A trio of House Communications Subcommittee Democratic members from California -- Vice Chair Doris Matsui, Anna Eshoo and Jerry McNerney -- is seeking an FCC briefing “as soon as possible” on the communications-related impacts of recent wildfires and rolling blackouts in that state. The wireless industry amid the wildfires has been seeking a rehearing on a California Public Utilities Commission order requiring 72-hour backup power in certain high-threat fire areas (see 2008200038). The communications impacts of the wildfires and blackouts are especially concerning because “these events are taking place during the COVID-19 pandemic,” the three said in a letter to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. “Communications outages mean that people are unable to call 9-1-1, let their loved ones know that they are safe, or receive lifesaving alerts, which may include information about alternative wildfire evacuation routes or other information specific to evacuations during the pandemic.” The lawmakers “strongly urge and expect your agency, which is charged with overseeing our nation’s communications networks to promote public safety, to be taking all possible steps to monitor the situation and help ensure that Californians stay connected during this time.” They want the FCC briefing to include information on wildfire and blackout-related outages in California reported to the agency since Aug. 14 and commission actions to monitor the situation and work with the state government and telecom providers. The Democrats also want to know about situations in which wireless emergency alerts were used to issue warnings and provide information on wildfires and the extent to which the FCC is working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and others to ensure the WEA system is used “appropriately to protect the public” during the wildfires. The FCC didn’t comment.
A trio of House Communications Subcommittee Democratic members from California -- Vice Chair Doris Matsui, Anna Eshoo and Jerry McNerney -- is seeking an FCC briefing “as soon as possible” on the communications-related impacts of recent wildfires and rolling blackouts in that state. The wireless industry amid the wildfires has been seeking a rehearing on a California Public Utilities Commission order requiring 72-hour backup power in certain high-threat fire areas (see 2008200038). The communications impacts of the wildfires and blackouts are especially concerning because “these events are taking place during the COVID-19 pandemic,” the three said in a letter to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. “Communications outages mean that people are unable to call 9-1-1, let their loved ones know that they are safe, or receive lifesaving alerts, which may include information about alternative wildfire evacuation routes or other information specific to evacuations during the pandemic.” The lawmakers “strongly urge and expect your agency, which is charged with overseeing our nation’s communications networks to promote public safety, to be taking all possible steps to monitor the situation and help ensure that Californians stay connected during this time.” They want the FCC briefing to include information on wildfire and blackout-related outages in California reported to the agency since Aug. 14 and commission actions to monitor the situation and work with the state government and telecom providers. The Democrats also want to know about situations in which wireless emergency alerts were used to issue warnings and provide information on wildfires and the extent to which the FCC is working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and others to ensure the WEA system is used “appropriately to protect the public” during the wildfires. The FCC didn’t comment.
After deactivating the disaster information reporting system Sunday for portions of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Public Safety Bureau activated the system for numerous counties in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas because of Laura and Tropical Storm Marco. "Reports are requested at 10:00 a.m." EDT Tuesday and daily at that time until DIRS is deactivated, said a public notice Monday. The bureau also issued PNs on emergency contact info for licensees that need special temporary authority, and on 24-hour availability of FCC staff. The deactivation Sunday was at the request of the Department of Homeland Security’s National Coordinating Center for Communications and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the PN said. The final report of that activation, also released Sunday, said 60,501 cable and wireline subscribers were without service, 6% of cellsites in Puerto Rico had outages and none in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and no broadcast stations or public service answering points were down.
Local governments relied on funding models based on “business as usual” with normal sales, gas and other taxes, but everything changed with COVID-19 pandemic, speakers said at the virtual International Wireless Communications Expo (IWCE) Monday. Public safety communications and other local government costs will be under continuing pressure, they said.
Two big issues dominated discussions at the virtual International Wireless Communications Expo (IWCE) on its first day Monday: the promise from 5G and the continuing threat from the COVID-19 pandemic. Both still have many unknowns, speakers said.
Two big issues dominated discussions at the virtual International Wireless Communications Expo (IWCE) on its first day Monday: the promise from 5G and the continuing threat from the COVID-19 pandemic. Both still have many unknowns, speakers said.
TikTok sued the Trump administration Monday, challenging its effort to “ban” the company in the U.S. and citing a lack of due process (see 2008070032). TikTok prefers constructive dialogue over litigation, but President Donald Trump’s executive order leaves the company with “no choice,” it said Monday. The White House and DOJ didn’t comment.
TikTok, the video-sharing application owned by China-based ByteDance, sued the Trump administration for banning U.S. transactions with the company (see 2008070024), saying the administration’s decision was heavily politicized and lacked due process. TikTok also said it was the subject of a non-transparent review by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S., and called the administration’s ban a “misuse” of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
TikTok sued the Trump administration Monday, challenging its effort to “ban” the company in the U.S. and citing a lack of due process (see 2008070032). TikTok prefers constructive dialogue over litigation, but President Donald Trump’s executive order leaves the company with “no choice,” it said Monday. The White House and DOJ didn’t comment.
TikTok sued the Trump administration Monday, challenging its effort to “ban” the company in the U.S. and citing a lack of due process (see 2008070032). TikTok prefers constructive dialogue over litigation, but President Donald Trump’s executive order leaves the company with “no choice,” it said Monday. The White House and DOJ didn’t comment.