November 3, 2005

The Federal Communications Commission today extended emergency alert rules to digital media technologies, while soliciting additional comment on how the government can integrate wireless technologies into a next-generation public warning network.

The FCC said it also is examining how a modernized EAS system can better accommodate individuals with hearing and vision disabilities, and is seeking feedback on how the EAS rules should be revised to more effectively reach non-English speaking individuals.

"Hurricane Katrina (and Hurricanes Rita and Wilma) have only served to emphasize the need for a comprehensive and robust alert system that allows officials at the national, state and local levels to reach affected citizens in the most effective and efficient manner possible," said FCC Chairman Kevin Martin.

"This system should have built-in redundancy features. Among other things, it should incorporate the Internet, which was designed by the military to be robust and contains network redundancy functionalities.

The system also should take advantage of advances in technology that enable officials to reach large numbers of people simultaneously through a variety of communications media."

The FCC last year launched a proceeding to consider updating a Cold War-era emergency alert system based -at least at state and local levels-on voluntary participation by radio and television licensees and cable TV operators.

"Surely it is also time to explore a more comprehensive EAS system," said FCC Commissioner Michael Copps.

"People today use communications devices to receive information in so many ways-wireline, wireless, radio and television broadcasting, satellite, cable, IP technologies, and others. To make our warning systems and information dissemination as effective as possible, we need to figure out how to integrate these diverse technologies."

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A bipartisan group of lawmakers led by Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) is working on legislation to expand the nation's emergency alert system to take advantage of wireless and other advanced digital technologies. Other countries are headed in the same direction.

On a separate front, the Department of Homeland Security is working with national mobile phone carriers, public TV stations and others to develop a national digital platform for emergency alert transmissions.

Debate continues in the mobile phone industry over which technology would work most effectively for cellular carriers.

Rural wireless provider Airadigm Communications Inc. is moving forward with cell broadcast technology to offer emergency alert service to subscribers in Appleton, Wis.

Source: RCR News