Sensible Improvements Aimed at Ensuring That ECCs Receive Actionable Location Information

Locating 9-1-1 callers presents a challenge for emergency communications centers, especially for indoor locations. In recent years, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has revised the location accuracy rules for wireless 9-1-1 calls and multi-line telephone systems. APCO has advocated for sensible improvements aimed at ensuring that ECCs receive actionable location information.

News About Location Accuracy

President’s Channel: APCO’s Fight for Better 9-1-1 Location Information

If you’ve been following the latest news about the FCC and 9-1-1 location accuracy, you know that 9-1-1 public safety communications suffered one of the most disappointing rule changes to come out of the FCC in recent memory. In the lead-up to the FCC’s action, APCO was very vocal that the FCC wasn’t doing what’s best for 9-1-1.

December 6, 2019

Nationwide Wireless Carriers Must Do Better on 9-1-1 Location

APCO International filed comments today with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) expressing strong disapproval of a 9-1-1 vertical location accuracy proposal submitted by CTIA on behalf of the nationwide wireless carriers. 

October 1, 2018

9-1-1 Location Accuracy Critical to Industry

One of the most talked-about topics and heavily attended sessions during last week’s APCO International Conference & Expo concerned the issue of 9-1-1 location accuracy, and its potential impact on public safety.

August 24, 2015

APCO Applauds FCC Action to Improve 9-1-1 Location Accuracy

Today, APCO International welcomed the adoption of new rules by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that will ensure emergency responders have the information they need to find 9-1-1 callers.

January 29, 2015

Closing the 9-1-1 Location Accuracy Gap

Closing the gap in wireless indoor location accuracy is one of the highest-priority issues for the FCC. With the public’s help, we will achieve a good result that strengthens the 9-1-1 safety net for all Americans.

December 19, 2014

APCO Files Comments on Value of Location Accuracy Roadmap

Roadmap sets course for achieving a dispatchable location for 9-1-1.

December 15, 2014

APCO Applauds Commission’s Actions to Improve 9-1-1 Reliability and Ensure Public Safety Values are Preserved in the Technology Transition

Today, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) launched two proceedings related to the provision of 9-1-1 services.

November 21, 2014

FCC Signals Support, Issues Public Notice on APCO, NENA, Carriers Location Accuracy Plan

Since last Friday’s bulletin notifying you of APCO’s success in joining with NENA to reach a landmark consensus plan with the nation’s four largest carriers to improve wireless 9-1-1 location accuracy for both indoor and outdoor calls, we have made significant progress.

November 20, 2014

APCO and NENA Reach Consensus Plan with Major Wireless Carriers on Improvements to Locating 9-1-1 Callers

Today, the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials, International and the National Emergency Number Association have reached a consensus plan with the major wireless carriers that we will present to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for making significant progress in locating 9-1-1 callers in both indoor and outdoor environments.

November 15, 2014

APCO Applauds FCC Action to Explore Ways to Improve Wireless 9-1-1 Location Accuracy

Today, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) proposed rules and launched a further inquiry to ensure that accurate caller location information is automatically provided to public safety officials for all wireless calls to 9-1-1, including indoor calls.

