*Pages 1--13 from Microsoft Word - 47292.doc* FCC REPORT TO CONGRESS ON THE DEPLOYMENT OF E- 911 PHASE II SERVICES BY TIER III SERVICE PROVIDERS Submitted Pursuant to Public Law No. 108- 494 FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION March 23, 2005 1 i TABLE OF CONTENTS I. INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................... 1 II. DEPLOYMENT OF E- 911 PHASE II SERVICES BY TIER III SERVICE PROVIDERS ............................................................................................................. 3 (1) The number of Tier III commercial mobile service providers that are offering Phase II E- 911 services....................................................................................... 3 (2) The number of requests for waivers from compliance with the Commission’s Phase II E- 911 service requirements received by the Commission from such Tier III providers. ............................................................................................... 3 (3) The number of waivers granted or denied by the Commission to such Tier III providers. ............................................................................................................ 3 (4) How long each waiver request remained pending before it was granted or denied.................................................................................................................. 4 (5) How many waiver requests are pending at the time of the filing of the report... 4 (6) When will the pending requests be granted or denied. ....................................... 4 (7) Actions the Commission has taken to reduce the amount of time a waiver request remains pending. .................................................................................... 5 (8) The technologies that are the most effective in the deployment of Phase II E-911 services by such Tier III providers. ............................................................. 5 III. CONCLUSION........................................................................................................ 11 2 1 REPORT TO CONGRESS ON THE DEPLOYMENT OF E- 911 PHASE II SERVICES BY TIER III SERVICE PROVIDERS On December 23, 2004, Congress directed the Commission to submit a report to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate on information related to the deployment of enhanced 911 (E- 911) Phase II services by Tier III service providers. 1 In response, we report on the status of E- 911 deployment by Tier III carriers, 2 as well as the disposition of requests for waiver of the Commission’s E- 911 rules filed by Tier III carriers. We also address the technologies available for Tier III carriers to provide E- 911 Phase II location information as required by our rules. I. INTRODUCTION The Commission first crafted rules in 1996 to ensure that location information for wireless 911 callers would be provided to 911 call centers, or Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs). 3 The Commission’s requirements to provide location information, a 1 National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act – Amendment, Pub. L. 108- 494, § 106, 118 Stat. 3986, 3991 (2004) (ENHANCE 911 Act). Specifically, Section 106 of the ENHANCE 911 Act required the Commission to submit a report to Congress no later than March 23, 2005. Section 106 states: SEC. 106. REPORT ON THE DEPLOYMENT OF E- 911 PHASE II SERVICES BY TIER III SERVICE PROVIDERS. Within 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Federal Communications Commission shall submit a report to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate detailing-- (1) the number of tier III commercial mobile service providers that are offering phase II E- 911 services; (2) the number of requests for waivers from compliance with the Commission's phase II E- 911 service requirements received by the Commission from such tier III providers; (3) the number of waivers granted or denied by the Commission to such tier III providers; (4) how long each waiver request remained pending before it was granted or denied; (5) how many waiver requests are pending at the time of the filing of the report; (6) when the pending requests will be granted or denied; (7) actions the Commission has taken to reduce the amount of time a waiver request remains pending; and (8) the technologies that are the most effective in the deployment of phase II E- 911 services by such tier III providers. 2 The Commission defines Tier III service providers as non- nationwide Commercial Mobile Radio Service (CMRS) providers with no more than 500, 000 subscribers as of the end of 2001. See Revision of the Commission’s Rules to Ensure Compatibility with Enhanced 911 Emergency Calling Systems, Phase II Compliance Deadlines for Non- Nationwide Carriers, CC Docket No. 94- 102, Order to Stay, 17 FCC Rcd 14841, 14848 ¶ 22 (2002) (Non- Nationwide Carriers Order). 3 See 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, 11 FCC Rcd 18676 (1996) (E- 911 Report and Order). 3 2 capability referred to as Automatic Location Identification (ALI), are comprised of two phases. Pursuant to the Phase I rules, wireless carriers were required to provide a callback number for the handset placing the 911 call and report the location of the cell tower that received the call. The Phase I rules required compliance by April 1, 1998, or within six months of a PSAP request, whichever is later. 