ACA Applauds FCC For Taking Additional Time To Develop Final Common Alert Protocol (CAP) Regulations

PRLog (Press Release) - Sep. 17, 2011 - PITTSBURGH, September 16, 2011 - "On behalf of all ACA members, I want to applaud the Federal Communications Commission for postponing until June 30, 2012 the deadline for cable operator compliance with the Emergency Alert System's (EAS) new Common Alert Protocol (CAP) technology, which should provide a window of time for EAS participants to be certain that the actions they take will indeed comply with final CAP requirements.

"With its decision, the FCC is providing cable operators with adequate time to ensure that their investments in CAP equipment and solutions will result in compliance in the most cost effective manner. By agreeing with ACA that moving the EAS CAP compliance deadline back by a reasonable period of time would serve the public interest, the FCC has given itself additional time to offer required guidance regarding the obligations it will ultimately place on EAS participants, including the range of compliance options that will be available to cable operators.

"As ACA explained in its July 20 comments, the FCC had left unanswered many significant questions regarding the codification of specific obligations for CAP functionality. With the additional nine months announced today, the FCC has time to provide complete guidance well before cable companies and equipment vendors need to come into compliance with CAP requirements. ACA is pleased the FCC understood that the original Sept. 30, 2011 deadline was premature and next to impossible for ACA members and others to meet.

"The viewing public continues to be protected under the current EAS protocol. The new CAP compliance deadline won't interfere in any way with the ability of cable customers to continue receiving emergency alerts as they do today, but will ensure a better functioning emergency alert system in the future."

About the American Cable Association: Based in Pittsburgh, the American Cable Association is a trade organization representing nearly 900 smaller and medium-sized, independent cable companies who provide broadband services for more than 7.6 million cable subscribers primarily located in rural and smaller suburban markets across America.  Through active participation in the regulatory and legislative process in Washington, D.C., ACA's members work together to advance the interests of their customers and ensure the future competitiveness and viability of their business.  For more information, visit http://www.americancable.org/

# # #

ACA supports independent cable operators and their customers by promoting a legislative and regulatory environment that allows for a fair and competive marketplace and by providing the tools and information our members need to compete effectively