The Emergency Alert System (EAS) is facing a critical juncture. With one major hardware supplier, Sage Alerting Systems, exiting the market due to supply chain challenges, the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) is urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to embrace a software-focused approach. Their petition, filed on March 31, proposes a transition from dedicated hardware encoder/decoder devices to software-based solutions running on existing broadcast platforms. “The current legacy ecosystem is not sustainable,” the NAB stated in its petition.
Sage Alerting Systems, serving approximately 90% of radio stations and many television and cable providers, highlights the urgency of the situation. The NAB argues that a software-based EAS would offer significant advantages. “EAS is the last link in modern broadcast air chains that remains stuck in a hardware world,” they stated in May reply comments. Their July 1 filing emphasized improved resiliency, reduced downtime for repairs, faster security patching, and immediate failover to redundant systems during disasters.
The proposed system would integrate directly into the playout system, enhancing near-real-time monitoring and message routing capabilities. However, legacy FM/AM/NOAA radio receivers would still be necessary. The NAB emphasizes three key principles: voluntary participation, backward/forward compatibility, and maintaining security. They frame their proposal as aligning with the FCC's "Delete, Delete, Delete" proceeding, aimed at removing outdated regulations.
While the proposal has garnered support from various industry sectors, including the Society of Broadcast Engineers, opposition has emerged. Digital Alert Systems, the remaining major hardware vendor, raised concerns about certification, cybersecurity, and implementation complexity. “We have encountered what amounts to a zero-sum, ‘our way or the highway’ posture,” they wrote. The Broadcast Warning Working Group also expressed reservations, citing a lack of consultation and clear certification standards, and concerns about cybersecurity burdens for smaller broadcasters.
Despite ceasing hardware production, Sage Alerting Systems supports the software transition. “The time for a software-only option has come,” said Harold Price, president of Sage Alerting Systems. The NAB highlights the marketplace urgency created by Sage’s exit, arguing that a software-based approach would avoid supply chain problems and facilitate EAS upgrades, including multilingual alerts. The FCC’s decision will shape the future of EAS.