911 to Nowhere

[Commentary] While losing access to wireless service is a pain, it can also be a matter of personal safety. According to the Federal Communications Commission, 70 percent of all 911 calls are made from a cellular phone. But in rural areas dialing 911 from a wireless phone isn't always an option. Having wireless coverage can be the difference between saving or losing a life or a home. Through ongoing data collection efforts of the National Broadband Map plan, the FCC and National Telecommunication and Information Administration (NTIA) are hoping to learn what areas lack wireless service. The National Broadband Map plan, launched by the FCC and the NTIA in February, includes data on broadband availability, speed capabilities, and, lastly, terrestrial and fixed-mobile wireless services. The National Broadband Map and the National Broadband Plan are among the first comprehensive approaches to examine existing wireless infrastructure; however, the current maps have many inaccuracies and lapses in data. As the debate over establishing a national wireless broadband network for first responders continues, it is necessary to consider the current detriment of public safety in rural areas that still lack a wireless and broadband infrastructure, and those areas that lack access to full 911 services.