Draft EAS Order and FNPRM Unlikely to Meet Opposition; Small Tweaks Seen
The draft order and Further NPRM on emergency alert system tests and preventing false EAS alerts set for commissioners' Thursday meeting isn’t expected to run into opposition, FCC and industry officials told us Monday. The draft contains rules for authenticating EAS alerts, testing EAS equipment and informing the public, many involving processes and procedures already in use in some capacity by broadcasters and EAS equipment manufacturers, said Sage Alerting Systems President Harold Price. The draft item seeks comment on proposals similar to those advanced by Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel in reaction to the Hawaii false missile alert (see 1804050055), and is expected to be widely supported, an official told us.
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The draft order’s language around “live code” tests will likely change to reflect requests from the American Cable Association and NCTA for more notice that such tests are taking place, an FCC official said. NCTA and ACA asked for 30 days' notice of when a live code test was planned to take place, and ACA asked that steps be taken to make sure all local EAS participants are contacted about such tests (see 1807060016). Small and midsize cable carriers aren’t always represented on local EAS bodies and can miss out on such tests, said ACA Senior Vice President Government Affairs Ross Lieberman.
The order also would allow the use of real EAS sounds in public service announcements, which is currently prohibited. “This usage is only permitted if the PSA is presented in a non-misleading and technically harmless manner,” the draft order said. This change is intended to better familiarize the public with EAS alerts, the draft order said.
The draft order would allow live code tests that include clear notice that the alert is a test, include public notification of the planned test, and coordination with local authorities. The Hawaii false alert message text specifically stated that it was “not a drill” though it was intended to be one (see 1801300053). Under current rules, such tests require a waiver.
The draft order would require EAS equipment to respond to only Common Alerting Protocol-based alerts that contain a valid digital signature. It also would require EAS equipment to reject messages that are either referring to events that happened too far in the past or warning of events too far in the future. “Limiting the transmission of alerts to their valid time periods will reduce the risk of replay attacks and prevent most inadvertent retransmissions of previous alerts,” the order said. It would give the industry a year to implement these changes, and Price said they can be addressed without having to buy or upgrade new equipment.
The draft FNPRM seeks comment on a Rosenworcel-backed proposal to require reporting of false emergency alerts, which some industry officials said could prove contentious if it proceeds to an order. The FNPRM also would seek comment on revised rules for state EAS plans to prevent false alerts, and on issues that can prevent wireless emergency alerts from reaching the public.
EAS Notebook
The emergency alert system test reporting system is open and accepting 2018 filings, the Public Safety Bureau said in a public notice in Monday’s Daily Digest. All EAS participants must renew their identifying information in Form 1 in ETRS by Aug. 27, the PN said. Participants have until Sept. 26 to submit any updates or corrections to their 2018 Form 1 filings, the PN said.