Advisory Alert: FCC Updates Network Outage Reporting Requirements

On March 30, 2015, the FCC issued a Notice of Proposed Rule Making, Second Report and Order, and Order on Reconsideration (Order).  The Order updates the FCC’s “Part 4” network outage reporting rules to reflect technological advancements in wireless and wireline networks.  It also responds to petitions for reconsideration and requests for rulemaking, some of which have been pending for nearly 11 years. 

While the Order is largely technical in nature, one noteworthy item is the FCC’s proposal to grant States access to the database the FCC maintains that collects carrier-submitted outage reports (the National Outage Reporting System (NORS) database.)  Historically, the NORS database has been accessible only by the FCC, and providers have traditionally urged the FCC to keep it that way.

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