NAB Says Software EAS Box Replacement Has FEMA Nod
Federal Emergency Management Agency Integrated Public Alert & Warning System (FEMA IPAWS) staff endorsed an NAB proposal to allow broadcasters to replace physical emergency alert system equipment with software, NAB and broadcasters New York Public Radio, iHeartMedia, Cox Media Group,…
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Graham Media and Capitol Broadcasting told the FCC Public Safety Bureau in a meeting Tuesday, according to an ex parte filing in docket 15-94. The shift to software would reduce the time to repair equipment and install security patches, NAB said. The software "would still operate if Internet or cloud connectivity is interrupted,” the filing said: “NAB is not advocating a fully cloud-based approach.” The broadcasters also told the agency they're “agnostic” on the development of such software. “We anticipate, and would likely prefer, that the current vendors of EAS equipment take the lead in such an effort, because this would allow industry to reap the benefits of their experience and expertise in this somewhat niche area of technology,” the filing said.