FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 06, 2008

Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) Asks FCC to Create an E911 Technical Advisory Group

ETAG Is Essential and Should Bring All Wireless Sector Stakeholders Together to Ensure Compliance With New E911 Accuracy Rules, TIA Says

Washington, D.C.. –The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), the leader in advocacy, standards development, business development and intelligence for the information and communications technology (ICT) industry, called today on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to create an E911 Technical Advisory Group (ETAG) as it considers new accuracy requirements for E911 calls.

In Comments on E911 accuracy proposals submitted by APCO, NENA, Verizon, and AT&T, TIA today called upon the FCC to create an ETAG comprised of wireless network manufacturers, device manufacturers, service providers, and public safety experts to implement any new E911 rules.

The FCC recently requested Comments on proposals to replace E911 accuracy rules recently vacated by a Federal Circuit Court. TIA noted that the implementation of new rules may not be feasible without an ETAG.

“We appreciate public safety’s work with two major wireless providers to propose new E911 rules,” said Danielle Coffey, TIA Vice President for Government Affairs. “However, regardless of the specific provisions ultimately adopted by the FCC, efficient and accurate implementation of new E911 accuracy requirements will be impossible without wireless network and device manufacturers working alongside public safety and wireless carriers. This can only occur with the creation of an ETAG that includes all parties affected by E911 accuracy rules.” Coffey continued.

“TIA members are instrumental in developing technologies for wireless networks and wireless devices that provide E911 location services. Such expertise, with the input of wireless carriers and public safety entities, is essential in guiding compliance with new E911 accuracy standards. Our proposal enjoys broad support among other wireless service and safety stakeholders, and we are eager to ensure that an ETAG is an elemental part of the FCC’s new E911 accuracy requirements,” Coffey concluded.

For more information on this matter, please contact Patrick Sullivan at 202-346-3244 or
psullivan@tiaonline.org.

The full text of the TIA Comments filed today with the FCC is available in PDF format on the FCC Filings page at tiaonline.org.

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About TIA

The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) represents the global information and
communications technology (ICT) industry through standards development, advocacy,
tradeshows, business opportunities, market intelligence and world-wide environmental regulatory analysis. With roots dating back to 1924, TIA enhances 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. TIA co-owns the SUPERCOMM® tradeshow and is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Visit tiaonline.org.

TIA’s Board of Directors includes senior-level executives from ACS, ADC, ADTRAN, Alcatel- Lucent, ANDA Networks, ArrayComm, AttivaCorp, Avaya, Bechtel Communications, Inc., Cam Communications, Cisco Systems, Corning Incorporated, Ericsson, Inc., Graybar, Henkels & McCoy, ILS Technology, Intel Corporation, LGE, Microsoft, Motorola, Nokia Siemens Networks, Nortel, OneChip Photonics Inc., Panasonic Computer Solutions Co., Qualcomm, Research In Motion, Sumitomo Electric Lightwave Corporation, Tellabs, Tyco Electronics, Ulticom, Inc., Verari Systems, Westell Technologies, Inc. and Zebra Technologies Corporation. Advisors to the Board include FAL Associates, Orca Systems and Telcordia Technologies.

 

 

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