mer and the provider's main servers and switches is likely to fail. In these cases, providers restore service at the most critical locations first. These include fire and police stations, government offices, hospitals, and E-911 centers. Internet Security Internet security is a global issue that cannot be isolated within a single country. How- ever, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) currently has no authority to require that Internet providers report network outages and details about cyber attacks. In its 2009 National Broadband Plan, the FCC recommended looking at ways to ensure sustainable communications over the Internet. It also stated the desirability of expand- ing international participation and outreach to manage cyber security information. Part and parcel to that, the FCC would like a vehicle for collecting more detailed informa- tion about cyber security. The report also expressed concern about how dependent first responders are on Internet communications. The FCC further declared that it is consid- ering asking Congress for the authority to require reporting on these issues. Because the Internet is classified as an information service rather than as a tele- communications service, the FCC has limited authority in regulating it. An informa- tion service is defined in the Telecommunications Act of 1996 as a service that adds value to a basic transmission path through functions such as processing information. Telecommunications is defined as the basic transmission (delivery) of voice and data. It's essentially the path over which voice is carried as well as the equipment used to send and receive voice and data traffic. Because of its critical role, the FCC is attempting to alter the way the Internet is regulated SO that the agency has more oversight on cyber security and sustainability. It is attempting to have the Internet classified as a telecommunications entity rather than a value-added service. The FCC has announced that it will do this by recognizing the transmission component of Internet 