FCC adopts emergency alert test rules

The Federal Communications Commission approved testing guidelines for wireless providers that decide to transmit emergency alerts to subscribers as part of a government effort to modernize a Cold Era, mostly broadcast-based public warning system. The issue came to the fore following the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorists, and received renewed interest after Hurricane Katrina.
“In adopting these rules today, we take another significant step towards implementing one of our highest priorities – to ensure that all Americans have the capability to receive timely and accurate alerts, warnings and critical information regarding disasters and emergences,” the FCC stated. “As we continue to learn from previous disasters such as the recent tornados that raged through our Midwestern and southern states, it is essential to enable Americans to take appropriate action to protect their families and themselves from loss of life or serious injury. A comprehensive commercial mobile alerting system will bring great benefit to the public by ensuring that vital information reaches people quickly and efficiently.”
The FCC’s job is not finished, however. The agency must establish by Aug. 9 a process for wireless providers to elect whether to transmit emergency alerts to subscribers. Mobile-phone carriers must inform the commission in early September whether they plan to participate in the program. While the 2006 Warning Alert and Response Network Act makes the program voluntary, major cellphone operators initially signaled they’re on board.
The Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions and the Telecommunications Industry Association are working on technical standards for wireless alerts.
The overall emergency warning reform effort will be managed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.