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News
Issue #2001 - 31
(August 2001)
(Updated
August 1, 2001)
TECHNOLOGY
Does the Deadline of E911 Need to be Extended?
Theoretically the concept
of being able to locate emergency 911 callers using their cellphone,
within 50 to 100 meters, is socially and ethically responsible, at
least that’s what the FCC thought. But when it came to
implementing the concept, it has just been one logistical or
technical hurdle after another for those involved.
For the carriers, police departments, and call centers working to
meet the FCC’s mandate for
Enhanced 911 service by October 1st, the challenges never
end — from technical roadblocks to lack of required handsets. What
appears to be at the root of the problem has been the lack of clear
guidelines or direction from the FCC. For example, the
interpretation of the October 1st deadline: Does the
service have to be in place or do the carriers have to make the
service available to police departments across the country ?
As the deadline approaches, what progress has been made?
Carriers
- Only 91 of 129 wireless carriers in the US have told an
industry group that they cannot determine when they will comply
with the mandate.
- The FCC has received requests for waivers from eight
carriers, including AT&T Wireless, Cingular, and Nextel,
only VoiceStream Wireless has been granted an extension.
- AT&T Wireless is looking at March of 2002 as its target
date.
- BellSouth is responsible for providing E911 to 836 police
call centers, and it appears it is lagging behind.
- Verizon has said that 20 call centers are now E911 capable,
with 15 more in the planning stages. The carrier has not asked
for a wavier but has not ruled it out, either.
Police Departments
- Less than 10 percent of the 4,300 police departments in the
U.S. have the service up and running, according to a recent
survey released by the Association of Public Safety
Communications Officials.
- Less than half of these same departments, where one-third of
the 911 calls are from cellphones, have even asked carriers to
provide E911 services to them.
- Departments are also wrestling with cost issues such as how
to pay for upgrades to call centers and the fees to be charged
by carriers.
Call Centers
- Just half of the 911 call centers have asked carriers for
the service, according to an unofficial survey conducted by
Woody Glover, director of 911 Programs and Communication
Center Operations for the Association of Public Safety
Communication Officials
- Centers are concerned about the increase workload to be
placed on their already overworked dispatching staff.
It appears that Americans should not expect that on October 1st
when they make a 911 call using their cellphone, someone will know
exactly where they are. Then again, don’t expect an immediate
public backlash if the service is not in place. However, if an
incident does occur where the service would have been a benefit to
those involved, then expect public debate.
For more information: http://www.fcc.org
(Additional source
News.com)
Mobileinfo Comments and Advisory: E911
is a critical requirement for public safety. In fact, it is becoming
more important as mobility increases and more emergencies happen on
the road than in fixed wire locations. This does mean, however, that
taxpayers must find ways to pay for enhanced E911 dispatch services.
Technology are late in arriving and public safety agencies will not
meet mandated October 2001 deadline. But we must continue to push
forward so that no more lives are lost and much needed help arrives at
the scene of emergency in time.
Note: This news release may contain
forward-looking statements. Readers should take appropriate caution in
developing plans utilizing these products, services and technology
architectures. All trademarks used in this summary are
the property of their respective owners.
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