FCC, Federal Communications CommissionThe FCC is giving more time to people who want to comment in its “resilient networks” proceeding.

This is the NPRM that, among other things, could lead to a requirement for broadcasters to have backup power at their transmission sites.

The Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau extended the first comment deadline by 10 days to Dec. 16, with replies now due Jan. 14. The Edison Electric Institute requested the extension.

[“FCC Disaster NPRM Discusses Backup Requirements”]

The FCC notice of proposed rulemaking asks for comment on proposed rules to improve communications reliability during disasters.

The proposal considers changes to the Disaster Information Reporting System, or DIRS, the web-based system used by broadcasters and other communication providers to report service outages to the FCC. Participation currently is voluntary; the proposal asks if it should be mandatory to participate following a disaster.

The NPRM also seeks ways to mitigate the effects of power outages on communications networks after major storms and other events.

The FCC in the proposal asks detailed questions about how backup power can be deployed to reduce the frequency of power-related service disruptions. The commission raised the possibility of requiring backup power for participants in DIRS and NORS, the Network Outage Reporting System, and that list includes broadcasters.

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