FCC pledges support for Haiti

FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski pledged to help Haiti's communications agency, Conatel, regain full operations.

Genachowski heard from his counterpart in Haiti, Montaigne Marcelin, Director General of Conatel, for the first time over the weekend. Marcelin survived, but two of his staff did not, and several other employees are injured. The agency's buildings were destroyed by the earthquake.

"Every aspect of life in Haiti has been terribly affected by the devastating earthquake, and the communications sector is no exception," Genachowski said in a statement. "The immediate issues of concern are continuity of service by existing telecommunications companies, which are providing essential communications for Haitians and the disaster relief efforts, and their ongoing operational challenges such as access to fuel and security."

"Haiti also can benefit from deployment of temporary communications in the country, including at refugee sites," he continued. "Many companies have made significant offers of help, and urgent efforts are underway to coordinate and deliver assistance."

The FCC's International and Public Safety bureaus will support the government, private sector and nonprofit efforts to help restore the communications infrastructure, he said.

Last week, Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass) praised the telecom industry for pitching in with equipment donations and launching a massive fundraising effort via text message. Wednesday, he said, was the biggest day in history for charity generated over mobile phones.

Verizon Wireless, for example, on Friday wired $2.9 million in donations from customers to the Red Cross.