scope:

The scope of this document is a feasibility study into the optimal message length for WEA messages in LTE networks based on recommendations from the FCC Communications Security, Reliability & Interoperability Council (CSRIC).

Purpose

At the December 3, 2014 meeting, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Communications Security, Reliability & Interoperability Council (CSRIC) approved the final report from the CSRIC Working Group 2, Wireless Emergency Alerts [Ref 1].

While the FCC has received the recommendations from the CSRIC working group, the FCC has not acted on those recommendations, i.e., no notice of proposed rulemaking has been issued. However, the CSRIC working group report does contain recommendations which require action by ATIS prior to any FCC Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM). Specifically, Recommendation 2.1 [Ref 1] (as quoted below) tasks industry to perform a technology confirmation of the proposed maximum length of displayable characters in an LTE WEA message:

"Recommendation 2.1: It is recommended, following technology confirmation by ATIS standards, that 47 CFR § 10.430 Character Limit be modified to such that a WEA Alert Message processed by a Participating CMS Provider has a maximum length of 280 displayable characters of displayable text on capable 4G LTE based CMS Provider Infrastructure and devices. The existing 90 Character Limit rule will remain for 2G, 3G and legacy 4G networks and devices based on the limitations of these networks and the expectation that the overwhelming majority of CMSP infrastructure and mobile devices will churn1 to capable 4G LTE."