NEWSReport No. DC 96-52    ACTION IN DOCKET CASE              June 12, 1996

               FCC ADOPTS RULES TO IMPLEMENT ENHANCED 911 
                          FOR WIRELESS SERVICES
                         (CC Docket No. 94-102)
                                    
                Today, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted a Report and Order 
that creates rules to govern the availability of basic 911 services and the implementation of
Enhanced 911 (E911) for wireless services.  At the same time, the Commission also adopted
a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to develop additional means of ensuring that
mobile service providers implement the best possible E911 systems.

                First, within twelve months after the effective date of the rules, the Commission
requires that cellular, broadband Personal Communications Service (PCS), and geographic
area Specialized Mobile Radio (SMR) licensees transmit to a Public Safety Answering Point
(PSAP), 911 emergency calls from a handset that transmits a Mobile Identification Number
(or its functional equivalent) (MIN), without any interception by the carrier for credit checks
or other validation procedures. Further, the Commission's action aids PSAP administrators by
giving them the discretion to require that cellular, broadband PCS, and geographic area
Specialized Mobile Radio (SMR) licensees transmit all 911 calls (including calls from phones
that do not transmit a MIN) without any credit checks or validation.

                Second, beginning twelve months (to be completed by eighteen months) after the
effective date of the rules, the Commission requires that cellular, broadband PCS, and
geographic area SMR licensees offer certain 911 enhancements. These E911 features include
the ability to relay a caller's telephone number, which will provide PSAP attendants the
ability to call back the 911 caller if a call is disconnected. Also, carriers must be capable of
relaying the location of the base station or cell site receiving a 911 call, which will aid in
routing 911 calls to an appropriate PSAP.  Within five years after the effective date of the
rules, the location of the mobile station must be provided to the PSAP in two dimensions,
with an accuracy within a radius of 125 meters in 67 percent of all cases. These E911
requirements will be applicable if a carrier receives a request from the administrator of a
PSAP that is capable of receiving and utilizing the information, and there is a mechanism in
place for the recovery of costs relating to the provision of such services.
                
                In the Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, the Commission seeks comment on the
following: (1) methods of ensuring that carriers will continue to upgrade and improve 911
service to increase its accuracy, availability, and reliability; (2) a consumer education program
to inform the public of the capabilities and limitations of 911 service; and (3) a requirement that any wireless call, including a call from a handset that does not transmit a MIN, will be
transmitted to a PSAP. 

                Action by the Commission June 12, 1996, by Report and Order and Further Notice of
Proposed Rulemaking (FCC 96-264).  Chairman Hundt, Commissioners Quello, Ness, and
Chong, with Commissioner Chong issuing a separate statement.

            - FCC -
                                    
                                    News Media Contact:  Kara Palamaras at (202) 418-0654.
     Wireless Telecommunications Bureau contact:  Peter Wolfe at (202) 418-1310.