What’s Next: FCC Takes Steps To Advance NG911 Capabilities

On July 18, 2024, The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) unanimously approved the Report And Order (R & O) Facilitating Implementation of Next Generation 9-1-1 Services PS Docket Nos 21-479 and 18-64, marking the most significant advancement for the emergency services industry since the first 9-1-1 call took place in Haleyville, Alabama in 1968. The R & O will enable state and local 9-1-1 authorities to replace legacy technology with Internet Protocol (IP)-based infrastructure that will support new capabilities including text, video, and data, and that will improve 9-1-1 interoperability, security, and system resilience.

This significant shift will greatly impact and enhance business operations for the 9-1-1 industry by expediting the transformation of outdated infrastructure into contemporary, IP-based networks that better reflect the way we communicate today. The adoption of this Report And Order will also help to streamline the incident response process by providing mission-critical location data to 9-1-1 telecommunicators, allowing them to help responders navigate to incidents more quickly, ultimately saving more lives.

The Mandate Is Broken Down Into Two Phases:

1. Phase 1 – Upon receiving a valid Phase 1 request from a 9-1-1 authority, an Originating Service Provider (OSP) must commence delivery of 9-1-1 traffic in IP-based Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) format to one or more in-state NG9-1-1 Delivery Points designated by the 9-1-1 authority. Phase 1 will enable 9-1-1 authorities to deploy Emergency Services IP Networks (ESInets) in a cost-effective manner by selecting convenient delivery points to receive 9-1-1 traffic; will improve 9-1-1 reliability by using an IP-based format, rather than legacy format, to deliver 9-1-1 traffic; and will establish the transmission platforms necessary for upgrading to Phase 2.
2. Phase 2 – Upon receiving a valid Phase 2 request from a 9-1-1 authority, an OSP must commence delivery of 9-1-1 traffic to the designated in-state NG9-1-1 delivery point(s) in an IP-based SIP format that complies with NG9-1-1 commonly accepted standards identified by the 9-1-1 authority, including having location information embedded in the call signaling using Presence Information Data Format—Location Object (PIDF-LO) or the functional equivalent. In Phase 2, the OSP must install and put into operation all equipment, software applications, and other infrastructure, or acquire all services, necessary to use a Location Information Server (LIS) or its functional equivalent for the verification of its customer location information and records. Phase 2 will facilitate use of the functional elements of Next Generation 9-1-1 Core Services (NGCS), which can deliver dynamic information to Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs), enabling them to use policy routing functions to dynamically re-route 9-1-1 traffic to avoid network disruptions, thus reducing the impact of outages on 9-1-1 continuity.

The Following Timelines Have Been Established For Each Phase:

• Nationwide Commercial Mobile Radio Services (CMRS) providers, covered text providers, interconnected Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) providers, and wireline providers other than rural incumbent local exchange carriers (RLECs) will have six months following a 91-1 authority’s valid Phase 1 request to comply with Phase 1 requirements, and six months following a valid Phase 2 request to comply with Phase 2 requirements.
• RLECs, non-nationwide CMRS providers, and Internet-based Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) providers will have one year following a 9-1-1 authority’s valid Phase 1 request to comply with Phase 1 requirements, and one year following a valid Phase 2 request to comply with Phase 2 requirements.

Who Is Responsible For Costs Associated With This?

• Unless states or localities agree on alternative methods for cost distribution, OSPs are expected to bear the expenses of complying with the new rules. States and localities, however, have the freedom to establish different cost-sharing agreements with providers.

So, What Does This Mean For Public Safety Stakeholders And Originating Service Providers?

• 9-1-1 authorities will require accurate and complete Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data to declare they are NG9-1-1-ready: GIS data is a foundational component of Next Generation 9-1-1 systems and plays a role in both the routing of 9-1-1 calls to the appropriate Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) and in helping responders locate incidents quickly. According to the National Emergency Number Association’s GIS standards for NG9-1-1, this data must be at minimum 98% accurate and complete, regularly updated, and validated in accordance with stringent standards. Don’t know where to start? DATAMARK Technologies offers GIS services and software designed to help agencies with this monumental task. Learn More.
• 9-1-1 authorities will require Next Generation Core Services functions to route 9-1-1 calls: Next Generation Core Services are designed to improve emergency response times by consistently routing the call to the correct PSAP and providing accurate location information to the call-taker. NGCS are built on a foundation of IP-based infrastructure, geographic information systems, and other elements. It is critical for these components to seamlessly integrate with a multitude of data and technological inputs that are required for optimal functionality of a NG9-1-1 system. DATAMARK Technologies offers the only fully interoperable solutions for NG9-1-1-compliant GIS data management and Next Generation Core Services that align with the FCC’s R&O. Learn more.
• OSPs will require additional technologies to validate and route 9-1-1 calls: The FCC’s mandate calls for OSPs to validate their subscriber location information using the Location Validation Function (LVF) and to provide that location in the SIP header when it is delivered to the ESInet. As experts in both GIS data services and interoperable location information solutions for NG9-1-1, DATAMARK Technologies is prepared to equip OSPs with solutions that facilitate their plans to align with this objective. For more information on this solution, contact our team.

Next Steps

Implementing NG9-1-1 nationwide requires the coordination of a variety of emergency communication, public safety, legislative and governing entities. The 9-1-1 community continues to be a part of finding new and better ways to make progress toward a nationwide “system of systems”. The FCC’s mandate underscores the critical importance of our Nation’s transition to NG9-1-1 and provides a clear path toward turning this vision into reality.

Additional funding through the Spectrum Authorization Act is required and expected to pass through congress in the coming months. In the meantime, OSPs and 9-1-1 authorities will begin exploring opportunities and solutions to support this mandate. As the only organization offering interoperable GIS and NGCS location services on the market today, DATAMARK Technologies is well positioned to support the current needs of OSPs and 9-1-1 stakeholders. To learn more, meet with an expert from our team by contacting us.