APCO International applauds the FCC for moving forward to strengthen and consolidate its automatic location accuracy requirements for cellular 911 calls in today’s Report and Order and Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on 911 issues.
“Individuals calling 911 often don’t know, or are unable to provide, correct information regarding their location,” said APCO President Bill Carrow. “The FCC’s rules require wireless carriers to use appropriate technologies to identify a 911 caller’s location, and then provide that information to Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs). However, the location information must be accurate and reliable for first responders to reach emergencies in a timely manner,” Carrow continued. APCO’s Project LOCATE previously examined wireless 911 accuracy and found significant deficiencies and disparities among carriers and geographic areas. Subsequent FCC actions, including today’s order, are intended to address those issues and improve the overall accuracy of 911 caller location information provided to PSAPs.
APCO International supports the Commission’s requirement that wireless carriers test the accuracy of their location information and is encouraged that the Commission is continuing to explore when and how location accuracy can be tested inside buildings, as an ever increasing number of 911 calls from such locations are made with cellular phones.
“We are also pleased that the FCC is moving forward in proposing rules to provide efficient and effective location accuracy for the growing number of 911 calls being made with VoIP telephones,” Carrow said.
