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

ATIS Applauds Recommendation in FCC Commissioned Report on E911 Technical and Operational Issues

Hatfield Report Recommends FCC Continue to Support ATIS' ESIF Efforts

October 18, 2002, Washington, DC - The Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS) today applauded the recommendation in the FCC's commissioned report, "A Report on Technical and Operational Issues Impacting The Provision of Wireless Enhanced 911 Services," that the FCC continue to support the efforts of ATIS' Emergency Services Interconnection Forum (ESIF) in addressing the readiness of Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs). The report's author - former FCC Officer Dale Hatfield - also encourages the industry to continue the development of industry-based voluntary standards as related to wireless E911 implementation.

"The FCC is carefully weighing the issues surrounding E911, and ATIS supports industry efforts, through ESIF, to develop consensus-based standards activities that meet the necessary regulatory requirements for E911 services," said Susan M. Miller, president and CEO of ATIS. "ATIS is pleased to have the work being conducted in its ESIF recognized in the report. ATIS' ESIF remains committed to coordinating its efforts with wireline and wireless carriers, in addition to the public safety community, to assist in successfully addressing wireless E911 challenges."

Since its establishment this year, ATIS' ESIF has identified, discussed and validated critical interconnection issues and technical criteria necessary for supporting wireless E911. ATIS further supports the report's recommendation that the Commission should "urge the stakeholders to cooperatively develop industry-wide procedures for testing and certification of wireless E911 to ensure that they meet the accuracy requirements specified in the Commission's rules."

The next ESIF meeting is scheduled for October 23-25 in Austin, Texas. The ESIF plans to further analyze the report's findings in relation to its current work agenda, then develop, where necessary, recommended comments sought by the FCC's Public Notice.

The ESIF was jointly convened by 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. More information is available at the ATIS Web site at www.atis.org.

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 communications industry. More than 400 telecommunications companies participate in ATIS' 17 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.

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