1. OBJECTIVE: Strengthen measures for protecting the nation's communications infrastructure and facilitate rapid service restoration after disruption:

• n Consider a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to enhance the FCC's ongoing program to promote the best practices of the Network Reliability and Interoperability Council (NRIC). (See attached June 27, 2003 letter from FCC Chairman Powell to Department of Homeland Secretary Ridge. Negotiations on the terms of a Memorandum of Understanding began on July 8, 2003).
• n After outreach through seminars, teleconferences, publications, and web-based events, work with NRIC to develop and conduct a survey to measure the degree of industry implementation of NRIC best practices.
• n Working with DHS as appropriate, initiate an outreach program to promote best practices of the Media Security and Reliability Council (MSRC) at the local level, including producing informational pamphlets that media companies and their trade associations will distribute.
• n Establish a series of Homeland Security informational exchanges via video-conference with foreign telecommunications regulators concerning telecommunications infrastructure and the applicability of NRIC and MSRC best practices.
• n Working together with DHS's National Communications System and with NENA, NASNA, and APCO, provide every state and local 911 administrator Telecommunications Service Priority guidance material, including enrollment materials and ``Frequently Asked Questions;'' increase by 100% enrollment of the nation's 911 call centers by the end of 2003.
• n Develop a Memorandum of Understanding with the New York City Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications (DoITT) regarding service restoration coordination; establish an outreach program to other metropolitan areas to determine if they can benefit from service restoration plans based on the DoITT model.
• n Working together with the National Congress of American Indians, other tribal organizations and leaders, and other relevant federal government agencies, develop a plan that tribes can use to assist in protecting communications infrastructure.
• n Working with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, review CALEA compliance by telecommunications carriers.

2. OBJECTIVE: Promote access to effective communications services by public safety, public health, and other emergency personnel:

• n Convene a summit of stakeholders, including representatives from disabilities rights organizations, telecommunications relay centers, the Commission's Consumer Advisory Committee and Local and State Government Advisory Committee, and other governmental entities to identify specific communications issues that confront individuals with disabilities, particularly the hard of hearing and deaf individuals, during national emergencies or terrorist attacks and develop a strategy for resolving these issues where possible.
• n Continue work on the Chairman's E911 Coordination Initiative, convening a second summit of E911 stakeholders to address ongoing E911 implementation issues.
• n Consider a Report and Order addressing the issue of whether to broaden the scope of E911 to include additional services.
• n Consider a Report and Order in the 800 MHz Proceeding, concerning resolution of interference to public safety systems in the 800 MHz band.
• n Consider a Report and Order in the Intelligent Transportation Systems Proceeding, permitting dedicated short-range communications at 5.9 GHz, thereby promoting traveler safety and providing other public safety benefits.
• n Consider a Report and Order in the Rural Health Care Streamlining proceeding, facilitating telemedicine funding.
• n Consider a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Cognitive Radio Technologies to identify potential changes to the Commission's technical rules, policies, procedures, or practices that would facilitate development of this technology, thereby enhancing the use of public safety and other spectrum.
• n Based on MSRC recommendations and in coordination with DHS, consider a Notice of Inquiry concerning necessary steps to ensure the continued viability of the Emergency Alert System and other public warning issues.

July 2003