Accessible EAS, E-rate, Low-Orbit Spectrum Sharing on FCC Agenda
The FCC’s last open meeting of 2021 will include votes on making emergency alert systems messages more accessible, changes to competitive bidding regulations for E-rate, and revisions to spectrum sharing rules for low-orbit satellite systems, Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel blogged. The virtual meeting is Dec. 14 at 10:30 a.m.
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An NPRM and notice of inquiry on EAS messages are aimed at improving the clarity of the visual portions of EAS messages, to increase accessibility for viewers who are deaf or hard of hearing, Rosenworcel said Monday evening. “Alerts sent using legacy broadcast technology have limited ability to relay text, which can create disparities between the information conveyed in the audio and visual alert messages.”
The draft NPRM proposes requiring stations to check for and use the internet-based common alerting protocol versions of EAS messages, which are able to deliver larger amounts of text. Under current rules, a station alert can be triggered by either the CAP or the legacy daisy-chain system. The proposal would "increase the use of CAP in light of CAP’s superior visual messaging capabilities," the draft says. It also proposes requiring a predetermined script as the visual message for nationwide EAS tests triggered through the legacy system. The accompanying NOI would seek comment on how the legacy EAS system "can be modified, augmented, or redesigned to enable alert originators to relay visual text that matches their audio message in legacy EAS alerts." Comments on the item will go to docket 15-94.
The Public Safety Bureau previously signaled the agency’s interest in EAS accessibility in an August public notice on the nationwide EAS test (see 2108050063). The bureau was working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency on “potential technical solutions that can address the differences between the audio and visual messages,” that PN said. Consumer groups in an April filing called for addressing this issue with American Sign Language interpreters included in visual alerts or with Internet links to accessible emergency information embedded in the text of legacy EAS alerts.
The FCC will "[promote] fair and open competitive bidding" in its E-rate program, Rosenworcel said, citing the "historic progress" made in the $7.17 billion Emergency Connectivity Fund. The FCC waived the competitive bidding process for the ECF (see 2105070052). “Looking long term, the centerpiece of the commission’s work to connect students continues to be our E-rate program,” Rosenworcel said.
A draft NPRM would "implement a central document repository" for service providers to submit their bids to Universal Service Administrative Co. instead of directly to applicants and seek comment on other changes to E-rate competitive bidding rules. The draft sets a goal of making the portal available for FY 2025. Applicants would be required to submit "bid comparison metrics" when requesting funding, the draft said. The item is aimed at "streamlining program requirements for applicants and service providers, strengthening program integrity, preventing improper payments, and decreasing the risk of fraud, waste, and abuse."
The draft proposes to align E-rate competitive bidding documentation requirements with rural healthcare program rules by requiring applicants to submit documentation "demonstrating compliance with the competitive bidding rules and requirements." Now, E-rate applicants are required to provide their contract documentation only when requested by USAC. The draft would seek comment on whether USAC should be required to "temporarily withhold submitted bids from applicants" for at least 28 days. It would seek comment on whether there are any scenarios in which E-rate participants should be exempt from the bidding portal. Comments will be due 30 days after Federal Register publication, 60 days for replies, in docket 21-455.
The December satellite item would propose limiting spectrum sharing by non-geostationary orbit fixed satellite systems to satellite systems approved in the same processing round and require that NGSO FSS systems approved in later rounds protect those approved in earlier rounds. The agency would seek comment on sunsetting NGSO FSS systems interference protections after a period and on ways of facilitating coordination by requiring NGSO FSS systems share some information such as about beam forming. This is under the draft order and NPRM.
Rosenworcel said revisions to the spectrum-sharing requirements among low earth orbit satellite systems could ease deployment and make it easier for new competitors to enter the market. That in turn could help connect "the hardest-to-serve rural households on the wrong side of the digital divide," she said.