FCC Meeting Recap

FCC TO IMPLEMENT KATRINA PANEL RECOMMENDATIONS
[SOURCE: Federal Communications Commission]
The Federal Communications Commission implemented various recommendations of the FCC's Independent Panel Reviewing the Impact of Hurricane Katrina on Communications Networks. The programs and policies stemming from the Panel's work are aimed at improving emergency response capabilities and assist first responders, the communications industry and all levels of government to communicate effectively with one another during emergencies, disasters and public health threats. The Order extends, by one year, exemptions on large telephone companies allowing them to share information to facilitate disaster planning. The order also instructs the FCC's Public Safety & Homeland Security Bureau to: 1) Develop and implement an awareness program to educate public safety agencies about alternative communications technologies; 2) Continue to work to enhance a voluntary, streamlined approach for collection of outage and situational awareness information during emergencies; 3) Continue to reach out to the emergency medical community to facilitate the resiliency and effectiveness of their emergency communications systems; 4) Continue to work with the Department of Homeland Security on developing credentialing standards and ensuring that all communications service providers are treated as "essential personnel"; 5) Continue to work with the Department of Homeland Security to promote the Priority Communications Service Programs (i.e., Government Emergency Telecommunications Service, Telecommunications Service Priority and Wireless Service Priority) -- particularly among first responders, health care facilities and 911 emergency call centers nationwide; 6) Take various steps, in conjunction with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration and the Department of Homeland Security, to facilitate first responder interoperability; 7) Promote the implementation of various best practices to ensure a more robust E911 service; 8) Take steps to revitalize and publicize the current Emergency Alert System; and 9) Work with industry, state and local governments and organizations representing people with disabilities and non-English speaking persons to ensure that they receive emergency information.
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-273455A1.doc

FCC TAKES ACTION TO FURTHER STRENGTHEN NATION'S EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM
[SOURCE: Federal Communications Commission]
The Federal Communications Commission adopted a Second Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that strengthens the nation's Emergency Alert System (EAS). The Commission's Order promotes the development of fully digital Next Generation technologies and delivery systems that will better serve the American public. The Order requires EAS participants to accept messages using Common Alerting Protocol (CAP), the groundwork for Next Generation EAS delivery systems, no later than 180 days after FEMA announces its adoption of standards in each case. The use of CAP will help to ensure the efficient and rapid transmission of EAS alerts to the American public in a variety of formats (including text, audio and video) and via different means (broadcast, cable, satellite, and other networks) and to promote the development of Next Generation EAS. One result of these developments will be enhanced access to EAS alerts and warnings for persons with disabilities and for non-English speakers. The Further Notice seeks comment on how best to deliver EAS alerts as well as broader emergency and public safety information to these groups, and commits to adoption of a final order within six months. The Commission directs the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau to convene a meeting -- or series of meetings -- as soon as possible on providing emergency information to non-English speakers. The stakeholders should submit into the record a progress report on these discussions within 30 days of the Order's release. The Order also requires terrestrial EAS participants to transmit state and locally targeted EAS alerts that are originated by governors or their designees. The Further Notice seeks comment on whether Participants should be required to deliver EAS alerts originated by local, county, tribal, or other state governmental entities.
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-273458A1.doc

ENHANCED 911 REQUIREMENTS FOR WIRELESS AND VOIP CARRIERS
[SOURCE: Federal Communications Commission]
The Federal Communications Commission adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) seeking comment on tentative conclusions and issues related to Enhanced 911 (E911) location accuracy and reliability requirements for wireless carriers and providers of interconnected voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services. The NPRM seeks to ensure that E911 service meets the needs of public safety and the American people. The NPRM also takes into consideration the evolution in the use of wireless devices and the further development of location technologies. The primary objective is to advance policies, rules and initiatives that support the efficient and reliable transmission of meaningful automatic location information for wireless cell phone users and users of interconnected VoIP service to Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) to better ensure rapid emergency response and save lives.
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-273457A1.doc
* FCC moves to improve cell 911 technology
Despite strong industry opposition, the Federal Communications Commission voted to move forward on a rule that would require cell phone companies to employ a much stricter geographic standard when testing the location accuracy of their handsets.
http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/news/politics/17305643.htm

DISABILITY ACCESS REQUIREMENTS EXTENDED TO VOIP SERVICES
[SOURCE: Federal Communications Commission]
The Commission has extended the disability access requirements of Sections 225 and 255 of the Communications Act, which currently apply to traditional phone services, to providers of interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services and to manufacturers of specially designed equipment used to provide those services. Section 255 of the Communications Act requires manufacturers of "telecommunications equipment or customer premises equipment" and providers of "telecommunications service" to ensure that such equipment or service is accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities, if readily achievable. In adopting Section 255, Congress sought to ensure that all Americans, including people with disabilities, could benefit from advances in telecommunications services and equipment.
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-273452A1.doc

FCC CHAIRMAN REITERATES THAT XM-SIRIUS MERGER FACES 'HIGH HURDLE'
[SOURCE: The Center for Public Integrity, AUTHOR: Drew Clark]
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin on Thursday reiterated his position that the proposed merger between XM Satellite Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio faces a high regulatory hurdle. Speaking to reporters after the FCC's May meeting, Martin was asked why the commission has taken so long to begin the merger review process. Although the merger was announced in mid-February, the FCC has not yet issued a public notice seeking formal comment. "It's an unusual merger, and I've said there is a high hurdle that the parties would have to meet because the commission has a previous order that would prohibit the two parties [the satellite radio companies] from being owned by one party," he said.
http://www.publicintegrity.org/telecom/telecomwatch.aspx?eid=2963&entry=feed

FCC REVIVES SHEETROCK RULE
[SOURCE: Multichannel News, AUTHOR: Ted Hearn]
The Federal Communications Commission voted unanimously Thursday to revive a court-rejected rule intended to aid new video providers that want to serve consumers located in apartment buildings and other multiple dwelling units (MDUs). The FCC said it was promoting video choice and competition by declaring that existing cable wiring located behind sheetrock was “physically inaccessible.” As a result, new video providers can tap into the existing cable plant at a junction box many feet from the customer’s entrance instead of cutting into drywall closer to the front door.
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6448232.html?rssid=196
* FCC: Cable Competitors Won't Have to Cut the Sheet Rock
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6448161.html?rssid=193
* FCC press release:
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-273439A1.doc

COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN ANNOUNCES STAFF CHANGE
[SOURCE: Federal Communications Commission]
In a truly inspired choice, FCC Commissioner Jonathan S. Adelstein announced that Katie Yocum has joined his staff. She serves as Confidential Assistant and Director of Outreach. As Commissioner Adelstein's Confidential Assistant, Yocum will be responsible for coordinating all aspects of the Commissioner's schedule. In her role as Director of Outreach, she will manage the office's interaction with a wide and diverse group of organizations, governments, individuals, and companies that are interested in the role of the Commission and its impact on the telecommunications and media marketplace. She will also serve as the office's primary contact for general media and press inquiries. Prior to joining the Commission, Yocum worked as the Campaign Coordinator for the Media and Democracy Coalition, a national coalition of nonprofit organizations committed to amplifying the voices of the public in shaping media and telecommunications policy. She graduated from the University of Illinois Institute for Communications Research with a B.A. in Media Studies.
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-273431A1.doc