FCC Hopeful Carriers Will Meet November WEA Deadline, Pai Tells APCO
BALTIMORE -- Chairman Ajit Pai said the FCC expects major carriers to meet a Nov. 30 deadline for more targeted wireless emergency alerts. “I am re-emphasizing my call to all stakeholders to continue working cooperatively and expeditiously to meet the Nov. 30 deadline,” Pai told APCO Tuesday. He stopped short of discussing what the agency will do if carriers are unable to meet the deadline. His remarks were later posted.
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Commissioners approved 5-0 an order in January 2018 requiring participating providers to deliver alerts to the target area specified by the alert originator with no more than a one-tenth of a mile overshoot (see 1801300027). In July, major carriers warned they may not meet the deadline (see 1907010036).
Pai sees signs of progress. “I’m encouraged to hear that a chip manufacturer has stepped up to the plate and produced an initial software release to support geo-targeting months in advance of their earlier projections,” he told APCO. “Major wireless providers have developed test cases for enhanced geo-targeting and have already opened their labs for device testing.” An FCC official said Pai was referring to Qualcomm. CTIA didn't comment.
Pai didn’t announce any new initiatives but highlighted some recent work on emergency communications. Earlier this month, the FCC approved “significant new rules that will make it easier for the public to reach 911 and easier for emergency responders to locate every 911 caller” (see 1908010011) Pai said. “These new rules will help people who dial 911 from centralized communications systems, like phones that are used in office buildings, schools, and hotels, directly access emergency response,” Pai said: “All too often, these systems require that you dial 9 to make an external call, which can create confusion and has caused too many 911 calls to not go through."
FirstNet used the conference to unveil its road map. Discussion of the map was a major focus of the FirstNet board’s June meeting (see 1906260063). "Developed with input from public safety, industry, government, and our network contractor, AT&T, the Roadmap provides a view of public safety’s operational needs and technology trends for mobile broadband communications over the next five years,” FirstNet said. With the document “setting a course for the network, we are moving forward on making decisions to invest in network improvements as we fully realize the promise of FirstNet,” said Chair Edward Horowitz.