******************************************************** 
                      NOTICE
********************************************************

This document was converted from Microsoft Word.

Content from the original version of the document such as
headers, footers, footnotes, endnotes, graphics, and page numbers
will not show up in this text version.

All text attributes such as bold, italic, underlining, etc. from the
original document will not show up in this text version.

Features of the original document layout such as
columns, tables, line and letter spacing, pagination, and margins
will not be preserved in the text version.

If you need the complete document, download the
Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat version.

*****************************************************************



                                                                   DA 06-1524

                                                                July 26, 2006

    In the Matter of Recommendations of the Independent Panel Reviewing the
   Impact of Hurricane Katrina on Communications Networks; Notice of Proposed
                                   Rulemaking

                             (EB Docket No. 06-119)

    Request for Comment on Applicability of Recommendations to All Types of
                                   Disasters

   By this Public Notice, we remind the public of the comment cycle
   applicable to the recommendations of the Independent Panel Reviewing the
   Impact of Hurricane Katrina on Communications Networks (Independent
   Panel). In addition, we request that, in addressing the issues raised in
   the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking comment on the Independent
   Panel's recommendations,  parties address the applicability of the Panel's
   recommendations to all types of natural disasters (e.g., earthquakes,
   tornados, hurricanes, forest fires) as well as other types of incidents
   (e.g., terrorist attacks, flu pandemic, industrial accidents, etc).
   Parties should also discuss whether the Panel's recommendations are broad
   enough to take into account the diverse topography of our Nation, the
   susceptibility of a region to a particular type of disaster, and the
   multitude of communications capabilities a region may possess.

   In January 2006, Chairman Kevin J. Martin established the Independent
   Panel pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, Public Law 92-463,
   as amended. The mission of the Independent Panel was to review the impact
   of Hurricane Katrina on the telecommunications and media infrastructure in
   the areas affected by Hurricane Katrina and make recommendations to the
   Commission. On June 12, 2006, the Independent Panel submitted its Report
   to the Commission. On June 19, 2006, the Commission issued a Notice of
   Proposed Rulemaking initiating a comprehensive rulemaking to address and
   implement the recommendations presented by the Independent Panel.

   In the Notice, the Commission sought comment on what actions it can take
   to address the Independent Panel's recommendations which were categorized
   into four areas: (1) pre-positioning the communications industry and the
   government for disasters in order to achieve greater network reliability
   and resiliency; (2) improving recovery coordination to address existing
   shortcomings and to maximize the use of existing resources; (3) improving
   the operability or interoperability of public safety and 911
   communications in times of crisis; and (4) improving communication of
   emergency information to the public. As the Commission stated in the
   Notice, its goal in this proceeding is "to take the lessons learned from
   this disaster and build upon them to promote more effective, efficient
   response and recovery efforts, as well as a heightened readiness and
   preparedness in the future." The Commission also stated that it seeks
   "comment whether we should rely on voluntary consensus recommendations, as
   advocated by the Independent Panel, or whether we should rely on other
   measures for enhancing readiness and promoting more effective response
   efforts."

   In light of the Commission's comprehensive examination into these areas,
   we request that parties filing comments in this proceeding address the
   applicability of the Independent Panel's recommendations to all types of
   disasters. Specifically, parties should address not only the applicability
   of the Independent Panel's recommendations to areas of the country subject
   to hurricanes, but to areas prone to other types of disasters. Would other
   types of disasters warrant modifications or other changes to the
   Independent Panel's recommendations? For example, would the
   characteristics of earthquakes, floods, forest fires, or other natural
   disasters require modifications to the Independent Panel's
   recommendations? In addition, we request that parties filing comments
   discuss the impact of the country's diverse topography on the Independent
   Panel's recommendations. Would a region's topography warrant modifications
   or other changes to the Independent Panel's recommendations? If additional
   steps are warranted to account for unique topography, what actions can the
   Commission take to improve network resiliency and reliability, recovery
   coordination, first responder communications and emergency communications
   to the public in those areas? Finally, different regions may have
   different communications capabilities. For example, a metropolitan urban
   area may have greater and diverse communications capabilities than a
   rural, mountainous region. Would the availability of different
   communications capabilities in a region affect the Independent Panel's
   recommendations? If so, what actions should be taken in this regard?

   Finally, comments in this proceeding are due on or before August 7, 2006
   and reply comments are due on or before August 21, 2006.

   Enforcement Bureau Contact: Lisa M. Fowlkes (202) 418-7452 or
   [1]lisa.fowlkes@fcc.gov

   Enforcement Bureau Press Contact: Janice Wise (202) 418-8165 or
   [2]Janice.wise@fcc.gov

                                     -FCC-

   See In the Matter of Recommendations of the Independent Panel Reviewing
   the Impact of Hurricane Katrina on Communications Networks, Notice of
   Proposed Rulemaking, EB Docket. No. 06-119, 71 Fed. Reg. 38564 (July 7,
   2006) (Notice).

   See generally Independent Panel Reviewing the Impact of Hurricane Katrina
   on Communications Networks, Report and Recommendations to the Federal
   Communications Commission, 5-42 (Independent Panel Report).

   Independent Panel Report at 31-42.

   Notice, 71 Fed. Reg. at 38566.

   Id.

   Notice, 71 Fed. Reg. at 38564.

   2

   PUBLIC NOTICE

   Federal Communications Commission

   445 12^th St., S.W.

   Washington, D.C. 20554

                                        News Media Information 202 / 418-0500

                                                 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov

                                                          TTY: 1-888-835-5322

References

   Visible links
   1. mailto:lisa.fowlkes@fcc.gov
   2. mailto:Janice.wise@fcc.gov