Media Contact:
Mark Wigfield, (202) 418-0253
mark.wigfield@fcc.gov
For Immediate Release
FCC CHAIRMAN AJIT PAI ANNOUNCES INVESTIGATION INTO 
YESTERDAY’S 911 OUTAGE
WASHINGTON, March 9, 2017 – Last night, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai 
announced that he has launched an investigation into the 911 outage that impacted AT&T wireless 
subscribers across the United States yesterday evening.
“Every call to 911 must go through,” said Chairman Pai.  “So when I first learned of yesterday’s outage, I 
immediately directed FCC staff to contact AT&T about it and the company’s efforts to restore access to 
emergency services to the American public.  I also spoke with Randall Stephenson, AT&T’s chief 
executive officer, and stressed the urgent need to restore service and to communicate with first 
responders, as well as AT&T customers, about the status of operations.  Additionally, I announced last 
night that I have directed Commission staff to track down the root cause of this outage.”
“The FCC’s public safety professionals are on the case,” said Lisa Fowlkes, Acting Chief of the Public 
Safety and Homeland Security Bureau.  “Access to 911 emergency services is essential for all Americans, 
especially the most vulnerable.  We will fully investigate this outage and determine the root cause and its 
impact.”
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Office of Chairman Ajit Pai: (202) 418-2000
Twitter: @AjitPaiFCC
www.fcc.gov/leadership/ajit-pai
This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official
action.  See MCI v. FCC, 515 F.2d 385 (D.C. Cir. 1974).