TIA Cites Privacy Issue in Urging FCC to Take Measured Approach in E-911 Rulemaking Process

TIA Also Voices Concerns About Liability, Integration of Emerging Technologies, and Hampering VoIP Growth in a Rush to Regulate Without a Comprehensive Study of Issues

Washington, D.C. – The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), which represents the manufacturers and suppliers of global communications networks, has filed comments with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) encouraging the Commission to create the Communications, Security, Reliability, and Interoperability Council (CSRIC)-recommended E911 Technical Advisory Group (ETAG).

TIA wrote: "The ETAG can provide the Commission with a stakeholder-wide technical and policy consensus on the best path forward for improving location accuracy in emerging technologies, and can specifically address some related issues raised in the Further Notice of Proposed Rule Making, including privacy, liability, and the integration of emerging technologies such as location-based services."

Of particular concern is the issue of privacy, which TIA's Vice President for Government Affairs Danielle Coffey addressed: "The Commission should proceed carefully before imposing further user location tracking mandates on IP-enabled devices. As a threshold question, before addressing the issues of technological feasibility, the Commission should establish a solid record that there is stronger public interest in creating a broader location identification functionality within IP-enabled services that exceeds user expectations of personal privacy."

TIA also noted its objection to the proposal to redefine interconnected VoIP for the purposes of 911 only. Having multiple definitions of the same service in the Commission's regulations is certain to lead to increased confusion with the regulations, and would damage the case for investment in new VoIP services. This definitional change could, TIA believes, also extend the reach of 911 location accuracy rules to services which the Commission does not intend and that would not benefit the public.

TIA also urged the Commission to recognize that growth in the VoIP industry has been in significant part due to the current regulatory climate, and that a very strong record first be established that demonstrates technical feasibility and consumer expectations be established before extending VoIP regulations any further.

"TIA does not believe that this record currently exists, and therefore opposes the proposed general location accuracy governing principles," said Coffey. "Adoption of these principles will indicate intent to further weigh the industry with regulation and will disincentive potential investment. We urge the Commission to create the ETAG and base decisions on its multi-sector and consensus-based recommendations."

The comments are available at TIA's FCC filings page at tiaonline.org.

About TIA
The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) represents the global information and communications technology (ICT) industry through standards development, advocacy, business opportunities, market intelligence and networking. Since 1924, TIA has been enhancing the business environment for broadband, mobile wireless, information technology, networks, cable, satellite and unified communications. Members' products and services empower communications in every industry and market, including healthcare, education, security, public safety, transportation, government, the military, the environment and entertainment.

View video news programming on TIA Now at http://www.tianow.org.

TIA's 2011 Market Review & Forecast, is available for purchase online at the TIA store. TIA members receive a discount of more than 60 percent off of the cover price. Review copies are available for qualified media.

TIA is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Visit tiaonline.org.

TIA's Board of Directors includes senior-level executives from ADTRAN, Alcatel-Lucent, ANDA Networks, AttivaCorp, Cisco Systems, Dow Chemical Company, Ericsson, Inc., GENBAND, Inc., Henkels & McCoy, Juniper Networks, ILS Technology, Intel Corporation, Intersect, Inc., LGE, Microsoft, Motorola, Nokia Siemens Networks, OneChip Photonics, Panasonic Computer Solutions Co., Qualcomm, Research In Motion, Sumitomo Electric Lightwave Corporation, Tellabs, TE Connectivity, Ulticom, Inc., Walker & Associates and WirefreeCom, Inc. Advisors to the Board include FAL Associates.

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