The following information is courtesy of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Public Safety & Homeland Security Bureau.
Additional information may be obtained by viewing their direct website at http://www.fcc.gov/pshs/services/911-services/Welcome.html.

9-1-1 Service

9-1-1 service is a vital part of our nation's emergency response and disaster preparedness system. In October 1999, the Wireless Communications and Public Safety Act of 1999 (9-1-1 Act) took effect with the purpose of improving public safety by encouraging and facilitating the prompt deployment of a nationwide, seamless communications infrastructure for emergency services. One provision of the 9-1-1 Act directs the FCC to make 9-1-1 the universal emergency number for all telephone services.

The FCC has taken a number of steps to increase public safety by encouraging and coordinating development of a nationwide, seamless communications system for emergency services. The FCC has designed and established transition periods to bring the nation's communications infrastructure into compliance.

In order to deliver emergency help more quickly and effectively, the carriers and public safety entities are upgrading the 9-1-1 network on a regular basis. For example, most 9-1-1 systems now automatically report the telephone number and location of 9-1-1 calls made from wireline phones, a capability called Enhanced 9-1-1, or E9-1-1.

The FCC also requires wireless telephone carriers to provide 9-1-1 and E9-1-1 capability, where a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) requests it. Once it is implemented fully, wireless E9-1-1 will provide an accurate location for 9-1-1 calls from wireless phones.

Other FCC rules regulate 9-1-1 for Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), mobile satellite services, telematics, and Text Telephone Devices (TTYs). The 9-1-1 requirements are an important part of FCC programs to apply modern communications technologies to public safety.

Basic 911

The Wireless Communications and Public Safety Act of 1999 (911 Act) took effect on October 26, 1999. The purpose of the 911 Act is to improve public safety by encouraging and facilitating the prompt deployment of a nationwide, seamless communications infrastructure for emergency services.

One provision of the 911 Act directs the FCC to make 911 the universal emergency number for all telephone services. Where other emergency numbers had been used, the FCC was directed to establish appropriate transition periods for areas in which 911 was not in use as an emergency telephone number.

State and local authorities continue to expand 911 coverage and upgrade 911 services. Although there may be some counties that still do not have basic 911 services, wireless carriers can deliver 911 calls to the appropriate local emergency authority.

Based on these reports, virtually all carriers now use 911 as the universal emergency number and route 911 calls to an appropriate PSAP. However, emergency services through a PSAP may not be available in all localities.

Carrier Transition Reports

Enhanced 9-1-1 - Wireless Services

The FCC's wireless Enhanced 9-1-1 (E9-1-1) rules seek to improve the effectiveness and reliability of wireless 9-1-1 services by providing 9-1-1 dispatchers with additional information on wireless 9-1-1 calls. The FCC's wireless E9-1-1 rules apply to all wireless licensees, broadband Personal Communications Service (PCS) licensees, and certain Specialized Mobile Radio (SMR) licensees.

The FCC has divided its wireless E9-1-1 program into two parts - Phase I and Phase II. Under Phase I, the FCC requires carriers, within six months of a valid request by a local Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP), to provide the PSAP with the telephone number of the originator of a wireless 9-1-1 call and the location of the cell site or base station transmitting the call.

Under Phase II, the FCC requires wireless carriers, within six months of a valid request by a PSAP, to begin providing information that is more precise to PSAPs, specifically, the latitude and longitude of the caller. This information must meet FCC accuracy standards, generally to within 50 to 300 meters, depending on the type of technology used. The deployment of E9-1-1 requires the development of new technologies and upgrades to local 9-1-1 PSAPs, as well as coordination among public safety agencies, wireless carriers, technology vendors, equipment manufacturers, and local wireline carriers.

PSAP Registry

The FCC maintains a Master PSAP Registry with information on PSAP names and locations.

Waivers and Reports

In its orders, the FCC has addressed requests for waivers of the Phase II rules, granting some subject to certain conditions and reporting requirements. For information on the Phase II deployment by large and mid-size carriers, see the most recent quarterly report.

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and 911

The ability to access emergency services by dialing 911 is a vital component of public safety and emergency preparedness. Recent reports of consumers’ inability to access life-saving emergency services while using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services have highlighted a critical public safety gap. The FCC has taken steps to close this gap by imposing Enhanced 911 (E911) obligations on providers of “interconnected” VoIP services. Interconnected VoIP services are those that use the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), including wireless networks, to originate and terminate calls. E911 systems automatically provide to emergency service personnel a 911 caller’s call back number and, in most cases, location information.

In May 2005, the FCC adopted rules requiring providers of interconnected VoIP services to supply 911 emergency calling capabilities to their customers as a mandatory feature of the service by November 28, 2005. "Interconnected" VoIP services are VoIP services that allow a user generally to receive calls from and make calls to the traditional telephone network. Under the FCC rules, interconnected VoIP providers must:

Deliver all 911 calls to the local emergency call center;
Deliver the customer’s call back number and location information where the emergency call center is capable of receiving it; and
Inform their customers of the capabilities and limitations of their VoIP 911 service.

The Federal/State Task Force

Access to 911 emergency services is an issue that affects us at all levels - national, state, and local. Therefore, the FCC and the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners ("NARUC") formed the Joint Federal/State VoIP Enhanced 911 Enforcement Task Force to facilitate compliance with and enforcement of the FCC’s VoIP 911 rules. The Task Force, which consists of staff from the FCC and State Public Utility Commissions, will coordinate closely with the National Emergency Number Association, the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials, and state and local 911 authorities. The Task Force’s mission is to develop educational materials to ensure that consumers understand their rights and the requirements of the FCC’s VoIP 911 Order; develop appropriate compliance and enforcement strategies; compile data; and share best practices.