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FCC’s
Seeks Comment on First-ever Nationwide Emergency Alert System (EAS)
Test
 On
September 23, 2013 the FCC’s Public Safety and Homeland Security
Bureau released a Public
Notice seeking comment on the equipment and operational issues
identified following the first-ever nationwide test of the Emergency
Alert System. The test was conducted by the FCC and the Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at 2:00 p.m. EST, on November
9, 201 1.
Earlier this year, on April 15, 2013 the FCC released a report
discussing the results of the Test (see TV TechCheck, April
22, 2013). The Test was deemed in large part a success by the
Bureau, with EAS generally performing as designed were it to be
activated for an actual emergency. The FCC however reported that
the test uncovered several problems that impeded the ability of
some EAS Participants to receive and/or retransmit the EAN, including
anomalies in EAS equipment programming and operation that appeared
to have led to inconsistent performance.
With this Public
Notice, the FCC stated they are beginning a dialogue with EAS stakeholders
to develop recommendations for Commission action, if any, to address
these issues. The FCC will consider all comments filed in response
to this Public Notice as it develops its recommendations regarding
any further action, including issuance by the full Commission of
a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on some, if not of these issues.
Comments may
be filed on-line by accessing the FCC’s Electronic
Comment Filing System. Comments are due on November 4 and Reply
Comments on November 19, 2013.
Mobile TV
is on the Move, Don’t Get Left Behind
The mobile TV marketplace is growing, and stations that don’t
get on board risk being left behind. Are you in the know? Get an
update on the latest developments in mobile TV, the technology that
allows TV stations to transmit live, local content to mobile devices
under the ATSC A/153 Mobile Digital TV Standard. The National Association
of Broadcasters, in conjunction with the National Academy of Television
Arts and Sciences, will host a free event on November 13 at NAB
headquarters in Washington, D.C., to discuss the latest mobile TV
news.
Speakers will discuss the current state of the mobile TV market,
explain the Mobile Emergency Alert System (MEAS) and provide demonstrations
of commercial devices that will be available this holiday season.
To learn more
and RSVP, click here.
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