Supporters of a proposal that would allow broadcasters’ Emergency Alert System functions to be performed in software are working to win support for the idea from FCC Chairman Brendan Carr.
On Tuesday, three executives from the National Association of Broadcasters and several top radio engineers met with Carr’s Senior Counsel Danielle Thurman.
You can view their presentation slides here.
Their arguments will be familiar to Radio World readers who have been following our coverage of this issue.
[Read Radio World’s recent special report on this debate.]
According to an ex parte filing, they explained why they support the use of software-based encoder/decoder technology instead of a legacy physical hardware device to process EAS messages.
They told Thurman that the proposal has broad support “from radio and television broadcasters, the cable industry, a leading provider of EAS systems, an association of broadcast engineers and other EAS stakeholders.”
They said that NAB’s approach would be optional for EAS participants and would enhance the effectiveness and security of EAS.
“The group briefly outlined the benefits of NAB’s proposal, such as enabling EAS participants to implement system repairs and updates (including FCC required changes) through software patches instead of requiring an engineer to manually modify every device or ship a device to a manufacturer,” according to the filing.
“Our proposal would also improve EAS readiness by facilitating the immediate failover to redundant, geographically diverse equipment if a disaster disrupts EAS functionality.”
They told Thurman that NAB’s proposal is consistent with the goals of Carr’s “Delete, Delete, Delete” proceeding because allowing the use of a software-based functions “would relieve entities that choose this option of the regulatory and practical burdens associated with having to own and maintain hardware devices.”
They said the petition should be considered in a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, and reiterated their argument that the FCC needs to move quickly.
The engineers included Steve Shultis of New York Public Radio, Roz Clark of Cox Media Group, Dan Mettler of iHeartMedia and Alan Jurison representing Beasley Media Group.
The NAB execs were Kelly Willams, David Layer and Larry Walke.
As we have reported, EAS technology company Digital Alert Systems has expressed concern about the specifics of the NAB proposal and said the FCC should not hasten its actions.
