Reliability and Continuity of Communications Networks, Including Broadband Technologies; Effects on Broadband Communications Networks of Damage or Failure of Network Equipment or Severe Overload; Independent Panel Reviewing the Impact of Hurricane Katrina on Communications Networks, 23812-23814 [2011-10232]

Download as PDF 23812 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 82 / Thursday, April 28, 2011 / Notices e.g., telephone and/or cable bills, etc, or other miscellaneous FCC-related matters, such as licensing issues, etc.; 2. Executive Branch Inquiries—When requested by the Executive Branch of the U.S. Government in response to an inquiry that an individual made to the President of the United States and/or the Vice President of the United States in response to an inquiry that the individual made to the Executive Branch for assistance with various telecommunications issues affecting them; 3. Government-wide Program Management and Oversight—When requested by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) for the purpose of records management inspections conducted under authority of 44 U.S.C. 2904 and 2906; when the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is contacted in order to obtain that department’s advice regarding disclosure obligations under the Freedom of Information Act; or when the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is contacted in order to obtain that office’s advice regarding obligations under the Privacy Act; and 4. Breach Notification—A record from this system may be disclosed to appropriate agencies, entities, and persons when (1) the Commission suspects or has confirmed that the security or confidentiality of information in the system of records has been compromised; (2) the Commission has determined that as a result of the suspected or confirmed compromise there is a risk of harm to economic or property interests, identity theft or fraud, or harm to the security or integrity of this system or other systems or programs (whether maintained by the Commission or another agency or entity) that rely upon the compromised information; and (3) the disclosure made to such agencies, entities, and persons is reasonably necessary to assist in connection with the Commission’s efforts to respond to the suspected or confirmed compromise and prevent, minimize, or remedy such harm. In each of these cases, the FCC will determine whether disclosure of the records is compatible with the purpose for which the records were collected. srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with NOTICES DISCLOSURE TO CONSUMER REPORTING AGENCIES: None. POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR STORING, RETRIEVING, ACCESSING, RETAINING, AND DISPOSING OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM: The information in the Legislative Management Tracking System (LMTS) 17:01 Apr 27, 2011 Jkt 223001 RETRIEVABILITY: Information in the Legislative Management Tracking System (LMTS) is retrieved by the correspondence log-in file number, Congressional Representative’s name, and/or type of complaint, etc. Regardless of the circumstances, OLA always redacts the Social Security Number and birthdate before entering a document into LMTS. Other personally identifiable information (PII) in an attachment may also be redacted prior to filing the correspondence if it is not relevant to the complaint or inquiry. SAFEGUARDS: The paper documents are maintained in file cabinets that are located in the OLA office suite, whose access is through a card-coded main door. Access to these files is restricted to authorized OLA supervisors and staff. Access to the electronic files, which are housed in the FCC’s computer network databases, is restricted to authorized OLA supervisors and staff and to the Information Technology Center (ITC) staff and contractors, who maintain the FCC’s computer network. Other FCC employees and contractors may be granted access on a ‘‘need-toknow’’ basis. The FCC’s computer network databases are protected by the FCC’s security protocols, which include controlled access, passwords, and other security features. Information resident on the OLA database servers is backedup routinely onto magnetic media. Back-up tapes are stored on-site and at a secured, off-site location. RETENTION AND DISPOSAL: Pursuant to FCC records schedule N1–173–03–2, item 5, information in the Legislative Management Tracking System (LMTS) is retained at the FCC for three years after cut-off at the end of each calendar year. The documents relating to FCC policy, e.g., Chairman correspondence, etc., are then transferred to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). The paper documents, records, and files are destroyed by shredding. The electronic records, data, and files (electronic storage media) are destroyed physically or by electronic erasure. SYSTEM MANAGER(S) AND ADDRESS: STORAGE: VerDate Mar<15>2010 includes paper documents, records, and files that are stored in file cabinets in the OLA office suite, and electronic records, files, and data that are stored in the FCC’s computer network databases. Address inquiries to the Office of Legislative Affairs (OLA), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20554. NOTIFICATION PROCEDURE: Address inquiries to the Office of Legislative Affairs (OLA), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), 