MIKE MciNTYRE 7TH DISTRICT, NORTH CAROLINA COMMITIEE ON ARMED SERVICES RANKING MEMBER SUBCOMMITTEE ON SEAPOWER AND PROJECTION FORCES SUBCOMMITTEE ON TACTICAL AIR AND LAND FORCES Cll:ongreiiii ot tbt 'Qiiniteb ~tateii ;!}ou!le of l\epre!lentattbe!l Uasbington, 1J8Ql: 20515-3307 COMMITIEE ON AGRICULTURE SUBCOMMITTEE ON LIVESTOCK, AURAL DEVELOPMENT AND CREDIT SUBCOMMITTEE ON CONSERVATION, ENERGY AND fORESTRY U.S. HELSINKI COMMISSIONER ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE November 18, 2013 The Honorable Thomas Wheeler Chairman Federal Communications Commission 445 Twelfth Street, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20554 Dear Chairman Wheeler, WEB PAGE: www.house.gov/mcintyre fl0f co-CHAIRMAN SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES CAUCUS Co-CHAIRMAN CONGRESSIONAL WATERWAYS CAUCUS CO-CHAIRMAN CONGRESSIONAL CAUCUSES ON THE UNITED KINGDOM AND SCOTLAND Co-CHAIRMAN U.S. AIR FORCE CAUCUS Co-CHAIRMAN TASK FORCE ON RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD Co-CHAIRMAN CONGRESSIONAL CAUCUS ON YOUTH SPORTS Co-CHAIRMAN CONGRESSIONAL PRAYER CAUCUS I write regarding recent reports filed with the FCC that appear to show that a growing percentage of 9-1-1 calls made from wireless phones do not contain required location information with 9-1-1 operators. This data, collected from multiple states across the country, indicates that the problem may extend nationwide. As you know, in 1996, the FCC began adopting rules aimed at ensuring that first responders could more easily locate wireless callers diali,ng 9-1-1. Specifically, the FCC's Phase II E9-1-1 rules in 2001 required the delivery oflatitude and longitude ofthe caller. These rules took effect more than I 0 years ago, yet these reports appear to show th;~t the share of wireless 9- 1-1 calls accompanied by aecurate information and delivered to emergency operators is dropping across all carriers. · · An increasing number of 9-1-1 calls are being placed from wireless phones, with some estimates as high as 70 percent. Moreover, a growing percenmge of these wireless calls are made from indoors or other areas where GPS signals are compromised. These trends highlight the need for the FCC to examine closc;ly all of the data from across the country that was filed in this proceeding, to enforce existing rules, and to take additional action where necessary. I am encouraged thafthe·FCC is holding a Workshop on November 18 "to discuss recent developments in the use of wireless technology to :c~ntaet .emergency servic~s and. the provision and quality of 911 location information delivered to Public Safety Access Points." I l9ok forward to learning what steps the Commission plans ~o take to address this critical is&ue: • J ' " ' ·;_ • • i 2428 RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING WAsHINGTON, DC 20516-3307 (202) 225-2731 FAX: (202) 225-5773 •. ,l 1 19 COURTHOUSE DRIVE . . P.O. Box 2107 ELiZABETHTOWN, NC 2833'7 (910) 862-1487 . FAx: (910) 862-2286'. PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER 497, 0lDE WATERFOROE WAY SUITE 206 LElAND, NC 28451 (910) 399-1134 fp.x: (910) 39.9-4172 SMITHFIELD TOWN HALL 35~TSTREET P.O. Box 761 SMITHFIELD, NC 27577 MIKE MciNTYRE 7TH DISTRICT, NORTH CAROLINA COMMITIEE ON ARMED SERVICES RANKING MEMBER SuBCOMMITTEE oN SEAPOWER AND PROJECTION FORCES SuBCOMMITTEE oN TACTICAL AIR AND LAND FoRCES COMMITIEE ON AGRICULTURE SUBCOMMITTEE ON LIVESTOCK, RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND CREDIT SuBCOMMITTEE oN CoNSERVATION, ENERGY AND FORESTRY U.S. HELSINKI COMMISSIONER ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE cteongttJ)J) of tbe WnttdJ ~tate!) ;!>ouse of l\epnsentatibes Dasl)tngton, :IBQt 20515-3307 WEB PAGE: www.house.gov/mcintyre Co-CHAIRMAN SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES CAUCUS co-CHAIRMAN CONGRESSIONAL WATERWAYS CAUCUS co-CHAIRMAN CONGRESSIONAL CAUCUSES ON THE UNITED KINGDOM AND SCOTLAND Co-CHAIRMAN U.S. AIR FORCE CAUCUS Co-C~>AIRMAN TASK FORCE ON RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD Co-CHAIRMAN CONGRESSIONAL CAUCUS ON YOUTH SPORTS CO-CHAIRMAN CONGRESSIONAL PRAYER CAUCUS Thank you for your leadership and commitment to enhancing the quality and reliability of 9-1-1 services across the nation. Cc: FCC Commissioners 2428 RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING WASriiNGTON, DC 20515-3307 (202) 225-2731 FAx: (202) 225-5773 Sincerely, ~~~~ Member of Congress 119 COURTHOUSE DRIVE P.O. Box 2107 ELIZABETHTOWN, NC 28337 (910) 862-1487 FAx: (910) 862-2286 PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER 497 0LDE WATERFORDE WAY SUITE 206 LELAND, NC 26451 (910)399--1134 FAx: (910) 399-4172 SMITHFIELD TOWN HALL 350 MARKET STREET P.O. Box 761 SMITHFIElD, NC 27577