Congress can help new automatic auto crash notification (ACN) technology increase vehicle safety by encouraging research grants and by keeping effort free of regulation, ComCARE Alliance said Thurs. While Capitol Hill understands value of telematics -- application of voice and wireless technology to in-vehicle services -- “there is no government initiative to install telematics in automobiles,” ATX Technologies Pres. Steven Millstein said at media breakfast that started all-day “technology demonstration” in Rayburn Bldg. “Despite the lack of a mandate from Congress, safety is on the minds of the automakers, which are voluntarily rolling out automatic crash notification technology,” he said. Congress needs to understand importance of ACN and “allow it to flourish without any intervention,” he said. ComCARE is coalition of medical, 911, law enforcement and public safety groups; wireless carriers; automotive companies; telematics suppliers. Group said it seeks $5-10 million in federal grants to support R&D efforts for ACN technologies and protocols.
In continued exchange between public safety community and CTIA on thorny Enhanced 911 issues, CTIA Pres. Tom Wheeler wrote to 2 groups this week, elaborating on remaining challenges to implementation of Phase 2 before Oct. 1 deadline. Letter is follow-up to strongly worded July 2 missive by CTIA to Assn. of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO) and National Emergency Number Assn. (NENA), from which some wireless carriers had distanced themselves. Wheeler wrote July 17 to NENA and APCO that he wants to “continue our dialogue” on joint E911 challenges. “The purpose of my previous letter was to inquire of your organizations how you intend to establish equivalent deliverable expectations for your members,” Wheeler wrote. Wheeler cited assertion by groups that public safety answering points (PSAPs) not ready to roll out Phase 2 of E911 today will be ready within 6 months after they submit Phase 2 request to particular wireless carrier. “With all due respect, that is exactly the heart of the problem I was trying to raise in my earlier correspondence,” Wheeler said. “With carrier-enabled handsets or networks available, consumers will expect location capability whether or not a particular PSAP has determined it wants to make a Phase 2 request.” Wheeler said wireless carriers will know whether they buy E911-capable handset or have local wireless network that supports this location-specific capability. “The only way they will have equivalent knowledge that the information being transmitted can be used for their safety is for all of America’s PSAPs to step up and commit to a parallel implementation schedule,” Wheeler said. He noted that “major problems” still must be worked out concerning Phase One capabilities for E911. “Since Phase One is a technical precursor to Phase 2, should not those problems get worked out before Phase 2 makes things even more difficult,” Wheeler asked in detailed 7-page letter. Wheeler said that point of his previous correspondence was to seek similar commitment by PSAPs to deal with these issues in manner in which solutions are binding on every PSAP. Structure is needed, for example, on whether location-specific information will be processed by PSAPs using SS-7 protocol or IP format, Wheeler said. “The regulatory process is imposing uniform requirements on wireless carriers, what will be the equivalent solution for your members,” Wheeler said.
Cal. PUC became first state commission in nation to adopt rules for allowing consumers to charge small purchases to their wireless or wireline phone bills. New PUC rules implement state law passed last year that took effect July 1. Law amends anticramming statute to permit use of phone bills for non- communications-related charges under rules set by PUC. Permitted charges would be for items such as beverages, snacks, magazines. Some phone carriers in Europe and Japan already offer that type of billing through arrangements with merchants. Under Cal. rules, telephone customers must subscribe in advance to authorize noncommunications charges and can cancel their subscription at any time by giving notice to their phone carrier. Each nontelecom purchase must be verified by PIN number or other security device. Because phone companies in effect are offering credit, billing service must adhere to federal regulations on consumer credit disclosures of interest, fees, penalties, handling of disputed charges, other terms. Phone companies must screen vendors and billing agents for history of consumer fraud and must itemize nonphone charges on bills, indicating what each charge was for, who put it on bill and whom to contact with questions. PUC said basic phone services couldn’t be disconnected for failure to pay non-telecom-related charges. It said new technologies that allowed charging purchases to phone bills would be emerging soon in Cal., and agency sought to design rules that would provide effective protection against fraud and abuse without creating barriers to offering new service. PUC said it would review effects of new rules in 18 months.
Decision by 4th U.S. Appeals Court, Richmond, Va., that federal law bans localities from imposing open access mandates on cable operators is likely to halt efforts by cities and counties to enact such requirements, according to both open access proponents and opponents. With its unanimous ruling late Wed. that cable modem lines were “telecommunications facilities” that couldn’t be regulated locally, 4th Circuit panel joined 9th U.S. Appeals Court, San Francisco, and U.S. Dist. Court, Miami, in striking down local open access ordinances as violations of either Constitution or federal law. Although 3 courts differed on grounds for rejection and on regulatory classification of Internet access over cable lines, they all agreed that cities and counties couldn’t impose restrictions on cable modem service. “The local authorities are becoming preempted out of this,” said Andrew McBride, partner at Wiley, Rein & Fielding, who represented Verizon in joint case with Henrico County against AT&T and MediaOne. “They [the courts] keep reaffirming the federal authority over this.”
Broad cross-section of wireless carriers and consumer groups urged FCC to implement transition period before eliminating requirements that cellular operators provide analog service. Recommendations came in comments to Commission this week on notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) in which agency asked whether it should do away with or modify requirements for cellular carriers that dated back to 1981, including whether AMPS-type (Advanced Mobile Phone Systems) service requirement should be kept in place. Sprint PCS, Qwest and Verizon Wireless were among carriers advocating 5-year transition period before AMPS requirement was shelved. Factors cited by carriers advocating phase-out period include: (1) Large number of subscribers still using analog service. (2) Dominance of AMPS technology for roaming. (3) Importance of AMPS for linking customers to 911 services. (4) Reliance of new telematics systems such as General Motors OnStar system on analog networks. (5) Extent to which current digital technologies weren’t compatible with text-telephone systems (TTY) for subscribers with hearing disabilities.
