It looks like the FCC is really crackin’ down on wireless carriers’ E911 performance. Hot on the heels of the FCC’s announcement that they plan to levy penalties against Sprint Nextel, Alltel, and US Cellular for not meeting 2005 E911 accuracy requirements, the FCC has just approved more stringent E911 standards.
US wireless carriers will have to ensure E911 coverage for 95% of their subscriber base at each Public Service Answering Point (PSAP). The new requirement changes the way coverage is measured – moving from a state average to a more specific, local average. Carriers were taking advantage of the old, state-averaging system by boosting coverage in areas with high subscriber-counts and neglecting more rural areas.
These new requirements would better ensure public safety and first responders’ ability to accurately respond to emergencies in a timely manner. And, to keep carriers on top of the September 11, 2011 full-compliance deadline, yearly benchmarks have been set.
Some critics have voiced concern over the tight deadline and possible new location-tracking technologies that could crop up in the next few years. Still, the FCC’s crackdown on the deceptive and consumer-endangering practice of neglecting less populated areas for metropolitan areas will help boost public safety, regardless of emerging technologies. After all, the FCC could just as easily pass new regulations based on future technological developments – in the meantime, we’ll all be a little safer.
[Via: RCRNews]