Emergency Alert System announcements will appear on the web browsers of certain WOW! Internet and Cable subscribers, just as on TV, according to PerfTech, a firm that makes software for delivering Internet EAS alerts. The alerts are displayed on geographically targeted web browsers, no matter what site is being viewed, the company said. Alerts won’t interfere with web browsing, the company said.
Three senators introduced a bill targeting local content on satellite radio. The NAB-backed legislation, coupled with a companion bill in the House, is intended to hold XM and Sirius “accountable” to the national nature of their FCC licenses, the NAB said. The move is the latest salvo in old arguments between satellite radio and the NAB. The SDARS licenses were originally auctioned with national rights only, and the sides have long been at odds over how much satellite can localize its service.
FCC Chmn. Martin reassured Gulf Coast residents Mon. the FCC remains committed to improving public safety communications in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, which devastated the region in a storm that hit last Aug. Martin opened a meeting of the Independent Panel Reviewing the Impact of Hurricane Katrina on Communications Networks in Jackson, Miss. Martin, along with Comr. Tate, was also scheduled to tour the Jackson Police Dept.’s PSAP. The hearing continues today (Tues.)
The FCC extended an emergency alert system rule waiver for some small cable systems until June 30 so it can continue reviewing information. The action affects operators including Cequel, Charter and Northland.
CTIA called for a technical summit including wireless carriers, the FCC, FEMA, NOAA and the National Communications System to discuss such emergency alert system (EAS) issues as the type and format of EAS messages and the timeframe for delivery of EAS. CTIA made the call in reply comments on an EAS docket. “If EAS is to be a seamless experience, these questions must be considered for each of the existing U.S. air interfaces, including CDMA, GSM, and iDEN, as each of those systems may have unique implementation issues with particular EAS requirements,” CTIA said. 3G Americas called for the creation of an advisory committee to resolve wireless industry EAS questions. “Mobile wireless technologies are fundamentally different than the broadcast technologies that now carry EAS notifications,” the group said. “These differences mean that many significant technical and policy issues must be resolved before mobile wireless networks can be effectively integrated into an expanded EAS.”
The proposed Homeland Security Dept. 2007 budget includes $5 million for a satellite upgrade of FEMA’s Emergency Alert System (EAS). The funds would go for national 2-way satellite capacity linking federal, state and U.S. Territory emergency operations centers, DHS said. A satellite link would improve EAS coverage and reliability “when other national communications resources have been damaged or compromised,” DHS said.
Traveni Digital unveiled its SkyScraper Emergency Services Network for disaster alert distribution and emergency responder communication. Traveni Digital officials said SkyScraper ESN can deliver EAS information over any broadcast or multicast medium, and is well suited for satellite, cable and digital terrestrial transmission systems. SkyScraper ESN can be configured to suit federal public safety agencies, as well as state, local and regional safety squads, they said.
Leaders of the world’s biggest fixed satellite services (FSS) firms scratched their heads Tues., wondering aloud how the FSS industry is going to compete amid telecom convergence and mobility. Speaking at Satellite 2006, CEOs from Intelsat, PanAmSat, SES Global, New Skies, Eutelsat and Loral -- citing video to mobile phones, broadband in automobiles and other uses -- agreed FSS must compete in new mobile data and video markets. But none said they know exactly how they'll do it.
Public TV executives next week head to their Capitol Hill Day in record numbers, hoping 2006 won’t replay 2005, a year that saw their federal allocation faced a cut of nearly 50% and the Corp. for Public Bcstg. rocked by controversy over then Chmn. Kenneth Tomlinson’s efforts to infuse conservative “balance” into PBS shows. “It was by far the most tumultuous [year] in recent memory,” said Assn of Public TV Stations (APTS) Pres. John Lawson. The projected record attendance of more than 200 reflects the “high level” of station interest this year in public TV’s federal agenda, he added.
CEA said that as it scopes the future of EAS, including alerts offered on cellphones (CD Jan 26 p3), the FCC should keep in mind the major role that NOAA weather radio (NWR) can play. To date, NWR has proven to be the most reliable sources for alerts, CEA said. “Closer integration of EAS and NWR would… increase the speed with which the public is likely to hear the critical life saving emergency information,” the group said. “Many more people would hear critical life saving alerts in a timely manner with improved public awareness and better integration of the 2 systems.”