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FCC RIN: 3060-AL43 Publication ID: Fall 2022 
Title: Resilient Networks, Amendments to Part 4 of the Commission's Rules Concerning Disruptions to Communications; PS Docket No 21-346, PS Docket No. 15-80, ET Docket No. 04-35. 
Abstract:

In October 2021, the Commission adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to investigate ways to improve the reliability and resiliency of communications networks during emergencies and ways to ensure that communications services remain operational when disasters strike. The NPRM sought comment on: (i) potential improvements to the voluntary Wireless Resiliency Cooperative Framework (Framework), including evaluating what triggers its activation, its scope of participants, whether existing Framework elements can be strengthened, any gaps that need to be addressed, and whether the public would benefit from codifying some or all of the Framework, (ii) ways to enhance the information available to the Commission through Network Outage Reporting System (NORS) and Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS) during disasters and network outages to improve situational awareness, and (iii) communications resiliency strategies for power outages, including improved coordination between communications service providers and power companies and deploying onsite backup power or other alternative measures to reduce the frequency, duration, or severity of power-related disruptions to communications services. In June 2022, the Commission adopted a Report & Order (R&O) and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM) following up on and further addressing matters related to the Framework.  The R&O introduced the MDRI, which largely codifies the Framework’s five substantive provisions as mandatory, extended the reach of these provisions to all facilities-based mobile wireless providers, expanded the real-world criteria that trigger activation of the MDRI (as compared to the Framework) and introduced new provisions requiring providers to test their roaming capabilities and report on the performance of their implementation of the MDRI to the Commission after disaster events.  The FNPRM examined whether and how the new reporting requirement can be standardized to ensure that the Commission obtains vital and actionable information on the performance of providers’ implementation of the MDRI in the aftermath of exigency, while also minimizing associated burdens.This proceeding addresses network reliability in the context of public safety and does not promote the administration’s specified priorities.

 
Agency: Federal Communications Commission(FCC)  Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant 
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Long-Term Actions 
Major: Undetermined  Unfunded Mandates: No 
CFR Citation: 47 CFR 0    47 CFR 4   
Legal Authority: 47 U.S.C. 151    47 U.S.C. 154(i)-(j)    47 U.S.C. 154(n)-(o)    47 U.S.C. 201    47 U.S.C. 202    47 U.S.C. 214    47 U.S.C. 218    47 U.S.C. 251(e)(3)    47 U.S.C. 254    47 U.S.C. 301    47 U.S.C. 303(b)    47 U.S.C. 303(g)    47 U.S.C. 303(r)    47 U.S.C. 307    47 U.S.C. 309(a)    47 U.S.C. 309(j)    47 U.S.C. 316    47 U.S.C. 332    47 U.S.C. 403    ...   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM  10/01/2021  86 FR 61103   
NPRM Comment Period End  01/14/2022 
FNPRM  06/27/2022  87 FR 59379   
R&O  06/27/2022  87 FR 59329   
FNPRM Comment Period End  10/31/2022 
FNPRM Reply Comment Period End  11/29/2022 
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:
Saswat Misra
Attorney-Advisor, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau
Federal Communications Commission
45 L Street NE,
Washington, DC 20554
Phone:202 418-0944
Email: saswat.misra@fcc.gov