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FCC
Releases Revised EAS CAP Rules
On January 10, 2012, the FCC released its long awaited decision
regarding the integration of the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP)
into the Emergency Alert System (EAS). In the Fifth Report and Order
(R&O), the FCC continues its efforts to modernize the EAS by
revising its Part 11 rules to specify how broadcasters and other
EAS Participants must be able to process CAP formatted EAS alert
messages. The R&O also formalizes the integration of EAS with
the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Integrated Public
Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) and details the requirements necessary
for broadcasters to receive and process federal alert messages.
The R&O continues the FCC's transitional approach
to implementing a next generation, CAP-only EAS. The new rules allow
broadcasters to accept CAP-based alerts, and then convert and distribute
such messages in the legacy EAS format (SAME) over the existing
transmission system as they do today, at least for the foreseeable
future until a next generation CAP-only alerting system is implemented.
For the time being, CAP will be introduced as a parallel mechanism
to the existing EAS.
Among other things, the R&O:
Reaffirms that broadcasters and other EAS participants
must have CAP-capable equipment installed and operating no later
than June 30, 2012.
Eliminates the so called "Governor's Must
Carry" requirement. That is, EAS Participants are no longer
required to broadcast emergency messages initiated by state governors.
Requires broadcasters to interface with and monitor
FEMA's IPAWS server for federal CAP-formatted EAS messages, but
did not specify a particular technology, thus allowing broadcasters
the flexibility to adapt to whatever technology FEMA might implement
in the future
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Because IPAWS monitoring will be largely conducted
via an Internet connection, the FCC will consider, on a case by
case basis, applications for waivers from this monitoring requirement
based on the physical lack of availability of broadband.
Adopts the EAS-CAP Industry Group's (ECIG) Implementation
guide, which describes how to convert CAP-formatted messages to
SAME-formatted messages, except for the sections referring to the
use of text-to-speech technology and the gubernatorial "must
carry" (see below).
Adopts a requirement that, effective June 30, 2012,
broadcasters must use the enhanced text data in the CAP-formatted
message - when available - to create the visual display elements
(i.e. text crawl) of an EAS alert. However, the R&O also states
that the FCC will continue to use the SAME header codes as the baseline
requirement of the visual display. It is unclear how these two things
interrelate and may require clarification.
Allows for the use of intermediary devices that receive
and convert CAP-formatted messages into SAME formatted messages that
would be input into a station's legacy EAS equipment for broadcast
over-the-air. Thus, stations that have already purchased these devices
may continue using them.
Requires intermediary devices must meet the CAP-related obligations
with respect to use of the enhanced text capability no later than
June 30, 2015.
Appears to prohibit the use of text-to-speech technology
in a CAP-capable EAS device, but yet does not seem to prohibit its
use with legacy SAME-based EAS devices. This issue may also require
clarification.
Shortens the duration of the EAS 2-tone attention
signal to eight seconds.
The R&O also adopts a variety of minor changes to Part 11 intended
to clarify certain EAS obligations and removes some antiquated sections
of the rules. A copy of the Report
and Order is available at the FCC website.
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