4 Under the Phase II rules, Tier III wireless carriers were required to provide more accurate 911 call location information, beginning September 1, 2003, or within six months of a PSAP request, whichever is later. 5 The degree of location accuracy required under the Phase II rules varies, depending on whether the carrier utilizes a network- based or handset- based solution. 6 The Commission is committed to ensuring that the Nation’s wireless telephone users have timely access to emergency services using E- 911 technology. In adopting the E- 911 rules, however, the Commission recognized that there could be circumstances where deployment of wireless E- 911 service might not be technically or economically feasible within the scheduled time periods, and anticipated that it would grant relief in cases where carriers filed waiver requests that met the Commission’s standards for waiver relief. 7 Many Tier III carriers have filed requests for waivers or extensions of the Commission’s E- 911 Phase II deadlines. In making determinations to grant or deny relief, the Commission has balanced its policy objective of ensuring that E- 911 Phase II service is deployed as quickly as possible with the financial and technical challenges faced by certain carriers. 8 4 See 47 C. F. R. § 20. 18( d). 5 See Non- Nationwide Carriers Order, 17 FCC Rcd at 14852- 53 ¶¶ 32- 33. 6 See 47 C. F. R. § 20.18( h). Specifically, the standards for Phase II location accuracy and reliability are as follows: (1) for network- based technologies, 100 meters for 67 percent of calls, and 300 meters for 95 percent of calls, and (2) for handset- based technologies, 50 meters for 67 percent of calls, and 150 meters for 95 percent of calls. Network- based location solutions employ equipment and/ or software added to wireless carrier networks to calculate and report the location of handsets dialing 911. These solutions do not require changes or special hardware or software in wireless handsets. See 47 C. F. R. § 20. 3( c), Network- based Location Technology. Handset- based location solutions employ special location-determining hardware and/ or software in wireless handsets, often in addition to network upgrades, to identify and report the location of handsets calling 911. See 47 C. F. R. § 20.3( c), Location- Capable Handsets. Hybrid solutions combine network- based equipment with handset- based location technologies, and must meet the handset- based accuracy requirements. 7 See E- 911 Report and Order, 11 FCC Rcd at 18718 ¶ 84. 8 See Non- Nationwide Carriers Order (granting a temporary stay of the Phase II deployment deadlines); Revision of the Commission’s Rules to Ensure Compatibility with Enhanced 911 Emergency Calling Systems, CC Docket No. 94- 102, Order to Stay, 18 FCC Rcd 20987 (2003) (Order to Stay)( describing the criteria necessary for obtaining waivers); Revision of the Commission’s Rules to Ensure Compatibility with Enhanced 911 Emergency Calling Systems, E- 911 Phase II Compliance Deadlines for Tier III Carriers, CC Docket No. 94- 102, Order, FCC 05- 79 (adopted Mar. 22, 2005)( 2005 Tier III Order)( addressing numerous requests for waiver of the Phase II service rules). 4 3 II. DEPLOYMENT OF E- 911 PHASE II SERVICES BY TIER III SERVICE PROVIDERS We provide below the specific information requested by Congress in section 106 of the ENHANCE 911 Act. A detailed listing of each Tier III service provider, its filings, and dates of Commission action, is attached as Appendix A. (1) The number of Tier III commercial mobile service providers that are offering Phase II E- 911 services. Based on their most recent filings or reports to the Commission and publicly available information, out of the approximately 390 Tier III licensees, 9 ten currently are providing Phase II service to at least one PSAP. 10 Six of these service providers provide Phase II service through a handset- based solution, and four through a network- based solution. (2) The number of requests for waivers from compliance with the Commission’s Phase II E- 911 service requirements received by the Commission from such Tier III providers. Over the course of the last nine years, 184 requests for waiver relief from the Commission’s E- 911 rules have been filed. 11 (3) The number of waivers granted or denied by the Commission to such Tier III providers. As detailed below, the Commission has addressed a total of 184 requests for relief. Of these, the Commission granted 175 requests, in whole or in part, and denied or dismissed nine requests. a. Prior to the July 2002 Non- Nationwide Carriers Order, ninety- nine requests for waiver were filed. In the Non- Nationwide Carriers Order, released July 26, 2002, 9 This number is an approximation, based on the best data available to the Commission. The most recent opportunity the FCC had to identify the universe of Tier III carriers was in October 2000, when it required all Tier III carriers to file status reports. At that time, 390 Tier III carriers responded. However, the Commission believes this number has been affected by subsequent mergers, acquisitions and changed business plans. 