RE: FCC File Number 0003935834
Honorable Julius Genachowski
Chairman
Federal Communications Commission
Washington, DC 20554
COMMITTEES
TRANSPORTATION AND
INfRASTRUCTURE
Suhcolllllliuccs:
Aviation
Water ReslHlfccS and I:nvinllllllcnt
Economic Development
Puhlic Buildings
and Emergency Management
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
SUhCOIlllllitlccs:
Space and Aeronautics
Research and Science Educalion
SMALL BUSINESS
Suhcolllmittees:
Regulations and Health Care
Contracting and Technology
Invcstipllions and Oversight
Dear Mr. Chairman,
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September 22, 2009
417 Cannon House Office Building
Washington. D.C. 20515
202-225-4HO I
202-225--4392 fax
DISTRICT OF+ICES:
2101 Clintoll Avenue West, Suite 302
Huntsville, Al<lharna 15X05
256-551-0190
Morgan County Courthouse
Box 66R
Decatur. Alahama J5602
256-.155-9400
The Bevill Ccnlcl
IOJ I George Wallace Boulevard
Tuscumhia. Alabama 15674
256-.1X 1-.1450
http://griffith.hollSC.gov
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I am writing this letter in support ofthe request for waiver by the FCC on behalf
ofthe State ofAlabama for the additional nine (9) frequencies for use by the Alabama
Digital Emergency/Education Network (ADEN). Although this network will be
administered by the Alabama Educational Television Commission, it is being
implemented for use by all state emergency and protection agencies.
The purpose ofthis network is to improve the communications ofstate agencies
to their facilities statewide, between agencies, and the public in general. It will
incorporate the latest in digital and Internet Protocol technologies to allow for individual
and shared communications while also providing open broadcast capabilities in
emergency situations to the people ofAlabama.
ADEN also takes advantage ofthe already existing statewide broadcast tower,
microwave, and satellite facilities operated by the Alabama Educational Television
Commission, which represent a substantial investment by the State of Alabama.
The proposed Alabama Digital Emergency/Education Network provides the
communications backbone that ties these agencies together to allow for a flexible and
coordinated response to any statewide emergency. This new network will also provide
educational capabilities for all state agencies on a daily basis which will improve training
and response capabilities to emergencies when they occur. t5
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The dynamic nature ofthis proposed digital network, along with the capability to
transmit digital information, either open source or encrypted, to just one person or to
millions at one time is critical to a coordinated response to the potential emergencies that
threaten the state. The ability to utilize the same statewide network system to also reach
citizens in their homes and on mobile/handheld consumer electronic devices gives the
state tremendous outreach capabilities to inform and instruct everyone during emergency
situations.
It is time that Alabama take advantage ofnew digital broadcast technologies and
IP encapsulated data that can do so much more than television. I therefore respectfully
request the FCC's strongest support ofour request for a frequency waiver for the nine
requested UHF broadcast frequencies to allow the creation ofthe Alabama Digital
Emergency/Educational Network.
Parker Griffith, .D. ifI'/J
Member ofCongress
Cc: Honorable Michael J. Copps, Commissioner
Honorable Robert M. McDowell, Commissioner
Honorable Mignon L. Clyburn, Commissioner
Honorable Meredith Attwell Baker, Commissioner
Allan A. Pizzato, Alabama Public Television