445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20554. RECORD ACCESS PROCEDURES: Address inquiries to the Office of Legislative Affairs (OLA), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), 445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20554. CONTESTING RECORD PROCEDURES: Address inquiries to the Office of Legislative Affairs (OLA), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), 445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20554. RECORD SOURCE CATEGORIES: The sources for the information in the Legislative Management Tracking System are the Congressional and Executive Branch correspondence, including attachments, which may include complaints related to telephone, wireless, and cable billing or service; licensing inquiries; or other inquiries on issues under FCC jurisdiction, etc., submitted by constituents (members of the public at large); or personnel actions or complaints from constituents who are FCC employees. EXEMPTIONS CLAIMED FOR THE SYSTEM: None. Federal Communications Commission. Avis Mitchell, Information Specialist. [FR Doc. 2011–10202 Filed 4–27–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6712–01–P FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION [PS Docket Nos. 11–60 and 10–92; ET Docket No. 06–119] Reliability and Continuity of Communications Networks, Including Broadband Technologies; Effects on Broadband Communications Networks of Damage or Failure of Network Equipment or Severe Overload; Independent Panel Reviewing the Impact of Hurricane Katrina on Communications Networks Federal Communications Commission. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: In this document, the Federal Communications Commission SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\28APN1.SGM 28APN1 srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 82 / Thursday, April 28, 2011 / Notices (Commission) seeks comment on a broad range of issues regarding the reliability and resiliency of our Nation’s communications networks. Our goal is to establish a vigorous dialog with all interested stakeholders, particularly with respect to what action, if any, should be taken by the Commission to address these matters. In addition, the Commission seeks comment on whether it should terminate the following proceedings: Effects on Broadband Communications Networks of Damage or Failure of Network Equipment or Severe Overload, and Independent Panel Reviewing the Impact of Hurricane Katrina on Communications Networks. If these two earlier proceedings were to be terminated, the record developed therein would be consolidated into this single new proceeding, which will enable the Commission to consider all relevant matters in a more comprehensive fashion. DATES: Comments with respect to the proposed termination of PS Docket 10– 92 and EB Docket 06–119 are due on or before May 31, 2011. Comments with respect to all other matters raised in this document are due on or before July 7, 2011 and reply comments are due on or before September 1, 2011. ADDRESSES: Pursuant to §§ 1.415 and 1.419 of the Commission’s rules, 47 CFR 1.415, 1.419, interested parties may file comments and reply comments on or before the dates indicated on the first page of this document. Comments may be filed using: (1) The Commission’s Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS), (2) the Federal Government’s eRulemaking Portal, or (3) by filing paper copies. See Electronic Filing of Documents in Rulemaking Proceedings, 63 FR 24121 (1998). • Electronic Filers: Comments may be filed electronically using the Internet by accessing the ECFS: https:// fjallfoss.fcc.gov/ecfs2/ or the Federal eRulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov. • Paper Filers: Parties who choose to file by paper must file an original and four copies of each filing. If more than one docket or rulemaking number appears in the caption of this proceeding, filers must submit two additional copies for each additional docket or rulemaking number. Filings can be sent by hand or messenger delivery, by commercial overnight courier, or by first-class or overnight U.S. Postal Service mail. All filings must be addressed to the Commission’s Secretary, Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission. VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Apr 27, 2011 Jkt 223001 • All hand-delivered or messengerdelivered paper filings for the Commission’s Secretary must be delivered to FCC Headquarters at 445 12th St., SW., Room TW–A325, Washington, DC 20554. The filing hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. All hand deliveries must be held together with rubber bands or fasteners. Any envelopes must be disposed of before entering the building. • Commercial overnight mail (other than U.S. Postal Service Express Mail and Priority Mail) must be sent to 9300 East Hampton Drive, Capitol Heights, MD 20743. • U.S. Postal Service first-class, Express, and Priority mail must be addressed to 445 12th St., SW., Washington, DC 20554. 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 Jeffery Goldthorp, Associate Chief for Cybersecurity and Communications Reliability, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau at 202–418–1096 or jeffery.goldthorp@fcc.gov; or Lauren Kravetz, Deputy Chief, Cybersecurity and Communications Reliability Division, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau at 202–418–7944 or lauren.kravetz@fcc.