Wireless E911 Phase II Location Accuracy Requirements, 43536-43538 [2012-18181]
Download as PDF
43536
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 143 / Wednesday, July 25, 2012 / Rules and Regulations
Commission finds good cause for
concluding that notice and comment are
unnecessary. The rule changes adopted
in the Order are minor in nature in that
the Commission is changing the format
of grantee codes that will be assigned in
the future to prospective applicants for
equipment certification, but is not
changing any other requirements for
equipment certification. Further, these
changes will not have any effect on
parties that have already been assigned
three-character codes because they may
continue to use them indefinitely. Thus,
the Commission concludes that notice
and comment are not necessary before
changing the rules on grantee code
format.
7. The Commission finds that the
benefits of the rule changes are
significant because the changes will
enable it to continue to certify
equipment from new parties, thus
expanding the range of devices available
to consumers. The Commission also
finds that the costs of these rule changes
are insignificant because it is not
appreciably more burdensome for a
party to apply for and use a fivecharacter code than a three-character
code. There will be no additional
burden on parties that already have
three-character codes assigned because
they may continue to use them
indefinitely. Thus, the Commission
concludes that the benefits of the rule
changes are greater than the costs.
8. The Commission is making the rule
changes effective 30 days after date of
publication of this Order in the Federal
Register. The change in grantee code
length necessitates a non-substantive
change in the electronic FCC Form 731
that is used to apply for equipment
certification. This change to the form
does not require prior Office of
Management and Budget (OMB)
approval, but the Commission will
provide OMB with a copy of the revised
form for their records. The Commission
plans to begin assigning grantee codes
with the new format no earlier than 30
days after the revised Form 731 is
available, and it will issue a public
notice announcing the date on which it
will begin issuing five-character grantee
codes.
TKELLEY on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES
Procedural Matters
Final Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
Analysis
9. This document makes nonsubstantive changes to previously
approved information collection
requirements subject to the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), Public
Law 104–13. It will be submitted to the
VerDate Mar<15>2010
16:20 Jul 24, 2012
Jkt 226001
Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) for information purposes.
Congressional Review Act
10. The Commission will send a copy
of this Order to Congress and the
Government Accountability Office
pursuant to the Congressional Review
Act, see 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A).
Ordering Clauses
11. Pursuant to the authority
contained in sections 4(i), 302, 303(e),
303(f), and 307 of the Communications
Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C.
154(i), 302a, 303(e), 303(f), and 307 this
order is hereby adopted.
12. Part 2 of the Commission’s rules
is amended as specified in Appendix A
of the Order, and such rule amendments
shall be effective August 24, 2012.
13. The Commission’s Consumer and
Governmental Affairs Bureau, Reference
Information Center shall send a copy of
the Order to the Government
Accountability Office pursuant to the
Congressional Review Act. See 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A).
List of Subjects in 47 CFR Part 2
§ 2.926
FCC identifier.
*
*
*
*
*
(c) A grantee code may consist of
Arabic numerals, capital letters, or other
characters. The format for this code will
be specified by the Commission’s Office
of Engineering and Technology. A
prospective grantee or its authorized
representative may receive a grantee
code electronically via the Internet at
https://www.fcc.gov/eas. The code may
be obtained at any time prior to
submittal of the application for
equipment authorization. However, the
fee required by § 1.1103 of this chapter
must be submitted and validated within
30 days of the issuance of the grantee
code, or the code will be removed from
the Commission’s records and a new
grantee code will have to be obtained.
*
*
*
*
*
[FR Doc. 2012–18186 Filed 7–24–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712–01–P
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS
COMMISSION
47 CFR Part 20
Communications equipment,
Reporting and recordkeeping.
[WC Docket No. 05–196; GN Docket No.
11–117; PS Docket No. 07–114; FCC 11–
107]
Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene H. Dortch,
Secretary.
Wireless E911 Phase II Location
Accuracy Requirements
For the reasons discussed in the
preamble, the Federal Communications
Commission amends 47 CFR part 2 to
read as follows:
PART 2—FREQUENCY ALLOCATIONS
AND RADIO TREATY MATTERS;
GENERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS
1. The authority citation for part 2
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 47 U.S.C. 154, 302a, 303, and
336, unless otherwise noted.
2. Section 2.925 is amended by
revising paragraph (a)(1) to read as
follows:
■
§ 2.925
Identification of equipment.
(a) * * *
(1) FCC Identifier consisting of the
two elements in the exact order
specified in § 2.926. The FCC Identifier
shall be preceded by the term FCC ID in
capital letters on a single line, and shall
be of a type size large enough to be
legible without the aid of magnification.
*
*
*
*
*
■ 3. Section 2.926 is amended by
revising paragraph (c) introductory text
to read as follows:
PO 00000
Frm 00050
Federal Communications
Commission.
ACTION: Final rule; announcement of
effective date.
AGENCY:
Final Rules
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
In this document, the
Commission announces that the Office
of Management and Budget (OMB) has
approved, for a period of three years, the
information collection associated with
the Commission’s Wireless E911 Phase
II Location Accuracy Requirements,
Third Report and Order’s 911 service
rules. This notice is consistent with the
Order, which stated that the Order
would become effective 60 days after
publication in the Federal Register,
subject to OMB approval for new
information collection requirements.
DATES: The amendment to 47 CFR 20.18
published at 76 FR 59916, September
28, 2011, is effective July 25, 2012.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Patrick Donovan, Policy and Licensing
Division, Public Safety and Homeland
Security Bureau, at (202) 418–2413, or
email: patrick.donovan@fcc.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This
document announces that, on May 17,
2012, OMB approved, for a period of
three years, the information collection
requirements relating to the Wireless
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\25JYR1.SGM
25JYR1
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 143 / Wednesday, July 25, 2012 / Rules and Regulations
TKELLEY on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES
E911 Phase II Location Accuracy
Requirements contained in the
Commission’s Order, FCC 11–107,
published at 76 FR 59916, September
28, 2011. The OMB Control Number is
3060–1147. The Commission publishes
this notice as an announcement of the
effective date of the rules. If you have
any comments on the burden estimates
listed below, or how the Commission
can improve the collections and reduce
any burdens caused thereby, please
contact Judith B. Herman, Federal
Communications Commission, Room 1–
B441, 445 12th Street SW., Washington,
DC 20554. Please include the OMB
Control Number, 3060–1147, in your
correspondence. The Commission will
also accept your comments via email at
PRA@fcc.gov. To request materials in
accessible formats for people with
disabilities (Braille, large print,
electronic files, audio format), send an
email to fcc504@fcc.gov or call the
Consumer and Governmental Affairs
Bureau at (202) 418–0530 (voice), (202)
418–0432 (TTY).
Synopsis
As required by the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3507),
the FCC is notifying the public that it
received final OMB approval on May 17,
2012, for the information collection
requirements contained in the
modifications to the Commission’s rules
in 47 CFR Part 20. Under 5 CFR part
1320, an agency may not conduct or
sponsor a collection of information
unless it displays a current, valid OMB
Control Number.
No person shall be subject to any
penalty for failing to comply with a
collection of information subject to the
Paperwork Reduction Act that does not
display a current, valid OMB Control
Number. The OMB Control Number is
3060–1147.
The foregoing notice is required by
the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995,
Public Law 104–13, October 1, 1995,
and 44 U.S.C. 3507.
The total annual reporting burdens
and costs for the respondents are as
follows:
OMB Control Number: 3060–1147.
OMB Approval Date: May 17, 2012.
OMB Expiration Date: May 31, 2015.
Title: Wireless E911 Phase II Location
Accuracy Requirements.
Form Number: N/A.
Respondents: Individuals and
households; Business or other for-profit
entities; Not-for-profit institutions;
Federal Government; and State, Local,
or Tribal Government.
Number of Respondents and
Responses: 4,898 respondents; 9,514
responses.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
16:20 Jul 24, 2012
Jkt 226001
Estimated Time per Response:
5.5867143 hours (average).
