FCC Seeks Public Comment on Commercial Mobile Alert System

December 14, 2007 -- In a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking issued today, the Federal Communications Commission is seeking public comment on the Commercial Mobile Alert System, under which Commercial Mobile Service (CMS) providers may elect to transmit emergency alerts to the public. Comments are specifically sought with respect to the recently completed recommendations of the Commercial Mobile Service Alert Advisory Committee (CMSAAC), provided with the notice as Appendix B.

The Commission noted, "By starting this rulemaking today, we take a 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 impending disasters and other emergencies irrespective of what communications technologies they use. As we have learned from recent disasters such as the Southern California fires, the Virginia Tech shootings, and the 2005 hurricanes, such a capability is essential to enable Americans to take appropriate action to protect their families and themselves from loss of life or serious injury."

Comments are sought on:

• the technical standards, protocols, procedures and other requirements that should be adopted to facilitate the
  transmission of emergency alerts by CMS providers;
  
  
• whether the CMSAAC recommendations, if adopted, would satisfy the requirements of the WARN Act and the goal of ensuring a robust, reliable and effective CMAS that could, in conjunction with other alerting systems and technologies, be used to transmit emergency alerts to all Americans, including those with special needs and those who do not speak English.;
  
  
• whether the CMSAAC recommendations present an effective mechanism for alert originators at all levels of government to initiate emergency alerts, and whether these recommendations could be implemented using a myriad of current and future technologies.

Comments are also sought on alternatives to the CMSAAC’s recommendations. Initial comments are due within 30 days of publication in the Federal Register and reply comments are due within 45 days.