Enact a federal Next Generation 911 (NG911) regulatory framework

Recommendation #208

FCC Chapter: 16.14

Status: In progress

Congress should consider enacting of federal Next Generation 911 (NG911) regulatory framework.

The legislation should:

• Recognize existing state authority over 911 services but require states to remove regulatory roadblocks to NG911 development,
• Give the Federal Communications Commission the authority to implement a NG911 federal regulatory framework, eliminate outdated 911 regulations at the federal level and preempt inconsistent state regulations,
• Be coordinated with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA report to ensure federal regulation of NG911 is consistent.

Congress should consider steps to curtail Tribal, state and local use of 911 funds for purposes other than 911.

Congress should consider amending and reauthorizing the ENHANCE 911 Act and restoring the E911 Implementation Coordination Office (ICO) with appropriate funding.

ICO can build upon its prior work with wireless and IP-enabled 911 services and help ensure NG911 is deployed in an interoperable and reliable fashion.