Emergency alerting officials and broadcasters see information-rich messaging and increased geotargeting as their biggest needs, and are looking to ATSC 3.0 as a possible solution, said speakers at the Advance Warning and Response Network’s virtual summit Tuesday. More authorities are including links and additional information in their alerts, and that’s information that can’t be “effectively delivered” using the current emergency alert system, said Wade Witmer, deputy director of the Federal Emergency Management Association's Integrated Public Alert Warning System. Last year, there was an almost 200% increase in use of wireless emergency alerts compared with 2019, and a 135% increase in EAS use, Witmer said. Nearly every panelist said richer information and more-targeted alerts could help reduce “milling,” a response to emergency alerts identified by social scientists wherein the public tends to search for additional information and confirm details before acting. “Milling is inevitable,” said Denis Gusty, branch chief with the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate. Alerting officials said more-informative alerts from trusted sources could reduce the time gap between the public receiving emergency info and acting on it. “When you put that information in the first message, it speeds up the whole process,” said Rebecca Baudendistel, New York City Emergency Management Department director-public warning. Better-targeted alerts can cut down on alert fatigue, and make it less likely the public will opt out of receiving needed alerts, said National Weather Service Physical Scientist Michael Gerber. Technology that allows officials to limit alerting to only the most serious storms and emergency events similarly helps reduce alerting fatigue, Gerber said. ATSC 3.0 can carry more complete information, said WJLA-TV Washington meteorologist Veronica Johnson. WJLA owner Sinclair has been a big 3.0 backer. Johnson suggested 3.0 could allow viewers who want additional information about an emergency to watch it on one stream while allowing those unaffected by the emergency to continue watching their expected content. It could let emergency information be sent to gaming devices or connected cars, she said.
The Commerce Department’s plan for implementing the pending U.S. Innovation and Competition Act (S-1260) was one of the few tech and telecom policy matters that drew Senate Appropriations Commerce Subcommittee members’ attention during a Wednesday hearing on President Joe Biden’s proposed FY 2022 Commerce Department budget. The administration in April proposed Commerce get $11.4 billion, up almost 28% from FY 2021 (see 2104090041). The administration is expected to release its full budget proposal Friday. Commerce is “hard at work putting together” its plans for implementing S-1260 if it’s enacted, Raimondo told Senate Appropriations Commerce Chairwoman Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H.: The measure would mean further expansion of Commerce’s scope on semiconductor and open radio access network matters, and the department has “expertise” in expanding to meet its mission. S-1260, previously known as the Endless Frontier Act, includes $52 billion to boost U.S. chipmaking and $1.5 billion to implement the Utilizing Strategic Allied Telecom Act. The semiconductor money includes $49.5 billion to implement the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors for America Act (see 2105210056). The Senate was expected to continue considering amendments to S-1260 into Thursday, before a potential final vote that day on the measure. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said Wednesday “there’s no reason we can’t finish this bill by the end of the week. That’s my intention.” Senate Appropriations Financial Services Subcommittee Chairman Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., noted his desire for S-1260 to direct Commerce to enter into a National Academies of Science contract to provide updates on emerging tech, saying the U.S. “got caught behind on 5G.” Senate Appropriations Commerce ranking member Jerry Moran, R-Kan., raised concerns about the department’s cybersecurity “shortcomings” given it was a federal agency affected by the Russia-linked SolarWinds hack (see 2012170050). He believes the budget needs to make the department’s “role in closing the digital divide” a priority given the increased importance of telework and remote learning during the pandemic. Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., noted his concerns about the entire federal government’s “disjointed” cybersecurity apparatus.
The FCC will launch a proceeding aimed at increasing telecom security by making changes to its equipment authorization rules and competitive bidding procedures “to help keep insecure devices off the market,” acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said Wednesday. Commissioners will also take up a proposal sought by CTA allowing the limited marketing and sales of wireless devices to consumers before equipment authorization. All the items are to be voted at the June 17 commissioners' meeting.
