The FCC adopted a notice of proposed rulemaking on November 19 proposing ways to improve wireless emergency alerts (WEA) three years after carriers began transmitting them, including by increasing the length of messages, enabling alerts to include URLs and embedded phone numbers, and requiring wireless carriers to deliver alerts to smaller geographic areas.

The NPRM adopted in PS docket 15-91 at today’s monthly meeting follows up on a report approved in December 2014 by the FCC’s Communications, Security, Reliability, and Interoperability Council (CSRIC) (TRDaily, Dec. 3, 2014).

A CSRIC working group that prepared the report recommended that the FCC modify its WEA rules to increase the number of characters that can be displayed in WEAs from 90 to 280 and to allow carriers to transmit alerts that originators have geo-targeted. Among other things, the report also recommended additional training for alert originators and development and testing for enhanced WEA deployment.

However, industry representatives expressed concern with some improvements, including providing graphical information in alerts. The report recommended a feasibility study on graphical enhancements and geographic targeting.

Comments are due 30 days after “Federal Register” publication, and replies are due 60 days after that.

The NPRM adopted today proposes to increase the length of WEA messages from 90 to 360 characters, permit alerts to include embedded phone numbers and URLs, establish a new class of emergency government information alerts to enable public safety advisories such as “boil water” recommendations or shelter locations in emergencies, require carriers to deliver alerts to smaller geographic areas that are more relevant to the public, and facilitate WEA service testing by state and local authorities and personnel training.

“The Commission is also seeking comment on a variety of other potential improvements, including the technical feasibility of implementing multilingual and multimedia alerting,” the FCC said in a news release. “In addition, the Commission is seeking comment on steps it can take to promote Americans’ participation in WEA, including options for personalizing the display and receipt of WEA messages.  Taken together, these proposals are designed to ensure that WEA keeps pace with evolving technologies and empowers communities to initiate these lifesaving alerts.”

Regarding targeting alerts for smaller geographic areas, the NPRM said, “We propose to revise the Commission’s rules to require that Participating CMS Providers must transmit any alert message that is specified by a geocode, circle, or polygon to a target area not larger than the specified geocode, circle, or polygon. If, however, the Participating CMS Provider cannot broadcast the alert to an area that accurately matches the target area, we propose that a Participating CMS Provider may transmit an Alert Message to an area that closely approximates the target area, but in any case not exceeding the propagation area of a single transmission site. In this regard, as a backstop, Participating CMS Providers would be permitted to geo-target WEA alerts with the same level of granularity currently allowed by our WEA rules.”

”Wireless emergency alerts have already proven to be a life-saving program,” FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler said. “Longer messages and more targeted geography means a better product.”

“The proposal would also make it easier for state and local authorities to send alerts, test the service, train personnel, and provide alerts on additional types of emergencies,” he noted. “In addition, we are seeking comment a variety of other potential enhancements, including how best to implement multilingual alerting.”

Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel said that “the policies we have in place to support Wireless Emergency Alerts deserve an update. They need to be refreshed to reflect our reliance on mobile devices and their unique ability to keep us informed when disaster strikes. This rulemaking does just that. It proposes more information in Wireless Emergency Alert messages and more targeted geographical delivery of those messages. In addition, it recommends expanded testing opportunities for state and local public safety authorities.

“This rulemaking is real progress,” the Commissioner added. “But I also hope progress continues on other fronts. Because we can strengthen our security even further by having active FM chips in our smartphones. There are market developments right now that are making these chips more available—and we should encourage these industry discussions to continue.”

Commissioner Mignon L. Clyburn also said she was pleased with the proposed WEA improvements. “The first is to enhance the content of WEA messages, by allowing them to be longer than 90 characters and more accessible to all communities. We ask whether we should allow these messages to contain phone numbers, URLs, multimedia, and multilingual content. The item also properly acknowledges MMTC’s advocacy in highlighting the importance of providing emergency alerts in languages other than English,” she said. “Second is the improvement of the geo-targeting of Wireless Emergency Alerts.    Right now, our rules prevent providers from transmitting WEA messages to areas larger than county level.  We want WEA alerts to be much more localized so messages only reach the actual people who are at risk.  Otherwise, those who repeatedly get alerts that may not be relevant for them may one day actually ignore alerts that directly impact their health and safety.  So we ask whether we should limit WEA alerts, to finer geospatial areas such as geocodes, circles, or polygons.

