News
Issue #2003 - 20 (June 2003)
(Updated June 30, 2003)

INFRASTRUCTURE, PRODUCTS & SERVICES

New Legislation Proposed to Fund E-911

Two U.S. Senators, Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and Conrad Burns (R-MT), proposed legislation to fund the updating of technology for E-911 services, which will locate cell phone users who call 911. Active E-911 services are scarce, and it is the hope that additional funding will support technology that allows emergency call centers to pinpoint the exact location of a wireless caller. The National Emergency Number Association reports that out of the current 6,121 call centers only 10 percent of them are capable of locating a wireless caller. The legislation, aimed at promoting updated E-911 services nationwide, would also make available $500 million for deploying the technology. CTIA's President and CEO Tom Wheeler states, "This legislation injects a good dose of coordination and accountability that has been lacking in the implementation of enhanced 9-1-1 services." (Source: ABC News, Washington Post, CTIA)

Source: CTIA, ABC and Washington Post

MobileInfo Comments and Advisory: e-911 deployment has not made enough progress for a variety of reasons, including service provider foot dragging. However, to be fair, both the public safety agencies and the wireless service providers have to upgrade their own infrastructures. We are glad to see government initiative to put some fuel into e-911 tank. 

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