A coalition led by the National Association of Broadcasters is urging FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr to drop a proposed mandate that would require broadcasters to use only hardware-based equipment for Emergency Alert System compliance. In a letter filed this week, the group argues that the proposed rule would unnecessarily restrict stations from using secure, cost-effective software alternatives that already meet FCC technical standards.
The coalition includes state broadcaster associations, small market stations, and major media groups. Their central concern is that a hardware-only rule would impose significant financial and operational burdens, particularly on smaller stations that have already transitioned to virtualized or cloud-based alerting systems. “Mandating hardware-only EAS solutions ignores the evolving nature of broadcasting technology,” the letter states, “and punishes those who have invested in innovation and redundancy.”
The proposed rule, which surfaced in a recent Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, stems from concerns about cybersecurity threats to EAS systems. Commissioner Carr has argued that requiring hardware could reduce vulnerabilities associated with software configurations connected to public networks. But broadcasters contend that such fears are overstated—and that modern software solutions offer equal or greater protection, especially when properly configured with firewalls, encryption, and authentication protocols.
“The goal is security, not nostalgia,” said one industry executive involved in the filing. “We all want a reliable, tamper-proof EAS—but locking us into racks of single-purpose boxes ignores the direction of the entire IT and broadcast world.”
The coalition also points to the lack of documented breaches involving software-based EAS platforms, and stresses that flexibility is key to maintaining compliance in diverse technical environments. Stations operating on tight margins, especially in rural areas, say the proposed rule could force them to spend tens of thousands of dollars to revert to outdated hardware, disrupting operations and threatening local service.
The NAB and its partners are asking the Commission to leave room for both hardware and software-based EAS solutions, provided they meet existing Part 11 requirements. They argue that the focus should remain on performance, reliability, and security—not the delivery method.
As the comment window continues, broadcasters are hoping the Commission will revise the rule to reflect modern broadcast workflows and avoid what they call “a regulatory step backward.”