Comptel Spring06D1 3/30/06 9:32 AM Page 1 Day 1 Show Show Dailyproduced by COMPTEL Monday, March 20, 2006 — Vol. 6, No. 1Published by: Stevens to Keynote COMPTEL PLUS With Special Guest Martin This afternoon at COMPTEL PLUS in San Diego will be devoted to a current contribution mechanism “is broken and it needs reform,” Stevens said at the keynote speech discussing the telecom policy changes floating throughout Washington, KEYNOTE ADDRESS winter meeting of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners D.C. Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, during the 25th Anniversary COMPTEL (NARUC) in February. Monday, March 20 event, will highlight his work on and expectations for updates to the Tele- FCC Chairman Kevin Martin supports a numbers-based approach and Stevens told communications Act of 1996; he will be followed by special guest speaker 12:45 - 1:45 p.m. NARUC the Commerce Committee wants to examine that structure. The numbers-based FCC Chairman Kevin J. Martin. Randle Ballroom CDE system would assess USF fees of $1-$2 more per month to everyone with a landline Stevens has been vocal during his committee hearings and at association speeches telephone, regardless of whether consumers make long-distance calls. Martin is widely about matters he considers pertinent to a Telecom Act rewrite, especially expected to begin tackling USF changes this spring. intercarrier compensation and Universal Service Fund (USF) reform. Stevens Martin’s speech, meanwhile, also is likely to take on issues surrounding is chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee telecom reform. As the COMPTEL Show Daily went to press, President and has been spearheading a telecom rewrite. He also was one of the key Bush had nominated Robert McDowell, COMPTEL’s senior vice president authors of the ’96 Act. “As a staunch advocate for competition and con- and assistant general counsel, to fill the FCC’s remaining commissioner’s sumers, attendees of COMPTEL PLUS will have a unique opportunity to hear seat. If McDowell is confirmed, Martin for the first time in his tenure will be firsthand his views on the issues that affect our industry,” said Earl Comstock, working with a fully staffed commission made up of three Republicans and president and CEO of COMPTEL. two Democrats. For Stevens and Martin both, fixing the USF contribution mechanism is a “As someone COMPTEL previously recognized as a ‘Champion of top priority. The multibillion-dollar USF is the subject of much scrutiny Competition,’ we are delighted and honored to have Chairman Martin at our on the Hill, in Congress and at the FCC. Policymakers are considering spring show,” said Comstock. “We look forward to hearing what he has to say several approaches, including whether to assess all revenue — intrastate and and continuing our dialogue with him on key issues for the competitive com- interstate — alike; or assess phone numbers; or charge per connection. The Sen. Ted Stevens Kevin Martin munications industry.” COMPTEL Celebrates 25 Years, An Evening of Music Looks to the Future With Kenny Loggins 2006 marks COMPTEL’s 25th anniversary and the association is celebrating that GRAND OPENING After a full day of exploring the show floor milestone with pomp and circumstance as it also trains a watchful eye on pending telecom REMARKS at the COMPTEL PLUS Spring 2006 legislation reform. Convention + Expo, get ready to rest your feet Monday, March 20 “The organization has grown considerably since 1981, but the basic issues remain the same — name- but keep your toes tapping. This evening’s enter- ly how to ensure a competitive environment in which entrepreneurial companies can offer consumers the 12:45 - 1:45 p.m. tainment — “An Evening with Kenny Loggins” products and services they want,” said Earl Comstock, president and CEO of COMPTEL. “The fact that Randle Ballroom CDE — is being presented by Compass Global and COMPTEL is still here is a testament to the strength and resiliency of the competitive sector.” held at 8:15 p.m. at “345 B St” (4th and B; one Some of the competitive industry’s greatest challenges are yet to mile from the Hyatt). come, Comstock predicted. “The FCC has significantly altered the rules Classic movie theme songs like “I’m which previously governed our industry. Congress is considering legisla- Alright” (from Caddyshack), “Footloose” tion that could further change the regulatory environment, either for bet- (from Footloose), “Danger Zone” (from Top ter or worse. Now more than ever the competitive industry needs to speak Gun) and “Nobody’s Fool” (from Caddyshack with a unified voice, and COMPTEL is the forum through which the II) are just a few of Loggins’ greatest hits. industry’s voice will be heard.” Other popular songs of this two-time Grammy Comstock will share these thoughts and more with COMPTEL PLUS winner include “Your Momma Don’t Dance,” members and attendees during his remarks ushering in the association’s 25th “This Is It,” “House at Pooh Corner” and Anniversary Conference + Expo today. He also will be joined by J. Sherman “Danny’s Song.” Loggins has sold more than Tonight’s entertainment — Henderson III, COMPTEL’s chairman of the board, and president and CEO 20 million records in his 30-year career. “An Evening with Kenny Loggins”— will be presented by Compass Global. of Lightyear Network Solutions LLC, who has been instrumental in the com- “Compass Global wanted to participate in th petitive carrier industry. Earl Comstock Sherm Henderson this special 25 anniversary of COMPTEL as a tribute to our customers and COMP- Comstock said that as policymakers craft updates to the TEL members,” said Dean Cary, President and CEO of Compass Global. “We feel Telecommunications Act of 1996, COMPTEL and its members must work to preserve the law’s pro-competitive principles that “are Kenny Loggins is an appropriate choice for this occasion as his hits appeal to audi- under assault from the incumbent telephone and cable operators.” Comstock especially wants to work with legislators to make sure ences of all ages. We assure you this will be an event you won’t want to miss.” “transmission network operators have an incentive to build and operate broadband networks, while at the same time ensuring the Additional support for this event is being provided by Homisco, Sansay Inc., Sirius nondiscriminatory interconnection of competing networks, and a level playing field for all of the content and service providers, Telecom Inc. and Veraz Networks. Transportation will be provided from the Hyatt start- including the network operators, that seek to use those networks to reach consumers.” ing at 7:30 p.m. The location is a 21+ venue only so attendees must be 21 years or older. On Sunday, March 19, COMPTEL held its “Champions of Competition” Awards dinner, during which time leaders recognized Rep. F. This is a ticketed event open to COMPTEL attendees registered with either a VIP, James Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., who serves as chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. Comstock said Sensenbrenner has helped ensure full conference or exhibitor registration. that consumers benefit from communications competition and choice. During today’s afternoon break at 1:45 p.m., which is sponsored by Don’t miss the chance to kick off your “Monday” shoes during tonight’s Progress Telecom, COMPTEL will serve cake to celebrate its 25th anniversary. fun-filled evening! Comptel Spring06D1 3/30/06 9:32 AM Page 2 Carrier Panelists Share Strategies for Finding,Acquiring Funding Before service providers can say “show me the money,” they need to understand exactly what consistent, free cash flow to service debt; and a company’s ability to grow without taking on venture capitalists and investment banks are looking for when they consider doling out funds. In “FINANCE-ABLE” any undue risk in terms of geographic and product expansion. He said PAETEC has been the session “‘Finance-able’ Service Providers: Finding and Securing Funds from Investors,” pan- SERVICE PROVIDERS: approached by public and private investors, but the carrier turned them down because it does elists will discuss just what it takes to secure the public or private financing needed to expand FINDING AND SECURING not need new equity participants “as our investors are pleased with the performance.” operations or enter new lines of business. FUNDS FROM INVESTORS He recommends other competitive carriers looking for financing also address risk man- Slated speakers include Kevin Coyne, CFO of FiberLight LLC; John Siegel Jr., general part- agement issues, which include regulatory, competitive and technological items. The biggest Monday, March 20 ner of Columbia Capital; Richard Smith, president and CEO of Eschelon Telecom; and Keith challenge PAETEC faced was “finding the appropriate comparable benchmarks to structure Wilson, CFO of PAETEC Communications Inc. Vik Grover, CFA: managing director of invest- 4 - 5 p.m. our financings. The sector continues to be widely dispersed in terms of operational, regulato- ment banking at Merriman Curhan Ford & Co., will lead the panel. Randle Ballroom CDE ry and technical models. This makes it difficult to assess the appropriate structure for financ- Eschelon Telecom is one of the few CLECs to have gone public successfully. ings — either debt or equity as compared to other transactions done in the market.” “Approaching investors with a CLEC business model has been challenging — and that is an Investors, Wilson said, are just beginning to view the CLEC sector as better than “dis- understatement,” said Smith, explaining that is because investors have been wary of CLECs’ historically poor tressed,” which should bode well for carriers seeking financing. performance and significant number of bankruptcies. The only way to win over skeptical investors, he advised, Finally, FiberLight’s Coyne will talk about the feedback the dark fiber network owner has received from venture “is to prove your execution abilities.” capitalists and investment banks.