E-911 Will Have Your Number

The FCC dealt handset-based location technology into the E-911 game when it decided to give carriers the option to use a GPS-enabled handset solution, a network-solution or a hybrid, to ensure that 911 dispatchers can locate the origination of calls.

"We feel that the wireless bureau (at the FCC) put together a pretty fair, technologically neutral ruling," said Andy Rimkus, IDC vice president. "The accuracy requirements of the ruling are aggressive but certainly achievable ...."

The wireless industry largely is content with the FCC decision. However, PCIA President Jay Kitchen expressed concern about meeting handset deadlines because of technical uncertainties surrounding many of the location-tracking devices.

Questions have surrounded GPS operation within buildings, but manufacturers say that's no longer a problem. Privacy advocates also have questioned the government's motive for mandating a wireless tracking system.

Regardless, carriers that begin phasing in new or upgraded GPS-enabled handsets before their area public safety answering point (PSAP) submits a request to the FCC must activate them by March 1, 2001. Fifty percent of the new handsets containing automatic location identification (ALI) technologies must be activated by Oct. 1, 2001, and at least 95% of all new digital ALI-capable handsets activated a year later.

Carriers that choose to wait until a PSAP request is filed must ensure that new handsets be ALI-compliant within six months or Oct. 1, 2001, whichever is later.

The answer to who will pay for wireless emergency services appears to be the consumer. Almost 30 states allow wireless carriers to add charges of 50 cents to $1.25 to monthly statements to cover costs.