FCC Rulemaking Gets Tough on E-911
The FCC Thurs. approved a rulemaking proposing that wireless carriers be required to improve their systems so they can more accurately locate subscribers who make 911 calls. The FCC also began an examination of whether carriers should have to report by PSAP, rather than by statewide averaging, how they perform in reaching emergency callers rather than through statewide averaging. PSAP reporting is more lenient and is favored by carriers. The Commission is also examining requirements for VoIP providers.
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When the E-911 item first circulated on the 8th floor, it included a brief declaratory order finding at the request of the Assn. of Public Safety Communications Officials that carrier compliance should be measured by PSAP, not statewide. Instead, the Commission will seek comment on that issue before deciding. The FCC also sought comment on whether to give carriers time to comply. Regulatory sources said that the Commission’s decision to seek comment wasn’t a loss for APCO. “It’s a win for APCO, because otherwise that wouldn’t have been legally sustainable,” a source said.
The FCC said the rulemaking will also examine ways for carriers to improve in-building location accuracy, and the use of hybrid solutions that may increase location accuracy and deal with shortcomings of current technologies.
Chmn. Martin said he remains committed to tougher accuracy requirements. “Quite simply, providing location accuracy information on a multi-state or state-wide basis is not enough,” he said: “It does not provide public safety with the information it needs to do its job effectively.”
Comr. Adelstein concurred, questioning how the Commission has proceeded on tougher E-911 standards. “I am concerned that this proceeding, while well-intentioned, rushes to judgment by issuing a series of tentative conclusions without even beginning to conduct the necessary due diligence,” he said: “I am troubled that we are considering imposing a new compliance requirement that we know some carriers will be unable to meet in certain circumstances.”
Comr. McDowell also said the FCC should move with caution. “We must walk before we can run,” he said: “At the present time, it appears that measuring location accuracy at the PSAP level presents real challenges to carriers, technology providers, and PSAPs alike.” Carriers may need time, he said: “This is not surprising since there are over 6,000 PSAPs in the United States, each with unique deployment, topography, network, and [radiofrequency] propagation issues.”
The National Emergency Number Assn. said automatic location of emergency callers should be a priority. “We look forward to participating in a discussion on how best to achieve the goal of providing the most accurate information possible to 911 telecommunicators across the country,” NENA said: “The focus on this important topic is long overdue and it is essential that all parties involved from industry and public safety work together to fully understand what is achievable today, where we want to be and how best to get there.”
APCO said: “Today’s action… should lead to improved location accuracy for wireless 9-1-1 calls, allowing for more efficient and rapid responses to emergencies.”