Media Contact: 
Katie Gorscak, (202) 418-2156
katie.gorscak@fcc.gov

For Immediate Release

CHAIRMAN PAI COMMENDS ESTABLISHMENT OF 
CROSS-SECTOR RESILIENCY FORUM
Chairman Previously Called for Greater Coordination Between Electric Power
 and Communications Sectors to Improve Disaster Response  -- 

WASHINGTON, February 27, 2020—Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai issued the following statement today in response to news that CTIA—The Wireless Association and the Edison Electric Institute are establishing a cross-sector resiliency forum to improve coordination between the wireless and electric power sectors to strengthen disaster response:

“Americans need reliable communications service during emergencies.  But as the FCC’s investigation into the slow pace of wireless service restoration after Hurricane Michael revealed, and last fall’s power shutoffs in California underscored, a lack of effective coordination between the electric power and communications sectors prolongs and increases the scope of communications outages.  This coordination problem was also starkly evident in Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria, when the electric utility did not provide needed information to the communications sector for disaster recovery.

“I therefore commend CTIA and the Edison Electric Institute for heeding my call for greater coordination and announcing an initiative to address this challenge before the next wildfire and hurricane seasons begin.  I look forward to monitoring the progress of this necessary and important effort in the coming months.” 


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Office of Chairman Pai: (202) 418-1000 / Twitter: @AjitPaiFCC / www.fcc.gov/leadership/ajit-pai

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. Cir. 1974).