STATEMENT OF
COMMISSIONER MIGNON L. CLYBURN
Re:  Developing a Framework for Next Generation 911 Deployment, Notice of 
Inquiry; FCC-10-200, FCC Docket No. 10-255
If constructed correctly, Next Generation or NG9-1-1 networks should be a vast 
improvement over our legacy system. These new networks will give consumers the 
ability to communicate emergency messages through more media platforms than are 
possible today.  Additionally, they will offer the ability to include more information when 
sending emergency communications. NG9-1-1 networks will also give public safety 
entities more options for finding a person in an emergency and will provide continued 
improvements in location accuracy over the current 9-1-1 system. This is not just an 
opportunity to solve past problems, but also a chance to design and construct state of the 
art emergency communications networks that make the most of the benefits IP 
technologies have to offer.
There are a number of important differences between NG9-1-1 networks, and 
their predecessors. NG9-1-1 can be accessible by a wide variety of end users and 
devices; many of which will have identifiers other than telephone numbers. More than 
one entity will be able to provide network access and communications services.  As the 
Notice of Inquiry explains, however, while these differences offer advantages in 
emergency communications, they also present challenges in ensuring a successful 
migration to NG9-1-1 networks.
There are two main reasons why I am optimistic that we will successfully meet 
these challenges.  First, a number of relevant stakeholders have already demonstrated that 
they understand that successful implementation of this policy will take collaboration and 
consensus. In fact, when it enacted the New and Emerging Technologies Act of 2008, 
Congress recognized the importance of such collaboration by creating the National E9-1-
1 Implementation Coordination Office (ICO). ICO played an instrumental role, by 
developing a national plan for migrating to this new IP-enabled emergency network, by 
consulting with the public safety community, groups representing people with 
disabilities, technology developers, and communications providers.
The testimony of Ms. Laurie Flaherty, from NHTSA, reaffirms the value of 
ongoing interagency coordination. I was also pleased to see that NENA, the IETF, and 
others, have been actively engaged in developing and harmonizing technical standards to 
support the IP-based solutions that will be necessary to make the migration to NG9-1-1 a 
success. I urge all relevant public and private entities to continue such collaboration.
The second reason for my optimism is that this Notice properly embarks the 
Commission and our industry on a comprehensive examination of the relevant 
technological, economic, and institutional issues raised by this proceeding. I was 
particularly pleased to see that the Notice seeks to ensure that the concerns of all people 
with special needs, those living with disabilities, and non-English speaking persons are 
included in the design of these new networks. The Notice recognizes that there will be 
significant costs to constructing NG9-1-1 networks and asks a number of questions to 
elicit creative approaches to addressing these costs. It is also important, as the Notice 
points out, to consider the cyber security ramifications of these new networks.
I commend Admiral Barnett and his staff at the Public Safety Homeland Security 
Bureau, for initiating this proceeding with an excellent and thorough Notice of Inquiry.