Alexandria, Va. – Today, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) launched two proceedings related to the provision of 9-1-1 services. First, the Commission adopted a Policy Statement and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to improve 9-1-1 service reliability and proposed mechanisms to ensure continued accountability as technologies evolve. Second, the Commission adopted a Declaratory Ruling and NPRM to modernize its rules ensuring, among other things, continued access to 9-1-1 as the nation’s communications networks transition to Internet Protocol (IP)-based technologies.

“We thank the Commission for addressing these important and timely issues,” APCO President John Wright said. “Advanced communications networks present exciting opportunities for public safety, but they also present new challenges. We look forward to reviewing the proposals and participating in the ensuing comment opportunities.”

APCO International® (www.apcointl.org)
APCO International is the world’s oldest and largest organization of public safety communications professionals and supports the largest U.S. membership base of any public safety association. It serves the needs of public safety communications practitioners worldwide – and the welfare of the general public as a whole.