E-911 Deadline Looms for VoIP Providers
VoIP providers began reporting to the FCC late last week on their efforts to meet a mandate that service territories be fully E-911 compliant by today (Nov. 28). The FCC has told VoIP firms they must stop marketing to new customers if they can’t offer E-911 to all current customers by today. Dozens of VoIP companies are set to report by end of business today, giving a snapshot of how well providers are complying with the rule and the tools they're using to provide E-911. Some providers will miss the mark, due to trouble getting access to selective routers, reliance on 3rd-party vendors that can’t offer full compliance and other factors, sources say.
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New Global Telecom (NGT), which provides VoIP services on a wholesale basis, told the FCC 100% compliance is extremely difficult: “Issues outside of NGT’s control have been the most difficult to manage, whether it is managing work activities between vendors, waiting to acquire appropriate routing information or waiting for PSAP testing (which requires coordination from at least 4 entities.)” NGT said it’s able to offer customers fully-compliant E-911 service in 31 markets reaching about 60% of the country. By the end of 2005, that figure will be about 70%; by June, 80-85%.
The VON Coalition and the National Emergency Number Assn. (NENA) have asked the FCC to clarify technical issues related to VoIP providers’ E-911 capability. Von Coalition members recently told the FCC in an ex parte meeting that access to selective routers remains a problem, as does time consuming testing needed before delivering E-911 services. NENA, the VON Coalition and others are pushing the FCC to name a pseudo-Automatic Number Identification (pANI) administrator to guide use of pANI numbers in routing calls from nomadic VoIP phones. Key members of Congress recently wrote the FCC urging the appointment of a pANI administrator and extension of the E-911 deadline to give the administrator and nomadic VoIP providers more time to deploy and test the pANI process.
A wireless issue on nearly the same timetable -- wireless carrier requests for waivers of the Dec. 31 “Phase 2” deadline for providing E-911 -- could complicate the VoIP issue. An FCC source said the question is: “How does the Commission give waivers to wireless companies and still stand firm on the deadline for VoIP providers?”
“We think as of Monday, the [VoIP] industry will have shown they moved faster than any other phone service,” even wireless, to offer E-911 capability, said VON Coalition Exec. Dir. Jim Kohlenberger. “Some have gone to incredible lengths” to use innovative arrangements to provide E-911 service, he said. But not all VoIP providers have the “tools” they need to comply with FCC E- 911 rules, he said. For example, many providers are “reliant on 3rd-party service providers that don’t have nationwide coverage,” he said. VoIP providers say the marketing ban could impede new investment and growth in customer numbers. Vonage and others market nationally, often via the Internet, so it’s nearly impossible to limit marketing to areas with E-911 capability, they have told the FCC.
General Quiet Expected at FCC Expected in Dec.
E-911 could strike a few sparks at the FCC in an otherwise quiet Dec., said insiders and onlookers. What with a new commissioner likely to arrive mid-month and no huge items on tap, the pace could slip from manic to fairly mellow, they said.
Tenn. regulator Deborah Tate is expected to join the FCC soon after a Dec. 13 confirmation hearing before the Senate Commerce Committee. Her arrival would add a 2nd Republican to replace departing Comr. Abernathy. But Tate must staff up and study pending items before she can weigh in on significant actions, sources said. There’s talk of an impending nomination for a 3rd Republican who also would need start-up time, sources said.
That doesn’t mean a fallow Dec., a telecom attorney said. For example, the FCC might be done for now with the video franchising proposal, but lawyers around town are drafting comments due early next year. And the FCC pipeline is pulsing with lower profile issues, with several items in circulation. “It never really slows down,” said an inside source.
At least one other fairly high profile issue looms for action by the end of Dec.: FCC Chmn. Martin must act on nominees to the Universal Service Administrative Co. (USAC) board. Previously reappointment generally was routine, but this year incumbents face challengers. Of the board’s 19 seats, 7 are up for nomination, with 5 of those occupied by incumbents and 2 open following resignations (CD Nov 4 p10).
Also, the FCC soon will act on an order setting rules for an air-to-ground (ATG) auction expected 2nd quarter 2006, we're told. Talk on the 8th floor focuses on whether the FCC should change its draft order in light of a recently revised AirCell proposal (CD Nov 10 p4). At issue is whether to shorten the time given Airfone to vacate the 3 MHz portion of the band and the duration of Airfone’s renewed narrowband ATG license. The draft also would deny Space Data requests, as well as an AirCell request to raise from 25% to 35% an ATG auction bidding credit for small businesses, we are told. The order, expected to be approved on circulation, acts on reconsideration petitions by AirCell and Space Data.
The “next big issues” simmering at the FCC are universal service contributions policy, the Comcast- Adelphia merger and “eventually indecency,” sources said. One lobbyist said he looks forward to FCBA’s Dec. 8 “Chairman’s Dinner” to see if Chmn. Martin, known for his gravitas, will make the “amusing remarks” the honoree traditionally delivers.