MARK PRYOR 
ARKANSAS 
COMMITTEES 
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Mr. Tom Wheeler 
Chairman 
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WASHINGTON, DC 20510 
September 17, 2014 
Federal Communications Commission 
445 121h Street, S.W. 
Washington, DC 20554 
Dear Chairman Wheeler: 
255 DIRKSEN SENATF 0FfiCF BUILDING 
WASHINGTON, DC 20510 
(202) 224 2353 
500 PRESIDENT CLINTON AVENUE' 
SuiTE 401 
lrntE RocK, AR 72201 
(501) 324-6336 
TOLL FREE: (877) 259 9602 
http://pryor.senate.gov 
I write you again today to urge the Federal Communications Commission to protect 
Americans by ensuring first responders can find 9-1-1 callers- even when they call from 
wireless phones indoors. 9-1-1 calls are made when we are most in need, and our policies 
governing how these calls are handled should be built for the modem wireless era. 
1 heard firsthand about the importance of location information for first responders and 
those in emergency situations when I chaired a hearing this past January for the Senate 
Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the 
Internet. In addition to stories of those in need experiencing unacceptable waits for 
emergency services, we also heard from a representative of the deaf and hard of hearing 
community on the importance of accurate location information to those with disabilities 
who may have more difficulty communicating their physical location. 
We also learned that ofthe approximately 240 million 9-1 -1 calls each year, more than 
two thirds of these calls are made from wireless phones. As recently noted by the 
Association of Arkansas Counties, this number is even higher in Arkansas where 80 
percent of 9-1-1 calls are made from wireless phones. As more and more Americans 
become wireless-only consumers, the percentage of wireless 9-1-1 calls is likely to 
increase. 
Distressingly, the FCC's current rules do not treat all of these calls equally. When a 9-1-1 
call is made from either a landline phone or on a wireless phone outdoors, there are rules 
in place to ensure location information is delivered to our public safety officials. But 
when that same call is made from a wireless phone indoors, no rules apply. That is an 
unacceptable gap in the nation's 9-1-1 policies. 
I was therefore encouraged in February to see the Commission respond to my call for 
action by proposing rules for indoor location accuracy. The Commission proposed strong 
rules that would ensure that those calling for help can be found, even if they are calling 
indoors from their wireless phones. And as the National Emergency Number Association 
has commented, the record in the proceeding demonstrates that "technologies can be 
deployed on a reasonable timefrarne to satisfy the requirements proposed by the 
Commission." Further, I believe the recent agreement between public safety officials and 
the wireless carriers is a promising sign that a strong rule can be implemented. 1 urge the 
Commission to continue to look to all stakeholders in drafting a final rule. 
I believe now is the time for action. I encourage you to take steps to make sure our 
policies for 9-1-1 reflect the realities of how people communicate. When someone calls 
9-1-1 for help on their wireless phone, first responders should be able to find them no 
matter where they are. 
Sincerely, 
l'A~~~~ 
Senator Mark Pryor 
Cc: FCC Commissioner Clyburn 
FCC Commissioner Rosenworcel 
FCC Commissioner Pai 
FCC Commissioner O'Rielly