Federal Communications Commission Announces Agenda for Workshop/Webinar on Rapidly Deployable Aerial Communications Architecture PS Docket No. 11-15
On October 31, 2011, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., the Federal Communications Commission’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau (PSHSB) will hold a workshop and webinar in the Commission Meeting Room (TW-C305) to explore how “deployable aerial communications architecture” (DACA) can be used to provide communications following a catastrophic event when the terrestrial communications infrastructure is severely damaged or unavailable. The workshop represents the implementation of the first of several recommendations made to the Commission in the staff White Paper entitled The Role of Deployable Aerial Communications Architecture in Emergency Communications and Recommended Next Steps released on September 22, 2011. The White Paper offers an analysis of how DACA could fit into the restoration of communications services in the early hours immediately after a catastrophic event. DACA involves an aerial capability that is deployable within the first 12-18 hours after a catastrophic event to restore critical communications, including broadband, temporarily for a period of 72-96 hours or more. The White Paper is available at http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-309742A1.pdf.
The workshop will consist of three panels and reflects broad expertise in the field of deployable aerial communications architectures and related technologies. The detailed agenda appears immediately below.
AGENDA
9:00 a.m. Welcome Remarks: Chairman Julius Genachowski, Federal Communications Commission
9:05 a.m. Keynote Speaker: Glenn Cannon, Director, Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency
9:15 a.m. Panel 1 – Benefits of the Use of Deployable Aerial Communications Architecture (DACA) – This panel will focus on role that DACA can play in emergency response within the first few hours after a catastrophic event to restore critical communications for a period of approximately 72 to 96 hours. Entire regional or national populations can be affected by natural disasters or conflicts, engaging thousands of responders and stakeholders with diverse skills, resources, and fields of expertise. The ability of these individuals to communicate, internally and externally, is critical to saving lives, protecting property, and maintaining the rule of law.
Moderator: Richard Lee, Associate Chief, PSHSB, FCC
Panelists:
Captain James Cash, Chief, C4IT and Sensor Capability, U.S. Coast Guard
Dr. Edwin (Ted) David, Leader, Advanced System Concepts Group, MIT Lincoln Laboratory
Brian Steckler, Director, Hastily Formed Networks (HFN) Center, Naval Postgraduate School
10:10 a.m. Break
10:15 a.m. Panel 2 – Potential DACA Technologies – This panel will focus on the types of DACA technologies that are available today and will be available in the future. Discussion will focus on the advantages and disadvantages of each technology, including cost effectiveness.
Moderator: Jennifer A. Manner, Deputy Chief, PSHSB, FCC
Panelists:
Bob Buckle, CEO, Intelcomm, Ltd
Gerald Knoblach, Co-founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Space Data Corporation
Penny Rubow, Director, Arkansas Wireless Information Network, State of Arkansas
Ted Wierzbanowski, Director, UAS Airspace Integration, AeroVironment
11:05 a.m. Break
11:10 a.m. Panel 3 – Technical Issues Associated with the Deployment of DACA – This panel will address the technical issues associated with deployment and operation of DACA technologies, including the potential for harmful interference, spectrum coordination, licensing and authorization issues and standard development. Moderator: Pat Amodio, RF Engineering Chief, Emergency Response Interoperability Center (ERIC), PSHSB, FCC
Panelists:
David Buchanan, Chair, National Public Safety Telecommunications Council (NPSTC) Spectrum Committee
Jim Bugel, Assistant Vice President, Public Safety and Homeland Security, AT&T Inc.
Dr. Daniel M. Devasirvatham, Chief Technology Officer, Applied Technology Division, Defense and Maritime Solutions, SAIC
Al Johnson, Director, Integrated Information and Communications Technology Support, Chief Information Officer, U.S. Department of Defense
Brian M. Josef, Assistant Vice President, Regulatory Affairs, CTIA – The Wireless Association
Michael Roberts, Senior Systems Engineer, CoCo Communications Corp.
12:25 p.m. Closing Remarks: James Arden Barnett, Jr., Rear Admiral (Ret.), Chief, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, FCC
The workshop will be open to the public; however, admittance will be limited to the seating available. Individuals who are interested in attending this event in person or via the Web must preregister online at http://transition.fcc.gov/pshs/event-registration.html. Those who pre-register will be asked to provide their name, title, organization affiliation, and contact information. Individuals may also contact Deandrea Wilson at [email protected] or (202) 418-0703, regarding pre-registration. The deadline for pre-registration is Friday, October 28, 2011.
