Cellular Firms Want To Avoid Emergency Alert Mandate

CELLULAR FIRMS WANT TO AVOID EMERGENCY ALERT MANDATE
[SOURCE: Technology Daily 7/21, AUTHOR: Drew Clark]
Fearful that the FCC will extend an emergency alert system to cellular carriers, the industry has been pushing for legislation and executive action to make compliance voluntary. Further, the legislation supported by the industry would shift the authority to run the system from the FCC to the Homeland Security Department or another department, like Commerce. Legislation to create a voluntary system is gaining steam because of concern that the FCC will impose strict rules, industry and government sources said. The cellular industry has been pitching the voluntary approach, and officials were heartened by a June 26 executive order calling for Homeland Security to take the lead in a new alert system. They also cite what they regard as the success of the Wireless Priority Service put in place at Homeland Security since terrorist attacks of September 2001. Cingular Wireless and T-Mobile grant legislators and other public officials priority access to spectrum during emergencies or natural disasters. Cellular and traditional telephones are frequently overwhelmed during such occasions -- but legislators availing themselves of the voluntary service are granted a special phone number designed to avoid all the busy circuits.
http://www.njtelecomupdate.com/lenya/telco/live/tb-KTLE1153939641615.html