SEPARATE STATEMENT OF COMMISSIONER KATHLEEN ABERNATHY
In re: Implementation of 911 Act, The Use of N11 Codes and Other Abbreviated Dialing
Arrangements, WT Docket No. 00-110, CC Docket No. 92-105, Memorandum Opinion and Order on
Reconsideration and Fifth Report and Order.
Today's order is a significant step towards establishing 911 as the universal emergency
number throughout the United States. As Congress directed us through the Wireless
Communications and Public Safety Act of 1999, the Commission has crafted a set of flexible
rules to govern the transition process for those areas of the country that do not currently utilize
911. This process is, by necessity, a cooperative one. The Commission must work with state
governments, the public safety community, carriers, and the public to ensure a seamless and
efficient transition. The Commission is committed to serving a key role as a convenor for the key
constituencies, a clearinghouse for information and technical expertise, and, if necessary as an
enforcer of our rules. However, we cannot do this alone. Carriers must ensure that 911 calls are
routed properly and always result in contact with public safety personnel. Perhaps most
importantly, this process relies on state and local governments to designate or create public safety
answering points or other emergency authorities that will field new 911 calls. It is my strong
preference that carriers be told by state and local governments where to route 911 emergency
calls. This is by no means a simple process. Many areas of the country have multiple police, fire
and rescue jurisdictions; many wireless cell sites cover multiple municipalities, counties, or even
states. Moreover, many of the areas that do not yet have 911 services are sparsely populated with
public safety services located tens of miles away. These are all daunting challenges, but as a
result of meeting them the American people will soon enjoy the safety and security of knowing
that anytime of day, anywhere across the USA, help is only three digits away.