FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON
OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN
November 10,2015
The Honorable Mike D. Rogers
Chairman
Subcommittee on Strategic Forces
Committee on Armed Services
U.S. House of Representatives
2340 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Chairman Rogers:
I have received your letter of September 18,2015, regarding the potential use of
GLONASS to enhance 911 location accuracy. The authorizing statute of the FCC, the
Communications Act of 1934, highlights that two of the purposes for the establishment of the
Commission are support for "the national defense" and "promoting the safety of life and property
through the use of wire and radio communication." As Chairman, I take these responsibilities
very seriously.
I have reached out to Director Clapper to get a better understanding of the intelligence
community's concerns about the use ofGLONASS signals in addition to GPS signals for 911
location purposes. We will work closely with our federal partners, including the Office of the
Director of National Intelligence and the Department of Defense, in assessing available
technological approaches to improving emergency response efforts.
r smcerelYl!4t
@eler
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON
OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN
November 10,2015
The Honorable Jim Cooper
Ranking Member
Subcommittee on Strategic Forces
Committee on Armed Services
U.S. House of Representatives
2340 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Cooper:
I have received your letter of September 18,2015, regarding the potential use of
GLONASS to enhance 911 location accuracy. The authorizing statute of the FCC, the
Communications Act of 1934, highlights that two of the purposes for the establishment of the
Commission are support for "the national defense" and "promoting the safety of life and property
through the use of wire and radio communication." As Chairman, I take these responsibilities
very seriously.
I have reached out to Director Clapper to get a better understanding of the intelligence
community's concerns about the use of GLONASS signals in addition to GPS signals for 911
location purposes. We will work closely with our federal partners, including the Office of the
Director of National Intelligence and the Department of Defense, in assessing available
technological approaches to improving emergen~ ;~~/ L
Torn Wheeler