Federal Communications Commission FCC 11-55
STATEMENT OF
FCC COMMISSIONER MIGNON L. CLYBURN
Re: Notice of Inquiry in the Matter of Reliability and Continuity of Communications 
Networks, Including Broadband Technologies (PS Docket No. 11-60; FCC 11-55).
It is almost impossible these days to turn on the television, listen to the radio, or surf the 
Internet, without hearing news about the heartbreaking situation in Japan.  While we all continue 
to pray for a speedy recovery for that Nation, it is important to note that the devastation could 
have been even worse without the country’s advanced communications capabilities.  Reports 
indicate that numerous lives were saved through television and cell phone alerts, issued by 
Japan’s emergency warning system, which afforded citizens time to prepare.  The Internet also 
played a key role, allowing many to communicate with families and friends via Twitter, 
Facebook, and Skype.
This unfortunate event underscores the need for examining the continuity and reliability 
of communications networks here in the United States.  It is imperative that, during large-scale 
disasters, citizens are able to obtain vital information from public safety officials and 
communicate with loved ones.  
Our Nation’s own experiences, in the aftermath of disasters such as Hurricane Katrina, 
and violent storms like the one which struck my parent’s neighborhood in South Carolina this 
week, highlight the importance of having our networks protected from potential failures.  The 
NOI asks important questions about critical features in preventing the outages such as the need 
for backup power, and backhaul redundancy. 
I am also pleased to see that the NOI engages in a comprehensive inquiry on the 
continuity and reliability of our broadband networks.  Critical sectors such as public safety, 
energy, and finance, are migrating from older, legacy, technologies to broadband.  Consumers of 
communications services at all levels may not know much about the technological platform used 
to deliver their communications services.  But these consumers expect the same level of quality 
and reliability regardless of the platform.  We must take steps now to see whether these IP based 
networks have the high carrier grade standards of legacy systems.  
In my opinion, the best way to address these issues is to gather input from the widest 
possible array of stakeholders.  Such collaboration allows us to fashion solutions that achieve 
important policy initiatives without imposing unreasonable burdens on any communications 
companies.  It is possible the industry leadership has developed high quality standards that are 
necessary to address reliability concerns, for legacy and broadband networks.  This proceeding 
will help shed light on best practices and allow the Commission to take a proper approach to 
encourage adoption of those standards.
I look forward to reviewing recommendations on ways to ensure continual, reliable 
service on all communications networks during major emergencies.  In addition, I commend the 
Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, for its excellent work and leadership on this 
important issue.