Google, NENA at Odds on Floor Data as Part of Vertical Location Rules

Google said the FCC should consider allowing carriers to transmit information on the floor level of a wireless call to 911 as an alternative to providing height above ellipsoid (HAE) data. Commissioners are to vote on an order Friday (see 1911130030). “An HAE estimate may not provide actionable information in the short term, particularly with regard to identifying which floor to search,” Google said in a filing posted Monday in docket 07-114: Google understands that “not every person in public safety is (or is on a clear path to be) equipped with technology capable of interpreting HAE information.” The National Emergency Number Association disagreed. “A handset’s location, including z-axis, must be delivered to the 9-1-1 system in its original format,” NENA said. “Google’s proposal -- to the extent it removes z-axis HAE from the location payload -- would reduce overall vertical location accuracy and upend the marketplace for downstream mapping and location solutions, disrupting many of the benefits of a ubiquitous standard for vertical elevation measurement.” NENA said “the vast majority of organizations representing public safety” support the z-axis mandate. A Monday news release from the FCC chairman's office laid out public safety support for the z-axis mandate.