The Federal Communications Commission ordered wireless and wireline operators to have backup power sources for telecom facilities and to submit reports on the reliability of their 911 systems, but the agency’s two Democrats said carriers should be required to do more to better maintain communications in the face of disasters.
The two new requirements imposed on operators flow from last year’s recommendations of the FCC’s Independent Panel Reviewing the Impact of Hurricane Katrina on Communications Networks. Small cellular, wireline and Voice-over-Internet-Protocol service providers will be exempted from the new 911 reporting requirement.
FCC Chairman Kevin Martin generally got high marks for his handling of the telecom crisis in the deadly, destructive aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, though problems continue to confront New Orleans and other areas.
The two Democrats on the GOP-controlled FCC insisted more forceful action is needed. “This is not a report and order that brings a proceeding to a close. It is an incremental step against the backdrop of a challenge that will continue to stalk us and might even get worse in coming years as climate changes suggest more frequent and more intense storms and disruptions across much of the country,” stated Commissioner Michael Copps.
“I also think that record that was developed was too heavily skewed by the belief-I think the pernicious belief-that the FCC either will not or should not take a lead role in mandating network resiliency standards. I simply cannot accept this view,” Copps said. “The nation’s experience with 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina indicates to me that industry best practices and voluntary best efforts are not by themselves always going to get the job done.”
Glossing over hard issues
Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein also voiced concern that while the FCC’s action was a step in the right direction, the agency failed to adequately address the hard issues. “There may be no silver bullets to address the widespread flooding caused by a disaster such as Hurricane Katrina; yet, this order does not in itself require any concrete actions to address this very real problem,” Adelstein said. “The commission needs to initiate a discussion of hardening the network to address flood-related issues. While the order directs the bureau to encourage the development of voluntary checklists, it still leaves work to be done. Although outreach and voluntary measures can play a critical role, we must continue to push communications providers to go the extra mile to achieve a true level of preparedness.”
Specifics
Overall, the FCC ruling directed the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau to:
- Develop and implement an awareness program to educate public-safety agencies about alternative communications technologies;
- Continue to work to enhance a voluntary, streamlined approach for collection of outage and situational awareness information during emergencies;
- Continue to reach out to the emergency medical community to facilitate the resiliency and effectiveness of their emergency communications systems, including hospital emergency departments;
- Continue to work with the Department of Homeland Security on developing standards for issuing proper credentials and ensuring that all communications service providers are treated as ‘essential personnel’ for purposes of the Stafford Act;
- Continue to work with the DHS to promote the Priority Communications Service Programs (i.e., Government Emergency Telecommunications Service, Telecommunications Service Priority and Wireless Service Priority) particularly among first responders, healthcare facilities and 911 emergency call centers nationwide;
- Take various steps, in conjunction with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration and the DHS, to facilitate first responder interoperability;
- Promote the implementation of various best practices to ensure a more robust enhanced 911 service;
- Take steps to revitalize and publicize the Emergency Alert System;
- Work with the wireless industry, state and local governments and organizations representing people with disabilities and non-English speaking persons to ensure they receive emergency information.
