For Immediate Release
1200 G Street, NW Washington, D.C. 20005 202/628-6380 202/393-5453 (fax)	Contact: John Bernhards Director of Public Relations Phone: 202/434-8850 E-mail: jbernhards@atis.org

Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS) to Serve on FCC Network Reliability and Interoperability Council VI

March 22, 2002, Washington, DC ---- The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently named ATIS to serve as a member of its Network Reliability and Interoperability Council (NRIC) VI.

NRIC VI will address telecom network and Internet vulnerabilities for purposes of preventing disruptions that would result from terrorist activities, natural disasters, or similar types of occurrences. This focus will include restoration and disaster recovery mechanisms as well as public safety needs in emergency situations. NRIC VI activities will also include analyses and recommendations for improving network interoperability, as well as recommendations for reliability measurements of wireline, wireless, satellite, and cable public telecommunications networks. Another activity of the council will include the creation of recommendations regarding the need for technical standards to ensure the compatibility and deployment of broadband technologies and services.

NRIC VI is comprised of 55 key officers and chief executives from leading U.S. communications companies. ATIS Board Chairman Ross Ireland will serve as the ATIS representative to NRIC VI. Serving as NRIC's chairman is Qwest Chairman and CEO Joseph P. Nacchio.

"ATIS is pleased to receive this FCC appointment to NRIC VI. ATIS will provide support to the council's activities as they pertain to the need of industry standardization activities that promote Critical Infrastructure Protection of public networks, as well as Emergency Telecommunications Services and Emergency Preparedness," said ATIS President and CEO Susan Miller.

"ATIS' sponsored committees have played a significant and vital role in providing such standards and coordinating technical and operational assistance to the National Communications Service and the Government Emergency Telecommunications Service (GETS). We look forward to providing support to the council's activities," added Miller.

A list of all NRIC VI participants, as well as the mission and charter of NRIC VI, is available on the NRIC VI web site found at http://www.nric.org. Additional information on communications standardization activities supporting critical infrastructure protection and emergency services, security, and telecom emergency preparedness is available on the ATIS web site, found at www.atis.org.

About ATIS

The Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS) is a member company organization that is the leader for standards and operating procedures for the telecommunications industry. More than 1,500 experts from over 400 telecommunications companies participate in ATIS' 19 committees, forums, and Incubator Solutions programs, where work focus includes network interconnection standards, number portability, improved data transmission, wireless communications, Internet telephony, toll-free access, and order and billing issues. ATIS is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Visit the ATIS web site at www.atis.org.

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