FCC Chairman Wheeler to Deliver Keynote Address at COMPTEL PLUS Fall 2014 Convention & EXPO

WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwired - Jun 10, 2014) - COMPTEL today announced that Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Tom Wheeler will be the keynote speaker at the COMPTEL PLUS Fall 2014 Convention & EXPO, which is scheduled for October 5-8 at the Gaylord Texan in Dallas. Chairman Wheeler is expected to address many of the key issues facing the communications industry today, including the ongoing technology transitions and use of IP networks, the importance of promoting competition across all platforms, the benefits of an open Internet and the need for greater spectrum to address consumers' growing demands for wireless broadband solutions.

Chairman Wheeler will deliver his keynote address at 10 a.m. on Monday, October 6.

"We are honored to have Chairman Wheeler join us at the COMPTEL PLUS Fall convention and share his vision for the broadband communications marketplace," said Chip Pickering, CEO of COMPTEL. "The Chairman's commitment to competition has been evident since day one. It is clear that he wants all consumers, including business and residential users, to benefit from innovative services and better value that results from robust, competitive markets. COMPTEL supports the Chairman's goal to promote competition across all communications platforms. And as leaders driving the transition to IP networks, we are working to support the Commission's review of the legal and policy issues surrounding the ongoing technology transitions."

With more than three decades of telecommunications industry experience, Chairman Wheeler is an entrepreneur who started or helped start multiple companies offering innovative cable, wireless and video communications service. He became the 31st chairman of the FCC in November 2013. Prior to joining the FCC, he was managing director at Core Capital Partners, a venture capital firm investing in early stage Internet Protocol (IP)-based companies. He also served as president and CEO of Shiloh Group, LLC, a strategy development and private investment company specializing in telecommunications services and co-founded SmartBrief, the internet's largest electronic information service for vertical markets.

From 1992 to 2004, Chairman Wheeler served as president and CEO of the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association (CTIA). Prior to this, he was CEO of several high-tech companies, including the first company to offer high-speed delivery of data to home computers and the first digital video satellite service. He also was associated with the National Cable Television Association (NCTA) for eight years, serving as its president and CEO from 1979 to 1984.

Chairman Wheeler also is author of "Take Command: Leadership Lessons of the Civil War" and "Mr. Lincoln's T-Mails: The Untold Story of How Abraham Lincoln Used the Telegraph to Win the Civil War;" and has had commentaries on current events published in The Washington Post, USA Today, Los Angeles Times, Newsday, and other leading publications. Presidents Clinton and Bush each appointed Chairman Wheeler a trustee of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, where he served for 12 years. He is the former chairman and president of the Foundation for the National Archives, the non-profit organization dedicated to telling the American story through its documents, and a former board member of the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS).

Register before July 18 and save more than 25 percent off regular rates. For press registration, email gnorris@comptel.org.

About COMPTEL PLUS
The COMPTEL PLUS Convention & EXPO is the preeminent networking event for innovative communications companies and their supplier partners. Held twice a year, COMPTEL PLUS provides attendees with the opportunity to learn about new products, services and industry trends; meet potential customers and do business. In addition, COMPTEL PLUS offers comprehensive educational programming led by experienced industry speakers. COMPTEL PLUS is produced by COMPTEL, the leading industry association representing competitive communications service providers and their supplier partners. Follow us at www.comptelplus.org or on Twitter at @COMPTELPLUS and #COMPTELFall14.