FCC Unveils Plans for Hurricane Katrina Relief Efforts and Internal Reforms

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has outlined a comprehensive plan to provide relief to affected areas and bolster its emergency preparedness and response capabilities. FCC Chairman Kevin J. Martin has proposed the allocation of approximately $211 million in special Universal Service Fund (USF) grants, the formation of a "blue ribbon" panel to review the hurricane's impact, and the creation of a new Public Safety/Homeland Security Bureau.

Key Takeaways:

The FCC plans to allocate approximately $211 million in special USF grants to support communications-system restoration in affected areas.
The "low income" USF program will provide wireless handsets and 300 free minutes to evacuees and those without telephone service in affected areas.
The "rural healthcare" USF program will provide 50% discounts on telemedicine services for public and non-profit healthcare providers in affected areas.
The "E-rate" program will prioritize schools and libraries in affected areas for USF funding, allowing them to re-submit their requests for support.
The "high cost" plan will waive or modify rules to permit carriers to prioritize USF money to rebuild wireline centers and facilities damaged by the hurricane.
The new Public Safety/Homeland Security Bureau will be established to better coordinate planning-and-response efforts during disasters among public-safety officials, national security personnel, and FCC disaster-management staff.
The blue-ribbon panel will conduct an independent review of the hurricane's impact and provide recommendations to the FCC on ways to improve disaster preparedness, network robustness, and public-safety operations.

Statistics:

Approximately $211 million in special USF grants will be allocated to support communications-system restoration in affected areas.
The "low income" USF program is expected to provide approximately $51 million in assistance to affected individuals and families.
The "rural healthcare" USF program is estimated to provide approximately $28 million in assistance to public and non-profit healthcare providers in affected areas.
The "E-rate" program is expected to provide approximately $132 million in support to schools and libraries in affected areas.
No direct cost estimate was made for the "high cost" plan, which will waive or modify rules to permit carriers to prioritize USF money to rebuild wireline centers and facilities damaged by the hurricane.

Sources:

TelecomWeb news break, Sept. 16
TelecomWeb news break, Sept. 14