10 These carriers, including the states within which they are providing Phase II service, are: Amarillo License, L. P. (Texas); Cellular South Licenses, Inc. (Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, and Florida); Corr Wireless Communications, LLC (Alabama); High Plains Wireless, L. P. (Texas); Iowa Wireless (Iowa); North Carolina RSA 1 d/ b/ a Ramcell of North Carolina; North Carolina RSA 3 Cellular Telephone Company d/ b/ a Carolina West Wireless; N. E. Colorado Cellular, Inc.; South Canaan Cellular Communications Company LP (Pennsylvania); and Southern Illinois RSA Partnership d/ b/ a First Cellular of Southern Illinois. In addition, Edge Wireless provides a limited form of Phase II service to four Oregon counties using handsets with a special battery with built- in GPS capability. Because the Commission does not require regular Phase II status reports from Tier III carriers, some carriers may have begun providing Phase II service without notifying the Commission, or since their most recent filings. 11 Certain requests for relief of the Phase II requirements were filed on behalf of more than one Tier III carrier. Furthermore, while not covered by the requirements of Section 106 of the ENHANCE 911 Act, we note that one petition for forbearance relating to the requirements of Section 20. 18( g) of our rules remains pending as of the filing of this report. The Tier IV Coalition filed this petition on December 28, 2004, pursuant to Section 10 of the Communications Act, 47 U. S. C. § 160. 5 4 the Commission granted these ninety- nine requests a temporary stay of the Phase II service requirements. 12 b. On November 20, 2002, the Tier III Coalition filed a joint request for relief on behalf of twelve service providers, requesting limited forbearance from the Phase II accuracy requirements. In an order released on November 19, 2003, the Commission denied the request for relief. 13 c. Between September 2002 and September 2003, forty- four requests for relief were filed requesting the same relief granted in the Non- Nationwide Carriers Order. In its October 10, 2003 Order to Stay, the Commission granted those requests for relief. 14 d. On March 22, 2005, the Commission adopted an order granting, in whole or in part, thirty- two requests for relief. The Commission denied or dismissed eight other requests for relief. (4) How long each waiver request remained pending before it was granted or denied. As Appendix A shows, the requests for relief addressed in the Non- Nationwide Carriers Order remained pending an average of 255 days; those decided in the Order to Stay remained pending an average of 137 days. The request for relief filed by the Tier III Coalition addressed in the Forbearance Order remained pending for 363 days. The requests for relief addressed in the 2005 Tier III Order remained pending an average of 461 days. The average number of days that all Tier III requests for relief addressed by the Commission remained pending is 275. The Commission measured the amount of time any request for relief remained pending based on the date of initial filing. However, in many cases, petitioners subsequently amended their initial waiver requests on one or more occasions in order to modify the relief sought and/ or report on changed circumstances. (5) How many waiver requests are pending at the time of the filing of the report. There are no waiver requests pending as of the filing of this report. 15 (6) When will the pending requests be granted or denied. As noted above, there are no waiver requests pending as of the filing of this report, and thus this item is not applicable. 12 See Non- Nationwide Carriers Order, 17 FCC Rcd at 14852- 53 ¶¶ 32- 33. 13 See Petition for Forbearance From E- 911 Accuracy Standards Imposed on Tier III Carriers for Location Wireless Subscribers Under Rule 20. 18( h), WT Docket No. 02- 377, Order, 18 FCC Rcd 24648 (2003) (Forbearance Order). 14 See Order to Stay, 18 FCC Rcd at 20998- 99 ¶ 31. 15 While not covered by the requirements of Section 106 of the ENHANCE 911 Act, we note that one petition for forbearance relating to the requirements of Section 20. 18( g) of our rules remains pending as of the filing of this report. The Tier IV Coalition filed this petition on December 28, 2004, pursuant to Section 10 of the Communications Act, 47 U. S. C. § 160. 6 6 air interface a carrier chooses to employ, the basic structure of the backhaul network is generally the same. Therefore, we will concentrate on the possible solutions for obtaining and transmitting location information over the air interface to ensure the successful provision of Phase II E- 911 services. Carriers have several choices for the air interface they choose to employ. In the United States, the most common air interfaces are Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), 18 Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), 19 Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), 20 Integrated Dispatch Enhanced Network (iDEN), 21 and the original analog Advanced Mobile Phone Service (AMPS), 22 the use of which is rapidly declining. The choice among these specific air interfaces affects the choice of solution for Phase II E- 911 deployment. Carriers have three methods for implementing E- 911 solutions: network- based, handset- based and hybrid methods that involve both network- based and handset based aspects. The implementation of a network- based solution involves upgrading network components to obtain information about the location of a handset. Network- based solutions can be accomplished by independently overlaying a network over the existing wireless network, by integrating technology into existing base stations, or by a combination of both steps. Network solutions can be used with any handset because the location is determined by information gathered at the base station receivers. Handset-based solutions require that each handset be equipped with circuitry capable of independently determining the location of the caller and passing this information to a mobile location center for processing. Handset- based solutions require minimal, if any, network upgrades because the location data is determined by the handset and that information can be relayed to the PSAP. Hybrid solutions require modifications to the network and handsets equipped with location- determining circuitry, and determine location based on information gleaned from both elements. 