Some members of Congress and industry agree that blame for delayed implementation of enhanced 911 (E-911) location technology can’t be placed on any one particular entity. Senate Commerce Communications Subcommittee had scheduled hearing Tues. on issue, but all federal buildings were evacuated because of terrorist attacks earlier in day. Meanwhile, National Emergency Number Assn. (NENA) released 911 “Report Card to the Nation” that updated overall state of 911 systems nationwide. It assigned: (1) “A-” grade for general quality of 911 service. (2) “B” for 911 availability and public awareness. (3) “Incomplete” for wireless industry provision of location and call-back technology to 911 centers. (4) “D” for future 911 system preparation, saying “new technologies, increased competition and other institutional changes [were likely to] exceed current levels of funding.” When asked who was responsible for delayed phase 2 deployment, Sen. Burns (R-Mont.) said: “Everyone.” Deadline for Phase 2 compliance is Oct. 1, but many wireless carriers are seeking waivers and setting firm deployment schedules. CTIA Pres. Thomas Wheeler expressed commitment to work with public safety community to carry out E-911 mandates: “Some have claimed the industry is dragging its feet in implementing this new technology. But the excitement and energy generated by the commercial possibilities of location technology proves that industry is eager to make this a reality.” However, Rep. Eshoo (D-Cal.) recently (CD Sept 7 p3) lambasted industry for causing delays, saying it had 5 years to prepare. Eshoo, joined by Reps. Rush (D-Ill.) and Harman (D-Cal.) urged FCC to send message to industry by showing reluctance to grant deadline waiver requests. Rep. Boucher (D-Va.), although supportive of rapid E-911 deployment, has encouraged FCC to be flexible in granting waivers because of difficulties rural carriers face in effectively deploying location applications that meet FCC’s accuracy requirements.
NEW ORLEANS - Although they didn’t call for FCC mandates, 2 of 4 remaining agency commissioners said Fri. that broadcasters should voluntarily keep tapes or transcripts of programs that might be subject of Commission indecency enforcement actions. Comr. Copps, who first raised issue immediately after taking office, said voluntary industry action might be “the best way to avoid a draconian solution.” He suggested broadcasters keep tapes or transcripts of all programming, but Comr. Abernathy said that might be limited to programming that broadcasters believed might generate complaints.
At time when some in GPS, aviation and wireless community are voicing concerns to NTIA and FCC about potential of ultra-wideband (UWB) technology to cause interference, dozens of UWB trials and demonstrations are under way at federal agencies. Several industry observers said that sets up tough policy dynamic for NTIA between vocal criticism by GPS and aviation community and quieter interest of govt. agencies already using technology, which works by sending pulses at very low power levels in very short time periods over wide swath of spectrum.
NTIA plans to send legislative proposal to Congress today (Thurs.) that would postpone for 2 years deadline for receipt of advanced wireless auction proceeds. Move is designed to give federal policymakers more time to reach decision on obtaining additional spectrum for 3rd generation wireless services. In her first news conference, NTIA Dir. Nancy Victory said auction proposal didn’t mean current 3G viability analysis by broad range of federal agencies would itself take 2 more years: “We are hoping to do it in a much shorter period.” Legislation that would provide additional time for auction proceeds to be deposited in U.S. Treasury “is a recognition of the fact that more time is needed in order to take a look at this issue,” she said, referring to 3G. New date would be Sept. 30, 2004, for proceeds to be deposited from auction of 1710-1755 MHz and 2110-2150 MHz, instead of current statutory deadline of Sept. 30, 2002, she said. Besides 3G, Victory said she saw NTIA focusing on questions of broadband deployment, telecom and broadcast minority ownership, comprehensive spectrum policy review.
