FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                               NEWS
  MEDIA CONTACT: 
  May 13, 1999                       Meribeth McCarrick at (202) 418-0654
       
  
         STATEMENT OF FCC CHAIRMAN WILLIAM KENNARD
           ON FCC RULES TO IMPROVE E911 SERVICES
                              
                              
       Each day, 98,000 people make 911 calls from their wireless phones.  Many of
  these people purchased their wireless phone because they want the security of knowing
  that they can immediately access emergency assistance if necessary.  However, there are
  times when these people may find themselves in the harrowing situation of being caught in
  dead zones, where these calls cannot be completed.  Calling 911 is America's lifeline, and
  the Commission's action today will ensure this lifeline is available in these dead zones.
  
       Our action today requires manufacturers of analog cellular phones to incorporate
  technology enabling the phone to use an alternative carrier, if the 911 call does not go
  though on the consumer's primary carrier. It seems like every day we hear of another story
  that shows how wireless phones are playing a vital role in emergency situations.  The
  action taken today helps to increases the number of these types of critical calls that are
  completed, which literally can make the difference between life and death.  
  
                           -FCC -