NY 911 Coordinators Support Using Frequency Licensing to Stop Fee Diversion

The FCC could “withhold frequency licenses and renewals” to stop 911 fee diversion in New York, the state’s 911 Coordinators Association suggested Friday in response to a commission notice of inquiry. “States need frequencies and bandwidth to operate their communications systems and this is a tool the FCC can effectively use to pressure states.” Other related federal grants “may be another lever,” but the government “may face legal challenges regarding the nexus to 911 fee diversion,” it said. In New York, which collected $200 million from 911 fees in 2019, “the paucity of federal grant funds compared to the state’s surcharge revenues make enforcement highly unlikely.” New York protested the FCC blocking it and other 911 diverters from 4.9 GHz spectrum (see 2010060057). Comments on 911 fee diversion are due Monday (see 2010050038).