Stevens Wants More Authority for FCC
The FCC should have more authority to handle coordination of emergency communications during disasters, Senate Commerce Committee Chmn. Stevens (R-Alaska) said Thurs. at a hearing. One key example would be to give the Commission power over credentialing employees to enter disaster areas -- a role now largely performed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Stevens said. “We want to have a plan in place to be able to get in touch with people,” Stevens said. FCC Chmn. Martin said the additional authority Stevens envisioned would be “good,” but said the Commission would still work with FEMA “since they are the ones on the ground.”
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The Commerce Committee is likely to make its suggestions on increasing FCC authority to Senate leaders, since the committee doesn’t have authority over credentialing matters. “We're sending ideas over there all the time,” Stevens told reporters Thurs. Committee Co-Chmn. Inouye (D-Hawaii) asked Martin whether the Commission needs a “more prominent role.” Martin responded: “We did everything we could do,” but added that govt. should take full advantage of tools at its disposal to handle crises: “If given the opportunity, we would do that [take a more prominent role].”
The Commerce Committee has discussed with the Commission legislation that would increase FCC authority, Martin said, but he declined to give details of what the bill might include. Questioned by Sen. McCain (R-Ariz.) about the communications breakdowns during Hurricane Katrina, Martin said the main lesson was the need for public safety operators to have a comprehensive emergency alert system. He also said it’s important to integrate communications technologies, such as satellite and land- based systems. McCain said the FCC should play a role in achieving solutions to those goals: “We hope we can give you that role.”
The Committee late Thurs. introduced a bill, the Warning, Alerts & Response Network (WARN) Act, aimed at setting up emergency alert systems. The bill calls for transmitting alerts across a variety of communications media, such as cellphones, Blackberrys, cable and satellite TV. It was described as ensuring that there are adequate alerts and warnings in the event of natural disasters, accidents or terrorist attacks.
E-911 Order Too Harsh?
Some senators questioned Martin about the fairness of his order requiring VoIP providers provide full E-911 service to all subscribers by Nov. 28. The order has been interpreted to force providers to cut service to consumers who haven’t acknowledged E-911 limitations -- a radical step for the Commission. “A bunch of us have written you about this -- can’t your agency rethink this requirement?” Sen. Nelson (D-Fla.) asked. Martin said the Commission has “tried to be flexible” and many providers have complied almost 100%. He said a report was due out yesterday (Thurs.) that would update the Commission on how well service providers are doing to meet their requirements, which would guide the FCC in its next steps. “Has the FCC ever ordered phone service to be cut off?” Nelson said. Martin responded: “We're doing our part in trying to solve this problem.”
“Safety may be in greater jeopardy” by adhering strictly to the FCC order, Sen. Sununu (R-N.H.). “I emphasize that we need to be cautious on this,” he said, urging the FCC to proceed carefully. On another issue, Martin said he would “welcome” help from Congress in granting liability protection to companies that provide E- 911 service. Nelson said several companies have told him they have trouble getting insurance and attracting investment because of the lack of liability protection. “We'll see if that’s the pleasure of the committee,” Nelson said.