Public safety organizations expressed disappointment to FCC on E911 Phase 2 waiver request filed by Verizon Wireless (CD July 26 p7). Carrier is seeking limited waiver to install network- assisted GPS/Advanced Forward Link Trilateration (A-GPS/AFLT) handsets for CDMA network. Verizon said it planned network-based E911 Phase 2 solutions on “interim” basis in Chicago, Houston and St. Louis, public safety groups said in comments filed this week at Commission. Assn. of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO), National Assn. of State Nine One One Administrators and National Emergency Number Assn. made joint filing. Verizon requested limited waiver of FCC deadlines for selling location- capable handsets, based on delays in handset deliveries from manufacturers and for Phase 2 activation because of delays in delivery of network gear from Lucent, Motorola, Nortel. Verizon told FCC it wanted to begin selling A-GPS/AFLT handset models in Dec., instead of by Oct. 1 deadline. Complete deployment of network upgrades will vary from April 1 for Lucent markets to March 1, 2003, for Motorola markets, it said. APCO and other groups said Verizon proposed network-based technology in Chicago, Houston and St. Louis on interim basis until all subscribers had GPS capability. Carrier also has said it will keep testing switch-based location technology for other markets that use Lucent and Nortel switches. “Verizon does not otherwise propose an interim solution for the substantial portion of its nationwide network served by Motorola switches, which will also be the very last to have fully deployed A-GPS capability,” public safety groups said. “The public safety organizations are disappointed that Verizon is abandoning network-based solutions in all but 3 major markets,” filing said. Although groups said they didn’t favor any technology, filing said: “We would prefer that carriers have multiple options available for meeting the Phase 2 requirements, including both network and handset-based technologies.” Groups acknowledged that appeared to be unlikely because every major carrier had made handset-based plans. That would provide limited options if handset technologies failed to meet their goals, filing said. “What is not clear from the Verizon request, however, is why it could not implement a more substantial mix of technologies across the nation. The Commission should seek additional information on this point,” APCO said. Groups asked FCC to exercise high level of scrutiny on carriers’ claims that equipment delivery was being delayed by manufacturers. Commission should use its “full investigative authority” and verify that delivery dates couldn’t be accelerated, groups said. “If necessary, the Commission should insist that the relevant equipment vendors further document their manufacturing schedules and causes for delay.”
Less than 2 weeks before General Services Administration (GSA) is set to open cross-competition between Metropolitan Area Acquisition (MAA) and FTS 2001 long distance programs, carriers want GSA to put in place safeguards for competition. Several IXCs and Bell companies asked GSA Fri. how past performance of vendors would be factored into agency decisions to let MAA contractors compete for federal long distance business, and vice versa. WorldCom Dir.-FTS 2001 Programs Rick Slifer urged GSA not to allow holders of MAA local service contracts to vie for long distance business unless they could provide “ubiquitous” national service. Move effectively would shut RBOCs holding MAA contracts out of FTS 2001 long distance market until they received Sec. 271 approval in each state in-region. Taking different tack, Qwest Contracts Dir. Audrey Hallett told GSA that minimum revenue guarantees for Sprint and WorldCom on $1.5 billion FTS 2001 contracts continued to stymie competition.
After series of waiver requests that FCC has received on upcoming deadline for Phase 2 of E911 implementation, 15 House Democrats and one Republican urged Chmn. Powell to hold fast to Oct. 1 date. Citing Commission’s work to resolve problems related to timely deployment, letter said: “We are concerned that the coordination of effort may be hindered by use of the FCC’s waiver process as a delay tactic rather than for legitimate, intended purposes.” Letter was written by Democratic Reps. Eshoo (Cal.), Markey (Mass.), Luther (Minn.), Green (Tex.), Harman (Cal.), Rush (Ill.), McCarthy (Mo.), Gordon (Tenn.), Farr (Cal.), Kildee (Miss.). Also signing July 31 letter were Democratic Reps. Berman (Cal.), Blumenauer (Ore.), McKinney (Ga.), Pelosi (Cal.), Kind (Wis.) and lone Republican English (Pa.). About half of members signing missive, also sent to Wireless Bureau Chief Tom Sugrue, belong to House Commerce Committee. “In our view, there has been adequate time for wireless carriers and manufacturers to take the necessary steps which would allow them to meet these long established deadlines,” lawmakers wrote. Missive contended basic wireless E911 parameters have been in place since 1996 and many of subsequent changes have been done at behest of carriers themselves. Letter comes after all largest wireless carriers have submitted waiver requests to FCC, which haven’t yet been acted on, concerning Oct. 1 deadline. Carriers asking for temporary waiver include AT&T Wireless, Cingular Wireless, Nextel and Qwest Wireless. Two more recent additions to queue of waivers include Verizon Wireless and Sprint PCS. In their waiver requests, carriers outlined extent to which network equipment and upgraded handsets will not be available on time. House Telecom Subcommittee members had expressed concerns at hearing last month about when advanced wireless location capability of Phase 2 of E911 would be ready. At hearing, ranking subcommittee Democrat Markey had warned FCC against making waivers for sake of “business convenience.” Groups representing public safety answering points (PSAPs) have continued to raise concerns about when E911 Phase 2 capabilities will be implemented. Assn. of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International (APCO), National Emergency Number Assn. and National Assn. of 911 Administrators commented on pending Cingular waiver request for its GSM networks. Groups noted carrier plans to implement Enhanced Observed Time Difference of Arrival solution as quickly as equipment becomes available and network upgrades happen. This part of waiver request comes close to meeting FCC waiver guidelines, groups told FCC in comments. They also point out that Cingular has rejected alternative handset-based solutions because they aren’t available now. “That, however, is a somewhat circular argument as handsets might have been available by now had Cingular and others placed firm orders earlier in the process,” APCO and other groups said.
