NLC Supports FCC’s 911 Action

Little Rock, Ark., Mayor Jim Dailey voiced the support of the National League of Cities (NLC) for actions taken by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to require enhanced 911 (E911) service for customers of voice-over-Internet (VoIP) phone service. Dailey, chairman of the FCCs Intergovernmental Advisory Committee and a member of the NLC Advisory Council, reaffirmed the importance of providing emergency service to anyone using phone service, regardless of how it is delivered.

The tragic and moving stories told to the FCC this morning by families who suffered real loss when unable to obtain emergency services clearly show that telecommunications policy is about more than big business and new gadgets, Dailey said. As local officials, we have always known the important role telecommunications plays in public safety.

In the past, the FCC has urged deregulation and federalization of voice-over-Internet services without taking into consideration all of its ramifications. Dailey further stated, Industry supporters have pressed their point that any services offered over the Internet should be hands-off to local concerns. As we have heard this morning, clearly this has been a mistake.

We are pleased the FCC has taken this action today to require voice-over-Internet providers to provide E911 service and to notify customers when E911 service is less than complete. In the upcoming debates over telecom reform, we urge the FCC and Congress not to repeat past mistakes of deregulating first and solving problems later as they consider the full range of new Internet-based services, Dailey said.

The FCC order was in response to a growing number of incidents where VoIP customers dialed 911 but were not able to reach emergency operators. Under the order, VoIP service providers must ensure that their customers are able to reach their local emergency operator as part of a standard feature, similar to what is offered for traditional telephone services. The VoIP providers must provide emergency operators with call-back numbers and location information where required by public safety officials. The providers must inform customers of their E911 capabilities and limitations of service.

In 2004, the FCC had taken a hands-off policy regarding Internet services, finding that they were information services, not telecommunications services. NLC has opposed this decision, citing public safety concerns such as the ones identified today.

Unfortunately, technology has moved faster than regulation and policy favoring the rapid deployment of new services has led to some drastic consequences, said Gary I. Resnick, Wilton Manors, Fla., Commissioner and a member of the FCC Committee. Public safety demands continuing oversight and regulation even over new technologies that offer much promise for consumers. We are pleased that the Chairman and FCC have moved to address public safety in such a strong fashion.

The ruling compels VoIP providers to comply with the new requirements within 120 days.

The National League of Cities serves as a resource and advocate for 18,000 cities, towns, and villages of all sizes, which collectively serve 225 million people.

Source: National League of Cities (NLC).