E911 focus of debate: FCC hosts battle of the location technologies

On June 28, about 150 people met with the FCC to discuss technical issues regarding automatic location identification implementation for enhanced 911 technologies. While some adamantly supported sticking to the October 2001 deadline for E911 installation, others voiced concerns that the technology is not up to speed.

"As a practical matter from where we are today, we will not have ubiquitous coverage by October 2001," said Ellen Kirk, vice president of marketing and strategic planning for SnapTrack. "There was one clear thing that came out of the roundtable: No one said a network-based solution would work for [code division multiple access], including Qualcomm, AirTouch and Ericsson. If we have any location solution, it should be handset-based; now the rules have to be in place."

The FCC plans to resolve the issues regarding location technology by Sept. 21. By then, the FCC should know whether the deadline will remain the same.

"I doubt the FCC will play with the deadline considering public safety has been waiting since 1996 to have [this capability]," said Oliver Hilsenrath, president and CEO of US Wireless. "We think ubiquitous 911 by 2001 is as important as the government project that launched the Internet. It would be dangerous to diffuse the deadline over a small debate like which gizmo is better."

In response to the growing debate between handset-based and network-based technology providers, the National Emergency Number Association initiated a campaign to promote the importance of installing lifesaving location technology by 2001.

"A firm deadline will have us working on the problem sooner rather than later," said Mark Adams, executive director of NENA. "The sense of urgency seems to get lost in the technological debate. In the end there will be a combination of technology. The real issue is locating people who do not know where they are and who are in distress."