Sage Alerting Presents Software-Based EAS to the FCC

Sage Alerting is pushing to let broadcasters implement Emergency Alert System software on-air, a move the FCC is examining as it drafts new rules. Sage met with the FCC’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau earlier this month to discuss live, in-situ software testing and filed details about the meeting. The FCC has released a draft notice of proposed rulemaking that would allow EAS software if adopted, a prospect NAB-backed by some radio outlets has pressed for. The meeting emphasized maintaining a redundant non-test relay path and using only test areas with an approved FCC state plan. Sage’s Harold Price cautioned that software EAS would not yet transmit from non-Part 11 devices, and real testing will require months to advance from draft to order.