FCC Commissioners Agree to Carrier-Proposed Framework on Disaster Response
The FCC decided not to impose reliability requirements on mobile networks, after problems seen following Superstorm Sandy in 2012. Instead, commissioners signed off on a voluntary framework proposed by CTIA and the major wireless carriers.
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“We find the voluntary framework to be a reasonable approach to achieving the Commission’s stated goals in PS Docket No. 13-239, including promoting availability of wireless mobile services in the event of natural disasters and other emergencies and increasing provider transparency around wireless resiliency,” said a Tuesday order approved by commissioners last week and included in Wednesday's Daily Digest. “It will bolster situational awareness for the Commission, consumers, and public officials, and provide a mechanism by which consumers will be able to hold providers accountable for service continuity during disaster-related events.”
The agency also said it was pleased with the “cooperation and fulfillment of certain Framework commitments during the catastrophic flooding in Louisiana in August 2016.” The framework kicks in only when the National Response Coordination Center or any entity authorized to declare Emergency Support Function 2 activates ESF-2 for an emergency or disaster and the FCC activates its Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS).
The Public Safety Bureau sought comment in April on the voluntary framework (see 1604280067). Industry and government officials said then the accord was crafted in the hope carriers would work out agreements before disaster strikes. AT&T and T-Mobile agreed to allow customers to roam on the other’s networks after Sandy, but that agreement took several days to work out, during which time affected subscribers couldn’t call 911 or otherwise communicate using their cellphones, officials said then.
In comments in response to the notice, New York City and New America questioned whether a voluntary pact was good enough to assure industry cooperation following another disaster (see 1606010022). The various concerns were weighed, the order said. “The Framework presents a reasonable initial path forward to improving wireless resiliency,” the agency said. “The Framework provides a rational basis for promoting an alternative path toward improved wireless resiliency without the need for relying on regulatory approaches.”
The Rural Wireless Association and NTCA raised concerns about whether a voluntary agreement on roaming is sufficient. “While we recognize the concerns of RWA and NTCA, the signatory parties to the Framework have committed to make reasonable efforts to work with all wireless carriers to implement reasonable roaming agreements consistent with their overarching commitment to improving wireless resiliency,” the order said.
“U.S. wireless carriers are dedicated to the resiliency of their networks to better serve consumers," said Scott Bergmann, CTIA vice president-regulatory policy. "The wireless industry's voluntary commitment earlier this year to improve coordination and wireless service continuity during and after emergencies and disasters has already helped consumers and public safety.”
FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler meanwhile briefed Rep. Patrick Murphy, D-Fla., on the actions of the agency and industry during this fall’s Hurricane Matthew. The major carriers implemented framework "for the first time,” Wheeler told Murphy in a Dec. 14 letter, released Wednesday. “The carriers implemented emergency roaming procedures and worked with state and local government agencies on restoration efforts. During and after the storm, the Commission also activated" DIRS, the outgoing chairman added. The commission “worked closely” with the Department of Homeland Security “throughout the storm to collect and analyze the data received from DIRS, which used information from over 3,000 contacts in various communications industry segments,” Wheeler said.