Many Commenters See NG-911 Deployment Key to Curbing Misrouted 911 Calls
Many 911 stakeholders pushed next-generation services to help end the problem of misrouted calls, in comments posted this week in docket 18-64. CTIA said the FCC should weigh the costs versus benefits of various call-routing options as it considers how to make wireless calls to 911 more reliable. Public safety groups and others stressed the importance of NG-911. In March, the FCC released a notice of inquiry on ways to ensure wireless 911 calls are routed directly to the appropriate public safety answering point (see 1803230023).
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“The Commission should assess the tradeoffs associated with different 9-1-1 call routing mechanisms, such as the potential for a general delay to routing all 9-1-1 calls,” said CTIA. The FCC also should ask more generally whether the move to NG911 will fix the problem, it said. “NG911 functionalities may offer better flexibility for routing 9-1-1 calls than a standalone location-based routing [(LBR)] framework.”
APCO contends PSAPs face major problems. “The problems created by misrouted 9-1-1 calls are made worse by the fact that -- despite the sophistication of modern communications technology -- even basic call transfers (regardless of the reason to transfer a call) are not necessarily possible,” APCO said. “There are still instances where PSAPs have to manually call each other to convey the information about an emergency.” APCO also urged caution as the move to NG-911 continues: “Adherence to open, non-proprietary standards will facilitate seamless interoperability and help PSAPs address a host of operational issues, including misroutes.”
The National Emergency Number Association seeks further study. NG-911 may be the answer, NENA said “We urge caution to ensure that … interim solutions do not incur delays in the development and implementation of longer-term and perhaps better routing solutions,” the group said. “This is not to say that NENA would oppose an interim method which produces measurably more accurate and reliable call routing, but we advise the Commission proceed with the utmost caution in recommending stopgap solutions.”
Verizon said stakeholders should implement location-based routing only “in conjunction with PSAPs’ NG911 capabilities.” The telco emphasized the importance of NG-911. “Deploying 911 call routing capability within a NG911 platform helps preserve a PSAP’s discretion whether to use LBR or cell sector information to route a given 911 call, and has the benefit of incentivizing state and local governments to support NG911 implementation in their jurisdictions,” the carrier said: Location-based routing "is dependent on the handset’s ability to deliver an accurate and timely fix which, for well-established reasons, is not feasible for every 911 call. Many 911 calls will thus require cell sector-based routing for the foreseeable future.”
Continued new tech deployment will alleviate many FCC concerns, T-Mobile said. “Even as new and improved location technologies enhance carriers’ ability to provide PSAPs with better location estimates, other impending upgrades will inherently improve 911 call routing.”
The Public Safety Bureau, meanwhile, reported Tuesday on 911 circuit diversity. “Of the 188 covered entities that filed certifications, 48 certified that they have diverse 911 circuits to all PSAPs to which they provide 911 circuits,” the report said. “Twenty covered entities certified that they have implemented alternative measures in lieu of circuit diversity for all of the PSAPs that they serve. Fifteen covered entities certified that they provide diverse 911 circuits to some PSAPs and that they have implemented alternative measures to other PSAPs to which they provide 911 circuits.” The bureau said 6,769 PSAPs were listed in the certifications for 911 circuit diversity. The report found that of those, 3,855 PSAPs had diverse circuits and 2,914 implemented alternative measures.