FCC Initiates Modernization of the Disaster Information Reporting Infrastructure
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced proposed changes to its Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS) following a recent review and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM). The aim is to modernize the system, reduce reporting burdens for providers during disasters, and increase the utility of the reports.
The proposed changes include simplifying reporting requirements, limiting DIRS reporting obligations to facilities-based providers, and promoting federal and state agencies' ability to obtain direct access to DIRS filings.
One of the key reforms is the simplification of reporting. The FCC proposes replacing the current ten worksheets for manual filers with a single, streamlined, and dynamic form that is easier to complete. This simplification is expected to reduce the time and resources required for reporting, allowing providers to focus more on disaster response and recovery.
Another significant change is the reduction of data collection. The NPRM suggests eliminating fields that provide limited value to public safety stakeholders, while introducing some voluntary fields tailored to the current needs of emergency managers. For example, worksheets like inter-exchange carrier blocking and satellite are proposed for elimination.
The NPRM also eliminates the requirement for mandatory DIRS filers to submit a final report after DIRS deactivation. This change aims to further ease burdens and allow providers to focus on disaster response and recovery.
DIRS reporting would be limited to facilities-based providers, thereby exempting resellers and mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs), which reduces unnecessary reporting requirements.
The FCC is examining whether to suspend Network Outage Reporting System (NORS) filing obligations during "DIRS Lite" activations to further ease compliance during disasters.
The NPRM proposes a single, streamlined form for DIRS reporting, reducing burdens by being simpler than the existing ten worksheets. For cable communications providers, the proposed new DIRS form will require information like PSID, type of major equipment down, power status, CLLI code for the equipment, impacted equipment location, number of OC3s or functional equivalents down, and for filers required to report broadband status, the number of broadband access subscribers served and estimated down.
Television and radio broadcast providers, broadband Internet access service providers, satellite providers, and other communications service providers can voluntarily report to DIRS. The data collected through DIRS helps emergency management officials prioritize disaster response efforts. However, it's important to note that DIRS reports take time to produce, potentially drawing resources away from responding to an ongoing disaster.
The FCC has adopted an Order on Reconsideration to clarify when network outage reporting requirements are suspended during DIRS activations, while insisting on continuing outage notifications to 911 and 988 officials to ensure critical services remain informed during disasters.
The proposed changes to DIRS are part of the FCC's ongoing efforts to improve its disaster response systems. DIRS has been collecting data on network outages and restoration during major disasters since 2007. The NPRM aims to promote federal and state agencies' ability to obtain direct access to NORS and DIRS filings by reducing access requirements.
[1] Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Order on Reconsideration, DA 21-1647 (2021). [2] Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, DA 21-1648 (2021). [3] Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Disaster Information Reporting System, available at: https://www.fcc.gov/disaster/disaster-information-reporting-system. [4] Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Network Outage Reporting System, available at: https://www.fcc.gov/disaster/network-outage-reporting-system. [5] Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Enhanced 911 (E911) Reporting, available at: https://www.fcc.gov/encyclopedia/enhanced-911-e911-reporting.
- The FCC is proposing to replace the current ten worksheets for manual DIRS filers with a single, streamlined, and dynamic form, aiming to reduce the time and resources required for reporting.
- One of the fields proposed for elimination from DIRS data collection is the inter-exchange carrier blocking and satellite worksheet.
- The proposed DIRS form for cable communications providers will require information such as PSID, type of major equipment down, power status, CLLI code for the equipment, impacted equipment location, number of OC3s or functional equivalents down, and for filers required to report broadband status, the number of broadband access subscribers served and estimated down.
- Television and radio broadcast providers, broadband Internet access service providers, satellite providers, and other communications service providers can voluntarily report to DIRS, providing data that helps emergency management officials prioritize disaster response efforts.
- The FCC has adopted an Order on Reconsideration to clarify when network outage reporting requirements are suspended during DIRS activations, while insisting on continued outage notifications to 911 and 988 officials to ensure critical services remain informed during disasters.