The Commerce Department’s plan for implementing the pending U.S. Innovation and Competition Act (S-1260) was one of the few tech and telecom policy matters that drew Senate Appropriations Commerce Subcommittee members’ attention during a Wednesday hearing on President Joe Biden’s proposed FY 2022 Commerce Department budget. The administration in April proposed Commerce get $11.4 billion, up almost 28% from FY 2021 (see 2104090041). The administration is expected to release its full budget proposal Friday. Commerce is “hard at work putting together” its plans for implementing S-1260 if it’s enacted, Raimondo told Senate Appropriations Commerce Chairwoman Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H.: The measure would mean further expansion of Commerce’s scope on semiconductor and open radio access network matters, and the department has “expertise” in expanding to meet its mission. S-1260, previously known as the Endless Frontier Act, includes $52 billion to boost U.S. chipmaking and $1.5 billion to implement the Utilizing Strategic Allied Telecom Act. The semiconductor money includes $49.5 billion to implement the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors for America Act (see 2105210056). The Senate was expected to continue considering amendments to S-1260 into Thursday, before a potential final vote that day on the measure. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said Wednesday “there’s no reason we can’t finish this bill by the end of the week. That’s my intention.” Senate Appropriations Financial Services Subcommittee Chairman Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., noted his desire for S-1260 to direct Commerce to enter into a National Academies of Science contract to provide updates on emerging tech, saying the U.S. “got caught behind on 5G.” Senate Appropriations Commerce ranking member Jerry Moran, R-Kan., raised concerns about the department’s cybersecurity “shortcomings” given it was a federal agency affected by the Russia-linked SolarWinds hack (see 2012170050). He believes the budget needs to make the department’s “role in closing the digital divide” a priority given the increased importance of telework and remote learning during the pandemic. Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., noted his concerns about the entire federal government’s “disjointed” cybersecurity apparatus.
National Cable Television Cooperative board taps Lou Borrelli, ex-Digicel, as CEO, succeeding Rich Fickle (see this section, April 2) ... Semiconductor Industry Association hires Meghan Biery, ex-Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security, as director-global technology and security policy ... O’Melveny adds Tim Fink, ex-Patent and Trademark Office, as partner, Intellectual Property and Technology practice and he leads PTO practice.
National Cable Television Cooperative board taps Lou Borrelli, ex-Digicel, as CEO, succeeding Rich Fickle (see this section, April 2) ... Semiconductor Industry Association hires Meghan Biery, ex-Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security, as director-global technology and security policy ... O’Melveny adds Tim Fink, ex-Patent and Trademark Office, as partner, Intellectual Property and Technology practice and he leads PTO practice.
Emergency alerting officials and broadcasters see more information-rich alerts and increased geotargeting as the biggest needs for improving alerting, looking to ATSC 3.0 as a solution, said speakers at the Advance Warning and Response Network’s virtual summit Tuesday. More authorities are including links and additional information in their alerts, and that’s information that can’t be “effectively delivered” using the current emergency alert system, said Wade Witmer, deputy director of the Federal Emergency Management Association's Integrated Public Alert Warning System. Last year, there was an almost 200% increase in use of wireless emergency alerts compared with 2019, and a 135% increase in EAS use, Witmer said.
The FCC might be close to resolving an enrollment issue affecting emergency broadband benefit (EBB) participation by some Lifeline eligible telecom carriers (ETCs) in California and two other states. TruConnect CEO Nathan Johnson told us Monday the California Public Utilities Commission delay responding to the FCC about a proposed alternative verification process (AVP) “has made trying to get people enrolled in California incredibly cumbersome to the point where a lot of carriers aren’t even bothering.” The FCC said it's working with the CPUC.
The National Lifeline Association seeks waiver of certain emergency broadband benefit rules: the requirement "subscribers receive EBB service from a provider on the snapshot date to receive reimbursement for connected device discounts provided by that provider." The filing posted Monday in docket 20-445 said the FCC should direct Universal Service Administrative Co. to "expeditiously update" the national verifier application programming interface so "all providers have access to accurate data regarding prospective subscribers' eligibility for the connected device benefit."
The National Lifeline Association seeks waiver of certain emergency broadband benefit rules: the requirement "subscribers receive EBB service from a provider on the snapshot date to receive reimbursement for connected device discounts provided by that provider." The filing posted Monday in docket 20-445 said the FCC should direct Universal Service Administrative Co. to "expeditiously update" the national verifier application programming interface so "all providers have access to accurate data regarding prospective subscribers' eligibility for the connected device benefit."