Federal Communications Commission	"FCC/DA  XX-XXX"


DA 19-296
Released:  April 17, 2019

PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY BUREAU 
REMINDS COMMERCIAL MOBILE SERVICE PROVIDERS OF UPCOMING WIRELESS EMERGENCY ALERTS DEADLINE


PS Docket Nos. 15-91, 15-94

The Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau reminds Commercial Mobile Service providers (CMS Providers) participating in Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) that they must be able to deliver enhanced geo-targeted WEA messages to 100 percent of the target area with no more than one-tenth of a mile overshoot to new mobile devices offered for sale and to existing devices capable of being upgraded to support this standard by no later than November 30, 2019. Wireless Emergency Alerts, Amendments to Part 11 of the Commission’s Rules Regarding the Emergency Alert System, PS Docket Nos. 15-91, 15-94, Second Report and Order and Second Order on Reconsideration, 33 FCC Rcd 1320, 1324-25 & 1327-29, paras. 6, 9 & 12 (2018) (WEA Second R&O).
 

As of November 30, 2019, Participating CMS Providers must also provide, at the point of sale, information about the benefits of enhanced geo-targeting and the extent of its availability on their network and devices, to allow consumers to make more informed choices about their ability to receive WEA messages that are relevant to their safety. WEA Second R&O, 33 FCC Rcd at 1332-33, para. 15; 47 CFR § 10.240(c).
  

The Federal Communications Commission adopted rules in 2018 requiring Participating CMS Providers to support enhanced geographic targeting by delivering WEA messages to the area that matches the area specified by the alert originator. WEA Second R&O, 33 FCC Rcd at 1324-25, para. 6.
  Currently, Participating CMS Providers are required to support geo-targeting that “best approximates” the target area specified by the alert originator. 47 CFR § 10.450(a).


For more information, contact:  Linda M. Pintro, Policy and Licensing Division, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, at 202-418-7490 or linda.pintro@fcc.gov.

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