Posted: Sep 22 – 11:28 am
On September 22, NENA praised Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Julius Genachowski for the Commissions adoption of a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) focused on accelerating the development and deployment of Next Generation 9-1-1(?) (NG9-1-1(?)) systems.
Learn more about the NPRM:
- Read the NPRM
- Continue reading the NENA Release
- FCC Release: FCC Adopts NG9-1-1 NPRM & Staff Presents NG9-1-1 Cost Study
- Next Generation 9-1-1 Cost Study
- FCC Chairman: 9-1-1 “a cornerstone of our public safety communications infrastructure.”
- Statements from Commissioners Clyburn, McDowell, & Copps
The NPRM asks practical, technical questions about how to enable text, photo, and video transmission to 9-1-1. As part of the proceeding, the FCC will examine interim solutions that could enable SMS text users to access 9â1â1 in the near future. This step is particularly meaningful in light of the Commissions ongoing work to improve the accessibility of 9â1â1 to individuals with disabilities.
On the heels of last months five-step action plan to deploy NG9-1-1, NENA applauds this action and the Commissions continued dedication to advancing emergency communications into the broadband-era, said NENA President, Rick Galway. We thank the Commission for their continued leadership on this issue and their commitment to identifying and eliminating legal and regulatory barriers to NG9-1-1 deployment.
The NPRM also asks whether and how 9-1-1 traffic should be prioritized in communications networks, an action that could improve outcomes for individuals struck by disaster who need help when communications networks are most stressed.
As consumers increasingly use converged voice, video, and data services to communicate with one another, and as emergency response entities work to deploy wireless broadband networks, it is increasingly important that 9-1-1 centers be equipped with the next generation technology required to seamlessly receive and distribute many forms of information. NENA looks forward to working with the Commission and leaders at all levels of government to address the technical, operational, policy, and funding issues surrounding the deployment of NG9-1-1 systems, Galway said.