Frequency of Response: On-occasion
reporting requirements and third party
disclosure.
Obligation to Respond: Mandatory.
Statutory authority for this information
collection is contained in 47 U.S.C. 151,
154 and 332 of the Communications Act
of 1934, as amended.
Total Annual Burden: 53,152 hours.
Total Annual Cost: N/A.
Nature and Extent of Confidentiality:
An assurance of confidentiality is not
offered because this information
collection does not require the
collection of personally identifiable
information (PII) from individuals.
Needs and Uses: The Commission
adopted and released a Third Report
and Order, FCC 11–107, PS Docket No.
07–114, which provides that new
Commercial Mobile Radio Service
(CMRS) providers, meeting the
definition of covered CMRS providers in
Section 20.18 and deploying networks
subsequent to the effective date of the
Third Report and Order that are not an
expansion or upgrade of an existing
CMRS network, must meet the handsetbased location accuracy standard from
the start. Consequently, the rule requires
new CMRS providers launching new
stand-alone networks during the eightyear implementation period for handsetbased CMRS wireless licensees to meet
the applicable handset-based location
accuracy standard in effect of the time
of deployment. Therefore, new rule
§ 20.18(h)(2)(iv) specifies that new
CMRS providers must comply with
paragraphs (h)(2)(i)–(iii) of § 20.18,
which are the location accuracy
requirements for handset-based carriers.
OMB approved the information
collection for those rule paragraphs,
which the Second Report and Order
adopted, on March 30, 2011, under
OMB Control No. 3060–1147. The
Commission announced OMB’s
approval and the effective date in 76 FR
23713, April 28, 2011, of the Federal
Register.
As a result, under the new rule
section adopted by Third Report and
Order, all new CMRS providers, in
delivering emergency calls for Enhanced
911 service, must satisfy the handsetbased location accuracy standard at
either a county-based or Public Safety
Answering Point (PSAP)-based
geographic level. Thus, in accordance
with the new rule and under the
paragraph provision of § 20.18(h)(2)(i),
new CMRS providers must meet the
following initial benchmark for the
specified handset-based location
accuracy requirements: ‘‘[t]wo years
from January 18, 2011, 50 meters for 67
PO 00000
Frm 00051
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
43537
percent of calls, and 150 meters for 80
percent of calls, on a per-county or perPSAP basis.’’ Similarly, in accordance
with the new rule and under the
paragraph provisions of § 20.18(h)(2)(i)–
(iii), new CMRS providers may exclude
up to 15 percent of the counties or PSAP
areas they serve due to heavy forestation
that limits handset-based technology
accuracy in those counties or areas.
Therefore, new CMRS providers will
be required to file a list of the specific
counties where they are utilizing their
respective exclusions. In its September
2010 Second Report and Order, 75 FR
70604, November 18, 2010, the
Commission found that permitting this
exclusion properly but narrowly
accounts for the known technical
limitations of handset-based location
accuracy technologies, while ensuring
that the public safety community and
the public at large are sufficiently
informed of these limitations.
When they have begun deploying
their new networks, the new CMRS
providers must submit initial reports, as
the Commission will announce after
OMB approval of this revised
information collection, with a list of the
areas that they are permitted to exclude
from the handset-based location
accuracy requirements. Accordingly, the
Commission will specify the procedures
for electronic filing into PS Docket No.
07–114, consistent with the current
OMB approved information collection
for handset-based carriers, and new
CMRS providers must send copies of the
exclusion reports to the National
Emergency Number Association, the
Association of Public-Safety
Communications Officials-International,
and the National Association of State
9–1–1 Administrators.
Further, the rules adopted by the
Commission’s September 2010 Second
Report and Order, 75 FR 70604,
November 18, 2010, also require that,
two years after January 18, 2011,
wireless carriers provide confidence and
uncertainty data on a per call basis to
PSAPs. Because the new rule adopted
by the Third Report and Order considers
new CMRS providers as providers
covered under the definition of CMR
providers pursuant to section 20.18 of
the Commission’s rules, new CMRS
providers will also be subject to the
information collection requirement to
provide this confidence and uncertainty
data.
