National Emergency Number Assn. (NENA) expressed disappointment that FCC granted conditional waivers last week to 5 carriers on Enhanced 911 implementation. “While NENA is disappointed with the conditional approval of these carriers’ implementation plans, the FCC is attempting to take positive steps to move wireless 911 forward,” NENA Pres. Sharon Counterman said. “Clearly our public safety efforts mandate that this technology is implemented soon rather than later.” She said FCC orders released Fri. (CD Oct 9 p1) responded to some of public safety community’s concerns through provisions such as required quarterly reporting. “Enforcement action regarding AT&T and Cingular is also appropriate and NENA urges the Commission to proceed with consent decrees that reflect AT&T’s and Cingular’s recent more proactive TDMA proposals, which come much closer to meeting the goals of Phase 2,” NENA said.

Some members of Congress and industry agree that blame for delayed implementation of enhanced 911 (E-911) location technology can’t be placed on any one particular entity. Senate Commerce Communications Subcommittee had scheduled hearing Tues. on issue, but all federal buildings were evacuated because of terrorist attacks earlier in day. Meanwhile, National Emergency Number Assn. (NENA) released 911 “Report Card to the Nation” that updated overall state of 911 systems nationwide. It assigned: (1) “A-” grade for general quality of 911 service. (2) “B” for 911 availability and public awareness. (3) “Incomplete” for wireless industry provision of location and call-back technology to 911 centers. (4) “D” for future 911 system preparation, saying “new technologies, increased competition and other institutional changes [were likely to] exceed current levels of funding.” When asked who was responsible for delayed phase 2 deployment, Sen. Burns (R-Mont.) said: “Everyone.” Deadline for Phase 2 compliance is Oct. 1, but many wireless carriers are seeking waivers and setting firm deployment schedules. CTIA Pres. Thomas Wheeler expressed commitment to work with public safety community to carry out E-911 mandates: “Some have claimed the industry is dragging its feet in implementing this new technology. But the excitement and energy generated by the commercial possibilities of location technology proves that industry is eager to make this a reality.” However, Rep. Eshoo (D-Cal.) recently (CD Sept 7 p3) lambasted industry for causing delays, saying it had 5 years to prepare. Eshoo, joined by Reps. Rush (D-Ill.) and Harman (D-Cal.) urged FCC to send message to industry by showing reluctance to grant deadline waiver requests. Rep. Boucher (D-Va.), although supportive of rapid E-911 deployment, has encouraged FCC to be flexible in granting waivers because of difficulties rural carriers face in effectively deploying location applications that meet FCC’s accuracy requirements.

In continued exchange between public safety community and CTIA on thorny Enhanced 911 issues, CTIA Pres. Tom Wheeler wrote to 2 groups this week, elaborating on remaining challenges to implementation of Phase 2 before Oct. 1 deadline. Letter is follow-up to strongly worded July 2 missive by CTIA to Assn. of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO) and National Emergency Number Assn. (NENA), from which some wireless carriers had distanced themselves. Wheeler wrote July 17 to NENA and APCO that he wants to “continue our dialogue” on joint E911 challenges. “The purpose of my previous letter was to inquire of your organizations how you intend to establish equivalent deliverable expectations for your members,” Wheeler wrote. Wheeler cited assertion by groups that public safety answering points (PSAPs) not ready to roll out Phase 2 of E911 today will be ready within 6 months after they submit Phase 2 request to particular wireless carrier. “With all due respect, that is exactly the heart of the problem I was trying to raise in my earlier correspondence,” Wheeler said. “With carrier-enabled handsets or networks available, consumers will expect location capability whether or not a particular PSAP has determined it wants to make a Phase 2 request.” Wheeler said wireless carriers will know whether they buy E911-capable handset or have local wireless network that supports this location-specific capability. “The only way they will have equivalent knowledge that the information being transmitted can be used for their safety is for all of America’s PSAPs to step up and commit to a parallel implementation schedule,” Wheeler said. He noted that “major problems” still must be worked out concerning Phase One capabilities for E911. “Since Phase One is a technical precursor to Phase 2, should not those problems get worked out before Phase 2 makes things even more difficult,” Wheeler asked in detailed 7-page letter. Wheeler said that point of his previous correspondence was to seek similar commitment by PSAPs to deal with these issues in manner in which solutions are binding on every PSAP. Structure is needed, for example, on whether location-specific information will be processed by PSAPs using SS-7 protocol or IP format, Wheeler said. “The regulatory process is imposing uniform requirements on wireless carriers, what will be the equivalent solution for your members,” Wheeler said.

Public safety officials fired off angry letter to CTIA Pres. Tom Wheeler, saying they agree with his call for better cooperation on Enhanced 911 but were troubled by “tone and substance” of June 24 letters from Wheeler. Wheeler urged 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.

Members of House Telecom Subcommittee voiced concern Thurs. that wireless carriers and 911 call centers wouldn’t meet Oct. 1 deadline for deploying Phase 2 of Enhanced 911 location capabilities. Ranking Democrat Markey (Mass.) warned “industry should not seek -- nor should the Commission grant -- waivers to rules merely for business convenience.” He cited what he called “manana” syndrome among carriers on implementing E911. “But when it comes to 3G, they want spectrum today. They stipulate that it’s a national priority.” Markey said he backed industry’s quest for more 3G spectrum, but said he would “like to see the same alacrity and aggressiveness” on public safety offerings linked to E911. Hearing focused on thorny implementation issues that face wireless industry less than 4 months before Phase 2 deadline, including equipment availability and readiness of public safety answering points.

National Emergency Number Assn. (NENA) completed testing of caller location system developed by U.S. Wireless, concluding it met Enhanced 911 (E911) Phase 2 requirements. NENA is evaluating and reporting on availability of wireless location technologies and their ability to meet Oct. deadline for E911 Phase 2 set by FCC. NENA represents 7,000 public safety workers who manage primary 911 call centers. “After this testing, we are confident that there are existing location technologies meeting FCC requirements,” NENA Exec. Dir. Mark Adams said. “E911 is critical for public safety and its implementation must not be delayed.” Assn. tested U.S. Wireless solution last month in Seattle, including areas with dense urban, residential, light industrial and freeway environments. Separately, Assn. of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International (APCO) reiterated its “disappointment” Tues. with waiver request filed last week by AT&T Wireless at FCC seeking permission to deploy hybrid network and handset solution for E911 Phase 2. “While APCO will review carefully the details of the AT&T Wireless request, we are troubled not only because yet another carrier has decided to seek a waiver, but also in terms of what it means for the safety of our nation’s citizens,” APCO Pres. Lyle Gallagher said. APCO is holding news conference today (Wed.) in Washington to present letters to FCC from public safety answering points in U.S. cities requesting wireless E911 services from wireless carriers.