FCC to investigate fraudulent 911 calls from cellphones

The Federal Communications Commission launched an inquiry into the growing problem of fraudulent 911 calls from cellphones no longer affiliated with mobile phone service providers, a dilemma that is diverting public safety resources away from citizens facing actual emergencies.
“We all know that people are relying on cellphones for more and more of their calls, including calls to 911,” said FCC Chairman Kevin Martin. “The advances in wireless technology allow people to call for help more quickly and from more remote places than ever before. When used appropriately, wireless devices are a valuable tool that can speed help to those who are in need. Any tool, however, when used inappropriately, can damage the usefulness of the tool for others.”
While FCC rules require cellular carriers to transmit all 911 calls – including those from non-service initialized handsets – they also permit wireless service providers to block such calls so long as they adhere to applicable state and local law enforcement procedures. The FCC said mobile phone operators and public safety officials worry that blocking 911 calls at issue raises legal and technical questions.
“The data from several states reveal alarming statistics,” said Commissioner Deborah Taylor Tate. “In my home state of Tennessee, there were more than 10,000 fraudulent 911 calls from non-service initialized devices in a three-month period in 2006. In short, these huge numbers of fraudulent calls distract our nation’s public safety officials, which in turn makes it that much more difficult for these public servants to fulfill their life-saving mission.”
The FCC’s decision to investigate the problem was prompted by a petition filed by the Tennessee Emergency Communications Board, the National Association of State 9-1-1 Administrators, the Michigan State 9-1-1 Office, the New Jersey State 9-1-1 Commission, the Snohomish County Enhanced 9-1-1 Office, the National Emergency Number Association, the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials International, the State of Montana 911 Program, the Washington Sate E911 Program, and Openwave Systems Inc.