Posts Tagged ‘Public Safety’
FCC’S First Responder Technical Interoperability Board To Hold Public Workshop
Posted on April 4, 2012The FCC’s Technical Advisory Board for First Responder Interoperability (Interoperability Board) has announced that it will conduct a public workshop on Monday, April 23, 2012, from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at the Commission’s headquarters in Washington, D.C. The Interoperability Board was established under the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (Spectrum Act) to develop recommended minimum interoperability requirements for a nationwide public safety broadband network. Pursuant to the Spectrum Act, the Interoperability Board is required to furnish the Commission with its recommendations by Tuesday, May 22, 2012 and then the Commission must forward these recommendations to the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet), the entity overseeing the development of the national public safety mobile broadband network. After receiving input from the Interoperability Board, FirstNet is tasked by the Spectrum Act to incorporate those recommendations, without any material changes, into its request for proposals to construct, operate and manage the public safety mobile broadband network. The workshop will be open to the public and parties interested in attending should register at: http://www.fcc.gov/pshs/eventregistration.html.
FCC Seeks Comment on Public Safety Interoperability
Posted on March 28, 2012The FCC has released a public notice announcing that is has opened a public docket, PS Docket No. 12-74, so that parties may submit materials for the Technical Advisory Board for First Responder Interoperability to consider in developing its recommendations. The advisory board was created pursuant to the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 and is tasked with providing the FCC with policy recommendations as the country builds a nationwide, interoperable public safety broadband network. Also announced in the public notice was an update to the members of the advisory board. Added to the board are Charles L.K. Robinson, Director Business Support Service for the City of Charlotte, North Carolina, and Kenneth C. Budka, Senior Director, Bell Labs Chief Technology Office, Alcatel-Lucent as Chair and Vice Chair, respectively. James Kohler of the Alaska Department of Administration stepped down as a representative of state interests and in his place will serve Bill Price, Director of Broadband Programs for the State of Florida. The advisory board has until May 22, 2012 to submit its recommendations to the Commission.
EAAC Makes Recommendations on Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act
Posted on January 30, 2012The Emergency Access Advisory Committee (EAAC) has released its recommendations on implementing the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA) of 2010. The CVAA required the EAAC to conduct a survey and recommend the most effective ways to enable 9-1-1 emergency services for individuals with disabilities, and gave the FCC authority to implement their recommendations. The Report recommends that the FCC pass rules that ensure access to next generation services like video and text messaging, impose common device standards, prevent device migration and the installation of features that would impede communication with PSAPs, address liability laws, expand choices for disabled customers, and make access to 9-1-1 services ubiquitous.
Hochul Introduces 9-1-1 Text Message Bill
Posted on December 16, 2011Representative Kathy Hochul (D-NY) has introduced a bill directing the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to complete a coordinated rulemaking within one year requiring mobile providers to send an error message to customers when 9-1-1 text messages have not been delivered. Introduced as the Allowing Local Emergency Response Technicians to Accept Cellular Texts, or ALERT ACT (H.R. 3654), the bill requires that providers’ error messages instruct consumers on the proper way to contact emergency services. It also directs the Secretary of DHS to ensure that 10% of emergency management performance grants awarded after the bill’s enactment are used to test or implement services or equipment allowing the public to send 9-1-1 texts. The bill has been referred to the House Committees on Energy and Commerce, and on Transportation and Infrastructure, but has not been scheduled for a hearing.
CSRIC Tasked with Examining Mobile, 911 Reliability During Disasters
Posted on October 3, 2011FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski has directed the FCC’s Communications, Security, Reliability, and Interoperability Council (CSRIC) with recommending ways to ensure 911 availability when disasters cause a surge in mobile network use and how 911 traffic might be prioritized in such situations.  Recently, the Mineral, Virginia earthquake that affected a large portion of the East Coast caused mobile networks to be overwhelmed. The Chairman has also directed CSRIC to develop best practices to ensure that communications providers are prepared for natural disasters and able to restore service quickly in their aftermath.
Petition Seeks Suspension of Service to Contraband Wireless Devices
Posted on September 9, 2011Equipment manufacturer CellAntenna, Inc. (CellAntenna) has filed a Petition for Rulemaking asking the FCC to modify its rules to require wireless carriers to suspend service to contraband wireless devices reported to be operating within prisons and correctional facilities.  Though CellAntenna has been a proponent of the controversial use of jamming to stamp out the use of contraband devices, CellAntenna acknowledges that detection is an acceptable approach. However, when contraband devices are detected and reported to the carrier, CellAntenna argues that wireless carriers must follow through by suspending service to these devices and it asks the FCC to make this suspension mandatory.  At this time the FCC has not released CellAntenna’s petition for public comment.
FCC Chairman Announces 5-Step Plan for Next Generation 911
Posted on August 11, 2011FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski has announced a five-step action plan to chart the transition to Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG911) services. NG911 relies on an IP-based network architecture and encompasses both the core functionalities of legacy E911 and enhanced capabilities of IP-based devices, including voice, text, data, photos, and video between the public and public safety answering points (PSAPs). The FCC’s action plan to facilitate the deployment of NG911 contains the following steps:
- develop automatic location accuracy mechanisms for NG-911;
- facilitate the completion and implementation of NG911 technical standards;
- work with state and Federal 911 authorities to develop a NG911 governance framework;
- develop an NG911 funding model; and
- enable consumers to send text, photos, and videos to PSAPs.
The NG911 plan is just one piece in the FCC’s current Public Safety agenda which includes the launch of an emergency alert system for wireless phones, strengthening E911 location accuracy rules, and moving toward a nationwide, interoperable public safety network.