Carriers Challenge Emergency Communications Aircraft
Effective communications capability is critical for properly managing the response to emergencies, but natural disasters can wreak havoc on terrestrial communications infrastructure. To facilitate communications during times when terrestrial systems are severely damaged or unavailable, the FCC has proposed the deployable aerial communications architecture (DACA).
But such a system, involving drones or other aircraft that would operate as temporary communications links during emergencies, may do more harm than good. Politico today reports that major wireless carriers and public safety organizations, including AT&T, Sprint and the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International (APCO) told the FCC that interference from DACA aircraft could hinder the timely restoration of commercial terrestrial services.
An FCC Notice of Inquiry states, “AT&T states that DACA technologies should only be utilized as a last resort, where other existing terrestrial options for restoring service are inadequate to address the circumstances, to avoid impeding the restoration efforts that carriers typically bring to bear in these types of emergency situations.”
Politico quotes APCO making a similar statement.
The FCC has invited comment on last-resort scenarios: “If we adopted a requirement that restricted DACA deployment to “last resort” scenarios, how should 'last resort' be defined? Who should make this determination (e.g., FEMA, the National Guard, or a state or local emergency response official)? Should we allow waivers of this requirement so that deployment of DACA-based solutions can be used at earlier points during emergencies? How should we define the general parameters for such a waiver? Should there be a plan to prepare and test the use of DACA solutions? Should training of personnel for the use of DACA technologies be required? Who should manage, fund, and coordinate training exercises and resources? Who should participate? What are the costs associated with these training exercises and what entity should bear these costs?”
These are all good questions. And indeed, the carriers' and APCO's concerns may be overblown. Politico notes that Space Data Corp. told the FCC that scanning technologies and directional antennas can make DACA systems work without harming other systems. Politico quotes the company as writing, “DACA technologies can help ensure the uninterrupted delivery of wireless communications during and immediately after a catastrophic event, an essential component of rescue and recovery efforts.”