This proposed legislation, if passed, will require covered service providers, specifically providers of commercial mobile service, to decide whether to transmit emergency alerts by satellite to subscribers in addition to standard alerts. If a provider chooses satellite transmission, they must adhere to technical standards set by the Federal Communications Commission. The bill also specifies that subscribers cannot be charged for this service, and any provider that meets its obligations under this Act will not be liable for any harm resulting from the transmitted alerts. The bill further outlines the responsibilities and limitations of covered service providers regarding the transmission of emergency alerts by satellite.
Mystic Alerts Act
This bill provides for wireless emergency alerts to be transmitted to mobile devices via satellite. (Currently, wireless emergency alerts are sent via terrestrial mobile networks to individual devices in geographically targeted areas. Commercial mobile service providers are not required to participate; only devices connected to a participating service provider’s network receive alerts.)
Under the bill, commercial mobile service providers that participate in the wireless emergency alerts system must give notice to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) indicating whether they will transmit such alerts via satellite (in addition to sending alerts via terrestrial networks).
The FCC must establish technical standards and other regulations to enable satellite emergency alerts. Providers that opt to transmit emergency alerts via satellite must comply with such regulations.
If a provider elects not to transmit satellite alerts, the provider must give notice of that election to new and existing subscribers. Separately, mobile service subscribers may opt out of receiving satellite alerts.