We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again – it is not necessarily a bad thing if the FCC does not have any broadcast-related items on its monthly Open Meeting agenda – it is a guarantee that no regulatory mischief is afoot. The September 2011 meeting will keep this popular 2011 trend alive.
From the getgo, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski has made broadband the focus of his tenure. Meanwhile, broadcasting is a mature communications industry with less regulatory attention required since the DTV transition. And it is off the agenda once again at the upcoming 9/22/11 meeting.
To underscore just how far below the radar broadcasting has been of late, the 2010 Quadrennial Review of hasn’t even really started (other than behind the scenes) despite the fact that the year cited in its title is far in the rear view mirror.
Where broadcast has gotten attention, it has been as a target for broadband spectrum, as the television industry can attest in no uncertain terms. But that issue will not be on the table on 9/22.
Here, from the FCC, is a look at what is on the table:
Framework for Next Generation 911 Deployment, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to accelerate the development and deployment of Next Generation 911 (NG911) technology to improve public safety by enabling the public to send text, photos, videos, and data communications to 911 Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) and enhancing the information available to PSAPs and first responders for assessing and responding to emergencies.
Deployable Aerial Communications Architecture White Paper. The Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau will present a white paper on the use of deployable aerial communications architecture to facilitate the ability of first responders to communicate with each other and consumers to reach first responders in the wake of natural and manmade disasters, even in situations where there is severe damage to terrestrial communications infrastructure. The report will make recommendations regarding next steps the FCC should consider to promote the development and use of deployable aerial communications architecture.
