Arris completed its $800 million cash buy of Ruckus, it said Friday. Arris said Ruckus will operate as Ruckus Networks, preserving "the much-respected Ruckus brand," part of the Arris enterprise networks business segment. The deal was announced in February.

The Communications Security, Reliability and Interoperability Council meets Dec. 12, 1-5 p.m., in the FCC commission meeting room, says Tuesday's Federal Register.

An FCC order to facilitate identification of parties making threatening calls, by giving law enforcement and security personnel quick access to blocked caller ID information, will mostly take effect Jan. 2, under the rule published Friday in the Federal Register. "The Commission exempts threatening calls from blocked numbers from its caller privacy rules," said the rule, noting "a disturbing increase in threatening calls in recent years," many coming from blocked numbers. The order also allows "non-public emergency services to obtain blocked Caller ID information associated with calls requesting assistance." The rule said new or modified information collection requirements won't take effect until after the Office of Management and Budget approves them under the Paperwork Reduction Act. The order was approved 5-0 Oct. 24 (see 1710240052) .

Comments are due Dec. 29, replies Jan. 16 on an application by Perry Johnson Laboratory Accreditation for recognition as a lab accreditation body with authority to accredit test laboratories that perform testing for radio, telecom and electromagnetic compliance requirements, the FCC Office of Engineering and Technology said in a public notice in Thursday's Daily Digest.

First responder groups criticized what they said was an Office of Management and Budget decision Tuesday to not reclassify "public safety telecommunicators" in a "protective service” category in its standard occupational classification, as advocates sought so that 911 call takers are in a category that includes police and firefighters (see 1704100015). OMB staff has failed 911 professionals as "call takers & dispatchers aren’t 'protective' occupations," tweeted APCO. "@realDonaldTrump @POTUS Please fix." The group "consulted with a top law firm in DC and decided that pursuing a remedy in court is not a viable option," it said on its website. "This decision is within OMB’s discretion, which means OMB, or even President Trump, has the power to correct it." National Emergency Number Association President Rob McMullen, calling it an "emotionally-charged issue," said NENA made evidence-based comments consistent with "OMB’s data-driven approach to this statistical classification. OMB has made it clear that this is the only way to achieve our long-term goal of full reclassification." OMB didn't comment Wednesday.

Flagging extensive California wildfire damage to schools, the state Department of Education sought waiver of FCC E-rate deadlines in eight counties eligible for Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance, plus surrounding areas. Monday's request in docket 02-6 sought additional Category 2 funds for damaged schools and libraries.

Comments are due Dec. 27, replies Jan. 26 on FCC nationwide number portability proposals (NNP) in a combined NPRM and notice of inquiry item in docket 17-244 adopted unanimously Oct. 24 (see 1710240062). Comments on proposed information collection under the Paperwork Reduction Act are due Jan. 26 at the Office of Management and Budget, said the NNP proposed rule published Monday in the Federal Register. Comments are due Dec. 27 on an Agriculture Department Rural Utilities Service rule to streamline and update a Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant Program, when the rule takes effect, said an item in the FR, which said a subsequent rule would be issued after public comment.

A local number portability administrator transition session is set for Wednesday at 3 p.m. EST to discuss "contingency rollback planning focused on small service providers," said an FCC Wireline Bureau public notice in docket 09-109. It said transition oversight manager PwC will facilitate the discussions. Parties can register for the event here.

Broadcom completed its buy of Brocade Communications Systems, the acquirer announced Friday, along with an executive move (see the personals section of this issue of this publication). In August, the FTC 2-0 approved the deal worth about $5.9 billion on condition Broadcom prevents release of its partner Cisco's confidential business information (see 1708170052 and 1707030030).

Twenty-nine percent of U.S. consumers plan to buy electronics for holiday gifts, down a point from last year, reported the National Retail Federation Thursday on surveying 7,400 in early November. Hot toys include Apple, Disney and Microsoft products.