EAS Test Reporting System Now Available

Video/cable providers must register by August 26

The FCC announced on June 27 that it launched its new Emergency Alert System (EAS) Test Reporting System (ETRS). The new system standardizes how companies will report the results of national EAS tests (see JSI’s July 7, 2015 e-Lert for full details).

Video/cable TV providers have 60 days, or until August 26, 2016, to complete Form One, which collects company information in the new ETRS system. Any updates or corrections to Form One must be completed by September 26. Form Two must be completed within 24 hours of a national EAS test and Form Three must be completed within 45 days of the national test.

The next national test is tentatively scheduled for September 28, 2016. This will test the national event code that should have already been implemented in all video/cable TV provider’s EAS equipment.

In this notice the FCC also requests comment on updates to the EAS handbook. The updates include a standardized format, enhanced security procedures and multilingual EAS. When these changes are approved all video/cable TV providers will have to update their EAS handbooks to comply with the new rules.

Note, this is the second FCC system to come online in June 2016. Video/cable companies with more than 1,000 subscribers are reminded to register in the Online Public Inspection File (OPIF) system as soon as possible (see JSI’s June 24 e-Lert).

JSI Webinar, July 19
JSI will have a webinar on both the ETRS and the OPIF systems on Tuesday, July 19th at 2 p.m. Eastern. Details and registration can be found here.

Please contact Marty Kluh or Valerie Wimer in JSI’s Maryland office at 301-459-7590 if you have any questions.

Source: JSI e-Lert