DA 00-1098 Released: May 18, 2000 COMMENT SOUGHT ON REQUEST FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION OF CALL BACK NUMBER ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH NON-SERVICE INITIALIZED WIRELESS 911 CALLS (CC Docket No. 94-102, WT Docket No. 00-80) Comments Due: June 19, 2000 Reply Comments Due: July 5, 2000 On April 28, 2000, the Texas 911 Agencies, the National Emergency Number Association (NENA), the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International, Inc. (APCO) and the National Association of State Nine-One-One Administrators (NASNA) (collectively, the Public Safety Entities) filed a letter with the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) seeking further consideration of call back number issues associated with non- service initialized 911 calls. Phase I Enhanced 911 rules require that a dialable number accompany each 911 call to enable Public Safety Answering Points ("PSAPs") dispatchers to either call back if the call is disconnected or obtain additional information. In its E911 First Report and Order, the Commission recognized that it would not always be possible for carriers to provide reliable call back numbers for all wireless 911 calls. Thus, the Commission exempted covered carriers from providing reliable call back numbers to PSAPs in cases where the wireless telephone is not associated with a dialable telephone number, such as those designed or offered on an originate- only rate plan or those never initialized with an underlying carrier service. The Public Safety Entities note that, increasingly, refurbished wireless telephones are being distributed by many organizations. While not challenging the benefits of these donations, the Public Safety Entities note that these distributed telephones and other 911-only non-serviced initialized telephones, may not provide valid call back emergency information even when used in areas where 911 Phase I services have been implemented. The Public Safety Entities assert that increased sales and use of these wireless telephones create a public safety concern that should be further considered. Accordingly, the Public Safety Entities request that the Commission seek additional comment concerning call back capabilities for non-serviced initialized handsets and address whether further Commission action, such as technical solutions or educational programs, is needed or appropriate. This is a "permit but disclose" proceeding pursuant to 1.1206 of the Commission's rules. Presentations to or from Commission decision-making personnel are permissible provided that ex parte presentations are disclosed pursuant to 47 C.F.R. 1.1206(b). Parties interested in filing comments may do so on or before June 19, 2000; reply comments are due on or before July 5, 2000. To file formally, parties must submit an original and four copies to the Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, S.W., TW- A325, Washington, D.C. 20554. In addition, parties must submit one copy to Jay Whaley , Policy Division, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20554. The Public Safety Entities letter can be found in the following dockets: CC Docket No. 94-102 and WT Docket No. 00-80. Comments and reply comments will be available for public inspection during regular business hours in the FCC Public Reference Room, Room CY-A257, 445 12th Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20554. For further information concerning this proceeding, contact Jay Whaley, Policy Division, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau at (202) 418-1310.