Alexandria, VA – July 12, 2011 – APCO International applauds the FCC for moving forward to strengthen and consolidate its automatic location accuracy requirements for cellular 9-1-1 calls in today’s Report and Order and Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on 9-1-1 issues.

“Individuals calling 9-1-1 often don’t know, or are unable to provide, correct information regarding their location,” said APCO President Bill Carrow.   “The FCC’s rules require wireless carriers to use appropriate technologies to identify a 9-1-1 caller’s location, and then provide that information to Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs).   However, the location information must be accurate and reliable for first responders to reach emergencies in a timely manner,” Carrow continued.   APCO’s Project LOCATE  previously examined wireless 9-1-1 accuracy and found significant  deficiencies and disparities among carriers and geographic areas.   Subsequent FCC actions, including today’s order, are intended to address those issues and improve the overall accuracy of  9-1-1 caller location information provided to PSAPs.

APCO International supports the Commission’s requirement that wireless carriers test the accuracy of their location information and is encouraged that the Commission is continuing to explore when and how location accuracy can be tested inside buildings, as an ever increasing number of 9-1-1 calls from such locations are made with cellular phones.

“We are also pleased that the FCC is moving forward in proposing rules to provide efficient and effective location accuracy for the growing number of 9-1-1 calls being made with VoIP telephones,” Carrow said.