Additionally, in view of the amended
location accuracy requirements and the
timeframes and benchmarks for
handset-based wireless carriers to
comply with them, in its September
2010 Second Report and Order, 75 FR
70604, November 18, 2010, the
E:\FR\FM\25JYR1.SGM
25JYR1
TKELLEY on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES
43538
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 143 / Wednesday, July 25, 2012 / Rules and Regulations
Commission recognized that the waiver
process is suitable to address individual
or unique problems, where the
Commission can analyze the particular
circumstances and the potential impact
to public safety. Thus, similarly, the
supporting statement for this
information collection revision
recognizes that new CMRS providers
might file waiver requests and,
therefore, be subject to a collection and
reporting requirement.
The Third Report and Order found
that requiring all new CMRS network
providers to comply with the
Commission’s handset-based location
accuracy standard is consistent with the
regulatory principle of ensuring
technological neutrality. Providers
deploying new CMRS networks are free
to use network-based location
techniques, or to combine network and
handset-based techniques, to provide
911 location information, provided that
they meet the accuracy criteria
applicable to handset-based providers.
Given the long-term goal of universal
support for one location accuracy
standard, the Commission believed that
such a mandate allows appropriate
planning and ensures that new
technology will comply with the most
stringent location accuracy standard
that applies to existing technology.
Section 20.18(h)(2)(iv) requires that
providers of new CMRS networks that
meet the definition of covered CMRS
providers under paragraph (a) of this
section must comply with the
requirements of paragraphs (h)(2)(i)–(iii)
of this section. For this purpose, a ‘‘new
CMRS network’’ is a CMRS network that
is newly deployed subsequent to the
effective date of the Third Report and
Order in PS Docket No. 07–114 and that
is not an expansion or upgrade of an
existing CMRS network.
The information provided by wireless
carriers deploying new CMRS networks
to report the counties or PSAP service
areas where the carriers cannot provide
E911 location accuracy at either the
county or the PSAP level will furnish
the Commission, affected PSAPs, state
and local emergency agencies, public
safety organizations and other interested
stakeholders the supplementary data
necessary for public safety awareness of
those areas where it is most difficult to
measure location accuracy during the
benchmark periods for handset-based
wireless carriers.
The provision of confidence and
uncertainty data to PSAPs by the new
CMRS providers and the SSPs
responsible for transporting that data
between them and PSAPs will enhance
the PSAPs’ ability to efficiently direct
first responders to the correct location of
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Jkt 226001
emergencies to achieve the emergency
response goals of the nation in
responding expeditiously to emergency
crisis situations and in ensuring
homeland security.
Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene H. Dortch,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2012–18181 Filed 7–24–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712–01–P
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS
COMMISSION
47 CFR Part 64
[CG Docket Nos. 12–38 and 03–123; FCC
12–71]
Misuse of Internet Protocol (IP) Relay
Service; Telecommunications Relay
Services and Speech-to-Speech
Services for Individuals With Hearing
and Speech Disabilities
Federal Communications
Commission.
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
In this document, the
Commission adopts a measure that
prohibits Internet-Protocol (IP) Relay
providers from handling non-emergency
calls made by new IP Relay registrants
as guest users prior to taking reasonable
measures to verify their registration
information. The Commission’s action is
intended to eliminate abuse that has
resulted from unauthorized users having
access to IP Relay services prior to
verification of their registration
information.
DATES: Effective July 25, 2012.
