FCC to consider backup cell tower power - DC Breaking Local News Weather Sports FOX 5 WTTG

FCC to consider backup cell tower power

Posted: Updated:

By MICHAEL GORMLEY
Associated Press

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - A government official says the Federal Communications Commission is expected to announce it will pursue a proposal to require backup power at cell towers to avoid a massive service loss like the one Superstorm Sandy wrought.

The official familiar with the effort tells The Associated Press that the FCC is expected Wednesday to announce hearings with first responders and people along the Eastern Seaboard where cellphone service in some places was lost for days. The official but spoke on the condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to comment before the announcement.

On Sunday, U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer of New York asked the FCC to work with telecommunications companies and first responders to maximize reliability and minimize costs.

In some places, nearly one in four customers lost cellphone service because of Sandy.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

  • Sandy Coverage

  • Superstorm Sandy

    Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:13 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:13:15 GMT
    More than 70 percent of New Jersey residents have seen or heard the state's "Stronger than the Storm" advertising campaign, according to a new Rutgers-Eagleton poll.
    More than 70 percent of New Jersey residents have seen or heard the state's "Stronger than the Storm" advertising campaign, according to a new Rutgers-Eagleton poll.
  • New Jersey's nine state-run Sandy housing recovery centers have opened their doors.
    New Jersey's nine state-run Sandy housing recovery centers have opened their doors.
  • Superstorm Sandy

    Wednesday, June 19 2013 3:38 PM EDT2013-06-19 19:38:42 GMT
    By MATT ALVAREZ NEW JERSEY (MYFOXNY) -- Nearly eight months later after Superstorm Sandy, many Jersey Shore families are still displaced from their homes. The storm destroyed Pam Vasquez's family home
    By MATT ALVAREZ NEW JERSEY (MYFOXNY) -- Nearly eight months later after Superstorm Sandy, many Jersey Shore families are still displaced from their homes. The storm destroyed Pam Vasquez's family home
Powered by WorldNow

WTTG FOX 5 & myfoxdc
5151 Wisconsin Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20016
Main Number: (202) 244-5151
Newsroom: (202) 895-3000
fox5tips@wttg.com

Didn't find what you were looking for?
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2013 Fox Television Stations, Inc. and Worldnow. All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Ad Choices