Hurricane Ian cellsite outages sharply declined over the weekend, the FCC reported Monday in disaster information reporting system data. The DIRS report said 3.8% of cellsites were out of service in affected Florida counties, down from 7.7% in Friday’s report (see 2209300053). Counties experiencing the highest outage rates were Hardee (20.5%), Charlotte (18.4%) and Lee (17.8%). Cable and wireline companies reported 474,706 subscribers without service. One TV, six FM and two AM stations were down. On Sunday, the FCC deactivated DIRS for Hurricane Ian in many South Carolina counties. The agency deactivated Hurricane Fiona DIRS reporting Friday.

The FCC's updated emergency alert system rules adopted last week give cable operators 15 months to complete the transition to emergency action notification text displays when that EAN change requires upgrading set-top box software and head-end equipment, said the order released Friday. The draft version of the order didn't include the 15-month deadline. "We find that 15 months is more than adequate to account for these software-related complexities, including any unexpected difficulties," the commission said in the adopted order. The EAS rules update passed 4-0 at the agency's September meeting (see 2209290017).

Global tech spending will exceed $4 trillion in 2023, “as two-thirds of technology decision-makers increase their tech budgets, despite increasing economic uncertainty,” reported Forrester Thursday. It projects 80% of companies “will pivot their innovation efforts from creativity to resilience” by next year, it said. Forrester research found 65% of tech professionals expect their organizations will increase spending on emerging technologies over the next 12 months.

The FCC extended the deadline for regulatory fee filings from Wednesday to Friday for all payors due to Hurricane Ian, said a public notice Wednesday. The storm “may cause substantial damage to the communications network, resulting in service disruptions and outages throughout areas in Florida,” the PN said. “The Commission is mindful of the effect of this hurricane on regulatory fee payors located in affected areas,” the PN said. “Additionally, we are aware of other technical challenges entities are currently facing in paying their regulatory fees.”

Disaster information reporting system data for Hurricane Fiona showed 132,400 cable and wireline subscribers without service and 11.7% of cellsites down in Puerto Rico Wednesday. A DIRS report was also generated for Hurricane Ian but showed minimal damage since Wednesday’s report was based on information gathered before the storm’s landfall. The Ian report shows 1.4% of cellsites down and 26,716 subscribers out of service in the affected area, which includes all of Florida.

Nearly a fifth of U.S. workers report having seen or been contacted about a “suspicious job opportunity” this year, an Allstate-sponsored survey found. Allstate hired Morning Consult to canvass 2,200 U.S. adults Aug. 27-28, finding that workers in the 18-34 age group “were the most targeted for remote job scams,” it said. “The findings come as bad actors take advantage of increasing numbers of remote job listings,” it said, citing FTC data that nearly 21,600 fake business and job opportunities were reported in Q2 alone, costing Americans $86 million in losses.

FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel appointed Denise Bambi Kraus Tuesday to be chief of the Office of Native Affairs and Policy. As chief, “Kraus will further the Commission's efforts to bring the benefits of modern communications to all Native communities,” the FCC said. “ONAP will lead Tribal consultation and provide technical assistance to ensure all Tribal Nations have the support that they need to participate in the agency's ongoing broadband data collection effort and expand the accuracy of the FCC's broadband availability maps,” the FCC said. Kraus will also focus on access, affordability and sustainability. She was formerly national tribal affairs advisor at FEMA.

The FCC activated the disaster information reporting system for 62 counties in Florida for Hurricane Ian, said a public notice Tuesday. The agency also issued public notices on emergency contact information for licensees that need special temporary authority, priority communications services, and on 24-hour availability of FCC staff. The Public Safety Bureau also sent a warning to avoid damaging communications infrastructure during debris clearing operations. “PSHSB encourages those entities working to clear debris, repair utility lines, and restore services to ensure their activities do not damage critical communications,” the PN said. For areas of Puerto Rico impacted by Hurricane Fiona, DIRS data shows 194,586 cable and wireline subscribers without service, a large improvement over the 503,664 from Monday’s data. The report also shows 14.1% of cellsites down, plus two FM stations and one AM station. No public safety access points were reported down.

The FCC owns a dozen bulletproof vests, but no firearms or ammunition, the commission said in response to a Freedom of Information Act request we filed in August. It said the vests, all Galls SE Series IIA and IIIA body armor, were purchased in response to a 2016 recommendation by the commission's Inspector General.

The FCC disaster information reporting system showed 503,664 cable and wireline subscribers without service in Puerto Rico Monday due to Hurricane Fiona, a slight improvement from 504,730 Sunday. “This includes the loss of telephone, television, and/or Internet services,” the report said. 17.7% of cellsites are down in the affected area, along with five FM stations and two AM stations. No public safety access points were reported down.