ADDRESSES: Federal Communications
Commission, 445 12th Street SW.,
Washington, DC 20554.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eliot
Greenwald, Consumer and
Governmental Affairs Bureau, Disability
Rights Office, at (202) 418–2235 or
email Eliot.Greenwald@fcc.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a
summary of the Commission’s Misuse of
Internet Protocol (IP) Relay Service;
Telecommunications Relay Services and
Speech-to-Speech Services for
Individuals with Hearing and Speech
Disabilities, First Report and Order
(Order), document FCC 12–71, adopted
on June 28, 2012 and released on June
29, 2012, in CG Docket Nos. 12–38 and
03–123. The full text of document FCC
12–71 will be available for public
inspection and copying via ECFS, and
during regular business hours at the
FCC Reference Information Center,
Portals II, 445 12th Street SW., Room
CY–A257, Washington, DC 20554. It
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00052
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
also may be purchased from the
Commission’s duplicating contractor,
Best Copy and Printing, Inc., Portals II,
445 12th Street SW., Room CY–B402,
Washington, DC 20554, telephone: (800)
378–3160, fax: (202) 488–5563, or
Internet: www.bcpiweb.com. Document
FCC 12–71 can also be downloaded in
Word or Portable Document Format
(PDF) at https://www.fcc.gov/cgb/dro/trs.
html#orders. To request materials in
accessible formats for people with
disabilities (Braille, large print,
electronic files, audio format), send an
email to fcc504@fcc.gov or call the
Consumer and Governmental Affairs
Bureau at 202–418–0530 (voice), 202–
418–0432 (TTY).
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
Analysis
Document FCC 12–71 does not
contain new or modified information
collection requirements subject to the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
(PRA), Public Law 104–13. In addition,
it does not contain any new or modified
information collection burden for small
business concerns with fewer than 25
employees, pursuant to the Small
Business Paperwork Relief Act of 2002,
Public Law 107–198. See 44 U.S.C.
3506(c)(4).
Synopsis
1. In document FCC 12–71, the
Commission takes an important step to
curb the misuse of IP Relay by
prohibiting IP Relay providers from
handling non-emergency calls made by
new IP Relay registrants prior to taking
reasonable measures to verify their
registration information. In taking this
action, the Commission underscores its
ongoing commitment to ensuring that
Internet-based telecommunications
relay services (iTRS) provide the
communication access intended by
Congress in section 225 of the
Communications Act, while eliminating
fraud and abuse in this program. See
Structure and Practices of the Video
Relay Service Program, CG Docket No.
10–51, Second Report and Order, FCC
11–118; published at 76 FR 47469,
August 5, 2011 and at 76 FR 47476,
August 5, 2011 (iTRS Certification
Order) (defining iTRS to mean all forms
of telecommunications relay service
(TRS) in which an individual with a
hearing or speech disability uses an
Internet connection with a
communications assistant (CA) to make
calls, including Video Relay Service
(VRS), IP Relay, and IP captioned
telephone service (IP CTS)). VRS uses
video over a broadband Internet
connection to allow a person who uses
E:\FR\FM\25JYR1.SGM
25JYR1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 143 (Wednesday, July 25, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 43536-43538]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-18181]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
47 CFR Part 20
[WC Docket No. 05-196; GN Docket No. 11-117; PS Docket No. 07-114; FCC
11-107]
Wireless E911 Phase II Location Accuracy Requirements
AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.
ACTION: Final rule; announcement of effective date.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In this document, the Commission announces that the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) has approved, for a period of three years,
the information collection associated with the Commission's Wireless
E911 Phase II Location Accuracy Requirements, Third Report and Order's
911 service rules. This notice is consistent with the Order, which
stated that the Order would become effective 60 days after publication
in the Federal Register, subject to OMB approval for new information
collection requirements.
DATES: The amendment to 47 CFR 20.18 published at 76 FR 59916,
September 28, 2011, is effective July 25, 2012.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patrick Donovan, Policy and Licensing
Division, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, at (202) 418-
2413, or email: patrick.donovan@fcc.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This document announces that, on May 17,
2012, OMB approved, for a period of three years, the information
collection requirements relating to the Wireless
[[Page 43537]]
E911 Phase II Location Accuracy Requirements contained in the
Commission's Order, FCC 11-107, published at 76 FR 59916, September 28,
2011. The OMB Control Number is 3060-1147. The Commission publishes
this notice as an announcement of the effective date of the rules. If
you have any comments on the burden estimates listed below, or how the
Commission can improve the collections and reduce any burdens caused
thereby, please contact Judith B. Herman, Federal Communications
Commission, Room 1-B441, 445 12th Street SW., Washington, DC 20554.
