AARP Comments on E-911

In the wake of last week’s tragic events, debate has begun on how E-911 technology might have helped rescue efforts in New York City and Washington, DC.

There’s no easy answer to that question, but if Phase II technology had helped save one life, it would have made a difference. The truth is, though, that Phase II technology isn’t scheduled to begin operating until October. Though that deadline likely won’t be met, amidst the pain of the terrorist attacks, perhaps it would be better to let the tragedy motivate the wireless industry toward E-911 implementation rather than lamenting what it could have done.

Motivating carriers toward E-911 implementation has become a concern of many, including numerous member of Congress and various organizations. In a Sept. 11 letter to the FCC (www.fcc.gov), the American Association for Retired Persons (AARP; www.aarp.org) spoke up for senior citizens and the benefits they could receive from E-911. Written to Chairman Michael Powell by Martin A. Corry, AARP director of federal affairs, the letter expresses concern about the industry’s path toward Phase II implementation and highlights the particular emergency-service-related needs of older citizens.

“Many senior citizens purchased cellular phone primarily for emergency use, and only infrequently use these phones for other purposes,” Corry states. “The ability of public safety response centers to rapidly respond to emergency calls is severely handicapped by inadequate knowledge of the location of the caller.”

Corry points out that most of the nation’s major wireless carriers have filed waivers requests, asking for more time and reporting changes to their technology choices. Corry believes that “carriers have had ample opportunity to examine the technical challenges associated with E-911 implementation, and they are aware that solutions currently exist to locate callers placing emergency calls on their mobile phones.”

A particular aspect of the waiver filings that concerns AARP is carriers’ request to have the accuracy standards relaxed.

“A relaxation of the accuracy standard could significantly affect the time required for emergency service responsiveness, which in many instances may be the difference between life and death,” Corry states.

The letter also points out that several carriers have said they will be unable to implement location-technology for analog phones for at least five years. More often than not, senior citizens with wireless service aren’t interested in wireless Internet access or the latest data applications. That added to the extra costs of digital phones and service has kept many older users from upgrading their analog phones.

Corry urges Powell and the commission to adhere to current E-911 deadlines and accuracy standards, stating that E-911 is “of great importance not only to our members, but to the general public as well.”