On January 26, 2024 the FCC issued Report and Order In the Matter of Location-Based Routing for Wireless 911 Calls, PS Docket No. 18-64, FCC 24-4. In the Report and Order (R&O) the FCC will require Commercial Mobile Radio Service (CMRS) providers to implement location-based routing for wireless 911 calls and real-time text (RTT) communications to 911 nationwide.
In summary, the R&O requires:
- CMRS providers to deploy location-based routing for wireless 911 voice calls and RTT to 911 on their IP-based networks (i.e., 4G LTE, 5G, and subsequent generations of networks).
- Require CMRS providers to use location-based routing when caller location information at the time of routing is ascertainable within a radius of 165 meters (541 feet) at a confidence level of at least 90%. In the absence of the conditions, use alternative routing methods based on “best available” location information.
- A six-month timeline for nationwide CMRS providers to implement location-based routing for voice calls, and 24 months for non-nationwide providers. In addition, a 24-month timeline for all providers to implement location-based routing for RTT.
The full Report and Order can be found here: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-24-4A1.pdf or by searching for FCC 24-4.