A major 911 industry association has filed comments with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) urging them to adopt rules that split the responsibility for providing back-up power for VoIP telephone service so subscribers still have a way to dial 9-1-1 when their electric service is interrupted. Last month the commission acknowledged that many households have switched from copper-wire telephones to IP-voice telephone service, usually in connection with how they obtain Internet service for their computers. The FCC also noted that many carriers are retiring copper wire service because of its high installation and maintenance costs, and limited flexibility for providing advanced services. Considering public safety, the FCC proposed rules that would require carriers to provide electrical power for their modems and associated gear that provides telephone service, to maintain 911 service during outages. In its comments, the National Association of State 911 Administrators (NASNA) suggested providing 24 hours of back-up power, instead of the eight hours proposed by the commission. The group also noted a distinction between those who have already switched to VoIP and those forced to change as copper is retired. “The former should already be aware of the limitations of their service,” NASNA said, “and should have taken personal responsibility for ensuring they have extra batteries or an alternative means of communication during a power outage. The latter group would have no alternative means of communication after the loss of copper, and the carrier should be responsible for initially providing a back-up power source, NASNA said. The group said back-up power should apply to “minimally essential communications,” including outgoing 911 voice calls and texts, incoming emergency alerts and warnings, and outgoing calls to 211 and other community services. Download (pdf) FCC’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking here, and the group’s comments here.
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