Deployable Aerial Communications NOI Approved Despite Carrier Concerns

David Furth, outgoing acting chief of the Public Safety Bureau, said after the meeting much remains to be decided. “We're not assuming any conclusions at this point,” he said. “That’s the reason that we're doing an NOI.” Furth said the NOI does ask about a broad range of frequencies. “The idea here is that you could be using aerial technology to temporarily replace existing technology on the ground that has been disabled, has been destroyed, in a major disaster,” he said. The NOI asks about DACA systems already in use or under development, officials said. The NOI also examines prioritization of service and access to DACA systems and at such performance issues as coverage, signal penetration and interference mitigation. The FCC released a DACA white paper at its Sept. 22 meeting.

Chairman Julius Genachowski called DACA a “cell tower that’s floating or flying in the sky” and noted it seems like something out of a science fiction novel. “It’s not science fiction,” he said. “Antennas in the sky are fact … and when disaster strikes they can make a real difference.” DACA can “temporarily restore critical communications, including emergency response and 911 calls and perhaps other forms of communications and … it has the potential to do it quickly, even in the first hours after disaster strikes,” he said.

"Over the years, the private sector has invested billions of dollars in emergency preparedness and response capabilities and we have every reason to ensure that our colleagues in other federal agencies, as well as those in state and local entities, are able to take advantage of these efficiencies, including the potential use of DACA systems,” said Commissioner Robert McDowell. “I look forward to engaging with both my colleagues here at the commission and all interested parties to learn more -- especially on the potential for DACA to cause harmful interference to other systems -- as we analyze this important matter.”

"Each year, particularly during hurricane season, our nation is faced with large scale disasters, which routinely result in terrestrial communications networks being compromised,” said Commissioner Mignon Clyburn. “Therefore, in addition to examining ways to improve the reliability of legacy and broadband networks, we also must prepare for the reality that, despite best efforts, networks will go out of service."

The NOI was the first item to get a public vote by new commissioners Ajit Pai and Jessica Rosenworcel. Pai said he was pleased that his first vote at a commission meeting was on one of the core missions of the FCC, to promote safety of life and property. “The action we take today is particularly timely considering recent experiences during emergencies and Americans’ increasing reliance on communications services,” he said. “This item demonstrates what the commission can do at its best,” Rosenworcel said. “While our terrestrial networks are built to withstand a lot of abuse we must make sure that emergency management officials, first responders and personnel from critical infrastructure industries always have the tools that they need to communicate. This is especially true in the early hours after a disaster when every second counts.”

Oceus Networks announced Thursday it will demonstrate how DACA can be used for LTE and broadband in disaster areas. The trial will begin in September. “With this network, following major natural disasters or terrorist attacks, first responders can be provided the urgent communications capabilities they have wanted, but lacked,” said CEO Douglas Smith.