FCC Commissioner Rosenworcel’s Remarks at the Association of Public Safety Communications Officers Expo in New Orleans

First up is texting. The Federal Communications Commission is set to codify policies that make sure that providers of text messages have systems capable of supporting text-to-911 service. This means that texting services that have become so essential for so many of us can be there for everyone when reaching out in crisis.

Second, I want to update you on wireless 911 location accuracy. Today, under the FCC’s rules, if you call 911 from a wired phone, first responders know where you are and where to send help. If you call 911 from a wireless phone outdoors, the FCC has standards that help ensure first responders can locate you and send assistance. But if you call 911 from a wireless phone indoors, you should cross your fingers and hope and pray, because no location accuracy standards apply. So the FCC started a rulemaking to narrow this gap and fix this problem.

Finally, the First Responders Network Authority (FirstNet) just launched what are called Initial Consultations under the law. This is an essential step in the development of state plans. But that’s not all. FirstNet is in the development stages of preparing a draft request for a proposal. This is the beginning of the critical process to identify a comprehensive network solution for the nationwide network.