Text-to-911

May 17, 2013 —The FCC released a Report and Order [FCC 13-64] regarding the roll out of text-to-911, specifically requiring wireless carriers as well as providers of text messaging services to provide a “bounce-back” message to consumers who attempt to use text-to-911 but where the service is unavailable or the text is unable to be transmitted.

April 9, 2013 — The Wireless RERC submitted reply comments to the Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: “Facilitating the Deployment of Text-to-911 and Other Next Generation 911 Applications” [PS Docket No. 11-153] and “Framework for Next Generation 911 Deployment” [PS Docket No. 10-255]. The Wireless RERC expressed their continued support for obligatory rules concerning the deployment of text-to-911.

The Wireless RERC submitted reply comments in response to the Federal Communications Commission's Further Notice of Purposed Rulemaking: Facilitating the Deployment of Text-to-911 and Other Next Generation 911 Applications [PS Docket No. 11-153] and Framework for Next Generation 911 Deployment [PS Docket No. 10-255]. The Wireless RERC agreed with assertions that the regulations on the availability of text-to-911 and bounce back error messages should apply to all mobile service providers.

December 12, 2012 — The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking [FCC 12-149] that proposed rules requiring all wireless carriers and providers of Internet-based text messaging applications to enable customers to send text messages to 911 centers (text-to-911).

December 6, 2012—The four largest wireless carriers in the U.S.—AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile—have made the commitment to accelerate the deployment of text-to-911 services, starting with major deployments in 2013 and nationwide access available by May 15, 2014. The announcement was made by Julius Genachowski, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman, who also stated the FCC’s promise to work with all stakeholders and initiate any additional actions to ensure the accessibility of text-to-911 messaging is reached as soon as possible.