Wireless RERC - Next Generation 911 (NG911)

Text-to-911 and NG911 Policy Study

mz22 — Mon, 05 Dec 2016 21:36:47 +0000

Publication Type:

November 2016 – The Wireless RERC published a research brief summarizing the results of a study of 9-1-1 policies at the state and local levels in relation to text-to-911 and next generation 9-1-1 (NG911) deployments in the United States. The brief is a high-level summary of state emergency communications offices and public-safety answering point (PSAP) policies regarding text-to-911 and/or NG911 as it relates to people with disabilities’ access to emergency services. The purpose of the study was to identify the extent to which content regarding individuals with disabilities was included in state and local text-to-911 and NG-911 policies.

Related Files:

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Research Brief - NG911 Policy Study.docx	32.23 KB

FCC to Host Accessible Wireless Emergency Communications Forum

mz22 — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 12:38:08 +0000

Emergency Communications

Accessible Emergency Information

Next Generation 911 (NG911)

Accessible Wireless Emergency Communications Forum

October 2014 – The FCC announced it will host a forum next month promoting accessibility in wireless emergency communications. The event will allow industry and emergency communications specialists the opportunity to present innovations in services, emergency, assistive and accessible technologies that increase information and communications access in the event of an emergency. With goals of advancing inclusive and accessible wireless emergency communications for all, the sessions will include presentations from wireless carriers, government agencies, academia, advocates and providers of accessible notifications systems. The Wireless RERC and Georgia Tech’s Center for Advanced Communications Policy will participate in a panel titled, Disability Strategies for Research and Action in the Field. Other panels will cover government strategies concerning inclusive emergency alerts and warnings; the transition to next-generation 911 capabilities; and outreach and engagement strategies.

Throughout the day, the FCC’s Technology Experience Center will have an exhibition of prototypes and technology solutions designed to increase independence and protective active decisions by people with disabilities during times of local or national emergencies.

The event will begin on Friday, November 7, 2014 at 9am, at the FCC Headquarters, 445 12th Street, SW, Washington, DC 20554. This free event is open to the public, and will be available via live webcast at www.fcc.gov/live.

For additional information please contact Kelly Jones of the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau at Kelly.Jones@fcc.gov or call (202) 418-7078.

Wireless RERC Makes Text-to-911 Recommendations

mz22 — Wed, 07 May 2014 21:21:41 +0000

Text-to-911

Next Generation 911 (NG911)

Publication Type:

Policy Filings

May 2014 – The Wireless RERC filed reply comments to the FCC’s Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking regarding Facilitating the Deployment of Text-to911 and Other Next Generation 911 Applications. In accord with Sprint’s comments, the Wireless RERC agreed that, while relay service providers perform a valuable role in providing telecommunications access for people with disabilities, within the context of 911 calls relay services are not ideal. TRS relies on a third party to convey information from the caller to the call taker and back again, adding time, which in an emergency is of the utmost importance. Based on its research findings, the Wireless RERC recommended a focus on mobile SMS and over the top text (OTT) messaging services as the interim NG911 solution, as both were identified as two of the most preferred methods for people with hearing and speech disabilities to contact emergency services. The comments provided are in favor of regulating the Carrier-NENA-APCP Agreement, so as to ensure consistent access to the service and regulatory parity amongst providers. If the FCC decides not to regulate, the Wireless RERC recommended that the FCC follow the model used with Wireless Emergency Alerts (formerly CMAS) in that providers were required to formally elect to participate in the program, and upon election to participate rules concerning deployment became applicable. Please visit the link below to review the comments in their entirety.

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Reply Comments (wRERC Final)_5.2014_2ndFNPRM_Text-to-911.docx	57.47 KB

EAAC Identifies NG911 Accessibility Gaps

mz22 — Wed, 17 Jul 2013 15:39:42 +0000

Emergency Access Advisory Committee (EAAC)

Next Generation 911 (NG911)

National Emergency Number Association (NENA)

EAAC Report on Gaps in NENA i3

July 2013 —The Emergency Access Advisory Committee (EAAC) of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released a report outlining “gaps in NENA i3 NG9-1-1 specifications related to EAAC Accessibility reports.” The report reviews the NENA Functional and Interface Standards for Next Generations 9-1-1 (NENA i3), a document widely used in the development of NG9-1-1, and notes that certain gaps in the NENA i3 may prevent accessibility within NG9-1-1. Specifically, the EAAC notes that future versions of NENA i3 need to address many items, including the need for standards to address emergency calls using a relay service, the use of media communication line services, transferring and call-back procedures relating to multi-media calls, joint use of text and voice in emergency calls, and silent call procedures. Although the EAAC notes that issues with accessibility remain in the current version of the NENA i3, they also note that “the NENA i3 08-003 specification represents a tremendous accomplishment in establishing the framework for accessible NG9-1-1 communications, and the list of gaps in no way overshadows or diminishes the work done to date.”

9-1-1 & Alert Trends for People with Disabilities

mz22 — Tue, 02 Jul 2013 15:44:03 +0000

Next Generation 911 (NG911)

Text-to-911

accessibility

Publication Type:

Presentations

June 2013 — Wireless RERC principal investigator, Dr. Helena Mitchell, presented 9-1-1 & Alert Trends for People with Disabilities at the National Emergency Number Associations’ (NENA) annual conference in Charlotte, North Carolina. NENA’s educational tracks, among other things, addressed NG911, accessibility, text-to-911, public outreach, and Geographical Information Systems (GIS). NENA hosted thousands of public safety professionals, telecommunications specialists, and federal, state, and local policymakers for a week of discussions, presentations and demonstrations aimed at developing an understanding the near and long-term issues facing public safety and the skills needed to address challenges.

