[EAS] TTS is being rescinded

[Ed Czarnecki]

Just read a copy of the Order on Reconsideration (Adopted and Released April
19th, 2012.  In sum, the FCC removes the exception the ECIG guidelines on
TTS conversion.  TTS conversion will now be allowed per the ECIG EAS CAP
Implementation Guidelines.

 

Extracted from the order:

 

8. Accordingly, pursuant to section 1.108 of our rules,23 on our own motion
we reconsider

and revise section 11.56(a)(2) of our rules to replace the parenthetical
phrase "except that any and all

specifications set forth therein related to using text-to-speech technology
and gubernatorial 'must carry'

shall not be followed" with the phrase "except that any and all
specifications set forth therein related to

gubernatorial 'must carry' shall not be followed, and that EAS Participants
may adhere to the

specifications related to text-to-speech on a voluntary basis."24 We also
revise footnote 118 of the Fifth

Report and Order to delete the phrase "While we do not permit the
construction of EAS audio from a

CAP text message at this time . . . "25 and revise footnote 496 of the Fifth
Report and Order to delete the

phrase " . . . we will not allow EAS Participants to use text-to-speech
software configured in their EAS

equipment to generate the audio portion of an EAS message . . ."26 With
these revisions, we hereby defer

consideration of the ECIG Implementation Guide's adoption of TTS software
configured in EAS

equipment to generate the audio portion of an EAS message, and thus neither
require nor prohibit EAS

Participants from following the ECIG Implementation Guide's specifications
on use of TTS.

 

Edward Czarnecki, Ph.D.

Senior Director - Strategy, Development & Regulatory Affairs

Monroe Electronics, Inc. / Digital Alert Systems

ed.czarnecki at monroe-electronics.com

www.monroe-electronics.com

www.digitalalertsystems. com