“Third is the facilitation of local WEA system testing,” Ms. Clyburn noted. “Proficiency building exercises are key to successful emergency management programs. We seek comment on whether any new or revised technical standards or processes would be necessary to facilitate state and local testing.”

“Whether it’s a missing child, severe weather, or terrorist attack, Americans need immediate access to emergency information. The WEA system is one tool that lets consumers do just that. So I am pleased to support today’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, which seeks public input on how we can make the system even more effective for those who choose to use it,” Commissioner Ajit Pai said.

“I find three aspects of the Notice particularly deserving of praise,” he added. “First, we’re examining ways for alert originators to target their information to narrower and more accurate geographic locations. Second, we’re looking into ideas that could help consumers further customize the types of alerts they receive. Third, we’re considering expanding the content that can be included in a WEA message, such as phone numbers and links to websites—in short, information that can be a lifeline in a moment of need.”

Commissioner Mike O’Rielly indicated concerns with the proceeding even though he voted for the NPRM. “Appropriately, the item initiates debate and asks questions on a couple of possible changes to the current mechanisms. In doing so, we need to keep in mind that there is a delicate balance between the obligations asked of participating wireless providers and their willingness to remain part of the voluntary system,” he said. “It would be extremely counterproductive if any proposed changes led to a decrease in the number of participating wireless providers. Our first priority should be to do no harm to a system that seems to be working reasonably well as is. Could it work better? Maybe. Could the Commission screw it up through inappropriate tweaks or wholesale changes? Definitely.

“I appreciate the Chairman and the staff for accommodating a number of my concerns with the text originally circulated,” Mr. O’Rielly added. “There remains a couple of areas that are potentially troubling, such as the new testing regime and reporting requirements, mandatory opt-out options, and congestion-causing URLs and multimedia alerts. I am hopeful that the comment process will sufficiently alleviate my concerns about these ideas. If not, we will have to dispense with them before I could support any final order in this matter.”

“Since the launch of Wireless Emergency Alerts in 2012, wireless providers have voluntarily embraced this important program, saving lives and protecting citizens from harm by distributing more than 20,000 alerts sent by government authorities,” said Scott Bergmann, vice president-regulatory affairs for CTIA. “In this successful public-private partnership, CTIA and the wireless industry worked with the FCC, FEMA and numerous alerting authorities to enhance and improve the efficacy of the WEA system. Several of the proposals in today’s NPRM reflect these efforts. Consistent with the wireless industry’s track record of improving the safety of subscribers, CTIA looks forward to working with the FCC and other stakeholders to make sure this voluntary system continues to benefit all Americans.”

“While we are still waiting to see the Order, we’re pleased the FCC is working to update and enhance the Wireless Emergency Alerts system with today’s technologies,” said Steve Berry, president and chief executive officer of the Competitive Carriers Association. “This is an important industry issue, and we will stay abreast of all the changes to ensure competitive carriers are able to comply.”

Derek Poarch, executive director and CEO of the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International, said, “The Wireless Emergency Alert system has been an effective, modern tool to help keep the public informed of potential threats to their safety.  We thus support the Commission’s initiative to explore how the WEA system can be enhanced to further improve public safety, and look forward to reviewing the full text of the proposals.”

The National Emergency Number Association commended “the Commission’s proposal to improve wireless emergency alerts. WEA can be a critical tool for the public and local emergency authorities, including 9-1-1 centers. We are hopeful that this proceeding will increase the value of this already life-saving resource.”

Meanwhile, the National Association of Broadcasters praised Ms. Rosenworcel’s mention of FM chips in mobile phones.  “NAB salutes Commissioner Rosenworcel for her comments. We look forward to voluntary activation of radio chips in all smartphones,” said Dennis Wharton, NAB’s executive vice president-communications.- Paul Kirby, paul.kirby@wolterskluwer.com

Courtesy TRDaily