Public safety officials fired off angry letter to CTIA Pres. Tom ...

better cooperation in letters to Assn. of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) and National Emergency Number Assn. (NENA) and urged public safety answering points (PSAPs) to make binding commitments on rolling out wireless E911 technology, although they remain unregulated by FCC. In part, Wheeler called for uniform implementation plan across more than 6,800 PSAPs and deployment of necessary upgrades. “We disagree with, and are frankly offended by, CTIA’s apparent effort to deflect criticism of carriers by suggesting that there needs to be a ‘binding and enforceable commitment’ by the PSAP community to make wireless E911 a reality,” public safety groups wrote to Wheeler. Letter was signed by APCO Pres. Lyle Gallagher, NENA Pres. Sharon Counterman and National Assn. of State Nine One One Administrators Evelyn Bailey. Letter ticked off incentives that PSAPs have to implement E911 that are centered around saving lives. “We are also deeply troubled by your implication that PSAPs and local governments have misappropriated the 911 fees collected through wireless telephone bills by failing to use those funds for wireless E911 upgrades,” letter said. “You appear to assume that implementing wireless E911 is the only expense that PSAPs incur and the only purpose for which 911 fees should be expended.” Letter notes that PSAPs respond to about 120,000 wireless 911 calls each day, task that is complicated by fact that dozens of calls can be received concerning same emergency. Public safety groups also contend that FCC policy changes haven’t contributed to slow carrier compliance because wireless operators have known about basic E911 requirements since 1996. In addition, groups questioned CTIA assertion that every wireless switch in U.S. is Phase 1 compliant, asking why some carriers haven’t provided Phase 1 service despite valid PSAP requests.