The Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, Huricane Katrina and other man-made and natural disasters often reveal flaws in emergency communications systems. Here we attempt to chart the effects of disasters on our telecommunications and media communications systems -- and efforts by policymakers to stregthen these systems.
Emergency Communications
Verizon Threatens Public Safety with Throttling, Calls It a “Customer Support Mistake”
On Aug 21, the County of Santa Clara (CA), joined by 22 States and the California Public Utilities Commission, filed its brief supporting network neutrality in the ongoing litigation to protect the open internet. The brief attached testimony and an email thread from the County Fire Chief, Anthony Bowden, describing how—during the worst wildfire in California history—Verizon throttled the Internet connection of a critical emergency response vehicle . “This throttling has had a significant impact on our ability to provide emergency services.
Chairman Pai Response Regarding Lifeline Reform
On August 10, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai responded to letters from members of Congress who wrote to Chairman Pai regarding drastic cuts to the FCC's Lifeline program. In response, Chairman Pai wrote that the 2017 Lifeline Reform Order seeks to focus Lifeline support where it is most needed.
Verizon statement on California fire allegations
This situation has nothing to do with net neutrality or the current proceeding in court.
Fire Chief from CA: Verizon Throttling Data Was a Safety Threat
According to testimony and documents provided by the fire chief of Santa Clara County, one of the CA counties fighting the largest wildfire in the state's history, throttling of its Internet speeds per a lower-priced Verizon data plan had a significant impact the department's ability to provide emergency and potentially life-saving services. The documents came in the legal challenge to the Federal Communications Commission's lifting of regulations against online blocking, throttling and paid prioritization.
FirstNet Board Leaders Announce Plans to Retire
FirstNet Board Chair Sue Swenson and Vice Chair Jeffrey Johnson notified Assistant Secretary of Commerce David Redl of their resignation from the FirstNet board. Formal letters of resignation have been submitted to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross.
FCC Seeks Applicants for BDAC Disaster Response and Recovery Group
The Federal Communications Commission solicits nominations for membership on a new Disaster Response and Recovery Working Group of the Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee (BDAC). This new working group will assist the BDAC in providing advice and recommendations to the FCC on steps that can be taken to improve disaster preparation, response, and recovery for broadband infrastructure.
The FirstNet Authority will post a detailed agenda for the combined meeting of the Board Committees and FirstNet Authority Board meeting on its website, http://www.firstnet.gov, prior to the meetings.
Remarks of Chairman Pai at CANTO 2018
[Speech] The primary focus of my remarks will be the primary focus of my chairmanship since day one: closing the digital divide in order to make sure everyone can benefit from the Internet revolution. To date, I’ve visited roughly 90 cities in 33 states in the US, driving more than 8,500 road miles
Rep Collins Introduces Legislation to Address 9-1-1 Fee Diversion
Rep Chris Collins (R-NY) introduced legislation that prevents states from diverting fees collected from consumers on their phone bills, which are meant to be used to improve 9-1-1 emergency communications systems. The Federal Communications Commission has found that New York diverts at least 41 percent of 9-1-1 fees that are collected for other non-public safety related purposes. Rep Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and Rep Leonard Lance (D-NJ), co-authored the bill and have also seen 9-1-1 fee diversion in their home states.