Federal Communications Commission DA 10-2267 Before the Federal Communications Commission Washington, D.C. 20554 In the Matter of Wireless E911 Location Accuracy Requirements E911 Requirements for IP-Enabled Service Providers ) ) ) ) ) ) PS Docket No. 07-114 WC Docket No. 05-196 ORDER Adopted: December 1, 2010 Released: December 1, 2010 By the Chief, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau: 1. On September 23, 2010, the Federal Communications Commission adopted a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Notice of Inquiry (E911 Location Accuracy FNPRM and NOI) seeking comment on how to further improve the location capability of 911 and E911 services for existing and new voice communications technologies, including new broadband technologies associated with the deployment of Next Generation 911 (NG911) networks.1 The E911 Location Accuracy FNPRM and NOI was published in the Federal Register on November 2, 2010.2 Thus, comments submitted in response to the E911 Location Accuracy FNPRM and NOI must be filed on or before January 3, 2011; and reply comments must be filed on or before January 31, 2011.3 2. On November 22, 2010, the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials – International (APCO), the National Emergency Number Association (NENA), the National Association of State 911 Administrators (NASNA), CTIA – The Wireless Association (CTIA), and the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) (collectively, the “Parties”) jointly filed a request to extend the comment and reply comment deadlines in this proceeding until January 19, 2011, and February 18, 2011, respectively.4 The parties argue that “[a] short-term extension is in the public interest 1 In the Matter of Wireless E911 Location Accuracy Requirements and E911 Requirements for IP-Enabled Service Providers, PS Docket No. 07-114, WC Docket No. 05-196, Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Notice of Inquiry, __ FCC Rcd ____ (rel. Sept. 23, 2010) (E911 Location Accuracy Further Notice and NOI). 2 75 Fed. Reg. 67,321 (Nov. 2, 2010). 3 Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau Announces Comment and Reply Comment Dates for the Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Notice of Inquiry in the E911 Location Accuracy Proceeding, PS Docket No. 07-114, WC Docket No. 05-196, Public Notice, DA 10-2111 (PSHSB rel. Nov. 22, 2010)(Public Notice). 4 Joint Request for Extension of Comment and Reply Comment Deadlines, PS Docket No. 07-114, WC Docket No. 05-196 (filed Nov. 22, 2010) (Joint Request). Federal Communications Commission DA 10-2267 Non-Public For Internal Use Only 2 to allow interested parties to meaningfully address the issues raised in this proceeding.”5 3. We grant the parties’ request for extension of time to file comments and reply comments. Generally, it is the policy of the Commission that extensions of time are not routinely granted.6 Nevertheless, the Commission has previously found that an extension of time is warranted when such an extension is necessary to ensure that the Commission receives full and informed responses and that affected parties have a meaningful opportunity to develop a complete record for the Commission’s consideration.7 In light of the multitude of issues that the Commission seeks comment upon in the E911 Location Accuracy FNPRM and NOI, we find that an extension is warranted to ensure that all interested parties have the time necessary to prepare full and informed comments and reply comments. 4. Additionally, we concur with the Parties that granting an extension of time would permit various Communications Security, Reliability and Interoperability Council (CSRIC) working groups to develop and finalize recommendations relating to E911 and NG911.8 As the Parties noted, “[m]any of those working group members plan to file comments and/or reply comments in this proceeding.”9 Indeed, in the E911 Location Accuracy FNPRM and NOI, the Commission highlighted the significance of CSRIC’s contribution to this proceeding.10 Under these circumstances, the Bureau finds that the proposed extension of time will provide CSRIC working group members with the time to develop thorough recommendations for the CSRIC and meaningful comments in this proceeding. 5. ACCORDINGLY, IT IS ORDERED that, pursuant to sections 4(i), 4(j), and 5(c) of the Communications Act, 47 U.S.C. §§ 154(i), 154(j), 155(c), and sections 0.191, 0.392, and 1.46 of the 5 Id. at 1. 6 47 C.F.R. § 1.46(a). 7 See, e.g., Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Grants Extension of Time to File Reply Comments on Commercial Mobile Radio Services Market Competition, Public Notice, WT Docket No. 09-66, DA 09-1419 (WTB rel. June 24, 2009) (granting 14-day extension in order for “development of a complete record on the issues”); Media Bureau Grants Extension of Time to File Comments and Reply Comments In Response to Broadcast Localism Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Public Notice, MB Docket No. 04-233, DA 08-515 (MB 2008) (“we agree that an extension of the comment and reply comment period is warranted to enable commenters to adequately review, investigate, and comment on the specific issues raised in the NPRM and respond to the extensive comments filed in response thereto”); Reexamination of Roaming Obligations of Commercial Mobile Radio Service Providers, Order, 20 FCC Rcd 19868-69 ¶ 3 (WTB 2005); Service Rules for Advanced Wireless Services in the 2155-2175 MHz Band, Service Rules for Advanced Wireless Services in the 1915-1920 MHz, 1995-2000 MHz, 2020-2025 MHz and 2175- 2180 MHz Bands, Order, 23 FCC Rcd 10527. 10528-29 ¶ 4 (WTB 2008); Elimination of Rate-of-Return Regulation of Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers, Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service, Order, 18 FCC Rcd 26307 ¶ 2 (WCB 2003). 8 Joint Request at 2. The Parties point to the Commission’s recognition that “[o]ne of the Working Groups within CSRIC, Group 4C - Technical Options for E911 Location Accuracy, is responsible for examining E911 and public safety location technologies in use today, identifying current performance and limitations for use in next generation public safety applications, [and] examining emerging E911 public safety location technologies . . . .”). See Joint Request at 2 n.4 (quoting E911 Location Accuracy FNPRM and NOI, __ FCC Rcd __ ¶ 12). 9 Id. 10 See E911 Location Accuracy FNPRM and NOI, __ FCC Rcd __ ¶ 15. Federal Communications Commission DA 10-2267 Non-Public For Internal Use Only 3 Commission’s rules, 47 C.F.R. §§ 0.191, 0.392, 1.46, the Joint Request for Extension of Comment and Reply Comment Deadlines filed by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials – International, the National Emergency Number Association, the National Association of State 911 Administrators, CTIA – The Wireless Association, and the Telecommunications Industry Association, IS GRANTED. FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION James Arden Barnett, Jr., Rear Admiral (Ret.) Chief, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau