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FCC Proposes Action to Accelerate the Availability
of Nationwide Text-to-911
Service |
This story was retrieved from the FCC website. Neither
the FCC nor any other entity represented in the article endorses this website.
This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of
the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action.
See
MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).
FCC Proposes Action to Accelerate the Availability of Nationwide Text-to-911
Service
-- Proposal Would Mark the First Major
Milestone in the Nation’s Transition to Next-Generation 911
Washington,
D.C. – The Federal Communications Commission today proposed rules to bring
Americans the ability to send text messages to 911 more rapidly and uniformly,
and to inform consumers about the availability and appropriate use of text-to-911.
The Commission’s proposed action builds on prior Commission initiatives and
the recent voluntary commitment by the nation’s four largest wireless carriers,
with support of leading public safety organizations, to make text-to-911 available
to their customers by May 15, 2014, with significant deployments expected
in 2013. The Commission’s proposed action also seeks to accelerate the nation’s
transition to a Next-Generation 911 system that will use cutting-edge communications
technology to assist first responders in keeping our communities safe.
In the Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking adopted today, the Commission
proposed to require that all wireless carriers, as well as providers of certain
Internet-based (“over the top”) text messaging applications – that is, those
that send text messages to phone numbers – enable their customers to send
text messages to 911 in areas where local 911 call centers (known as Public
Safety Answering Points, or PSAPs) are also prepared to receive the texts.
Noting the voluntary commitment of the four largest wireless carriers to deploy
text-to-911 capability by May 15, 2014 in areas where the 911 call center
is prepared to receive the texts, the Commission sought comment on whether
this timeframe is achievable for all carriers and third-party messaging providers.
Implementing text-to-911 will keep pace with how consumers communicate
today and can provide a lifesaving alternative in situations where a person
with a hearing or speech disability is unable to make a voice call, where
voice networks are congested, or where a 911 voice call could endanger the
caller. At the same time, the Commission emphasized that text-to-911 will
be a complement to, not a substitute for, existing voice-based 911 service,
and that consumers should always make a voice call to 911 during an emergency
if they can.
Although the vast majority of text messages today are
Short Message Service (SMS) messages supported by a wireless carrier, today’s
action recognized that an increasing number of consumers are using newer Internet-based
forms of text messaging applications that can be downloaded on smartphones
and other mobile devices, known as “over the top” text messaging. By proposing
to extend text-to-911 requirements to certain “over the top” applications
– those that send text messages to phone numbers but not, for example, within
games and social media – the FCC’s proposal would ensure that as text messaging
evolves, consumers will be able to reach 911 by the same texting methods they
use every day.
The Commission further recognized that while its proposal
is designed to accelerate the nationwide availability of text-to-911, deployment
will not be uniform, and it is important for consumers to be informed during
the transition about whether text-to-911 is available in their local area.
To educate consumers and prevent confusion, the FCC proposed to require all
wireless carriers and certain “over the top” text messaging providers to send
automated “bounce back” error messages to consumers attempting to text 911
in areas where the service is not yet available. The error message would indicate
that the text did not reach 911 and that the consumer should instead place
a voice call to 911 if possible. The Commission noted that the nation’s four
largest wireless carriers, in their agreement announced last week, have committed
to provide automatic “bounce back” messages across their networks by June
20, 2013. Today’s proposal seeks comment on whether it is feasible for all
carriers and third-party messaging providers to implement this same “bounce
back” capability in this timeframe.
Action by the Commission December
12, 2012, by Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FCC 12-149) Chairman Genachowski,
Commissioners McDowell, Clyburn, Rosenworcel and Pai. Separate statements
issued by Chairman Genachowski, Commissioners McDowell, Clyburn, Rosenworcel
and Pai. For further information, contact Patrick Donovan at (202) 418-2413.
– FCC –
For more news and information about the FCC please visit:
www.fcc.gov
Posted 12/14/2012
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