FCC Promotes a More Resilient and Reliable 9-1-1 System

The Federal Communications Commission voted to propose requiring interconnected voice over Internet protocol (VOiP) and Internet service providers to report broadband network outages.

Currently those reporting requirements apply to traditional phone service, but not the cable operators and others serving the growing cadre of phone cord-cutters using broadband voice. The idea is to extend those rules to the new technology. Driving the issue is the robustness of broadband 9/11 service, which the FCC mandated five years ago, and insuring continued communications in emergencies. There were no nay votes on the item, and only four total votes with Commissioner Meredith Baker not participating due to her announced departure for NBCU. Republican Commissioner Robert McDowell concurred in part, saying he had issues with the FCC's authority to support the proposed regulation. It is asserting ancillary authority, as it did in adopting its network neutrality rules, which Commissioner McDowell opposed citing the question of authority.