Editor’s observe: The authors are former Federal Communications Fee chairs and amongst 9 who despatched a letter to Congress with comparable language. A tenth just lately added his title.
As former chairs of the Federal Communications Fee, we all know that 9-1-1 is a essential lifeline for anybody who wants assist. Merely put, if 9-1-1 fails, lives might be misplaced.
Sadly, America’s 9-1-1 system — the spine of our nation’s emergency-response infrastructure — is in determined want of a expertise improve. That’s the reason 10 former FCC chairs — Republicans and Democrats — are calling on Congress to modernize our nation’s 9-1-1 system now. There isn’t a time to waste.
For the reason that first 9-1-1 name was made in 1968, the FCC, authorities businesses in any respect ranges, communications service suppliers, expertise firms and 9-1-1 professionals themselves have labored to make sure that our nation’s 9-1-1 system is there when assist is required.
Nonetheless, a lot of our 9-1-1 system continues to be firmly rooted in a last-century, landline world, incapable of profiting from all that at present’s expertise makes attainable. Legacy 9-1-1 is unable to collect and share essential information, like exact, 3D caller location or video streaming, that might allow simpler emergency response, higher shield discipline responders and, finally, save lives.
Happily, the applied sciences wanted to improve 9-1-1 are able to be deployed proper now. Subsequent Technology 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) is a standards-based, totally digital system that’s strong, redundant and dependable. It’s designed to satisfy the wants and expectations of callers and emergency responders alike, each at present and nicely into the long run. It makes attainable dramatic enhancements in emergency response, equivalent to stay incident imagery, extra exact location detection, better reliability, stronger cybersecurity, higher accessibility for these with disabilities, and enhanced information sharing throughout geographic boundaries.
At the moment, there’s a nationwide consensus that each American deserves entry to fashionable communications applied sciences, equivalent to broadband. We applaud this dedication to common service and consider that nationwide NG9-1-1 is simply as necessary.
Nonetheless, the states, tribal communities and native 9-1-1 authorities don’t have the estimated $15 billion wanted to implement NG9-1-1. In truth, they face a double-bind in that they have to spend the scarce funds they do have sustaining legacy 9-1-1 programs till NG9-1-1 is totally deployed. Because of this, we’re seeing the emergence of NG9-1-1 “haves” and “have nots,” which is plainly unacceptable.
A one-time infusion of Federal funding is desperately wanted to speed up nationwide NG9-1-1 implementation. With out it, lives can be misplaced, particularly in lower-income and rural communities that will lag within the NG9-1-1 transition.
There are a number of funding sources accessible for NG9-1-1 that might not impression the federal finances deficit. One possibility is to make use of spectrum public sale revenues, which lately have contributed over $100 billion to the U.S. Treasury. The Senate Commerce Committee, chaired by Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., is presently contemplating such a invoice. One other supply may be the repurposing of appropriated however unspent COVID-19-era funding below the American Rescue Plan Act; the Coronavirus Support, Reduction, and Financial Safety Act; or comparable autos.
As evidenced by the signatures on our joint letter to Congress, and by the robust vocal assist in Congress, it is a bipartisan difficulty that every one of America’s leaders can and will totally assist.
The necessity is pressing and the time to behave is now. Congress should make NG9-1-1 a high precedence and move laws that empowers all ranges of presidency to make ubiquitous NG9-1-1 a actuality. The security and safety of our residents, our communities and our nation rely on it.