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission’s Notice of Inquiry (NOI) in PS Docket Nos. 11–60 and 10–92; and ET Docket No. 06–119, adopted and released on April 7, 2011. The complete text of this document is available for inspection and copying during normal business hours in the FCC Reference Information Center, Portals II, 445 12th St., SW., Room CY– A257, Washington, DC 20554. This document may also be purchased from the Commission’s duplicating contractor Best Copy and Printing, Inc., Portals II, 445 12th St., SW., Room CY–B402, Washington, DC 20554, telephone (800) 378–3160 or (202) 488–5300, facsimile (202) 488–5563, or via e-mail at fcc@bcpiweb.com. It is also available on the Commission’s Web site at https:// www.fcc.gov. To request materials in accessible formats for people with disabilities (Braille, large print, electronic files, audio format), send an e-mail to fcc504@fcc.gov or call the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202–418–0530 (voice), 202– 418–0432 (tty). Summary of the Notice of Inquiry 1. Overview. By this NOI, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) seeks comment on a broad range of issues regarding the PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 23813 reliability and resiliency of our Nation’s communications networks. 2. In addition, the Commission seeks comment on whether it should terminate two of the above-captioned proceedings—PS Docket 10–92 (Effects on Broadband Communications Networks of Damage or Failure of Network Equipment or Severe Overload), and EB Docket 06–119 (Independent Panel Reviewing the Impact of Hurricane Katrina on Communications Networks). 3. Reliability and Continuity Matters. This NOI initiates a comprehensive examination of issues regarding the reliability, resiliency and continuity of communications networks, including broadband technologies. 4. Today’s increasingly interconnected world is one in which communications services, including broadband technologies, play a critical role in all segments of our Nation’s society and economy. 5. Businesses rely on communications to conduct financial and other transactions, and hospitals and healthcare providers rely on communications services to provide medical care. Government agencies, at all levels, rely on communications services to ensure the safety of the public and to provide other services, while power companies and other utilities use communications services for their operations and to deploy energy-efficient technologies. 6. For example, power companies are looking to broadband technologies as they begin to deploy Smart Grid. Hospitals and healthcare providers can leverage broadband technologies for video consultation, remote patient monitoring, and better access to electronic healthcare records. Financial institutions use broadband technology to clear large volumes of transactions to keep the economy running efficiently. Moreover, consumers increasingly are relying on broadband platforms in addition to, or in place of, legacy platforms for voice communications. 7. Thus, it is vital that our Nation maintain a communications network that offers reliable and resilient service in the face of significant equipment or system failure and that is sufficiently survivable to provide some continuity of service during major emergencies, regardless of whether the network is legacy or broadband-based. 8. In addition, as the communications infrastructure migrates from legacy connection-based wireline technologies to connectionless Internet Protocol (IP)based broadband technology, the Commission believes that it does not have sufficient information to know E:\FR\FM\28APN1.SGM 28APN1 srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with NOTICES 23814 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 82 / Thursday, April 28, 2011 / Notices whether critical communications services will be carried over a communications network infrastructure that will remain functional during significant natural and manmade disasters. At the same time, the Commission believes that users of communications services today generally do not readily distinguish between legacy and broadband technologies, and are thus more likely than ever before to expect the same levels of ‘‘carrier grade’’ service reliability no matter what communications platform they use. As a result, the potential for disparities in service reliability is a source of concern for critical sectors of our economy, including homeland security, public safety, energy, finance and healthcare services, as well as for the government and consumers in general. 9. Against this backdrop, the NOI brings together several lines of inquiry derived from initiatives set forth in the Commission’s National Broadband Plan (NBP). For example, the NBP identified insufficient communications backhaul redundancy and inadequacy of backup power as key factors that contribute to the congestion or failure of commercial wireless data networks, particularly during emergencies such as large-scale natural and man-made disasters. The NBP also recommended that the Commission engage in an exploration of the reliability and resiliency standards applied to broadband networks to ascertain what action, if any, the Commission should take to bolster the reliability of broadband infrastructures. 