FCC Releases Notice of Proposed Rulemaking & Seeks Comment on Non-Service-Initialized Phones & 9-1-1

The FCC has released the comment cycle dates for a new proceeding that will, at long last, bring an end to 9-1-1 calls from Non-Service-Initialized (NSI) wireless phones. The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking adopted in April seeks comment on:

Eliminating the requirement that wireless carriers forward to 9-1-1 centers calls from handsets that are not subscribed to wireless service.
Setting a date-certain for the phase-out of the rule at six months after the adoption of an order.
Protecting access to 9-1-1 from devices roaming on networks other than the one to which they are subscribed.
Ensuring a smooth transition through understanding of the technical and operational challenges that network operators and 9-1-1 centers will face.
Alternative approaches that could reduce the problems associated with fraudulent NSI 9-1-1 calls.

Interested parties may file comments with the Commission by visiting www.fcc.gov/ecfs and using Docket Number 08-51. Comments are due June 5, 2015, and Reply Comments are due July 6, 2015. For more information on the NSI proceeding, please contact Trey Forgety, NENA Director of Government Affairs, at tforgety@nena.org.

National Emergency Number Association