Please include the OMB Control Number, 3060-1147, in your
correspondence. The Commission will also accept your comments via email
at PRA@fcc.gov. To request materials in accessible formats for people
with disabilities (Braille, large print, electronic files, audio
format), send an email to fcc504@fcc.gov or call the Consumer and
Governmental Affairs Bureau at (202) 418-0530 (voice), (202) 418-0432
(TTY).
Synopsis
As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C.
3507), the FCC is notifying the public that it received final OMB
approval on May 17, 2012, for the information collection requirements
contained in the modifications to the Commission's rules in 47 CFR Part
20. Under 5 CFR part 1320, an agency may not conduct or sponsor a
collection of information unless it displays a current, valid OMB
Control Number.
No person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply
with a collection of information subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act
that does not display a current, valid OMB Control Number. The OMB
Control Number is 3060-1147.
The foregoing notice is required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of
1995, Public Law 104-13, October 1, 1995, and 44 U.S.C. 3507.
The total annual reporting burdens and costs for the respondents
are as follows:
OMB Control Number: 3060-1147.
OMB Approval Date: May 17, 2012.
OMB Expiration Date: May 31, 2015.
Title: Wireless E911 Phase II Location Accuracy Requirements.
Form Number: N/A.
Respondents: Individuals and households; Business or other for-
profit entities; Not-for-profit institutions; Federal Government; and
State, Local, or Tribal Government.
Number of Respondents and Responses: 4,898 respondents; 9,514
responses.
Estimated Time per Response: 5.5867143 hours (average).
Frequency of Response: On-occasion reporting requirements and third
party disclosure.
Obligation to Respond: Mandatory. Statutory authority for this
information collection is contained in 47 U.S.C. 151, 154 and 332 of
the Communications Act of 1934, as amended.
Total Annual Burden: 53,152 hours.
Total Annual Cost: N/A.
Nature and Extent of Confidentiality: An assurance of
confidentiality is not offered because this information collection does
not require the collection of personally identifiable information (PII)
from individuals.
Needs and Uses: The Commission adopted and released a Third Report
and Order, FCC 11-107, PS Docket No. 07-114, which provides that new
Commercial Mobile Radio Service (CMRS) providers, meeting the
definition of covered CMRS providers in Section 20.18 and deploying
networks subsequent to the effective date of the Third Report and Order
that are not an expansion or upgrade of an existing CMRS network, must
meet the handset-based location accuracy standard from the start.
Consequently, the rule requires new CMRS providers launching new stand-
alone networks during the eight-year implementation period for handset-
based CMRS wireless licensees to meet the applicable handset-based
location accuracy standard in effect of the time of deployment.
Therefore, new rule Sec. 20.18(h)(2)(iv) specifies that new CMRS
providers must comply with paragraphs (h)(2)(i)-(iii) of Sec. 20.18,
which are the location accuracy requirements for handset-based
carriers. OMB approved the information collection for those rule
paragraphs, which the Second Report and Order adopted, on March 30,
2011, under OMB Control No. 3060-1147. The Commission announced OMB's
approval and the effective date in 76 FR 23713, April 28, 2011, of the
Federal Register.
As a result, under the new rule section adopted by Third Report and
Order, all new CMRS providers, in delivering emergency calls for
Enhanced 911 service, must satisfy the handset-based location accuracy
standard at either a county-based or Public Safety Answering Point
(PSAP)-based geographic level. Thus, in accordance with the new rule
and under the paragraph provision of Sec. 20.18(h)(2)(i), new CMRS
providers must meet the following initial benchmark for the specified
handset-based location accuracy requirements: ``[t]wo years from
January 18, 2011, 50 meters for 67 percent of calls, and 150 meters for
80 percent of calls, on a per-county or per-PSAP basis.'' Similarly, in
accordance with the new rule and under the paragraph provisions of
Sec. 20.18(h)(2)(i)-(iii), new CMRS providers may exclude up to 15
percent of the counties or PSAP areas they serve due to heavy
forestation that limits handset-based technology accuracy in those
counties or areas.
