WASHINGTON-The Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association said it supports Nextel Communications Inc.’s waiver application from enhanced 911 Phase II requirements.
“Nextel has documented the process by which it arrived at its Phase II technology choice, which includes extensive investigations into multiple Phase II E911 technologies, and an independently conducted technology field trial of three location solutions. Based on the results of this field trial, Nextel determined that the deployment of [assisted global positioning system automatic location information] solution is its `only proven location technology option.’… Nextel’s proposed solution will ensure that its iDEN customers have accurate and reliable Phase II E911 service that will be deployed quickly and ubiquitously in all its service areas,” said Michael F. Altschul, CTIA senior vice president and general counsel, in a letter sent to the Federal Communications Commission last Tuesday.
Nextel filed last month a two-inch document explaining its choice of A-GPS technology, but still stated it cannot meet the Oct. 1 deadline, instead setting a timeline that would require A-GPS handsets in 95 percent of its subscribers’ hands by Dec. 31, 2005.
E911 service is being deployed in two phases.
Phase I required carriers to supply a callback number and cell-site location information to public-safety answering points. Phase II requires more precise location information. Handset-based solutions must be able to locate the caller within 50 meters 67 percent of the time and within 150 meters 95 percent of the time. Network-based solutions must be able to locate the caller within 100 meters 67 percent of the time and within 300 meters 95 percent of the time. Carriers choosing a handset-based solution have until Oct. 1 to start selling ALI-enabled handsets. The new schedule calls for 25 percent of all new handsets activated by Dec. 31 to be ALI-capable. This number rises to 50 percent on June 30, 2002, and 100 percent on Dec. 31, 2002. Carriers choosing network-based solutions must deploy the solution within six months of a PSAP request.
