Skip to content
Broadcaster — Broadcast — Ip — Decoder — Media — Infrastructure — Content — Production — Digital

NAB's proposed amendments to the Emergency Alert System (EAS) rules receive support from the SBE.

Engineers' association endorses broadcasting association's plan for warning systems powered by software in an FCC submission.

,   and  Administrator
2 min read
Engineering society endorses NAB's plan for software-based warning systems in FCC submission.
Engineering society endorses NAB's plan for software-based warning systems in FCC submission.

NAB's proposed amendments to the Emergency Alert System (EAS) rules receive support from the SBE.

Updating Emergency Alert Systems: A Software Approach

The broadcasting industry is making strides towards modernization, with the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) advocating for a change in the Emergency Alert System (EAS). This change involves embracing software-based encoder/decoder technologies, currently mandated to be physical hardware devices [1].

The NAB's proposal has received widespread support from the industry, with commercial and noncommercial radio broadcasters, and even the Society of Broadcast Engineers (SBE) throwing their weight behind the initiative [1]. The SBE has argued that this shift would not only accommodate the discontinuation of EAS hardware manufacturers but also prevent similar situations in the future, ensuring the EAS system's longevity [1].

However, not everyone is on board. Digital Alert Systems (DAS), a significant EAS equipment supplier, has raised concerns, urging the commission to delay action or reject the proposal. DAS argues that the proposal overlooks several regulatory, operational, and cybersecurity issues that need to be addressed before a software-based solution can be implemented safely [1].

The SBE counters, emphasizing the benefits of flexibility that software-based approaches can bring, contending that such flexibility would alleviate maintenance and repair difficulties that broadcasters currently face with EAS equipment [1].

As the FCC deliberates on the NAB's petition, the future of EAS implementation in the U.S. hangs in the balance. The NAB believes that transitioning to software-based solutions will strengthen the system's security and robustness, while critics argue that embracing change might introduce new complexities [1][2].

  1. The NAB's proposal for a software-based Emergency Alert System (EAS) involves using encoder and decoder digital technology, currently mandated as physical hardware devices.
  2. The Society of Broadcast Engineers (SBE) supports this proposed shift, arguing that it would prevent future discontinuation of EAS hardware manufacturers.
  3. Commercial and noncommercial radio broadcasters also endorse this modernization, embracing nextgen tv production and broadcast infrastructure.
  4. However, Digital Alert Systems (DAS), a significant EAS equipment supplier, has raised concerns, urging the FCC to address regulatory, operational, and cybersecurity issues before implementing the software-based solution.
  5. The SBE counters by highlighting the flexibility benefits of software-based approaches, asserting that it would simplify maintenance and repair difficulties in broadcasters' EAS equipment.
  6. Amidst these debates, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is deliberating on the NAB's petition, with the future of EAS implementation in the U.S. hanging on their decision.
  7. The transition to software-based EAS solutions, if approved by the FCC, could potentially strengthen the system's security and robustness, but critics worry that it might introduce new digital technology complexities.

Read also:

    Related

    Latest