FCC Takes Action to Expedite the Transition to Next Generation 911

The Federal Communications Commission adopted rules to expedite the transition to Next Generation 911, help ensure that the nation’s 911 system functions effectively, and support the deployment of advanced 911 capabilities— including video, text, and data—that will help first responders save lives. Each year, people in need of emergency assistance make more than 200 million calls to 911 in the United States. The calls travel on dedicated 911 networks to reach a telecommunicator who can dispatch aid. State and local 911 authorities are now transitioning to NG911 by replacing legacy 911 technology with Internet Protocol (IP)-based infrastructure that will support new 911 capabilities and improve 911 interoperability, security, and system resilience. As state and local 911 authorities have begun to invest significantly in NG911, some originating service providers have delayed connecting to these IP networks, which prolongs the transition process and increases costs for public safety. To address this, the Commission today adopted the first nationwide NG911 transition rules that define the responsibilities and set deadlines for originating service providers to implement NG911 capabilities on their networks and deliver 911 calls to NG911 systems.