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FCC

RIN: 3060-AI78

Publication ID: Fall 2008

Title: Recommendations of the Independent Panel Reviewing the Impact of Hurricane Katrina on Communications Networks
Abstract: In the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in EB Docket No. 06-119, the Commission initiated a comprehensive rulemaking to address and implement the recommendations presented by the Independent Panel Reviewing the Impact of Hurricane Katrina on Communications Networks (Independent Panel). The Independent Panel's report described the impact of one of the worst natural disasters in the Nation's history as well as the overall public and private response efforts. In addition, the report included recommendations which relate to: (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 and interoperability of public safety and 911 communications in times of crisis; and (4) improving communication of emergency information to the public. The Commission, 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 heightened readiness and preparedness in the future. To accomplish this goal, the Commission invited comment on what actions the Commission can take to address the Independent Panel's recommendations. In the Order released June 8, 2007 (EB Docket No. 06-119 and WC Docket No. 06-63), the Commission directed the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau to implement several of the recommendations made by the Independent Panel. The Commission also adopted rules requiring some communications providers to have emergency/backup power and requiring certain communications providers to conduct analyses and submit reports on the redundancy and resiliency of their 911 and E911 networks and/or systems. Finally, the Commission extended limited regulatory relief from Section 272 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, previously accorded by the Wireline Competition Bureau. In an Order on Reconsideration released on October 4, 2007, the Commission considered six petitions for reconsideration and/or clarification of the June 2007 Order that adopted the backup power rule (section 12.2 of the Commissions rules). The Order on Reconsideration granted in part and denied in part the petitions. The Commission modified the backup power rule to address several meritorious issues raised by petitioners. This modification will facilitate carrier compliance and reduce the burden on local exchange carriers and commercial mobile radio service providers, while continuing to further important homeland security and public safety goals.
Agency: Federal Communications Commission(FCC)	Priority: Other Significant
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda	Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Long-Term Actions
Major: Undetermined	Unfunded Mandates: No
CFR Citation: 47 CFR 12
Legal Authority: 47 USC 151 47 USC 154(i) 47 USC 218 47 USC 303(r)

Legal Deadline: None

Timetable:

Action	Date	FR Cite
NPRM	07/07/2006	71 FR 38564
Order	07/11/2007	72 FR 37655
Delay of Effective Date of Rule	08/10/2007	72 FR 44978
Petitions for Recon	08/20/2007	72 FR 46485
Order on Recon	10/11/2007	72 FR 57879
Next Action Undetermined	To Be Determined

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes	Government Levels Affected: Undetermined
Small Entities Affected: Businesses
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No
RIN Data Printed in the FR: Yes
Agency Contact: Lisa Fowlkes Bureau Chief Federal Communications Commission Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, 445 12th Street SW, Washington, DC 20554 Phone:202 418-7452 Email: lisa.fowlkes@fcc.gov