DIRS Activated in Wake of California Public Safety Power Shutoff

The Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau issued a Public Notice last week announcing the activation of the Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS) in response to the California Public Safety Power Shutoffs.  The FCC asks communications providers in the counties of interest to submit and update information through DIRS regarding the status of their equipment, restoration efforts, and whether they are using commercial power or back-up power.  The counties of interest are Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, El Dorado, Napa, Nevada, Orange, Placer, San Diego, San Mateo, Sonoma, and Tehama.

Anterix and EWA Partner for 900 MHz Transition

Last week, Anterix (formerly pdvWireless) announced an agreement with the Enterprise Wireless Alliance (EWA) that authorizes EWA to formally assist 900 MHz incumbents with relocation on Anterix’s behalf (Vol. XVI, Issue 41).  The agreement is consistent with the Commission’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking looking to establish a 3x3 MHz broadband segment within the 900 MHz band (Vol. XV, Issue 38). 

FirstNet, NIST, EDA Announce $1 Million Challenge Grant

The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and the Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) announced the launch of the Accelerate R2 Network Challenge last week.  The $1 million interagency grant challenge is meant to address the nation’s most pressing disaster response and resiliency (R2) challenges with innovative technologies by connecting stakeholders in the disaster response and resiliency industries from across the country.  EDA will provide up to $750,000 in funding and NIST will contribute up to $250,000 through its Public Safety Communications Research program.  FirstNet will provide program support and technical assistance as needed.

Broadband Deployment Report NOI

The FCC issued a Notice of Inquiry seeking comment and other information for its annual review of the state of broadband deployment throughout the country.  The Commission issues an Annual Broadband Deployment Report (Vol. XVI, Issue 14) to fulfil its statutory mandate of determining whether advanced telecommunications capability is being deployed to all citizens in a reasonable and timely fashion.  The NOI asks individual consumers, broadband providers, consumer advocates, policy institutes, governmental entities, and any other interested parties to submit comments to assist in the FCC’s analysis.