10. In the course of exploring these considerations, the NOI looks at four major areas of concern. First, it explores the ability of communications networks to provide continuity of service during major emergencies, such as large-scale natural and man-made disasters. This includes a discussion of the use of backup power and improved backhaul redundancy solutions. Second, it examines whether we might need standards for broadband network reliability and resiliency to ensure adequate levels of service to meet public safety and other critical infrastructure needs. This includes consideration of protocols and equipment reliability, as well as system capacity and maintenance issues. Third, the NOI seeks comment on what actions, if any, the Commission should take to foster improved performance with respect to the continuity and reliability of operations during major emergencies. And, fourth, it seeks comment on the sources of legal authority that could provide the basis for Commission action, if any. VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Apr 27, 2011 Jkt 223001 11. Termination of Earlier Proceedings. The NOI also seeks comment on whether the Commission should terminate the dockets in two earlier proceedings—PS Docket 10–92 (Effects on Broadband Communications Networks of Damage or Failure of Network Equipment or Severe Overload), and EB Docket 06–119 (Independent Panel Reviewing the Impact of Hurricane Katrina on Communications Networks). The issues raised in these two earlier proceedings are interrelated to and overlap with issues raised by this NOI. Thus, to ensure a comprehensive examination of all issues related to reliability, resiliency, survivability, and continuity of communications networks in this NOI proceeding, the Commission believes that termination of the two older proceedings and consolidation of all of the relevant issues under this NOI proceeding would serve the public interest. 12. Conclusion. The Commission intends for the record generated by this proceeding to provide the opportunity for a thorough discussion of the reliability and continuity of the operational capabilities of our Nation’s communications infrastructure. Ordering Clauses 13. Accordingly, it is ordered that, pursuant to sections 1, 4(i), 4(j), 4(o), 7(b), and 403 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i)–(j) & (o), 157(b) and 403, this NOI is adopted. 14. It is further ordered that comments with respect to the proposed termination of PS Docket 10–92 and EB Docket 06–119 are due on or before May 31, 2011. Federal Communications Commission. Jeffery Goldthorp, Associate Chief. [FR Doc. 2011–10232 Filed 4–27–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6712–01–P FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection Renewals; Comment Request Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). ACTION: Notice and request for comment. AGENCY: The FDIC, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 comment on continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. chapter 35). The FDIC is soliciting comments on renewal of three information collections described below. Comments must be submitted on or before June 27, 2011. ADDRESSES: Interested parties are invited to submit written comments to the FDIC by any of the following methods: • https://www.FDIC.gov/regulations/ laws/federal/notices.html. • E-mail: comments@fdic.gov Include the name of the collection in the subject line of the message. • Mail: Leneta G. Gregorie (202–898– 3719), Counsel, Room F–1084, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, 550 17th Street NW., Washington, DC 20429. • Hand Delivery: Comments may be hand-delivered to the guard station at the rear of the 17th Street Building (located on F Street), on business days between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. All comments should refer to the relevant OMB control number. A copy of the comments may also be submitted to the OMB desk officer for the FDIC: Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, New Executive Office Building, Washington, DC 20503. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Leneta Gregorie, at the FDIC address above. DATES: Proposal to renew the following currently approved collections of information: 1. Title: Recordkeeping and Disclosure Requirements in Connection with Regulation Z (Truth in Lending). OMB Number: 3064–0082. Frequency of Response: On occasion. Affected Public: State nonmember banks that regularly offer or extend consumer credit. Estimated Number of Respondents: 5,200. Estimated Time per Response: 491.11 hours. Total Annual Burden: 2,553,775 hours. General Description of Collection: Regulation Z (12 CFR 226), issued by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, prescribes uniform methods of computing the cost of credit, disclosure of credit terms, and procedures for resolving billing errors on certain credit accounts. 2. Title: Recordkeeping and Disclosure Requirements in Connection with Regulation M (Consumer Leasing). OMB Number: 3064–0083. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: E:\FR\FM\28APN1.SGM 28APN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 82 (Thursday, April 28, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23812-23814]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-10232]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[PS Docket Nos. 11-60 and 10-92; ET Docket No. 06-119]


