FCC Takes Steps to Improve Responses to Wireless 911 Callers

The Federal Communications Commission recently took action to strengthen and improve the ability of Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs, or 911 call centers) to quickly locate wireless 911 callers and dispatch emergency responders to assist them during emergencies.

As more Americans rely on their mobile handheld devices, such as cell phones and smartphones, the FCC’s (News - Alert) new rules are essential to ensuring that wireless carriers are taking the necessary steps to provide more accurate 911 caller locations.

The address of most calls made from landline phones

911 call centers can readily pinpoint the address of most calls made from landline phones, but up to 40 percent of emergency calls made from mobile devices fail to provide accurate caller location information, known as Enhanced 911 (E911) service.

“The FCC’s action is further evidence that responsibility for E911 is moving towards being placed upon the enterprise and small to medium businesses,” said Karina Yandell, corporate development manager for 911 ETC. “At the same time, emerging technologies continue to make it more difficult to navigate E911. 911 ETC exists to provide organizations with fully managed E911 solutions which ensures compliance – and more importantly – the safety of their campuses.”

Related matter

In a related matter, the FCC unanimously adopted a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM) and Notice of Inquiry (NOI), as recommended in the National Broadband Plan, that explores how to further improve the location capability of 911 and E911 services for existing and new voice communications technologies, including new broadband technologies associated with the deployment of Next Generation 911 (NG 911) networks.

The NOI seeks public comment on whether to require interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service providers to automatically identify the caller’s location, rather than requiring the caller to self-report his or her location, and whether other forms of VoIP services should be subject to the 911 rules. The NOI also focuses on the potential impact of future NG 911 deployment on location accuracy and automatic location identification.

Additionally, the NOI explores whether to extend 911 and E911 requirements to new and emerging voice communications services, devices, and application enabled by broadband technologies.