AT&T pays $2 million E-911 fine, abandons E-OTD

AT&T Wireless told the FCC that it plans to abandon the handset-based technology in favor of a network-based E-911 solution for its GSM network and agreed to pay the U.S. Treasury $2 million for missing key E-911 deployment deadlines.

The FCC adopted an order approving a consent degree resolving possible violations of E-911 deployment rules by AT&T Wireless. In July, the FCC said it was proposing to fine AT&T Wireless $2.2 million for missing E-911 deployment deadlines in at least 12 markets and for misrepresenting when it would start selling E-OTD capable handsets. AT&T Wireless has blamed key vendors for the delay, and has even demanded that Nokia pay its fine.

Under the consent degree, AT&T Wireless has agreed to deploy Phase II compliant technology in a minimum of 1000 cell sites in its GSM network by Jan. 31, 2003. The number steadily increases to 8000 cell sites by June 30, 2004.

The FCC also gave AT&T Wireless new timelines for meeting public safety answering points (PSAPS) coverage.

If AT&T Wireless fails to meet the FCC’s new timelines, AT&T Wireless is required to make automatic payments to the U.S. Treasury in the amount of $450,000 for the first missed benchmark, $900,000 for the second and $1.8 million for subsequent missed benchmarks