Reliability and Continuity of Communications Networks, Including 
Broadband Technologies; Effects on Broadband Communications Networks of 
Damage or Failure of Network Equipment or Severe Overload; Independent 
Panel Reviewing the Impact of Hurricane Katrina on Communications 
Networks

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In this document, the Federal Communications Commission

[[Page 23813]]

(Commission) seeks comment on a broad range of issues regarding the 
reliability and resiliency of our Nation's communications networks. Our 
goal is to establish a vigorous dialog with all interested 
stakeholders, particularly with respect to what action, if any, should 
be taken by the Commission to address these matters. In addition, the 
Commission seeks comment on whether it should terminate the following 
proceedings: Effects on Broadband Communications Networks of Damage or 
Failure of Network Equipment or Severe Overload, and Independent Panel 
Reviewing the Impact of Hurricane Katrina on Communications Networks. 
If these two earlier proceedings were to be terminated, the record 
developed therein would be consolidated into this single new 
proceeding, which will enable the Commission to consider all relevant 
matters in a more comprehensive fashion.

DATES: Comments with respect to the proposed termination of PS Docket 
10-92 and EB Docket 06-119 are due on or before May 31, 2011. Comments 
with respect to all other matters raised in this document are due on or 
before July 7, 2011 and reply comments are due on or before September 
1, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Pursuant to Sec. Sec.  1.415 and 1.419 of the Commission's 
rules, 47 CFR 1.415, 1.419, interested parties may file comments and 
reply comments on or before the dates indicated on the first page of 
this document. Comments may be filed using: (1) The Commission's 
Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS), (2) the Federal Government's 
eRulemaking Portal, or (3) by filing paper copies. See Electronic 
Filing of Documents in Rulemaking Proceedings, 63 FR 24121 (1998).
     Electronic Filers: Comments may be filed electronically 
using the Internet by accessing the ECFS: https://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/ecfs2/ or the Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov.
     Paper Filers: Parties who choose to file by paper must 
file an original and four copies of each filing. If more than one 
docket or rulemaking number appears in the caption of this proceeding, 
filers must submit two additional copies for each additional docket or 
rulemaking number.
    Filings can be sent by hand or messenger delivery, by commercial 
overnight courier, or by first-class or overnight U.S. Postal Service 
mail. All filings must be addressed to the Commission's Secretary, 
Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission.
     All hand-delivered or messenger-delivered paper filings 
for the Commission's Secretary must be delivered to FCC Headquarters at 
445 12th St., SW., Room TW-A325, Washington, DC 20554. The filing hours 
are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. All hand deliveries must be held together with 
rubber bands or fasteners. Any envelopes must be disposed of before 
entering the building.
     Commercial overnight mail (other than U.S. Postal Service 
Express Mail and Priority Mail) must be sent to 9300 East Hampton 
Drive, Capitol Heights, MD 20743.
     U.S. Postal Service first-class, Express, and Priority 
mail must be addressed to 445 12th St., SW., Washington, DC 20554.

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 Jeffery Goldthorp, Associate Chief for 
Cybersecurity and Communications Reliability, Public Safety and 
Homeland Security Bureau at 202-418-1096 or jeffery.goldthorp@fcc.gov; 
or Lauren Kravetz, Deputy Chief, Cybersecurity and Communications 
Reliability Division, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau at 
202-418-7944 or lauren.kravetz@fcc.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission's Notice 
of Inquiry (NOI) in PS Docket Nos. 11-60 and 10-92; and ET Docket No. 
06-119, adopted and released on April 7, 2011. The complete text of 
this document is available for inspection and copying during normal 
business hours in the FCC Reference Information Center, Portals II, 445 
12th St., SW., Room CY-A257, Washington, DC 20554. This document may 
also be purchased from the Commission's duplicating contractor Best 
Copy and Printing, Inc., Portals II, 445 12th St., SW., Room CY-B402, 
Washington, DC 20554, telephone (800) 378-3160 or (202) 488-5300, 
facsimile (202) 488-5563, or via e-mail at fcc@bcpiweb.com. It is also 
available on the Commission's Web site at https://www.fcc.gov. To 
request materials in accessible formats for people with disabilities 
(Braille, large print, electronic files, audio format), send an e-mail 
to fcc504@fcc.gov or call the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at 
202-418-0530 (voice), 202-418-0432 (tty).

Summary of the Notice of Inquiry

    1. Overview. By this NOI, the Federal Communications Commission 
(Commission) seeks comment on a broad range of issues regarding the 
reliability and resiliency of our Nation's communications networks.
    2. In addition, the Commission seeks comment on whether it should 
terminate two of the above-captioned proceedings--PS Docket 10-92 
(Effects on Broadband Communications Networks of Damage or Failure of 
Network Equipment or Severe Overload), and EB Docket 06-119 
(Independent Panel Reviewing the Impact of Hurricane Katrina on 
Communications Networks).
    3. Reliability and Continuity Matters. This NOI initiates a 
comprehensive examination of issues regarding the reliability, 
resiliency and continuity of communications networks, including 
broadband technologies.
    4. Today's increasingly interconnected world is one in which 
communications services, including broadband technologies, play a 
critical role in all segments of our Nation's society and economy.
    5. Businesses rely on communications to conduct financial and other 
transactions, and hospitals and healthcare providers rely on 
communications services to provide medical care. Government agencies, 
at all levels, rely on communications services to ensure the safety of 
the public and to provide other services, while power companies and 
other utilities use communications services for their operations and to 
deploy energy-efficient technologies.
    6. For example, power companies are looking to broadband 
technologies as they begin to deploy Smart Grid. Hospitals and 
healthcare providers can leverage broadband technologies for video 
consultation, remote patient monitoring, and better access to 
electronic healthcare records. Financial institutions use broadband 
technology to clear large volumes of transactions to keep the economy 
running efficiently. Moreover, consumers increasingly are relying on 
broadband platforms in addition to, or in place of, legacy platforms 
for voice communications.
    7. Thus, it is vital that our Nation maintain a communications 
network that offers reliable and resilient service in the face of 
significant equipment or system failure and that is sufficiently 
survivable to provide some continuity of service during major 
emergencies, regardless of whether the network is legacy or broadband-
based.
    8. In addition, as the communications infrastructure migrates from 
legacy connection-based wireline technologies to connectionless 
Internet Protocol (IP)-based broadband technology, the Commission 
believes that it does not have sufficient information to know

