With the FCC’s first commission meeting on the horizon, Chairman Tom Wheeler has written a blog to discuss a number of the priorities that will be on the agenda. Among these are the transition of radio and TV public files online, the Emergency Alert System, and a review of the Broadband Progress Report.
Starting in 2012, the FCC instituted rules that required broadcasters to move hard copy of “public files,” which disclose community-relevant information, online to a commission-hosted database. Radio World has been following the FCC’s efforts in this area for some years. Now, Wheeler says that he will circulate a Report and Order to finalize the transition. The proposal does not include new disclosure requirements. The transition will allow for easier access to information in the files and provides the public with greater transparency.
Wheeler has also announced that he is issuing a second proposal to improve the EAS. The FCC seeks to promote participation on the state and local levels, supporting greater testing and awareness of EAS, leveraging technological advances, and strengthening EAS security.
The meeting will also take time to go over the most recent Broadband Progress Report. Among the report’s findings is the need for both fixed and mobile broadband; that 34 million Americans lack access to fixed high-speed broadband; and that the fixed broadband speed standard remains at 25 Mbps downloads/3 Mbps uploads.
FCC’s January commission meeting is scheduled to take place on Jan. 28 in Washington.
To read Wheeler’s full post, click here.
