FCC OKs Associations’ Access to 911 Reports

The FCC has approved allowing NENA, APCO and NASNA access to confidential reports from telecom companies on the realiability and resiliency of their 911 networks and systems, but the rules prevent further disclosure of the information to the public. Local exchange carriers, certain commercial mobile radio service providers and VoIP service were required to analyze their system and submit reports to the FCC by February 6, 2009. In its latest decision, the FCC said it has the authority to issue a “protective order” for confidential records, allowing authorized persons to access the information, which the telecom companies consider to be “proprietary and confidential. Download (pdf) the full FCC ruling here.