[[Page 23814]]

whether critical communications services will be carried over a 
communications network infrastructure that will remain functional 
during significant natural and manmade disasters. At the same time, the 
Commission believes that users of communications services today 
generally do not readily distinguish between legacy and broadband 
technologies, and are thus more likely than ever before to expect the 
same levels of ``carrier grade'' service reliability no matter what 
communications platform they use. As a result, the potential for 
disparities in service reliability is a source of concern for critical 
sectors of our economy, including homeland security, public safety, 
energy, finance and healthcare services, as well as for the government 
and consumers in general.
    9. Against this backdrop, the NOI brings together several lines of 
inquiry derived from initiatives set forth in the Commission's National 
Broadband Plan (NBP). For example, the NBP identified insufficient 
communications backhaul redundancy and inadequacy of backup power as 
key factors that contribute to the congestion or failure of commercial 
wireless data networks, particularly during emergencies such as large-
scale natural and man-made disasters. The NBP also recommended that the 
Commission engage in an exploration of the reliability and resiliency 
standards applied to broadband networks to ascertain what action, if 
any, the Commission should take to bolster the reliability of broadband 
infrastructures.
    10. In the course of exploring these considerations, the NOI looks 
at four major areas of concern. First, it explores the ability of 
communications networks to provide continuity of service during major 
emergencies, such as large-scale natural and man-made disasters. This 
includes a discussion of the use of backup power and improved backhaul 
redundancy solutions. Second, it examines whether we might need 
standards for broadband network reliability and resiliency to ensure 
adequate levels of service to meet public safety and other critical 
infrastructure needs. This includes consideration of protocols and 
equipment reliability, as well as system capacity and maintenance 
issues. Third, the NOI seeks comment on what actions, if any, the 
Commission should take to foster improved performance with respect to 
the continuity and reliability of operations during major emergencies. 
And, fourth, it seeks comment on the sources of legal authority that 
could provide the basis for Commission action, if any.
    11. Termination of Earlier Proceedings. The NOI also seeks comment 
on whether the Commission should terminate the dockets in two earlier 
proceedings--PS Docket 10-92 (Effects on Broadband Communications 
Networks of Damage or Failure of Network Equipment or Severe Overload), 
and EB Docket 06-119 (Independent Panel Reviewing the Impact of 
Hurricane Katrina on Communications Networks). The issues raised in 
these two earlier proceedings are interrelated to and overlap with 
issues raised by this NOI. Thus, to ensure a comprehensive examination 
of all issues related to reliability, resiliency, survivability, and 
continuity of communications networks in this NOI proceeding, the 
Commission believes that termination of the two older proceedings and 
consolidation of all of the relevant issues under this NOI proceeding 
would serve the public interest.
    12. Conclusion. The Commission intends for the record generated by 
this proceeding to provide the opportunity for a thorough discussion of 
the reliability and continuity of the operational capabilities of our 
Nation's communications infrastructure.

Ordering Clauses

    13. Accordingly, it is ordered that, pursuant to sections 1, 4(i), 
4(j), 4(o), 7(b), and 403 of the Communications Act of 1934, as 
amended, 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i)-(j) & (o), 157(b) and 403, this NOI is 
adopted.
    14. It is further ordered that comments with respect to the 
proposed termination of PS Docket 10-92 and EB Docket 06-119 are due on 
or before May 31, 2011.

Federal Communications Commission.

Jeffery Goldthorp,
Associate Chief.
[FR Doc. 2011-10232 Filed 4-27-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P
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