A major goal of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) is to ensure that reliable communications are available throughout the United States, including to first responders on both a day-to-day and emergency basis. However, communications capabilities are often limited during and immediately after disasters, when the terrestrial communications infrastructure may be severely damaged or unavailable for a period of time. To gain insight into potential technological solutions to this issue, the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau (PSHSB) issued in early 2011 a public notice soliciting comment on the ability of deployable aerial communications architecture (DACA) to provide communications when the terrestrial communications infrastructure is severely damaged or unavailable.
The Bureau has assembled a Staff White Paper which addresses how DACA could be implemented and used, summarizes the comments received on this issue, and provides recommendations for next steps.
Click to read the Report.
Releases
- 10/19/11
FCC Announces Agenda for Workshop/Webinar on Rapidly Deployable Aerial Communications Architecture
Public Notice: Word | Acrobat | Plain Text - 09/22/11
The Role of Deployable Aerial Communications Architecture in Emergency Communications and Recommended Next Steps
White Paper: Word | Acrobat (as above) - 09/22/11
FCC Staff White Paper Outlines Vision for "Deployable Aerial Communications Architecture" To Improve the Ability to Communicate in Times of Emergency
News Release: Word - 01/28/11
Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau Seeks Comment on Rapidly Deployable Aerial Telecommunications Architecture Capable of Providing Immediate Communications to Disaster Areas
Public Notice: Word | Acrobat
