NEWS
Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street, S.W.
Washington, D. C.  20554
This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action.
See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:
April 7, 2011   Robert Kenny: 202-418-2668
 Robert.Kenny@fcc.gov
FCC EXPLORES WAYS TO FURTHER STRENGTHEN THE RELIABILITY OF
AMERICA’S COMMUNICATIONS NETWORKS 
Washington D.C. –The Federal Communications Commission today took another step to implement the 
recommendations in the National Broadband Plan by adopting a Notice of Inquiry (NOI) seeking public 
comment on ways to further strengthen the reliability and resiliency of America’s communications 
networks. The recent tragic earthquake and tsunami in Japan are unfortunate, tragic reminders of the 
importance of maintaining communications networks that offer reliable and resilient service in the face of 
significant equipment or system failure, particularly during major emergencies.  
Communications services, including broadband technologies, play a critical role in all elements of the 
Nation’s society and economy. Overall, as the communications infrastructure migrates from older 
technologies to broadband technology, critical communications services will travel over a communications 
network infrastructure that may or may not be built to the high standards of legacy systems.  The potential 
for differences in service reliability may be a major source of concern for the public safety, health care, 
energy and financial sectors, and more generally for consumers and businesses across America.  
Today’s action builds on the FCC’s ongoing efforts to help ensure the reliability and resiliency of 
communications for the public, government, emergency responders, healthcare providers, and providers of 
other critical services such as electric power during natural or man-made disasters. In April 2010, the FCC 
sought comment on the survivability of communications networks when there is direct physical damage or 
failure of network equipment, or network overloads. 
The NOI seeks comment on four specific areas of concern:
· Current efforts by industry to ensure continuity of communications service during major disasters; 
· Existing reliability and resiliency standards for  broadband communications networks;
· The FCC’s role in promoting the reliability, resiliency and continuity of communications services; 
and
· The FCC’s legal authority to act to ensure the reliability, resiliency and continuity of 
communications services.
The NOI also proposes to terminate two related proceedings -- the Survivability Notice of Inquiry the 
Commission commenced in April 2010 and the Katrina Panel proceeding that it started in 2006.  If 
terminated, the records from these two proceedings would be considered in the context of this proceeding, 
where appropriate.
Public comments and reply comments are due July 7, and September 1, 2011, respectively..   Comments on 
the FCC’s proposal to terminate the Survivability NOI and the Katrina Panel proceeding are due 30 days 
after publication of the NOI in the Federal Register.
Action by the Commission, April 7, 2011, by Notice of Inquiry (FCC 11-55). Chairman Genachowski and 
Commissioners Copps, McDowell, Clyburn and Baker. Separate Statements issued by Chairman 
Genachowski and Commissioners Copps, McDowell, Clyburn and Baker.
PS Docket Nos. 11-60 and 10-92; and EB Docket No. 06-119.
For further information, contact Lisa M. Fowlkes, Deputy Bureau Chief, Public Safety and Homeland 
Security Bureau at (202) 418-7452 or lisa.fowlkes@fcc.gov or John Healy at (202) 418-2448 or 
john.healy@fcc.gov.
-FCC-
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