[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 139 (Monday, July 21, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 38951-38952]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-19135]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR Part 20

[CC Docket No. 94-102, DA 97-1502]


Compatibility of Wireless Services With Enhanced 911

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: In the wireless Enhanced 911 (E911) rulemaking proceeding, the 
Commission seeks additional comment on the ex parte presentations filed 
by Wireless E911 Coalition, GTE Wireless and Ad Hoc Alliance for Public 
Access to 911 (Alliance) regarding certain technical issues pertaining 
to the provision of 911 emergency calling services. In light of ex 
parte presentations by the wireless carriers and equipment 
manufacturers, the staff of the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau 
prepared a set of questions to help our understanding and evaluation of 
technical issues related to the E911 rules. In response to our inquiry, 
GTE Wireless filed its response on July 7, 1997, the Wireless E911 
Coalition filed its response on July 10 and Alliance filed its response 
on July 11. Additional comment on these responses is sought to assist 
the Commission in determining whether to revise Section 20.18(b) of the 
Commission's Rules. The effect of revising Section 20.18(b) would be to 
bring the timely implementation of basic 911 services to wireless 
customers.

DATES: Comments must be filed by July 28, 1997 and no reply comments 
will be accepted.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Office of the Secretary, Federal 
Communications Commission, 1919 M Street, NW., Room 222, Washington, 
D.C. 20554.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Won Kim, Policy Division, Wireless 
Telecommunications Bureau, (202) 418-1310.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    1. In wireless Enhanced 911 (E911) rulemaking proceeding, GTE 
Wireless filed ex parte presentation on July 7, the Wireless E911 
Coalition filed its ex parte presentation on July 10, and Alliance 
filed its ex parte presentation on July 11, urging the Commission to 
revise Section 20.18(b) of the Commission's Rules. The full text of the 
GTE Wireless July 7 ex parte presentation, the Wireless E911 Coalition 
July 10 ex parte presentation, and Alliance July 11 ex parte 
presentation are available for inspection

[[Page 38952]]

and duplication during regular business hours in the FCC Reference 
Center, Federal Communications Commission, 1919 M Street, N.W., Room 
239, Washington, D.C. 20554. Copies may also be obtained from 
International Transcription Service, Inc. (ITS), 2100 M Street, N.W., 
Suite 140, Washington, D.C. 20037, (202) 857-3800.
    2. Pursuant to Sec. 1.415(d) of the Commission's Rules, 47 CFR 
1.415(d), the Commission hereby seeks additional comment in the 
wireless Enhanced 911 (E911) rulemaking proceeding 1 
regarding the ex parte presentations filed by Wireless E911 Coalition, 
GTE Wireless and Ad Hoc Alliance for Public Access to 911 (Alliance) 
regarding certain technical issues pertaining to the provision of 911 
emergency calling services pursuant to the rules adopted in the Report 
and Order.
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    \1\ See Revision of the Commission's Rules to Ensure 
Compatibility with Enhanced 911 Emergency Calling Systems, CC Docket 
No. 94-102, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 59 FR 54878 (1994); 
Revision of the Commission's Rules to Ensure Compatibility with 
Enhanced 911 Emergency Calling Systems, CC Docket No. 94-102, Report 
and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 61 FR 40348, 
40374 (1996) (Report and Order).
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    3. In the Report and Order, the Commission established rules 
requiring wireless carriers to implement basic 911 and E911 services. 
Some of the petitions seeking reconsideration, and ex parte 
presentations regarding the Report and Order, raise issues touching on 
the technical feasibility of the schedule and other aspects of the 
Report and Order. In light of ex parte discussions with the Wireless 
E911 Coalition and several other wireless service and equipment 
manufacturers, the staff of the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau 
prepared a set of questions to help our understanding and evaluation of 
these technical issues.
    4. In response to our inquiry, GTE Wireless filed its response on 
July 7, the Wireless E911 Coalition filed its response on July 10, and 
Alliance filed its response on July 11. Additional comment on these 
responses is sought to assist the Commission in determining whether to 
revise Sec. 20.18(b) of the Commission's Rules, requiring covered 
carriers to transmit 911 calls which transmit a Code Identification 
without validation of the call, and process all 911 calls (regardless 
of whether a Code Identification is included as part of the call 
transmission) where requested by the administrator of the designated 
Public Safety Answering Point.2
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    \2\ Section 20.18(b) of the Commission's Rules, 61 FR 40352 
(1996).
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    5. Pursuant to applicable procedures set forth in Secs. 1.1415(d) 
and 1.419 of the Commission's Rules, 47 CFR 1.415(d), 1.419, interested 
parties may file comments to these ex parte presentations filed by GTE 
Wireless, the Wireless E911 Coalition, and Alliance no later than July 
28, 1997. No reply comments or other pleadings will be accepted. All 
relevant and timely comments will be considered by the Commission 
before final action is taken in this proceeding. To file formally in 
this proceeding, participants must file an original and five copies of 
all comments. If participants want each Commissioner to receive a 
personal copy of their comments, an original and nine copies must be 
filed. All comments should be filed with the Office of the Secretary, 
Federal Communications Commission, 1919 M Street, N.W., Room 222, 
Washington, D.C. 20554, referencing CC Docket No. 94-102.

List of Subjects in 47 CFR Part 20

    Communications common carriers.

Federal Communications Commission.
William F. Caton,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 97-19135 Filed 7-18-97; 8:45 am]
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