As a result of rapid market, technology and policy developments in the area of mobile communications services, wireless carriers in the United States are facing numerous regulatory and legal questions affecting their operations and the services they provide. One of the leading issues now facing these carriers concerns the provision of precise location information for callers using mobile phones to make emergency 911 calls.
Six months after being blocked by a federal appeals court, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is once again poised to adopt rules imposing new E911 Phase II location accuracy requirements on wireless carriers. The proposed new rules consist of separate requirements for carriers utilizing handset-based location solutions (i.e., CDMA and iDEN carriers) and those utilizing network-based location solutions (i.e., GSM carriers). Although these proposals are less stringent than the rules that were blocked by the court, they would still place new demands on wireless carriers that will likely require substantial investments in technology and infrastructure. As a result, these proposals could impose a substantial burden on regional and rural carriers that could significantly affect their operations and, in some cases, even their viability.
This White Paper also covers the following topics relevant to wireless carriers:
- Verizon/Alltel Merger Re-Ignites Debate on Roaming
- Early Termination Fees: Will the FCC Preempt the States and Class Action Litigants?
- FCC Seeks Further Changes to Universal Service Funding as Interim Cap Is Challenged
- Federal Court Rules a Warrant is Required for Mobile Phone Location Information
- New Electronic Filing System Streamlines Tower Siting Process
Please click here to view the entire White Paper in Adobe PDF format.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.