WEA Order Approved by FCC—With Possible Out
The FCC approved an order Tuesday 5-0 imposing a Nov. 30, 2019, deadline for carriers to more accurately “geo-target” wireless emergency alerts. The order requires participating wireless providers to deliver WEAs to the target area specified by the alert originator with no more than a one-tenth of a mile overshoot, the FCC said. Commissioner Mike O’Rielly expressed concerns about the deadline and whether it's achievable.
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O’Rielly said his concerns are focused on the FCC’s “continuous need to mandate technologies before they may be ready, in timeframes that don’t seem to be in line with the record.” The agency’s Communications Security, Reliability and Interoperability Council recommended a deadline of 42 months after adoption of an order, and the wireless industry then said it could probably do it within 36 months, he said. “Today’s item adopts an inexplicable 22-month timeline based on no record evidence that this is actually achievable,” he said. “Although wireless providers have stated that they will try to meet this aggressive timeline, they also stated that it will be incredibly challenging.”
The order was changed since circulated to say the FCC would consider a waiver of the deadline if the standards process is prolonged, O’Rielly said. The WEA program is voluntary, he noted. “We certainly do not want providers opting out of the program because they cannot set the standards and integrate this functionality in 22 months.”
“Some say this schedule is too aggressive,” said Chairman Ajit Pai. “Some say it’s not aggressive enough. I think it’s just right.” Pai said the record confirms the deadline is “aggressive and achievable.” Since the WEA system became operational in 2012, it has been used more than 33,000 times, Pai said. “Recently, WEA was used four times in response to wildfires in Northern California, and 16 times during the wildfires around Los Angeles.” Pai stressed the importance of the order, during the news conference after the meeting.
An ineffective WEA system “is no WEA system at all,” said Commissioner Brendan Carr, who voted yes. “If emergency managers cannot count on the system to deliver their messages on time and to the intended area, or if the public loses trust in WEAs’ reliability, officials and the public will opt out.” A WEA system “that delivers few alerts to a dwindling audience becomes an afterthought instead of a lifesaving tool,” he said.
In too many cases over the past year, WEAs “failed to perform,” said Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel. “In California and Texas, for instance, emergency services were unable to transmit these messages because they were unable to target them accurately enough to ensure that they would help those in danger and not cause panic among those beyond the area of concern,” she said. “That’s troubling.” Commissioners also heard a briefing Tuesday on problems with emergency alerts in Hawaii (see 1801300053).
CTIA supported the order. “These alerts play a critical and proven role in saving lives and property across the United States and industry will work closely with stakeholders as we endeavor together to meet the FCC’s ambitious deadlines,” said Scott Bergmann, vice president-regulatory affairs. AT&T supported the goals of the order.
The Competitive Carriers Association said the FCC appears to be accounting for problems faced by smaller carriers. “The unfortunate reality is that many competitive carriers often experience significant delays obtaining the newest devices and requisite software updates necessary to enhance emergency alerting,” said President Steve Berry.