Therefore, new CMRS providers will be required to file a list of
the specific counties where they are utilizing their respective
exclusions. In its September 2010 Second Report and Order, 75 FR 70604,
November 18, 2010, the Commission found that permitting this exclusion
properly but narrowly accounts for the known technical limitations of
handset-based location accuracy technologies, while ensuring that the
public safety community and the public at large are sufficiently
informed of these limitations.
When they have begun deploying their new networks, the new CMRS
providers must submit initial reports, as the Commission will announce
after OMB approval of this revised information collection, with a list
of the areas that they are permitted to exclude from the handset-based
location accuracy requirements. Accordingly, the Commission will
specify the procedures for electronic filing into PS Docket No. 07-114,
consistent with the current OMB approved information collection for
handset-based carriers, and new CMRS providers must send copies of the
exclusion reports to the National Emergency Number Association, the
Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International,
and the National Association of State 9-1-1 Administrators.
Further, the rules adopted by the Commission's September 2010
Second Report and Order, 75 FR 70604, November 18, 2010, also require
that, two years after January 18, 2011, wireless carriers provide
confidence and uncertainty data on a per call basis to PSAPs. Because
the new rule adopted by the Third Report and Order considers new CMRS
providers as providers covered under the definition of CMR providers
pursuant to section 20.18 of the Commission's rules, new CMRS providers
will also be subject to the information collection requirement to
provide this confidence and uncertainty data.
Additionally, in view of the amended location accuracy requirements
and the timeframes and benchmarks for handset-based wireless carriers
to comply with them, in its September 2010 Second Report and Order, 75
FR 70604, November 18, 2010, the
[[Page 43538]]
Commission recognized that the waiver process is suitable to address
individual or unique problems, where the Commission can analyze the
particular circumstances and the potential impact to public safety.
Thus, similarly, the supporting statement for this information
collection revision recognizes that new CMRS providers might file
waiver requests and, therefore, be subject to a collection and
reporting requirement.
The Third Report and Order found that requiring all new CMRS
network providers to comply with the Commission's handset-based
location accuracy standard is consistent with the regulatory principle
of ensuring technological neutrality. Providers deploying new CMRS
networks are free to use network-based location techniques, or to
combine network and handset-based techniques, to provide 911 location
information, provided that they meet the accuracy criteria applicable
to handset-based providers. Given the long-term goal of universal
support for one location accuracy standard, the Commission believed
that such a mandate allows appropriate planning and ensures that new
technology will comply with the most stringent location accuracy
standard that applies to existing technology.
Section 20.18(h)(2)(iv) requires that providers of new CMRS
networks that meet the definition of covered CMRS providers under
paragraph (a) of this section must comply with the requirements of
paragraphs (h)(2)(i)-(iii) of this section. For this purpose, a ``new
CMRS network'' is a CMRS network that is newly deployed subsequent to
the effective date of the Third Report and Order in PS Docket No. 07-
114 and that is not an expansion or upgrade of an existing CMRS
network.
The information provided by wireless carriers deploying new CMRS
networks to report the counties or PSAP service areas where the
carriers cannot provide E911 location accuracy at either the county or
the PSAP level will furnish the Commission, affected PSAPs, state and
local emergency agencies, public safety organizations and other
interested stakeholders the supplementary data necessary for public
safety awareness of those areas where it is most difficult to measure
location accuracy during the benchmark periods for handset-based
wireless carriers.
The provision of confidence and uncertainty data to PSAPs by the
new CMRS providers and the SSPs responsible for transporting that data
between them and PSAPs will enhance the PSAPs' ability to efficiently
direct first responders to the correct location of emergencies to
achieve the emergency response goals of the nation in responding
expeditiously to emergency crisis situations and in ensuring homeland
security.
Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene H. Dortch,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2012-18181 Filed 7-24-12; 8:45 am]
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