Eshoo Leads Call for FCC to Examine Cause of Deficient Location Information from Wireless Calls to 9-1-1

WAHSINGTON, D.C.—Rep. Anna G. Eshoo (CA-18), Ranking Member of the Communications and Technology Subcommittee, and 12 members of the California delegation are urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to examine the cause of deficient location information from wireless phone calls to 9-1-1. A recent report found that 9-1-1 calls made from wireless phones in five areas of the state are increasingly failing to connect location information with 9-1-1 operators. First responders use this information to help locate 9-1-1 emergencies.

"With an increasing number of 9-1-1 calls being placed from wireless phones, accurate location information ensures our first responders are able to render assistance in a timely manner," the members wrote in a letter to Acting FCC Chairwoman Mignon Clyburn. "To that end, we urge you to carefully review all available data, including the CALNENA report and relevant mobile carrier information to determine the underlying factors for this trend."

The letter noted that an estimated 70 percent of 9-1-1 calls are placed from wireless phones, yet, more than half of wireless 9-1-1 calls made from 2008 through 2012 in San Francisco, Pasadena, Bakersfield, San Jose and Ventura County did not connect the required information with emergency operators.

Understanding that some wireless 9-1-1 calls may be failing to connect location information with 9-1-1 operators because they are made from indoors, the members wrote, "We urge [the FCC] to proceed expeditiously with the adoption of a proposed rulemaking to ensure first responders have the necessary information to locate calls made to 9-1-1 from both outdoor and indoor locations."

The following members signed the letter: Reps. Henry A. Waxman (CA-33), Zoe Lofgren (CA-19), Doris O. Matsui (CA-6), Mike Honda (CA-17), Jackie Speier (CA-14), Sam Farr (CA-20), Gloria Negrete McLeod (CA-35), Eric Swalwell (CA-15), Alan Lowenthal (CA-47), Jerry McNerney (CA-9), Loretta Sanchez (CA-46), Mike Thompson (CA-5).

A copy of the letter can be found here.

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