Commission Document

NEWS
Federal Communications Commission

News Media Information 202 / 418-0500

445 12th Street, S.W.

Internet: http://www.fcc.gov

Washington, D. C. 20554

TTY: 1-888-835-5322

This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action.
See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:

December 1, 2011
Neil Grace, 202-418-0506
Email: neil.grace@fcc.gov

FCC CHAIRMAN JULIUS GENACHOWSKI’S STATEMENT

ON BART POLICY ADOPTION

Washington, D.C. -- FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski issued the following statement:
“Today BART took an important step in responding to legitimate concerns raised by its August
11, 2011 interruption of wireless service. As the policy BART adopted recognizes,
communications networks that are open and available are critical to our democracy and
economy.
The FCC is dedicated to preserving the availability and openness of communications networks.
It is also committed to ensuring that communications technologies are harnessed to protect the
public, and that first responders and other public safety officers have the tools they need for their
important work. For interruption of communications service to be permissible or advisable, it
must clear a high substantive and procedural bar.
The legal and policy issues raised by the type of wireless service interruption at issue here are
significant and complex. I have asked Commission staff to review these critical issues and
consider the constraints that the Communications Act, First Amendment, and other laws and
policies place upon potential service interruptions. We will soon announce an open, public
process to provide guidance on these issues.”
-FCC-

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