Related Files:

Attachment	Size
NENA_2013 FINAL_with alt text_no bckgrnd graphics.pdf	1.18 MB

New Rules for Text-to-911

mz22 — Tue, 28 May 2013 15:23:37 +0000

Text-to-911

Emergency Communications

Next Generation 911 (NG911)

Report and Order [PS Docket No. 11-153] and [PS Docket No. 10-255]

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. Text-to-911 is currently available in a limited number of areas, but will become more widely available as more areas transition to Next Generation 911. Therefore, the FCC notes that to “reduce the risk of a person sending a text message to 911 in an emergency and mistakenly believing that 911 authorities have received it,” the reply message will tell the consumer that their message was not received and provide “directions to use another means to contact emergency services.” The rules become effective June 28, 2013.

Wireless RERC Comments on the Accessibility of Next Generation 911 Deployment and Application

mz22 — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 14:22:46 +0000

Text-to-911

Next Generation 911 (NG911)

accessibility

TTY

Wireless RERC Reply Comments

Publication Type:

Policy Filings

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 recommended that pre-installed messaging applications be included in any text-to-911 mandates, as it could help “pave the way for transitioning to an all-IP environment.” Regarding the timetable for text-to-911 deployment, the Wireless RERC agreed with the National Emergency Number Association’s (NENA’s) recommendation that the FCC make May 15, 2015 the deadline for small and rural carriers to meet the text-to-911 requirements. The Wireless RERC supported AT&T’s recommendation to officially require 911 to be used as the short-code and those devices that “cannot send a three digit short code should be phased out of the market.” Finally, the Wireless RERC concurred with NENA’s recommendation that a five year timeframe be established to further evaluate the implications of sun-setting mobile TTY requirements.

Next Emergency Access Advisory Committee Meeting On June 14, 2013

mz22 — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 16:46:34 +0000

Emergency Access Advisory Committee (EAAC)

Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility of 2010 (CVAA)

Next Generation 911 (NG911)

disabilities

Public Notice

March 2013 — The next Emergency Access Advisory Committee (EAAC) meeting will be held at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) headquarters on June 14, 2013 from 10:30 AM to 3:30 PM (EST). The EAAC is an advisory committee established on December 7, 2010 under the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (CVAA) that focuses on evaluating and determining the most effective technologies that enable individuals with disabilities access to Next Generation 911 (NG 9-1-1). The agenda for the upcoming EAAC meeting includes discussion from EAAC subcommittees on reports and related activities.

Wireless RERC Inclusion in the FCC Report on NG911 Services

mz22 — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 21:25:59 +0000

Next Generation 911 (NG911)

accessibility

Hearing Loss

FCC Report to Congress: Legal and Regulatory Framework for Next Generation 911 Services

Publication Type:

Policy Filings

February 2013— The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released a Report to Congress in entitled Legal and Regulatory Framework for Next Generation 911 Services, in which the Wireless RERC was cited and referenced throughout the document. In preparation of the report, the FCC issued a Public Notice that sought public comments on the issues related to the legal and regulatory infrastructure needed for the transition from legacy 911 to Next Generation 911 (NG911). The Wireless RERC is referenced in regard to its support of NG911 deployment being governed at the state and local level and for favoring new 911 funding mechanisms, as the current system is thought to be outdated and inefficient for supporting the transition to NG911. In regard to how 911 funds should be collected, the Wireless RERC comment was included that noted the importance of a fee-based approach ensuring that “non-voice-enabled services contribute their fair share to 911 funding.” The Report also included Wireless RERC recommendations on specifically increasing the role and authority of the Emergency Access Advisory Committee (EAAC), expanding the Public Safety Interoperable Communications (PSIC) grant program to include technologies that advance NG911, and enhancing the Master Public Safety Advisory Point (PSAP) Registry to provide an interactive map showing each PSAP’s NG911 capability.

FCC Recommendations on Deployment of NG911 Services

mz22 — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 21:11:45 +0000

Next Generation 9-1-1 Act of 2012

Next Generation 911 (NG911)

Hearing Loss

FCC Report to Congress: Legal and Regulatory Framework for Next Generation 911 Services

February 27, 2013— The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) submitted a Report to Congress pursuant to Section 6509 of the Next Generation 9-1-1 Advancement Act of 2012 (NG911 Act) entitled: Legal and Regulatory Framework for Next Generation 911 Services. The report, developed by FCC staff in the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, provides recommendations to build the necessary legal and regulatory infrastructure to support states, public safety answering points (PSAPs) and service providers, as they transition from legacy 911 to NG911. Primary recommendations to Congress include:

Incentivize states to become “early adopters” of NG911 through challenge grants and other competitive funding programs.
While NG911 deployment should be governed at the state and local level, Congress should promote standards, such as ensuring “NG911 [is] fully accessible to people with disabilities”, through continued regulation and outreach efforts.
Promote the development of location technologies that can support all NG911 applications on all networks and devices.
Evaluate and, where appropriate, eliminate state legacy regulations that impede the deployment of NG911 and ensure the inclusion of regulations that provides accessibility to NG911 services for all individuals, including those with disabilities.
Support an advisory board that evaluates the enhancement and utilization of technologies that facilitate communication between public safety services and individuals with disabilities.