Expanded Multilingual Alerts, ISAM Framework Top February FCC Agenda
Emergency alerts would go more multilingual under a proposal on the FCC's February agenda. Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel teed up that and other agenda items on Wednesday. They will be released Thursday. Also on the agenda is a draft in-space servicing, assembly and manufacturing (ISAM) licensing framework, further robocalls rules, and a revisiting of wireless mics. In addition, an Enforcement Bureau item and a Media Bureau adjudicatory matter are on the agenda.
Multilingual broadcast emergency alerts would come on the heels of the agency requiring some wireless providers to transit wireless emergency alerts in 13 languages other than English and American Sign Language (ASL) (see 2310190056). In a Wednesday note, Rosenworcel said this latest emergency alert proposal would have viewers and listeners "receive public safety alerts in the language that corresponds" with the content they are consuming. "If you are watching or listening to a program when an emergency alert is issued, you want that potentially life-saving information delivered in a language that you will understand," she said. In addition, the agency will seek comments on making those alerts accessible to ASL users.
Pointing to more than 100 companies already working on efforts related to ISAM or orbital debris removal, Rosenworcel said such work done at scale "can build new industries that expand our scientific frontiers, create economic opportunities, and advance our national security priorities." The FCC adopted an ISAM notice of inquiry in 2022, and some in the space community subsequently called for a licensing regime involving a license for a category of services, rather than trying to make ISAM fit into the traditional non-geostationary or geostationary licensing framework (see 2211010025). The U.S. Chamber of Commerce as well as ISAM interests have pushed for an ISAM licensing NPRM (see 2212010068).
New wireless mic technologies "use spectrum more efficiently, meaning more microphones can be used without allocating more airwaves,” Rosenworcel said. She said commissioners will vote on allowing this new wireless microphone tech "to operate on a licensed or unlicensed basis, while preserving the existing spectrum rights of others that share those frequencies.” In 2021, commissioners approved 4-0 an NPRM seeking comment on wireless multichannel audio systems, an emerging technology, which would allow more mics per megahertz (see 2104220056). Wireless mic companies reported on meetings at the FCC in recent months asking the FCC to move forward on rules.
On another issue, an item proposing rules would "strengthen the ability of consumers to decide which robocalls and robotexts they wish to receive," Rosenworcel said. The draft item will also include a proposal to "close loopholes that allow wireless providers to make robocalls and robotexts without the ability for the subscriber to opt out," she added.