FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:
December 21, 2010
Robert Kenny: 202-418-2668
Robert.Kenny@fcc.gov <mailto:Robert.Kenny@fcc.gov>
FCC TAKES FIRST STEP TO HELP REVOLUTIONIZE AMERICA'S 9-1-1 SERVICES FOR
CONSUMERS, FIRST RESPONDERS
Rapid Sharing of Videos, Photos and Data to Improve Emergency Response
Washington, D.C. -- The Federal Communications Commission today took an
important step to revolutionize America's 9-1-1 services for consumers
and first responders by adopting a Notice of Inquiry (NOI) seeking
public comment on how Next Generation 911 (NG911) can enable the public
to obtain emergency assistance by means of advanced communications
technologies beyond traditional voice-centric devices.
The FCC has undertaken this proceeding in response to a recommendation
in the National Broadband Plan seeking to harness the life-saving
potential of text messaging, email, video and photos from mobile and
landline broadband services. Despite the fact that there are more than
270 million wireless consumers nationwide and that approximately 70
percent of all 9-1-1 calls are made from mobile hand-held devices,
today's 9-1-1 systems support voice-centric communications only and are
not designed to transfer and receive text messaging, videos or photos.
In some emergency situations -- especially in circumstances where a call
could further jeopardize someone's life and safety -- texting may be the
only way to reach out for help. In addition, many Americans,
particularly those with disabilities, rely on text messaging as their
primary means of communication.
The sharing of timely and relevant videos and photos would provide first
responders with on-the-ground information to help assess and address
emergencies in real-time. For example, these technologies could help
report crimes as they are happening thus giving law enforcement
officials an increased advantage when responding.
The NOI asked a comprehensive set of questions that address a number of
issues related to the deployment of Next Generation 9-1-1 services,
including, but not limited to:
* The technical feasibility and limitations of text
messaging video streaming and photos;
* Consumer privacy issues, particularly related to the
sharing of personal electronic medical data;
* Development of technical and policy standards;
* Consumer education and awareness; and
* Inter-governmental coordination and coordination within
the public safety community.
Action by the Commission, December 21, 2010, by NOI (FCC 10-200).
Chairman Genachowski, and Commissioners Copps, McDowell, Clyburn and
Baker. Separate statements issued by Chairman Genachowski, and
Commissioners Copps, McDowell, Clyburn and Baker. PS Docket No. 10-255.
For additional information about the NOI, please contact Patrick
Donovan, Policy and Licensing Division, FCC's Public Safety and Homeland
Security Bureau, at 202-418-2413 or via email:
Patrick.Donovan@fcc.gov.
-FCC-
News and other information about the FCC is available at
www.fcc.gov<http://www.fcc.gov/>
FACT SHEET
21st CENTURY 9-1-1
In December, the FCC will take steps to revolutionize America's 9-1-1
system by harnessing the life-saving potential of text, photo, and video
in emergencies.
Background:
* The National Broadband Plan laid out a vision for
next-generation 9-1-1 that harnesses cutting-edge technologies to help
save lives. 9-1-1, which was established as the national emergency
number in 1968, has been a wildly successful lifeline to those in
distress. Americans place more than 237 million 9-1-1 calls every year
-- 650,000 per day.
* Seventy percent of 9-1-1 calls come from mobile phones.
But increasingly, consumers are using their mobile phones less to make
calls, and more for texting and sending pictures and videos. These new
technologies have the potential to revolutionize emergency response by
providing public safety officials with critical real-time, on-the-ground
information.
* Today's 9-1-1 system is not equipped to take advantage
of new technologies. 9-1-1 call centers lack the technical capability to
receive texts, photos, videos, and other data. Many 9-1-1 call centers
don't have access to broadband, which makes it difficult to receive
incoming data, particularly in large volume. Finally, call center
operators have not been trained how to effectively communicate using
these new technologies.
* The technological limitations of 9-1-1 can have tragic,
real-world consequences. During the 2007 Virginia Tech campus shooting,
students and witnesses desperately tried to send texts to 9-1-1 that
local dispatchers never received. If these messages had gone through,
first responders may have arrived on the scene faster with firsthand
intelligence about the life-threatening situation that was unfolding.
* Bringing 9-1-1 into the 21st century is one of the FCC's
key public safety priorities. In December, the FCC will launch a
proceeding, as recommended in the National Broadband Plan, to determine
how to transition the current system to broadband-enabled,
next-generation 9-1-1. This action will build on the FCC's recent order
to improve 9-1-1 by beefing up location-accuracy requirements so that
first responders can quickly find people who reach out for help on their
mobile phones.
Benefits of Next-Generation 9-1-1
* Text for Help: Many Americans, particularly those with
disabilities, rely on texting as their primary means of communication.
In some emergency situations -- especially in circumstances where a call
could further jeopardize someone's life and safety -- texting is the
only way to reach out for help. Next-generation 9-1-1 will allow call
centers to receive texts and put them to use.
* Real-Time Rapid Response: Mobile video and photos
provide first responders with on-the-ground information that helps them
assess and address the emergency in real-time. These technologies also
help report crime as it is happening. Next-generation 9-1-1 would expand
the multi-media capabilities of 9-1-1 call centers.
* Automatic Alerting: Next-generation 9-1-1 would enable
emergency calls to be placed by devices, rather than human beings.
Examples of such devices include environmental sensors capable of
detecting chemicals, highway cameras, security cameras, alarms, personal
medical devices, telematics, and consumer electronics in automobiles.
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