politics surrounding telecom. We provide a wide overview of issues and all levels of employees will benefit, particularly those in beginner and intermediate roles with regulatory responsibilities and an interest in what is happening in Washington, D.C.
- J
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Intermediate/Advanced
The Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program is a once in a lifetime funding opportunity. If you are one of the companies that has any of the several million nationwide unserved or underserved homes in your territory, then you may want to attend Just BEAD It!
- N
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Intermediate/Advanced
Data is at the heart of every financial and policy decision in today’s business environment. We use data to support our tariff filings, file data for our members with the FCC and USAC, and supply relevant analyses to support industry stakeholders. We work closely with our various task groups (CITG, RDTG, ASTG) to get input, share information and represent our membership. This presentation uses data from various sources to show trends affecting rural ILECs today. This class benefits those who supply and/or analyze our data.
- P
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Intermediate
This class provides an overview of the Preventing Digital Discrimination Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and its potential impacts on rural telecom companies, including key definitions; the disparate treatment and disparate impact standards; rules and enforcement mechanisms; and proposed reporting requirements and mandatory internal compliance programs.
- S
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Intermediate/Advanced
This course is an in-depth review of settlement system calculations and will trace results from data entry to output reports and monthly disbursements/invoices. Topics covered include pool treatment of CAF BLS and CAF ICC with a brief mention of how model-based support is reflected on statements.
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Beginner/Intermediate
Updated description pending. Join us for a tour of the tools available for customers on our website. These tools provide companies with the option to adjust their proposed NECA rates before the annual tariff is filed and assist in accurately pricing out service requests. This class benefits companies and their consultants concerned with competition in their area for tariffed DSL and special access services. This class also benefits those that price out service requests, market DSL and SPA services, process CAB/end user billing and want a more efficient method for verifying the calculation for disputed circuits.
- T
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Intermediate/Advanced
Learn about the calculation and filing of switched access rates and CAF ICC support along with NECA’s Tariff No. 6, as well as our business data services tool. Topics include: ARC and CAF ICC calculation; implementation of the FCC’s switched rate transitions; rate and support filings with the FCC and support filings with USAC, along with audit support resources; services included and benefits of participating in NECA’s Tariff No. 6; BDS tool overview; and how rates are calculated. This class is for ILEC employees and consultants who want to learn more about the benefits and resources available to companies who opted in to incentive-based regulation for their BDS services. The discussion on switched access and CAF ICC support will benefit rate-of-return companies participating in our TS pool.
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Intermediate/Advanced
Our members are becoming increasingly diverse in their approach to managing cost recovery. This session covers tariff and rate flexibility options rural ILECs are utilizing, as well as various methods of cost recovery through rates, fixed support and USF support mechanisms. Tariffing for BDS incentive regulation available to companies on fixed support, and interstate switched and special access rates will also be discussed. This class benefits ILEC employees and consultants involved with access ordering, billing, interconnection and tariff application.
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Beginner/Intermediate
Without communication, customer service is not possible. Listening to the customer, displaying empathy and understanding the issue or problem are skills that help you communicate effectively and are a must-have while working in customer support. We will be discussing the five Ps of every customer service interaction – patience, preparation, practice, performance and passion.
- U
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Beginner
This class will focus on how to effectively navigate the NECA website, including the settlement system, the vast resources available and recent enhancements that will benefit companies and their consultants. We will reach out to registered participants in advance with a brief survey to address specific website needs for our live demonstration.
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Intermediate/Advanced
Join us to learn about the various groups within the USAC Audit and Assurance Division, including the differences and similarities between the Beneficiary and Contributor Audit Program, Payment Quality Assurance, and Supply Chain Audit Program. Get familiar with the PQA and BCAP process and learn about high-cost common findings and how to address or prevent them to ensure compliance with FCC rules and program requirements.
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Beginner/Intermediate
Our focus is on legacy funds – CAF BLS, HCL and CAF ICC – and an overview of each including key dates, rules and requirements for reporting and filing data, along with a discussion of data verification, support calculation and disbursement timelines. This class benefits anyone who wants an introduction to or refresher of the ins and outs of legacy USF support funds.
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Representatives from several rural associations will provide updates on industry efforts addressing the state of regulatory change.
