FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski outlined a five-step action plan to make the transition to next-generation 911 services, including technical standards and funding mechanisms.
The five-point plan includes:
• Developing automatic location accuracy mechanisms for next-generation 911;
• Completing and implementing technical standards for hardware and software that carriers and public safety answering points would use;
• Working with government and other entities to provide technical expertise and develop a coordinated approach to governing next-gen 911;
• Develop a funding model for next-generation infrastructure that links PSAPs and carriers; and
• Enabling consumers to send texts, photos and video to PSAPs in emergencies.
“It’s hard to imagine that airlines can send text messages if your flight is delayed, but you can’t send a text message to 911 in an emergency,” Genachowski said in a speech at the APCO International Annual Conference and Expo in Philadelphia. “The unfortunate truth is that the capability of our emergency response communications has not kept pace with commercial innovation – has not kept pace with what ordinary people now do every day with communications devices. The shift to NG911 can’t be about if, but about when and how.”
The FCC is expected to launch a rulemaking to consider how to accelerate next-generation 911 adoption at its open meeting next month. The commission launched a Notice Of Inquiry on the issue in December.
