Press Release

SpectraRep's New Version of AlertManager™ Enables Compliance With New FCC Requirement of Common Alerting Protocol Messaging for EAS

Software Provides Efficient, Rapid Transmission of Emergency Information to the Public

CHANTILLY, VA June 1, 2007 SpectraRep, the leading provider of digital media and applications solutions via digital television and satellite, today announced the release of AlertManager™ version 1.3, an enhanced emergency notification and critical information system. This system enables compliance with the newly-issued Report and Order from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requiring Emergency Alert System (EAS) participants to accept messages using the open, non-proprietary Common Alerting Protocol (CAP). AlertManager, one of the first systems to implement the latest version of the CAP standard, is currently being deployed by public warning authorities in jurisdictions across the country, both as an operational system and as a pilot technology.

The new FCC rule is designed to strengthen the nation’s Emergency Alert System (EAS) by promoting the development of fully digital next-generation EAS technologies and delivery systems that will better serve the American public.

Edward Czarnecki, Senior Vice President of SpectraRep, who was appointed to the FCC's Commercial Mobile Alert Advisory Committee by Commissioner Kevin Martin in 2007, commented, "The FCC action is a major step toward a needed enhancement of public alerting and warning capabilities. The decision to require EAS participants to accept CAP messages will help ensure a greater array of warning channels is available to government authorities, providing a better chance to deliver more effective, consistent and timely warnings to our diverse population."

The AlertManager system enables the new alerting capabilities identified by the FCC which include state and local notifications. AlertManager also supports geo-targeted all-hazards alerting, to include weather warnings and AMBER Alerts. AlertManager delivers efficient and rapid transmission of these EAS alerts to the public in a variety of formats and via broadcast, cable, satellite, and other networks and interoperates with other communications systems, such as mobile networks, text messaging, digital signage, sirens, public address systems, and enterprise applications.

AlertManager also enables emergency managers and government officials to issue CAP alerts, text, audio and video, as well as transmit supplemental alerting resources, such as maps, graphics, and documents. AlertManager also provides services for the visually- and hearing-impaired and supports for multiple languages.

"CAP helps speed transition to next-generation systems, while maintaining compatibility with existing warning systems, such as the current Emergency Alert System and NOAA Weather Radio," said Czarnecki. "AlertManager provides the essential element of interoperability between these legacy alerting systems and next-generation solutions."

SpectraRep is providing system design and integration for the Digital Emergency Alert System (DEAS). The DEAS program, a wireless data delivery system that will deliver next-generation Presidential alert and warning capabilities to the American public, is a joint endeavor of the Association of Public Television Stations (APTS) and the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). FEMA’s Office of National Security Coordination serves as the federal government’s executive agent for the national-level Emergency Alert System (EAS).

For additional information about SpectraRep and AlertManager, please visit www.spectrarep.com. Additional information about the FCC Report and Order can be found at www.fcc.gov.

To register for the June 13th Webinar, Crisis Communication: A Holistic Approach for Higher Education, please click here.

About SpectraRep
SpectraRep is a leading provider of solutions for the broadcast delivery of data over satellite, digital television and the Internet. SpectraRep is working with broadcasters around the country to deploy wireless datacast broadband services and applications for all-hazards emergency notification, emergency management, first responder and training applications. In addition to its work in public safety and homeland security, SpectraRep provides a range of services for distance education, digital signage and content delivery. SpectraRep® is a subsidiary of BIA Financial Network (BIAfn), a premier financial and strategic advisory services firm that has served the media and communications industries for more than two decades. For more information about SpectraRep, visit www.spectrarep.com.  

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