Framework for Next Generation 911 Deployment -- NOI

Description

On December 21, 2010, the Federal Communications Commission adopted a Notice of Inquiry(NOI) seeking public comment on how Next Generation 911 (NG911) can enable the public to obtain emergency assistance by means of advanced communications technologies beyond traditional voice-centric devices.

The NOI asked a comprehensive set of questions that address a number of issues related to the deployment of Next Generation 9-1-1 services, including, but not limited to:

• The technical feasibility and limitations of text messaging video streaming and photos;
• Consumer privacy issues, particularly related to the sharing of personal electronic medical data;
• Development of technical and policy standards;
• Consumer education and awareness; and
• Inter-governmental coordination and coordination within the public safety community.

Comments are due on or before February 28, 2011; reply comments March 14, 2011.

Issues

A. NG911 Capabilities and Applications
The FCC seeks comment on potential capabilities that the deployment of NG911 systems will provide to the public, and the likely architecture of NG911 networks. Are there core elements that should be part of every NG911 system and standardized across all NG911 deployments? Are there non-core elements that could be part of NG911 but are optional or can be varied locally? How will these elements (both core and non-core) be affected by future technological change?

1. Potential Media Types in an NG911 Environment
There is broad consensus in the public safety community that NG911 should include some combination of non-voice media types, and to this end, NENA, the IETF, and others have been actively engaged in developing and harmonizing technical standards to support such IP-based NG911 solutions.

• Message-Based Text
• Real-Time Text
• Still Images (Photos)
• Real-Time Video
• Telemetry Data
• Auxiliary Medical and other Personal Data

2. Primary vs. Secondary Usage of Media Types
The FCC seeks comment on the degree to which each of the media types discussed above will be used as a primary versus a secondary form of communication on NG911 networks.

3. SMS for Emergency Communications
How might the increasing use of SMS impact emergency communications and whether NG911 networks should be configured to support SMS emergency communications?

4. NG911 Applications for Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs
The FCC seeks comment on what media types and devices (e.g., text, video) persons with disabilities will likely use to make an emergency call in an NG911 environment? We understand that some people with hearing and speech disabilities make emergency calls directly; others use telecommunications relay services (TRS), a more indirect method to make these calls. How can the FCC ensure that persons with disabilities receive the appropriate benefits from the NG911 system? What, if any, technical or accessibility requirements should be imposed to ensure that persons with disabilities have the necessary access to the NG911 system? To what extent can real-time text, which permits the live exchange of information with a PSAP during a call, assist individuals with hearing or speech disabilities who wish to call 911 directly? Finally, the FCC requires IP-based text and video relay providers to ensure the prompt and automatic call handling of emergency calls. What considerations are necessary to ensure effective access to NG911 services for callers who continue to rely on IP-based relay services for their 911 calls? Are there different considerations for individuals who continue to use PSTN-based relay services?

B. NG911 Network Architecture

1. Transport Mechanisms in an NG911 Environment

The FCC seeks comment on the mechanisms that will be used to transport digital content across NG911 networks.

2. NG911 Participants
The FCC established the following four criteria for determining which licensees should be subject to the wireless enhanced 911 obligations: Those licensees that:
1) offer real-time, two-way switched voice service, interconnected with the PSTN, either on a stand-alone basis or packaged with other telecommunications services;
2) whose customers clearly expected access to 911 and E911;
3) that competed with analog and broadband PCS providers; and
4) where it is technically and operationally feasible to provide enhanced 911 service.

Should the FCC consider expanding or modifying the four criteria to apply to additional NG911 participants? For example, should hot-spot providers that are not traditional communications providers, such as coffee shops, hotels, bus lines, and public parks be expected to play a role in the deployment of NG911?

3. Interoperability and Standards

4. PSAP Functions in an NG911 Environment
IP-based technology removes many of the location constraints of traditional circuit-switched technology. In particular, a PSAP no longer has to be in a single building at a fixed location. Call takers that are organizationally part of a single PSAP can be located virtually anywhere an Internet connection can be found, and a single call taker could be supporting multiple PSAPs. Such “virtual PSAP” arrangements may allow more flexible and efficient staffing and may allow PSAPs to better recover from major disasters by temporarily relocating operations.

The FCC seeks comment on the potential for development of virtual PSAPs as part of the transition from legacy 911 to NG911. Are current technologies sufficient to support virtual PSAPs? Are there regulatory or legal barriers changes that are necessary to facilitate the development and operation of virtual PSAPs? Are there current PSAP databases that would need to be standardized to support a remote “virtual PSAP”? How could local data that is contained in current Computer Aided Dispatch Data Bases, MSAGs, and other repositories that are necessary for an efficient response by emergency personnel be distributed on a timely and reliable basis for use by non-local PSAPs?

C. Other Specialized NG911 Applications

• Device-Initiated Services for Emergency Communications
• Social Media for Emergency Communications.
• N11 Numbers and Other Services for Emergency Communications
• Auxiliary Data
• Disaster Planning and Recovery
• MLTS for Emergency Communications in an NG911 Environment

D. Issues Related to NG911 Implementation/Transition
The FCC seeks comment on the potential operational, technical, and other challenges associated with the transition to NG911.

1. Disparate PSAP Capabilities in an NG911 Environment
2. 911 Competition
3. Liability Concerns
4. Confidentiality and Privacy Concerns
5. Location Capabilities
6. Network and Data Security Concerns
7. Education
8. Unidentified Caller Access to NG911
9. International Issues

Comment due date: 02/28/2011

Comment reply due date: 03/14/2011