WASHINGTON—Qualcomm Inc. today told the Federal Communications Commission that new tests show ultra-wideband devices operated near GPS-enabled wireless phones will hinder the location of callers who make 911 emergency calls, undermining the agency’s mandate requiring carriers to deploy location-based 911 service.
The rollout of E-911 already has been delayed for a variety of technical, regulatory and business reasons.
Qualcomm urged the FCC not to authorize unlicensed UWB technology until interference issues have been more fully examined. The FCC, which postponed a vote on UWB in December after pressure from the Bush administration, plans to consider the matter at its Feb. 14 open meeting.
