New technology, or even new uses for old technology like voice mail, could greatly improve communications in disasters such as Hurricane Katrina, several organizations told the FCC in comments this week. “Policy makers and public safety officials alike should be attuned to the value that IP technologies bring to first responder and emergency communications,” said Cisco Systems.
EchoStar can send “pop-up” Emergency Alert System (EAS) text messages to any Dish Network channel, using a set-top box override function. A 255-character overlay message can be sent individual set-top boxes no matter what’s on screen - - real-time, pay-per-view or recorded programming, EchoStar last week told FCC Chmn. Martin’s office in an EAS presentation last week, an ex parte said. But EchoStar itself can’t check for EAS alerts, it said. “A Dept. of Homeland Security clearinghouse is needed that can aggregate all EAS alerts and sort notifications by zip code,” the company said: “EchoStar cannot feasibly monitor each locality for an EAS alert because EchoStar has a national footprint and does not have a local presence in these communities.”
Media activists want public interest rules included in an FCC digital radio order being considered on the 8th floor, they told aides to Comrs. Adelstein and Copps. The FCC should impose yearly reporting requirements, “allow new and diverse voices” and provide emergency alert system services, a July 20 ex parte filing said. Participants included Common Cause, the Benton Foundation, Institute of Public Representation and Media Access Project.
The U.S. emergency alert system (EAS) needs upgrading to reflect new technology and new threats, Rep. Upton (R-Mich.), chmn. of the House Telecom Subcommittee said Thurs. at a hearing on the Warning Alert & Response Network (WARN) Act. The Senate is considering similar legislation.
AT&T’s IPTV service in San Antonio can carry emergency alert system (EAS) messages by “retransmitting the alerts provided by local broadcasters,” according to a summary of its presentation last week to FCC officials. The telco will add EAS capabilities to nationwide channels and VoD, PVR and other content by the end of 2007, AT&T said in an ex parte filing. Verizon’s FiOS fiber TV product follows all EAS rules that apply to cable rivals, the firm said in another FCC filing this year. “This is a public safety issue we take seriously,” a company spokesman told us: “Verizon is compliant with EAS rules.”
The Rural Cellular Assn. warned the FCC in a letter that small carriers can’t readily afford to put in place new handsets that may be needed to meet a possible emergency alert system (EAS) mandate. The FCC is expected to issue an order within the next few months mandating wireless carriers participate in some kind of EAS program. Chmn. Martin didn’t circulate an EAS order in time for the Aug. agenda meeting, but an order is in the works (CD July 17 p4). “Rural carriers do not have the resources to absorb a mandate that require another ‘free’ change-out of wireless phones and another major network upgrade,” the group said: “RCA’s CDMA and iDEN members are still working diligently to meet the 95% penetration level required for E-911 Phase II, and RCA’s GSM members are aggressively working to replace analog and TDMA handsets.” Another mandate without funding would be “financially catastrophic” to small and regional rural wireless carriers, the group said.
Chmn. Martin last week began circulating a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on revised service rules for the 700 MHz auction, readying for a vote at the Aug. 3 FCC meeting. Revised Emergency Alert System (EAS) requirements that have made carriers nervous aren’t on circulation, sources said. Commissioners also are being asked to vote on a broadband over powerlines (BPL) reconsideration item, plus one addressing maritime wireless issues.
Public TV stations nationwide will form the “last mile delivery system” for federal emergency alerts, according to a Wed. announcement of a phased rollout of a digital emergency alert system (DEAS). Aided by the Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS), the Assn. of Public TV Stations recently completed 2 successful DEAS pilots using stations’ digital infrastructure. The rollout will cover 9 Gulf and Atlantic coast states in 2006 and the rest of the U.S. by Dec. 31, 2007, said APTS and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials.
Cable companies and TV stations spend fortunes on gear mandated by FCC emergency alert system (EAS) rules whose use is limited by poor communication between broadcasters and the govt., EAS officials said. One-year EAS waivers granted by the Enforcement Bureau to almost 40 companies last week (CD July 6 p10) will cut their costs, cable companies said. But exemptions won’t improve industry-govt. coordination near term, said 2 state emergency communications committee chmn. we spoke with.
The FCC granted one-year emergency alert system (EAS) waivers to almost 40 cable operators, including Charter, Classic and Suddenlink. The exempt systems, each with less than 10,000 subscribers, need not follow EAS rules until June 30, 2007, said an Enforcement Bureau notice. It said the extensions were granted because the systems proved “compliance with our rules would impose [a] significant financial burden.”