By Sarah Roebuck
EMS1
WASHINGTON — The Federal Communications Commission recently established regulations that impose deadlines for phone service providers to enhance their technology, enabling them to support next-generation 911 calls, Statescoop reports.
The FCC’s new rules are a significant upgrade for the outdated 911 infrastructure, primarily based on old copper lines and phone systems, according to the report. These rules empower 911 jurisdictions to set deadlines for service providers to upgrade their equipment and start using a digital platform capable of handling photos, videos, location data and better call routing.
County or state 911 authorities can require service providers to complete two upgrade phases: converting to digital platforms and meeting international next-generation 911 standards. Most providers have six months per phase, while smaller or rural providers have 12 months, according to the report.
Next-gen emergency response: How live streaming can transform 911 dispatch
“It will provide improved support for voice, text, data and video communications. It will mean more redundancy to protect against outages,” FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel said in a statement. “For those who call, it will mean the opportunity to provide real-time video of the emergency. It will mean the ability to provide first responders with instantaneous pictures. It will make it possible to transmit a patient’s medical records directly to 911 dispatchers. And for those who take calls in an emergency, all of this data can inform public safety efforts, improving emergency response and saving lives.”
Rosenworcel also urged Congress to approve funding for next-generation 911 by auctioning public wireless spectrum, stating that this would be the quickest method to finance the necessary upgrades.
