FCC Votes to Refresh the Record on Location-Based Routing to 911
The FCC unanimously approved a public notice seeking to refresh the record on improving how wireless 911 calls are routed to the appropriate first responders (see 2206060052), as expected. Commissioners at Wednesday's meeting also agreed to propose a $34,000 fine against an Idaho man for allegedly interfering with emergency communications as firefighters took on a wildfire, the largest fine of its kind, officials said.
The 911 notice explores location-based routing and how to ensure calls are routed to the closest possible call center, even if made near a county or city border. Some calls are still being “routed to a 911 call center in that neighboring jurisdiction, not the call center that serves the caller’s location,” said an FCC news release: “These wireless 911 calls must then be re-routed to the proper 911 call center, which can waste valuable time and resources during emergencies.”
Public Safety Bureau Chief Debra Jordan told reporters changes sought by APCO are referenced in a footnote to the notice but not incorporated into the text. “We look forward to refreshing the record, to hearing all views,” she said.
“As the old saying goes, you may only call 911 once in your life, but it will be the most important call you ever make,” said Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. “When you make a 911 call, seconds matter,” she said: “911 calls that are routed to the wrong call center need to be rerouted to the right one. That takes time you may not have.”
“Consumers aren’t network engineers,” said Commissioner Brendan Carr. “They have no idea in an emergency” a call “could go to the wrong jurisdiction,” he said. A News4 I-Team report last year found 100,000 emergency calls in the Washington, D.C., region initially went to the wrong jurisdiction and had to be rerouted, he said. The “technical reality” needs to match the public's expectations, he said.
“This cannot wait,” said Commissioner Geoffrey Starks: He said the message was the same from many speakers at a recent FCC workshop on 988 calls: “Panel after panel articulated the importance of being able to geolocate a 988 call to ensure that proper resources are deployed for those facing a crisis.”
“In light of all that has happened in the four years since we last sought public comment on this problem, I'm very happy that we’re putting out a new public notice and taking a fresh look at location-based routing and what we can do to make it better,” said Commissioner Nathan Simington.
“Today, thanks to wireless industry innovation and commitment, 9-1-1 callers can be located more accurately and quickly than ever before,” emailed Scott Bergmann, CTIA senior vice president-regulatory affairs: “The wireless industry is deploying innovative technologies, like device-based hybrid solutions, that deliver faster, better information on a 9-1-1 caller’s location, leading to better public safety outcomes. We look forward to continuing to work with the FCC and public safety community on this issue.”
The FCC proposed the fine against Jason Frawley, licensee of amateur radio station WA7CQ, for apparently interfering with communications that were guiding fire suppression aircraft fighting the 2021 Johnson fire near Elk River, Idaho, said a news release. “The Communications Act prohibits such interference with authorized radio communications and the Commission takes very seriously any interference with public safety communications,” the FCC said.
Firefighting crews received eight unauthorized transmissions on government frequencies from someone identifying himself as “comm tech,” the FCC said. “The individual interfered with communications between fire suppressant aircraft and ground crews by communicating his observations of hazards near the Elk Butte airstrip, where he and his radio equipment were located.” Investigators tied the transmissions to Frawley, who admitted making them, the FCC said. Frawley didn't comment.
Notebook
Carr told reporters he had “really good, really productive discussions” inside the FCC on his proposal last month that carriers be required to participate in the wireless network resiliency cooperative framework rather than continuing a voluntary program (see 2205160067). “I am very happy with the discussions that we’re having,” he said. Carr said he knows of no new developments on various spectrum items on which he has proposed action, including higher power levels in the citizens broadband radio service band on revised rules for 6 GHz. “There continues to be some low-hanging spectrum fruit that we can push forward,” he said. Most reports are that there should be no interference issues that delay the next phase of the C-band deployment, he said. Congress “simply cannot allow” the FCC’s auction authority to expire in September, Carr said. “That should be an unacceptable outcome, a nonstarter,” he said.