Under the auspices of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has launched an investigation into the survivability of the nation’s broadband service network.
In a Notice of Inquiry issued on April 21st, the Commission says it seeks “to enhance our understanding of the present state of survivability in broadband communication networks and to explore potential measures to reduce network vulnerability to failures in network equipment or severe overload conditions.”
The Commission says that is it specifically interested in better understanding the stresses that would be placed on the broadband infrastructure in natural and man-made disasters, when the need for reliable, effective communication would be most critical.
According to the Commission, it is specifically tasked under the ARRA to explore ways in which broadband infrastructure and services can “advance consumer welfare…public safety and homeland security…and other national purposes.” Hence, the need to investigate broadband survivability.
Comments on the Commission’s NOI regarding broadband survivability must be filed on or before June 5th.
View the complete text of the Commission’s NOI regarding broadband survivability.
