Fergie's Tech Blog

FCC pushing carriers to fix nets destroyed by Katrina

George Leopold writes in the EE Times:

Responding to mounting criticism, the Federal Communications Commission issued a statement [.pdf] Tuesday (Sept. 6) reiterating that it is working with communications providers to restore networks destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.

Federal officials have been harshly criticized for failing to respond promptly to the catastrophic storm that destroyed New Orleans and devastated the Gulf Coast. Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco late last week blasted carriers for failing to restore communications across the state.

In a joint statement, FCC commissioners said the agency "has been in continual contact with the industry and has taken prompt action, where necessary, to provide regulatory relief to facilitate restoration efforts." It cited efforts to deploy alternative communications networks in the Gulf region to speed the efforts.

"We have also assisted in performing coordination activities between the industry and federal emergency authorities as appropriate," the agency said. "We will continue doing everything within our power to ensure the vitality of the nation's communications network. We are confident that all service providers will do the same."

Emergency personnel in the region said some regular phone service had been restored over the weekend in areas like Jackson, Miss., which is about 150 miles inland from the Gulf Coast. However, one official said Saturday (Sept. 3) that only incoming calls were getting through and that most residents were still unable to place outgoing calls.

A spokesman for the Department of Homeland Security said Tuesday that cellular and other communications networks were completely destroyed by the hurricane and that emergency personnel were working with ultilities to restore service.

posted by Fergie @ 9/06/2005 11:06:00 AM