For Immediate Release
1200 G Street, NW Washington, D.C. 20005 202/628-6380 202/393-5453 (fax)	Contact: John Bernhards Director of Public Relations Phone: 202/434-8850 E-mail: jbernhards@atis.org

Industry Comments Filed with FCC Support ATIS-sponsored ESIF's Petition and Request for Stay

ESIF to Submit Report of Findings and Recommendations to FCC by March 2003

September 11, 2002, Washington, D.C. - Comments submitted to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) supported the Petition for Reconsideration and Request for Stay recently filed by ATIS on behalf of the Emergency Services Interconnection Forum (ESIF). The comments were filed by wireless carriers, public safety agencies and industry associations in response to the FCC's Public Notice, and supported the notion that further technical review is appropriate before a particular methodology is mandated for use as the mobile phone number/mobile identification number in non-serviced initialized, and "911 only" wireless phones.

ATIS, on behalf of ESIF, filed its own set of reply comments, which renewed the ESIF's commitment to further explore alternative solutions to the FCC's proposed consecutive number approach, and submit a final report of its findings and recommendations to the FCC by March 2003. The ESIF has already formed a study group and has work underway to investigate and propose the best solution.

The Reconsideration Petition pointed out several negative impacts relating to the FCC's Report and Order, "Enhanced 911 Emergency Calling Use of Non-Initialized Wireless Phones," which would assign 123-456-7890 as the mobile phone number/mobile identification number for non-service initialized and "911 only" wireless phones. The consecutive number solution would allow Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) to distinguish between serviced and non-service initialized wireless handsets, but it would not enable PSAPs to distinguish abusive calls to the 911 system from legitimate calls.

In addition, ATIS' comments identified at least one potential alternative solution found in an industry technical standard - J-STD-036, "Enhanced Wireless 9-1-1 Phase 2," a joint industry standard published by TIA TR 45 and ATIS' Committee T1.

The ESIF was jointly convened by the Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS) and the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) to facilitate the identification and resolution of technical issues related to the interconnection of telephony and emergency services networks.

About ATIS

The Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS) is a member company organization that is the leader for standards and operating procedures for the telecommunications industry. More than 1,500 experts from over 400 telecommunications companies participate in ATIS' 19 committees, forums, and Incubator Solutions programs, where work focus includes wireline and wireless network interconnection standards, number portability, improved data transmission, Internet telephony, toll-free access, telecom fraud, and order and billing issues, among others. ATIS is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Visit the ATIS web site at www.atis.org.