New wave of location-accuracy standards based on an FCC mandate
WASHINGTON – In accordance with the Federal Communications Commission’s rules issued in January, the wireless industry is developing comprehensive standards for next generation 911 location accuracy reporting.
The company 911 Location Technologies Test Bed is an independent entity created by wireless trade association CTIA and the wireless industry based on a mandate by the FCC ruling. This week, 911 Location Technologies announced it is seeking bids for companies to actually conduct the 911 location accuracy test.
The test will be administered by Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions, which will design the program and ultimately set the industry standards for 911 location accuracy reporting. The FCC views more accurate wireless reporting as a crucial piece of public safety.
FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler said at the time, “First responders are less able to rapidly and accurately locate a significant percentage of calls for help than they could in previous years. We need to update our wireless 911 rules to solve this problem. The record that was developed in response to our proposals tells us that there have been significant advances in technology, including technologies that have the potential to locate indoor callers by address, floor and apartment or room number.”
Under FCC rules, ATIS and 911 Location Technologies will have to make it viable for service providers to provide 911 responders with a caller’s indoor location within 164 feet in 40% of cases. By 2020, the accuracy standard will apply to 60% of cases. If providers do not meet these standards, they could face large fines from the FCC.
As the next generation 911 system has been rolled out, there have been numerous shortfalls and outages, which has led the FCC to levy $40 million in fines just this year against 911 service providers.
Wheeler said during a speech to the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International, “I cannot imagine a more harrowing experience than desperately needing to call 911 because a loved one needs medical attention, only to pick up the phone and hear … nothing. We won’t stand for it.”
With this in mind, 911 Location Technologies is looking to make its test as rigorous and successful as possible.
“By establishing the test bed and working with ATIS, we are taking key steps toward meeting the FCC’s aggressive timelines,” said Tom Sawanobori, VP at 911 Location Technologies. “We look forward to partnering with the testing experts who can help industry and public safety stakeholders evaluate the performance of deployed and emerging wireless 911 location technologies, such as Z-axis. ”
The final vendor will be selected by 911 Location Technologies on Dec. 31, with testing slated to conclude by the end of 2016.
