The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has sanctioned new regulations that mandate broadband and other essential communications providers to report their operational status daily during disasters. However, these rules may pose challenges for rural telecommunications companies represented by the NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association (NTCA), potentially hindering service restoration.
Mike Romano, Executive Vice President at NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association, voiced his concerns about the new rules. He stated, "However, unlike their larger counterparts, rural broadband providers typically have key employees serving in multiple roles, and their offices and employees are usually situated in the areas they serve." Romano further added, "In the immediate aftermath of a disaster, these small companies are immersed in the business of assessing damage and restoring service and often must operate in the face of direct impacts on employees and office locations." Expressing disappointment over the FCC's decision, he concluded by saying, "While NTCA recognizes the FCC’s need for information, we are disappointed that the new rules will compel the submission of daily regulatory reports rather than permitting companies to focus specifically on restoration activity and on the immediate needs of the community while providing updates on network status when feasible."
As per an FCC press release dated January 25th, cable communications, wireline, wireless and interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) providers are required to report daily infrastructure status information when the FCC's Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS) is activated for areas where they provide service. The providers also need to submit a final summary DIRS report within 24 hours of DIRS deactivation. The new regulations would suspend reporting to FCC’s Network Outage Reporting System (NORS) when DIRS reporting is required.
Before sanctioning these rules, participation in DIRS was voluntary while NORS did not require all providers to report network outages. This resulted in information gaps. The FCC stated that these rules aim to address such gaps and enhance situational awareness.
In a press release by NTCA, Romano reaffirmed that rural telecommunications companies remain committed to providing reliable and resilient networks in the areas they serve. The NTCA represents over 850 independent, family-owned and community-based telecommunications companies serving rural and small-town communities across the United States.