February 20, 2014

Governmental Proceedings

2024
January 31, 2024 Ex Parte: 6 GHz, Wireless 9-1-1 Location Accuracy, Outage Notifications (Commissioner Gomez) (GN 17-183, ET 18-295, 04-35, PS 07-114, 15-80)
2023
September 22, 2023 Ex Parte: Next Generation 9-1-1, 9-1-1 Location Accuracy, Location-Based Routing (Chairwoman Rosenworcel) (PS 21-479, 18-64, 07-114)
2021
February 16, 2021 Ex Parte: Meeting with PSHSB on Open Public Safety Proceedings (2021) (ET 04-35, 18-295; GN 17-183; PS 07-114, 11-60, 13-75, 15-80, 15-91, 15-94; WP 07-100)
January 11, 2021 FCC Denial of APCO's Petition for Reconsideration of July 2020 E9-1-1 Location Accuracy Order ((PS 07-114))
2020
December 30, 2020 Ex Parte: Wireless E9-1-1 Location Accuracy (Petition for Reconsideration) (PS 07-114, WP 07-100)
November 2, 2020 Public Safety Organizations Joint Response to Petitions for Reconsideration of July 2020 E9-1-1 Location Accuracy Order
September 25, 2020 Petition for Reconsideration of July 2020 E9-1-1 Location Accuracy Order (PS 07-114)
July 16, 2020 FCC Adopts Sixth Report and Order on Z-Axis Metric ((PS 07-114))
July 10, 2020 Ex Parte: Wireless E9-1-1 Location Accuracy (Draft Order, Starks) (PS 07-114)
July 10, 2020 Ex Parte: Wireless E9-1-1 Location Accuracy (Draft Order, Rosenworcel) (PS 07-114)
July 9, 2020 Ex Parte: Wireless E9-1-1 Location Accuracy (Draft Order, Pai (PS 07-114)
July 9, 2020 Ex Parte: Wireless E9-1-1 Location Accuracy (Draft Order, Carr) (PS 07-114)
July 7, 2020 Ex Parte: Wireless E9-1-1 Location Accuracy (Draft Order) (PS 07-114)
March 20, 2020 Reply Comments: Wireless E9-1-1 Location Accuracy (Z-Axis FNPRM) (PS 07-114)
February 21, 2020 Comments: Wireless E9-1-1 Location Accuracy (Z-Axis FNPRM) (PS 07-114)
February 7, 2020 Petition for Clarification: Wireless E9-1-1 Location Accuracy (Z-Axis) (PS 07-114)
2019
November 25, 2019 FCC Adopts Fifth Report and Order and Fifth Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Z-Axis Metric ((PS 07-114))
November 19, 2019 Ex Parte: Wireless E9-1-1 Location Accuracy (Z-Axis) (PS 07-114)
November 12, 2019 Ex Parte: Wireless E9-1-1 Location Accuracy (Z-Axis, Rosenworcel) (PS 07-114)
November 12, 2019 Ex Parte: Wireless E9-1-1 Location Accuracy (Z-Axis, Starks) (PS 07-114)
November 12, 2019 Ex Parte: Wireless E9-1-1 Location Accuracy (Z-Axis, Carr) (PS 07-114)
November 4, 2019 Ex Parte: Wireless E9-1-1 Location Accuracy (Z-Axis) (PS 07-114)
October 25, 2019 Ex Parte: Wireless E9-1-1 Location Accuracy (PS 07-114)
July 26, 2019 Ex Parte: Meetings with the FCC on 9-1-1 Location Accuracy, Improving Wireless Network Resiliency and Unlicensed Use of the 6 GHz Band (PS 07-114, 18-261, 17-239, 11-60, ET 18-295, GN 17-183, 11-117)
May 20, 2019 Comments: Wireless E9-1-1 Location Accuracy (Z-Axis) (PS 07-114)
April 22, 2019 Ex Parte: Meeting with PSHSB on Open Public Safety Proceedings (PS 07-114, 18-261, 17-239, 15-91, 15-94, 11-60, ET 18-295, GN 17-183)
February 25, 2019 Ex Parte: Wireless E9-1-1 Location Accuracy (Z-Axis) (PS 07-114)
2018
December 11, 2018 RAY BAUM'S Act: A Bipartisan Foundation for Bridging the Digital Divide
December 10, 2018 Comments: Implementing Kari's Law and Section 506 of RAY BAUM'S Act (PS 18-261, PS 17-239)
October 1, 2018 Comments: Wireless E9-1-1 Location Accuracy (Z-Axis) (PS 07-114)
April 4, 2018 Ex Parte: APCO, CTIA & NENA Discuss 911 Apps & Supplemental Data Solutions (RM-11780; PS 07-114)
2016
December 20, 2016 Ex Parte: Wireless E911 Location Accuracy 911 Live Call Data Reports (PS 07-114)
2015
January 29, 2015 FCC Adopts New Rules for Wireless 9-1-1 Location Accuracy ((PS 07-114))
2014
December 15, 2014 Comments: Wireless E911 Location Accuracy Roadmap (07-114)
November 18, 2014 Ex Parte: Wireless E911 Location Accuracy (07-114)
November 18, 2014 APCO/NENA/Carriers Roadmap for Improving E9-1-1 Location Accuracy ((PS 07-114))
July 14, 2014 Reply Comments: Wireless Location Accuracy (07-114)
May 12, 2014 Comments: Wireless Location Accuracy (07-114)
January 16, 2014 Locating 9-1-1 Callers in a Wireless World
2013
September 25, 2013 Comments in Advance of the FCC’s Workshop on Wireless E9-1-1 Location Accuracy (07-114)

Calls Made From Multi-line Telephone Systems and Other Technologies

In August 2019, the Commission adopted rules implementing two federal laws that strengthen emergency calling: Kari’s Law and Section 506 of RAY BAUM’S Act. Kari’s Law requires direct 9-1-1 dialing and notification capabilities in multi-line telephone systems (MLTS), typically found in office buildings, campuses, and hotels. Under Section 506 of RAY BAUM’S Act, the Commission adopted rules to ensure that “dispatchable location” is conveyed with 9-1-1 calls to dispatch centers, regardless of platform, including 9-1-1 calls from MLTS.