Public safety officials fired off angry letter to CTIA Pres. Tom Wheeler, saying they agree with his call for better cooperation on Enhanced 911 but were troubled by “tone and substance” of June 24 letters from Wheeler. Wheeler urged better cooperation in letters to Assn. of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) and National Emergency Number Assn. (NENA) and urged public safety answering points (PSAPs) to make binding commitments on rolling out wireless E911 technology, although they remain unregulated by FCC. In part, Wheeler called for uniform implementation plan across more than 6,800 PSAPs and deployment of necessary upgrades. “We disagree with, and are frankly offended by, CTIA’s apparent effort to deflect criticism of carriers by suggesting that there needs to be a ‘binding and enforceable commitment’ by the PSAP community to make wireless E911 a reality,” public safety groups wrote to Wheeler. Letter was signed by APCO Pres. Lyle Gallagher, NENA Pres. Sharon Counterman and National Assn. of State Nine One One Administrators Evelyn Bailey. Letter ticked off incentives that PSAPs have to implement E911 that are centered around saving lives. “We are also deeply troubled by your implication that PSAPs and local governments have misappropriated the 911 fees collected through wireless telephone bills by failing to use those funds for wireless E911 upgrades,” letter said. “You appear to assume that implementing wireless E911 is the only expense that PSAPs incur and the only purpose for which 911 fees should be expended.” Letter notes that PSAPs respond to about 120,000 wireless 911 calls each day, task that is complicated by fact that dozens of calls can be received concerning same emergency. Public safety groups also contend that FCC policy changes haven’t contributed to slow carrier compliance because wireless operators have known about basic E911 requirements since 1996. In addition, groups questioned CTIA assertion that every wireless switch in U.S. is Phase 1 compliant, asking why some carriers haven’t provided Phase 1 service despite valid PSAP requests.
N.Y. Gov. George Pataki (R) signed legislation making N.Y. first state in nation to prohibit talking on handheld mobile phone while driving, except to report emergencies. On same day (Thurs.), R.I. legislature became 2nd to pass similar statewide handheld mobile phone use restriction. Unlike in N.Y., where Pataki was strong advocate of legislation, R.I. Gov. Lincoln Almond (R) said he hadn’t decided whether to sign bill. Pataki said new law “will help make our roads safer and save lives.” New N.Y. law (SB-5400) makes offenses primary traffic infraction, meaning drivers can be stopped simply for using handheld car phone. Penalty is $100 fine for first offense, $200 for 2nd and $500 for additional offenses, but no violation points. Starting in Nov., police will issue verbal warnings and can begin issuing tickets Dec. 1. Until March 1, fines can be waived for first offense if drivers show proof they have purchased hands-free device. Car phone bill passed in R.I. (HB-5757A) also makes offenses primary traffic violation, effective July 1 or date of enactment. Offenses would be equipment violation, with no violation points but carrying fines of $35 for first offense, $70 for 2nd, $140 for additional ones. R.I. measure would require that hands-free mobile phone devices leave one ear uncovered. Like N.Y. law, R.I. measure would exempt emergency calls and preempt local ordinances. N.Y. measure allows manual phone dialing as long as driver keeps one hand on wheel, but R.I. bill is silent on phone dialing. Verizon Wireless said N.Y. adopted “sensible” law and took signing as opportunity to announce discounts on hands- free mobile phone attachments as well as start of national “responsible driving” program this winter to offer education on safe car phone use.
N.Y. legislature passed bill that will make state first in nation to prohibit talking on handheld mobile phones while driving, except to report emergencies. Bill (SB-5400A) passed Assembly Mon. night 125-19 after Senate passage 50-8 late last week. Gov. George Pataki (R) said he would sign bill by end of this week. Beginning Nov. 1, drivers caught using handheld car phones will get verbal warning. Starting Dec. 1, tickets carrying $100 fine but no violations points can be issued even if driver has committed no other traffic violation. Until March 1, fine can be waived for first offense if drivers present proof they purchased hands-free mobile phone system. Legislation bans only talking on handheld car phone while driving. It permits manual dialing as long as drivers keep their hands on wheel. “Too many families have suffered the tragedy of seeing a loved one injured, sometimes fatally, in an accident caused by someone who was driving while using a cellphone,” said Pataki. N.Y. has about 6 million mobile phone subscribers who will be affected by new law.
There should be more coordination between public safety answering points (PSAPs) and wireless industry, CTIA said in June 24 letters to National Emergency Number Assn. and Assn. of Public- Safety Communications Officials. Letter urged PSAPs to make binding commitments on rollout of wireless E911 technology, even though they aren’t regulated by FCC. “If we are to succeed in delivering enhanced wireless 911 services to the American public, it will require our mutual cooperation,” CTIA Pres. Thomas Wheeler said in letter.
BOSTON -- Implications of sagging financial markets raised at Wireless Communications Assn. convention here this week ranged from difficulty in renewing ITFS leasing agreements to FCC delay in setting auction date for 24 GHz market. Winstar Chmn.-CEO William Rouhana, in first comments before industry group since company’s Chapter 11 filing in April, assailed “schizophrenia” that has beset telecom sector, pitting perception of “overvalued” assets of broadband providers against growing consumer demand for services. “There is this incredible schizophrenia that has taken hold,” he said Tues.