FCC Seeks Comment on Small Cable EAS Waiver

The Federal Communications Commission has asked for comment on whether to grant smaller cable operators an expedited waiver process for carve-outs from the burdens of compliance with its requirements for conversion of emergency alerts, including that it will need Internet connectivity. The FCC concluded that lack of that connectivity would provide a presumption of waiver-worthiness. The FCC is assuming that in the future, most alerts will be delivered via a broadband Internet connection. The American Cable Association back in April told the FCC that the waiver process itself was a burden, and sought a streamlined process for systems with 500 or fewer subs.