Emerson Network Power's Dusty Becker Addresses Impact of Post-Katrina FCC Mandate on Backup Power for Telecom Sites

Emerson Network Power's Dusty Becker Addresses Impact of Post-Katrina FCC Mandate on Backup Power for Telecom Sites

DALLAS, Texas [April 24, 2008] - More than a year after the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) - responding to the Hurricane Katrina disaster - issued a mandate to improve backup power at telecommunications sites, telecom providers continue to confront challenges related to the major infrastructure overhaul.

That was the assessment of Dusty Becker, vice president of engineering, Emerson Network Power's Energy Systems business, as he addressed the continuing efforts of the telecommunications community to meet the FCC's requirements during a presentation today at the Emerson Communications Conference. Becker said in many cases, making the upgrades isn't as easy as adding traditional backup power sources.

"Some structures can't accommodate the added size and weight of additional batteries or generators," Becker said. "The FCC mandate is forcing us to be creative in finding ways to meet the new requirements -changing industry thinking on everything from alternative power sources like fuel cells to the cabinets and enclosures we use to house those power sources."

Katrina exposed flaws in the telecommunications infrastructure that led to a complete communications breakdown. The result was a mandate, issued in early 2007, directing telecommunications providers to ensure their sites maintain a minimum of 24 hours emergency backup power for assets inside central offices/switch sites and eight hours for Outside Plant (OSP) facilities such as cell sites, remote switches and digital loop carrier system remote terminals.

With about 200,000 cell sites in the United States, estimates for the cost of such backup power upgrades often approach hundreds of millions of dollars.

"Once the industry moved past the initial sticker shock, the focus turned to solutions," Becker said, adding that Emerson Network Power is at the forefront of technological and product development to meet the backup power requirements.

"We provide a complete range of communications network infrastructure solutions and services, including NetXtend™ power protection cabinets and transfer switches, outdoor battery backup systems and enclosures, and fuel cell solutions that provide alternative power sources when batteries and generators aren't an option," Becker said. "The reality is we've been safeguarding telecommunications networks for years."

The Emerson Communications Conference, being held April 23-24 at the Omni Dallas Hotel at Park West in Dallas, is showcasing the latest technologies and solutions for the telecommunications and IT industries and bringing together industry leaders to discuss issues facing telecommunications providers as they move ahead with widespread broadband deployment. For details, visit www.emerson.com/communicationsconference.

About Emerson Network Power
Emerson Network Power, a business of Emerson (NYSE:EMR), is the global leader in enabling Business-Critical Continuity™ from grid to chip for telecommunication networks, data centers, health care and industrial facilities. Emerson Network Power provides innovative solutions and expertise in areas including AC and DC power and precision cooling systems, embedded computing and power, integrated racks and enclosures, power switching and controls, monitoring, and connectivity. All solutions are supported globally by local Emerson Network Power service technicians. For more information on Emerson Network Power's full suite of solutions specifically supporting the communications network infrastructure, including outside plant enclosures and equipment, NetSure DC power systems, and turnkey services, visit www.emersonnetworkpower.com/energysystems. Learn more about Emerson Network Power products and services at www.emersonnetworkpower.com.

About Emerson
Emerson (NYSE: EMR), based in St. Louis, is a global leader in bringing technology and engineering together to provide innovative solutions to customers through its network power, process management, industrial automation, climate technologies, and appliance and tools businesses. Sales in fiscal 2006 were $20.1 billion. Emerson is also a Contributor Member of the Green Grid, a consortium whose focus is to lower the overall global consumption of power in data centers. For more information, visit www.emerson.com.