18 Code Division Multiple Access is a digital air interface for wireless systems that uses spread spectrum techniques. In a CDMA system, each user uses the full available spectrum, but individual calls are assigned a unique code used to differentiate them. The early version of the CDMA protocol is called IS- 95 and uses a bandwidth of 1.25 MHz. A newer, improved version called CDMA- 2000 in the U. S. (and WCDMA in Europe) uses bandwidths of 1. 25 MHz or more and achieves much higher subscriber capacity than earlier versions. 19 Time Division Multiple Access is a digital air interface for wireless systems that divides each wireless channel into discrete time slots in order to increase the number of calls that can be carried in a given bandwidth. Individual users are assigned a time slot in a particular channel on which to communicate. Today, the TDMA standard commonly known in North America is IS- 136. 20 The Global System for Mobile Communications is a digital air interface for wireless systems that uses TDMA techniques to divide each channel into eight discrete time slots allowing for up to eight simultaneous calls using the same frequency. 21 iDEN is a proprietary TDMA- based digital wireless air interface standard designed by Motorola for use on Specialized Mobile Radio (SMR) networks. 22 AMPS is the original analog wireless air interface standard used in cellular systems in the U. S. 8 9 solutions may only approach certainty within approximately 30 meters under ideal circumstances. Handset based Solutions Handset techniques rely on the use of a handset that includes specialized chipsets capable of calculating its own position. Accordingly, handset solutions generally take more time to deploy than network based solutions because most customers must be supplied with new handsets. However, handset- based solutions generally do not require the network upgrades, including sophisticated processing capabilities, inherent with network based solutions. The location uncertainty for a GPS handset operating with clear view of the GPS satellite constellation can be very small (easily less than 10 meters). However, in less ideal operating circumstances, the GPS handset may have significant problems providing accurate location information. As with network solutions, handset solutions, and the combination of either solution with air interface measurement characteristics, have varying degrees of cost and accuracy. Hybrid Solutions Hybrid solutions obtain location by collecting measurement information from both the wireless network and the handset. They provide flexibility to allow the location derivation to be built on a variety of configurations where measurements can be performed at the handset, or the base station, or both. The leading hybrid solution is A-GPS. This technology uses carrier network signals to supplement and enhance the standard handset based GPS information and improves both the location accuracy and the areas of coverage normally available to the standard GPS device. It enables location determinations to be made under conditions that normally impair reception of the satellite signals such as urban canyons, and inside structures such as buildings or parking garages, or where the GPS signal is affected by multipath fading. Hybrid solutions can be more robust than either the network or handset solutions alone, since they provide a redundant location capability that can accommodate equipment outages or standard system repair and reconfiguration. Hybrid technologies such as A- GPS also provide very small location uncertainties but over much broader coverage conditions than the standard handset solution. E- 911 Solutions for Tier III Carriers The Commission recognized that various technical approaches have their respective advantages and disadvantages and that competitive development of different approaches was most likely to lead to the provision of accurate Phase II location information to PSAPs, and, accordingly, did not mandate the use of any particular technical approach. Instead, the Commission found that, so long as they meet particular accuracy and performance requirements, any of these approaches will further the public interest. 36 Depending on the technology employed, the carrier must identify the location 36 See Revision of the Commission’s Rules to Ensure Compatibility with Enhanced 911 Emergency Calling Systems, CC Docket No. 94- 102, Third Report and Order, 14 FCC Rcd 17388, 17395, 17404- 05 ¶¶ 14, 32-33 (1999) (Third R& O). The Commission continues to allow any location technology to be used that can comply with specified accuracy, reliability, and deployment schedule requirements. See Non- Nationwide Carriers Order, 17 FCC Rcd at 14841- 42 ¶ 2 (2002). 