Posts Tagged ‘E911’
SMS Endorsed as Interim Text-to-911 Solution by FCC Committee
Posted on April 4, 2012In anticipation of the future deployment of next-generation 911 (NG911) services, the FCC’s Emergency Access Advisory Committee (EAAC) has endorsed short messaging service (SMS) as an interim text-to-911 solution. The EAAC is an advisory committee tasked by the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 with determining and recommending technology solutions to enable access to NG911 emergency services by individuals with disabilities. Though some industry members of the EEAC believe using SMS to contact 911 emergency services would face latency and reliability issues, other members who are advocates for the disabled argue that the EAAC should not hesitate to endorse an existing technological alternative as an interim solution. Last week, the EEAC hosted an Exhibition Fair showcasing current and future text-to-911 technologies and applications.
FCC Launches Discourse on Government Interruptions of Wireless Service
Posted on March 2, 2012The FCC’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau and Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (Bureaus) are seeking comment on issues relating to intentional interruptions of licensed wireless services by government authorities for public safety purposes. Though the Bureaus recognize that uninterrupted wireless services is instrumental to ensuring public safety (noting that 70% of all 911 calls now originate from wireless phones), it also points to limited instances in which wireless service can risk or harm public safety (e.g., to detonate an explosive device, or to organize a violent flash mob). The Bureaus seek comment on what legal or policy guidance, if any, would be appropriate for the FCC to provide regarding government wireless service interruption and pose questions regarding precedent, bases for interrupting service, risks, scope, authority, and legal constraints. Comments are due by April 30, 2012, and reply comments by May 30, 2012.
E911 Surcharge Fairness Act Introduced
Posted on January 24, 2012Representative Danny Davis (D-IL) has introduced the E911 Surcharge Fairness Act of 2011 (H.R. 3788). The legislation requires that state and local E911 fees taxes and surcharges be imposed upon pre-paid mobile service providers and customers in a non-discriminatory manner as compared to traditional post-paid mobile services. The Bill has been referred to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, and the Judiciary.
FCC Releases Third Annual Report to Congress on Collection and Distribution of 911 Fees
Posted on November 9, 2011On November 1, 2011 the FCC submitted to Congress its third annual report concerning how 911 fees collected by states are spent and whether any of those funds are diverted to non-911 programs or initiatives at the state or local level. Under the New and Emerging Technologies Improvement Act of 2008, the FCC must submit an annual report to Congress detailing, among other things, “the amount of revenues obligated or expended by each State or political subdivision thereof for any purpose other than the purpose for which any such fees or charges are specified. This year’s report identifies seven states that used some portion of 911 fees for non-911 purposes during 2010. Specifically, during 2010, Arizona, Illinois, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Virginia and West Virginia either diverted 911 fees to their state’s general fund, diverted fees for other public safety-related purposes, or failed to provide detailed expenditure information. By comparison, the FCC identified 12 states in 2009 and 13 states in 2010 that diverted 911 fees. In addition to publishing the annual report, the Commission also released a Public Notice proposing to collect more detailed information from states and U.S. territories regarding the collection and use of 911 fees. The Public Notice also seeks comment on whether the Commission should “recommend additional legislative changes to Congress that would provide greater accountability in the collection and expenditure of 911 funds.” Comments in response to the Public Notice are due Tuesday, December 6, 2011 and reply comments are due Thursday, January 5, 2012.