FCC eyes more reliable 911

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) wants to make 911 calls more reliable.

FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler said on Friday that he has circulated plans to ensure that 911 services are protected, even as phone companies move to new Internet-based networks and off of traditional copper wires. 

{mosads}“To safeguard public safety, my proposals would take steps to ensure that consumers using these next generation networks and services… can reach 911 and other emergency services even when the power goes out,” Wheeler wrote in a blog post.

While the old wires may work even during power outages, the modern cables do not, and instead have to rely on a backup battery.

One of Wheeler’s proposals will look at ways the FCC can oversee that new system of backup batteries, so that people have the ability to dial for an emergency even when the power goes out. It would also add new transparency requirements.

Another proposal would make sure that 911 services keep up with the times, so that emergency calls are not dropped even when there is no power outrage, because of software or data glitches. Currently, thousands of emergency calls are erroneously dropped during service disruptions all over the country, the FCC said.

“A single 911 call today can involve multiple companies operating in multiple locations across the country, and that means a failure in one place can leave people without 911 service across multiple states, indeed across the nation,” Wheeler wrote.

Both items will be voted on during the FCC’s meeting on the morning of Nov. 21, along with a plan to give broadcasters more flexibility in disclosing terms of their contests