11 10 of the caller within certain accuracy and reliability standards. In recognition of the fact that handset based technologies generally require a longer phase- in period, the Commission established a tighter accuracy standard for handset based solutions. 37 The Commission recognized that each type of solution has certain characteristics that are particularly relevant for Tier III carriers in rural areas. 38 For example, network-based solutions may not be feasible in many rural wireless networks because the topography of such networks often does not permit sufficient triangulation. Because base stations in many rural areas are located along highways, they often do not have much geometric diversity, which hampers the ability to triangulate a signal to obtain a location. 39 Similarly, wireless location signature techniques that rely on signal reflections are not as well suited to rural areas, as compared to urban environments, because rural locations do not have many obstacles to create these reflections. However, handset based solutions often are well- suited to rural areas because GPS satellites usually will be easily visible by a handset, that is, not obstructed by tall buildings. 40 Network based solutions AOA and TDOA, which rely on direct line of sight from the handset to the base station, are likely to be better network based choices for Tier III carriers than location signature techniques that rely on reflections. Furthermore, there are difficulties with using network based technologies for the CDMA air interface, because CDMA does not readily permit signals to be easily received or monitored at more than one base station, a requirement for most network based solutions. 41 A disadvantage of handset based solutions is that they require the replacement or upgrading of handsets already in use. 42 In selecting a location technology, another key element for Tier III carriers is the relative state of development of the various technical solutions for their particular air interface. In many instances, the selection of technical solutions by the nationwide (Tier I) carriers, with whom the Tier III carriers both share air interfaces and have roaming agreements, has driven the development and deployment, and thus the availability, of particular technical solutions. 43 Generally, CDMA and iDEN carriers deploy an A- GPS handset based location technology, in some cases supplemented by A- FLT. The two largest Tier I CDMA carriers, Sprint and Verizon Wireless, use A- GPS. The nationwide TDMA and GSM carriers deploy network based location technologies, such as TDOA, etc. Cingular and T- Mobile use the TDOA network based location technology. The technology chosen by the major carriers can be particularly important for Tier III carriers 37 See Third R& O, 14 FCC Rcd at 17392 ¶ 9. See also supra note 6. 38 See Third R& O, 14 FCC Rcd at 17391 ¶ 6. 39 See id. at 17391, 17400 ¶¶ 6, 23. 40 See id. at 17400 ¶ 24. 41 See id. at 17402 ¶ 26. 42 See id. at 17404 ¶ 31. Additionally, Tier III carriers that have selected a handset- based solution have had to upgrade their networks to a new air interface such as CDMA or GSM. See 2005 Tier III Order at §§ III. A, D, and E. 43 The Commission has found that handset vendors and network- based location technology vendors give priority to the larger, nationwide carriers, whose deployment schedules have created downstream delays. See Non- Nationwide Carriers Order, 17 FCC Rcd at 14844 ¶ 11. 12 11 because the resources required to implement an E- 911 system can be substantial and each technology choice and speed of implementation presents its own resource challenge. Rural carriers thus may often leverage the extensive resource investments by the major carriers, and need not expend time and resources in investigating the performance of the universe of location technology choices. Summary As explained above, there are many technologies that have the capability of providing Phase II E- 911 location information – each with its respective advantages and disadvantages. The Commission has not mandated the use of any particular technical approach, but has established accuracy and performance measures so that any approach implemented must further the public interest. Within the public policy parameters set by the Commission, the best choice for Tier III carriers – as described above – will depend on these factors. In the end, there is no one solution that is necessarily better than another. Each Tier III carrier must assess its own situation in terms of geography, technology, economics, and ease of implementation to determine which solution for Phase II E- 911 best complies with the Commission’s Phase II accuracy requirements. III. CONCLUSION The Commission is firmly dedicated to ensuring the widespread and rapid deployment of wireless E911 services and, as this report demonstrates, is committed to working closely with Tier III carriers to balance this important public policy objective with the unique needs and individual challenges faced by small wireless carriers. Further, consistent with the requirements of the ENHANCE 911 Act, the Commission is taking steps to ensure that it responds swiftly to requests for relief filed by Tier III carriers. The Commission is pleased to have provided the above report and will continue its ongoing efforts to foster the deployment of Phase II E911 service by Tier III carriers. 13