Government
Nationwide Emergency Alert System Test Informational Toolkit & PSAs Available
November 3, 2011Don’t forget: On Wednesday, Nov. 9 at 2 p.m. EST, FEMA will transmit the EAS code for national emergencies in…
Read full articleFederal Communications Commission Announces Agenda for Workshop/Webinar on Rapidly Deployable Aerial Communications Architecture PS Docket No. 11-15
October 21, 2011On October 31, 2011, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., the Federal Communications Commission’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau…
Read full articlePublic Safety and Homeland Security Bureau Announces Comment and Reply Comment Dates for the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the Next Generation 911 Proceeding
October 13, 2011On September 22, 2011, the Federal Communications Commission adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the Next Generation 911 (NG911) proceeding. The NG911 NPRM sought comment on a number of issues related to accelerating the development and deployment of NG911 technology that will enable the public to send emergency communications to 911 Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) via text, photos, videos, and data and enhance the information available to PSAPs and first responders for assessing and responding to emergencies. The NG911 NPRM set deadlines for filing comments and reply comments at 60 and 90 days after publication in the Federal Register.
Read full articleCountdown to Nationwide EAS Test
October 13, 2011The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are taking steps to strengthen the nation’s Emergency Alert System (EAS). As part of this effort, on Nov. 9, 2011, at 2 p.m. EST, the first-ever, nationwide system test will take place.
Read full articleNarrowbanding Waiver Guidance
October 5, 2011Does your agency operate on radio frequencies below 512 MHz? If so, is your agency already operating on “narrowband” channels (i.e., 12.5 kHz or the equivalent)? If not, are you aware of the FCC requirement that such systems convert to narrowband no later than Jan. 1, 2013? Will your agency be ready?
If not, your agency may want to consider seeking a waiver of the requirements pursuant to recently released FCC guidelines, and you should try to do so before the end of this year.
FCC Staff White Paper Outlines Vision for ‘Deployable Aerial Communications Architecture’ to Improve the Ability to Communicate in Times of Emergency
September 27, 2011The FCC’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau released a comprehensive white paper outlining a vision for how “deployable aerial communications architecture” (DACA) can be used to provide communications following a catastrophic event when the terrestrial communications infrastructure is severely damaged or unavailable. The white paper includes recommendations to the Commission for next steps on how to incorporate this technology into the nation’s communications infrastructure.
Read full articleGovernment Sues to Block AT&T, T-Mobile Merger
September 1, 2011The Justice Department took the unusual step Wednesday to try to block AT&T’s $39 billion purchase of T-Mobile USA, arguing that the proposed merger would lead to higher wireless prices, less innovation and fewer choices for consumers.
Read full articleFCC Keeps Close Watch on Outages
August 29, 2011Hurricane Irene has caused some disruption so far to local communications systems, and the FCC is keeping a close eye on phone and TV service as the storm makes its way up the East Coast. The agency’s teams in the field have recorded some outages to landline service, affecting perhaps 12,000 customers, mostly in North Carolina.
Read full articleThe National Emergency Communications Plan
August 18, 2011Over the past 10 years, the federal government and public safety agencies have invested significant resources to update the nation’s emergency communications capabilities. To encourage a coordinated approach and wise investments, the DHS Office of Emergency Communications has launched key initiatives.
Read full articleFCC Adopts Initial Rules for a Nationwide Interoperable Public Safety Broadband Network
August 18, 2011The Commission adopts an initial set of rules necessary to ensure the development of a nationwide interoperable public safety broadband network. The establishment of a common air interface for 700 MHz public safety broadband networks will create a foundation for interoperability and provide a clear path for the deployment and evolution of the nationwide network.
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