Interested parties may file comments using the Commission’s Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) or by filing paper copies.1 Comments filed through the ECFS can be sent as an electronic file via the Internet to http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/ecfs/. Generally, only one copy of an electronic submission must be filed. If multiple docket or rulemaking numbers appear in the caption of the proceeding, commenters must transmit one electronic copy of the comments to each docket or rulemaking number referenced in the caption. In completing the transmittal screen, commenters should include their full name, U.S. Postal Service mailing address, and the applicable docket or rulemaking numbers. All filings concerning this Public Notice should refer to PS Docket No. 11-15. Parties may also submit an electronic comment by Internet e-mail. To get filing instructions for e-mail comments, commenters should send an e-mail to [email protected], and should include the following words in the body of the message, “get form.” A sample form and directions will be sent in reply. 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, commenters must submit two additional copies for each additional docket or rulemaking number.
Paper filings can be sent by hand or messenger delivery, by commercial overnight courier, or by first-class or overnight U.S. Postal Service mail (although we continue to experience delays in receiving U.S. Postal Service mail). All filings must be addressed to the Commission’s Secretary, Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission. Parties are strongly encouraged to file comments electronically using the Commission’s ECFS.
- Effective December 28, 2009, all hand-delivered or messenger-delivered paper filings for the Commission’s Secretary must be delivered to FCC Headquarters at 445 12th Street, S.W., Room TW-A325, Washington, D.C. 20554. The filing hours at this location are 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. All hand deliveries must be held together with rubber bands or fasteners. Any envelopes must be disposed of before entering the building. PLEASE NOTE: The Commission’s former filing location at 236 Massachusetts Avenue, NE is permanently closed.
- Commercial overnight mail (other than U.S. Postal Service Express Mail and Priority Mail) must be sent to 9300 East Hampton Drive, Capitol Heights, M.D. 20743.
- U.S. Postal Service first-class, Express, and Priority mail should be addressed to 445 12th Street, SW, Washington, D.C. 20554.
Parties shall also serve one copy with the Commission’s copy contractor, Best Copy and Printing, Inc. (BCPI), Portals II, 445 12th Street, S.W., Room CY-B402, Washington, D.C. 20554, (202) 488-5300, or via e-mail to [email protected].
Documents in PS Docket No. 11-15 will be available for public inspection and copying during
business hours at the FCC Reference Information Center, Portals II, 445 12th Street S.W., Room CYA257,
Washington, D.C. 20554. The documents may also be purchased from BCPI, telephone (202) 488-5300, facsimile (202) 488-5563, TTY (202) 488-5562, e-mail [email protected].
To request materials in accessible formats for people with disabilities (Braille, large print, electronic files, audio format), send an e-mail to [email protected] or call the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at (202) 418-0530 (voice), (202) 418-0432 (TTY).
This matter shall be treated as a “permit-but-disclose” proceeding in accordance with the Commission’s ex parte rules.2 Persons making oral ex parte presentations are reminded that memoranda summarizing the presentations must contain summaries of the substance of the presentations and not merely a listing of the subjects discussed. More than a one- or two-sentence description of the views and arguments presented generally is required.3 Other requirements pertaining to oral and written presentations are set forth in section 1.1206(b) of the Commission’s rules.4
Audio and video of the meeting will be broadcast live with open captioning over the Internet from the FCC’s web page at www.fcc.gov/live. The FCC’s webcast is free to the public. Those who watch the live video stream of the event may e-mail event-related questions to [email protected]. Depending on the volume of questions and time constraints, the panel moderators will work to respond to as many questions as possible during the workshop.
Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities are available upon request. Please include a description of the accommodation you will need. Individuals making such requests must include their contact information should FCC staff need to contact them for more information. Requests should be made as early as possible. Please send an e-mail to [email protected] or call the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau: 202-418-0530 (voice), 202-418-0432 (TTY).
For additional information about the meeting, please contact Jennifer A. Manner at (202) 418-3619 or [email protected]. News Media contact: Lauren Kravetz, (202) 418-7944 or [email protected].
For more news and information about the Federal Communications Commission please visit: www.fcc.gov.
References
1. See Electronic Filing of Documents in Rulemaking Proceedings, GC Docket No. 97-113, Report and Order, 13 FCC Rcd 11322 (1998).
2. 47 C.F.R. § 1.1200 et seq.
3. See 47 C.F.R. § 1.1206(b)(2).
4. 47 C.F.R. § 1.1206(b).