As the FCC studies whether cellphones should carry emergency alert system (EAS) warnings, the wireless industry wants a voluntary approach, industry sources said. “Wireless products are becoming an equal to television and radio as an avenue to reach the American public quickly and efficiently,” the FCC said in an order released last week. It asked “what further steps should the Commission take to facilitate wireless provision of alert and warning.” The industry hopes the govt. sees the wireless platform’s benefits and limitations, sources said. The industry last year opposed the original FCC proposal to expand the EAS requirement to wireless technologies. It said mobile technologies aren’t designed for such broadcast-type transmissions as EAS seems to require. The FCC wants comments on whether customers would need to return and replace their handsets and whether the financial impact of returning handsets would offset the public benefit of wireless alerts.
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