FCC Broadband Plan Includes Critical NG911 Goals

Public safety groups and companies are enthusiastic that the FCC has formally linked next-generation 911 (NG911) to the Commission’s plans to improve broadband Internet access in America. The FCC’s move means that a nationwide 911 network is more of a certainty, although still in the distant future. During a public meeting on Thursday, the FCC presented an update to its National Broadband Plan, and included “transitioning to a next-generation 9-1-1 system” as one of its goals. Previously, the exact goals and directions of the FCC’s project to improve broadband Internet service was in flux, sparking intense lobbying efforts among all types of industries. Public safety groups, faced with its own project to upgrade the nation’s aging and separately-operated 911 systems, wanted—and needed—the funding and political support that inclusion in the FCC’s broadband project would bring. The industry had already selected the Internet protocol (IP) as the technology to support NG911, but faced many funding, technical and political obstacles. The FCC commitment brought immediate praise from the National Emergency Number Association (NENA), who issued a statement by CEO Brian Fontes saying, “It is clear from today’s presentation that the recommendations in the Plan will appropriately emphasize the critically important role that broadband will play in the next generation of 9-1-1 and emergency communications systems.” Companies also applauded the FCC’s decision. Intrado president George Heinrichs, whose company could receive several hundred million dollars in contracts from NG911, said, “The Commission’s action to include next generation 9-1-1 in the National Broadband Plan brings this country one step closer to getting a 9-1-1 system that meets the needs of all citizens—a step that will certainly save more lives.” Download (pdf) the public safety portion of the FCC’s meeting presentation here, or the entire presentation here.