Media Contact: 
Rochelle Cohen, (202) 418-1162
rochelle.cohen@fcc.gov

For Immediate Release

FCC MAKES PROPOSAL TO HELP FIRST RESPONDERS LOCATE 911 CALLERS IN MULTI-STORY BUILDINGS
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WASHINGTON, March 15, 2019—The Federal Communications Commission today proposed to help first responders more accurately locate people who make wireless 911 calls from multi-story buildings.  The proposal would assist 911 call centers in identifying the floor level where the 911 call occurred, which can reduce emergency response times and ultimately save lives. 

Today’s proposal is part of the FCC’s ongoing effort to improve its Enhanced 911 location accuracy rules, which require wireless providers to automatically transmit to 911 call centers information on the location of wireless 911 callers.  The rules require wireless providers to meet an increasingly stringent series of location accuracy benchmarks in accordance with a timetable, including provision of the caller’s “dispatchable location” (such as the street address and apartment number) or vertical location on a phased-in basis beginning in April 2021.  The Commission previously deferred a decision on a specific vertical location accuracy metric until it received additional testing data, which has now occurred.

The Commission today proposed a vertical (or “z-axis”) location accuracy metric of plus or minus three meters relative to the handset for 80% of indoor wireless 911 calls.  The Commission tentatively concluded that such a location accuracy metric—within three meters above or below the phone—would be sufficiently accurate to identify the caller’s floor level in most cases and would be technically feasible under the timeframes established in the Commission’s Enhanced 911 rules.

Action by the Commission March 15, 2019 by Fourth Further Notice of Propose Rulemaking (FCC 19-20).  Chairman Pai, Commissioners O’Rielly and Carr approving.  Commissioner Rosenworcel dissenting.  Commissioner Starks approving in part and concurring in part.  Chairman Pai, Commissioners O’Rielly, Carr, Rosenworcel, and Starks issuing separate statements.

PS Docket No. 07-114

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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).