Winstar outlined plans to speed its exit from Chapter 11 protection, including trimming its workforce by 950 employees through layoffs and sale of “non-core” assets. Winstar also has retained Blackstone Group as merger & acquisition advisor to help with potential sale of company or future investment stakes in it. If Winstar were able to win stake from investor or sell itself, company said it could emerge more quickly from bankruptcy proceedings. “By obtaining $175 million of financing from a consortium of banks led by Citibank and Bank of New York, cutting our costs and growing our core on-net business, we are in a position to be cash flow positive this year,” said Chmn. William Rouhana. Financially strapped fixed wireless provider also plans to focus new sales efforts on small and medium-sized customers in 17 major markets, its 200 major national accounts and govt. contracts company has in 11 markets. Winstar holds parts of billions of dollars in metropolitan area acquisition (MAA) contracts administered by General Services Administration to provide local telecom service to federal agencies. Winstar filed for Chapter 11 protection in April, when it shed 2,000 jobs, or 43% of its employees.
Members of House Telecom Subcommittee urged Defense Dept. and wireless industry Tues. to work out differences on 3rd generation wireless spectrum, although military top brass continued to raise red flags on relocation, reimbursement, timing. Verizon Wireless CEO Denny Strigl used hearing to call on Congress to weigh in on settlement solution for C-block spectrum returned by U.S. Appeals Court, D.C., to NextWave. On 3G front, Rep. Pickering (R-Miss.) said he planned to introduce bill “as soon as possible,” quipping that all spectrum was “on the table” except for bands occupied by MMDS and Instructional TV Fixed Services licensees. Subcommittee Chmn. Upton (R-Mich.) said he foresaw markup in Oct. time frame, despite differences that appeared to be keeping cellular operators and Pentagon apart. While much of panel appeared to be interested in finding ways to use DoD-occupied spectrum at 1.7 GHz for mobile Internet applications, several members questioned impact on national security and continuing military operations. Rep. Harman (D- Cal.), addressing Pentagon “skepticism” about ability of military to move, said, “I would not agree that the right answer is ‘We just can’t.'” She said: “I would suggest that more attention needs to be paid to how to make that transition effective.” Nearly 3-hour hearing, first this year on 3G, also focused on Enhanced 911 progress and need for lifting spectrum cap.
National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) has issued compilation of wireless phone legislation that state lawmakers have passed so far this year, including spate of measures directed at Enhanced 911 (E911) costs. Not counting bills that restrict cellphone use while driving, 20 states passed legislation covering other wireless issues, including new taxes. At least 9 governors have signed into law since Jan. legislative provisions on E911. Earlier this month, Alaska adopted bill that allows creation of E911 surcharges on wireless bills. For municipalities with populations of at least 100,000, E911 surcharge can’t exceed 50 cents per wireless phone number. For towns with fewer residents, surcharge can’t be greater than 75 cents per wireless phone. Ky., Md., Me., Miss., Neb., N.M. and Tenn. also passed E911-related legislation. Okla. bill, HB 1691, signed into law in April, allows county boards to submit question of 911 emergency wireless communication fee to voters. N.M. bill, HB 339, creates wireless E911 surcharge. In Miss., HB 469 establishes commercial mobile radio service board and requires wireless carriers to provide E911. Measure authorizes state highway patrol and local govts. that participated in wireless program to assess additional surcharge on drivers stopped for traffic violations. Surcharge can be used to pay for public safety wireless equipment. New Tenn. law directs state Dept. of Economic and Community Development to conduct study on wireless service in rural areas. Study must be completed by Feb. 15 and is to address costs of erecting additional towers to reach lower population areas. It also must evaluate feasibility of state and local govts.’ participating in construction of additional towers to improve wireless access of public safety agencies.