RCRC recently submitted comments to the CPUC on its recent Emergency Disaster Relief Program Proposed Decision concerning wireless communications providers.

The Proposed Decision, issued on June 11 is an attempt to prevent future communications system outages like the widespread network failures that occurred during last year’s PSPS events. It requires wireless companies to improve system planning and resiliency to maintain minimum service levels during PSPS events and other emergencies. Minimum service levels are defined as 9-1-1 service, 2-1-1 service, the ability to receive emergency alerts and notifications, and basic internet browsing. It also requires wireless providers to have 72-hours of backup power for a number of facilities.

In its most recent comments RCRC expressed its support for the Proposed Decision as a way to ensure that the public has access to 9-1-1 and emergency services, local governments can effectively disseminate information about and respond to emergencies, and critical facilities can remain operational during a PSPS event or other loss of power.  While supportive of the proposal, RCRC urged the CPUC to:

  • Expand the 72-hour backup requirement (which only applies to facilities in Tier 2 or Tier 3 High Fire Threat Districts) to additionally include those wireless facilities that lost power during two or more PSPS events
  • Require wireless providers to additionally discuss actions that will be taken to minimize service loss when backup power cannot be provided to specific sites or classes of facilities due to a safety risk or where it is impossible or infeasible to deploy backup power
  • Make several other changes to correct factual errors and avoid unnecessary limitations on the scope of the program

The CPUC will formally consider this Proposed Decision at its July hearing.  The Proposed Decision only applies to wireless companies, but similar requirements for wireline communications providers are anticipated to be included in a subsequent proposal. 

RCRC is a party to the CPUC’s Emergency Disaster Relief Program proceeding and urged the adoption of communications system resiliency improvements in comments filed on March 26.