The FCC’s newly rechartered Communications Security, Reliability and Interoperability Council, CSRIC VI, met for the first time under Chairman Ajit Pai, who stopped by to open the meeting. CSRIC V wrapped up work in March with little fanfare and no top FCC officials speaking (see 1703150058). Cybersecurity, a key focus under former Chairman Tom Wheeler, was largely off the agenda at Friday's meeting, though one working group focused on “Network Reliability and Security Risk Reduction.” CSRIC VI is more focused on areas from 5G to the emerging IoT.
Commissioners unanimously approved an NPRM Thursday, seeking comment on creating a new emergency alert system code for situations when police officers are in danger. The FCC is “uniquely positioned” to support police officers and “help save lives,” said DOJ Deputy National Blue Alert Coordinator Vincent Davenport, who addressed the commissioners before the vote. The item is “a significant step forward in protecting the lives of law enforcement officers,” Davenport said. “We are not just advancing a policy,” said Chairman Ajit Pai. “We are affirming a principle: that we have a collective responsibility to protect and serve those who protect and serve us.” Though the final draft of the NPRM wasn’t released, a news release and comments from the Public Safety Bureau indicate it changed little from the draft released about three weeks earlier. The item seeks comment on creating a new EAS code that will be used to inform the public in situations where an officer has been injured, killed or is under threat, and descriptive information about a suspect is available to disseminate to the public, said bureau staff. “A Blue Alert could quickly warn you if a violent suspect may be in your community, along with providing instructions on what to do if you spot the suspect and how to stay safe,” the release said. Some states have Blue Alert systems, and the proposed rules would create a “national framework” that states can opt into, Pai has said. Some EAS officials said it’s not clear there’s a need for an additional EAS code (see 1706190080).
Commissioners approved 3-0 rules on first-line review by the FCC of state plans to opt out of FirstNet. Commissioners said the rules give states a legitimate choice and path forward if they don’t want to set up their own networks. Earlier this week, FirstNet and AT&T transmitted plans to states and territories (see 1706190072).
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States are poring over FirstNet plans for the national public safety network, said state officials we surveyed after FirstNet and AT&T released such plans Monday (see 1706190072). States have 45 days to review the radio-access-network (RAN) plans and provide feedback to AT&T and FirstNet, which then can provide a revised plan that governors have 90 days to review. It’s early and state officials kept mum on first impressions, but a National Governors Association official hadn’t heard of any big surprises. On a NATOA webinar Wednesday, AT&T and FirstNet officials reported positive first impressions and predicted some would opt in early.
A proposed Blue Alert emergency alert system code for law enforcement officers in danger (see 1705190048) could unnecessarily duplicate things the EAS can do and may not be utilized by many broadcasters, EAS officials said in interviews. “This may be a solution looking for a problem,” said Ed Czarnecki, senior director-global government affairs for EAS equipment manufacturer Monroe Electronics. DOJ’s Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Office has said the new BLU EAS code would increase urgency of response to such alerts. The COPS Office requested the dedicated alert code, the draft NPRM said.
The American Technology Council's inaugural meeting Monday “is an opportunity” for President Donald Trump's administration and tech sector leaders “to work constructively on shared policy goals that will move our nation forward on job creation, modernizing government technology, and workforce development,” said TechNet President Linda Moore in a Friday statement. “Tax reform and trade will have a major impact on job creation for the American people, and we remain committed to working with the administration and Congress to achieve meaningful results on each of these issues.” The ATC meeting is set to include Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, Apple CEO Tim Cook and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. Oracle CEO Safra Catz and IBM CEO Ginni Rometty are also said to be attending the meeting, lobbyists said. A separate Thursday White House Office of Science and Technology Policy-led meeting on 5G wireless and emerging technologies reportedly will include FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, two sources told us. The FCC referred us to the White House, which didn't comment.
The American Technology Council's inaugural meeting Monday “is an opportunity” for President Donald Trump's administration and tech sector leaders “to work constructively on shared policy goals that will move our nation forward on job creation, modernizing government technology, and workforce development,” said TechNet President Linda Moore in a Friday statement. “Tax reform and trade will have a major impact on job creation for the American people, and we remain committed to working with the administration and Congress to achieve meaningful results on each of these issues.” The ATC meeting is set to include Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, Apple CEO Tim Cook and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. Oracle CEO Safra Catz and IBM CEO Ginni Rometty are also said to be attending the meeting, lobbyists said. A separate Thursday White House Office of Science and Technology Policy-led meeting on 5G wireless and emerging technologies reportedly will include FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, two sources told us. The FCC referred us to the White House, which didn't comment.
Federal users are still showing some reluctance to work with FirstNet, Kraig Moise, chairman of the Public Safety Advisory Committee’s Federal Working Group, told the full group Thursday. The committee represents public safety interests. FirstNet is becoming a reality, said FirstNet Vice Chairman Jeff Johnson at the PSAC meeting. Johnson said he would be surprised if in the end every state and territory doesn’t opt in. The meeting was livestreamed from San Antonio. Meanwhile, states are considering their next move.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit rejected public interest groups’ request for an emergency stay of the FCC’s restoration of the UHF ownership discount, and ended the administrative stay of the rule (see 1706070053). “Petitioners have not satisfied the stringent requirements for a stay pending review,” said the order issued Thursday. “This is not very surprising, since stays are rarely granted. However, it is extremely disappointing,” said Georgetown Law Institute for Public Representation Senior Counselor Andrew Schwartzman, who represented Free Press, the National Hispanic Media Coalition, Prometheus Radio Project and the others in the case. Since the restored discount’s effective date of June 5 passed during the administrative stay, the rule is effective immediately, an FCC spokesman said: “We are pleased by the court's decision.”