The FCC today approved new rules that it hopes will improve location accuracy for wireless calls placed to 911.
According to a press release, the FCC is specifically focusing on improving location accuracy for indoor calls and specifically those placed by first responders.
The new rules acknowledge that wireless carriers will need to time to implement technology that will help to improve location data on “E911” calls and set a roadmap of deadlines for completion of the improvements.
Reaction to the new rules was generally positive.
Steve Sharkey, T-Mobile’s chief of regulatory matters, called the move by the FCC “aggressive,” and said they “will provide measurable and dramatic improvement to indoor location accuracy when wireless consumers make emergency calls.”
On behalf of its member companies, CTIA was also in favor of the new rules.
CTIA President and CEO Meredith Attwell Baker, said the Wireless Association looks forward to reviewing the new rules.
“As Americans continue to increasingly rely on mobile devices as their primary communications device for their connected lives, today’s action by the FCC will help save lives,” Attwell Baker said in a statement. “While the requirements in today’s Order are aggressive, we remain fully committed to delivering on the Roadmap’s promise of greatly enhanced location information.”
Filed Under: Industry regulations + certifications
