• November 23, 2022

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This month, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) updated its rules to promote public safety by ensuring 911 call centers receive accurate notifications of network disruptions that affect 911 services in a timely and efficient manner. By receiving these notifications, 911 call centers will be able to maintain emergency services and inform the public when to use alternative methods of communication during times of emergencies.

“One of the ways the Commission oversees the integrity of 911 communications infrastructure is by requiring service providers to report network outages to both the Commission and 911 call centers,” as stated in the FCC’s press release on November 17. “The Commission today improved the framework for reporting network outages that potentially affect 911 service and harmonized requirements, including the means, timing, and frequency of providing notification.”

The updated rules will standardize the type of information conveyed in the notifications and ensure that it is clear and actionable, regardless of where an outage occurs. The updated rules also require service providers to maintain up-to-date contact information for the 911 call centers they serve.

The FCC did keep its current requirement too that makes 911 service providers file annual reliability certifications, which will ultimately help the FCC during the transition to Next Generation 911.

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Sources:

fcc.gov/document/fcc-updates-rules-improve-911-reliability-0

conduitstreet.mdcounties.org/2022/11/21/fcc-updates-rules-to-improve-9-1-1-reliability/