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 Responds to FCC-Commissioned Report on E911 Technical and Operational Issues

Comments Cite Continued Effort for Coordinated Standards Development Activities

November 19, 2002, Washington, D.C. - The Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS) has filed Comments in response to the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Public Notice on the "Report on Technical and Operational Issues Impacting the Provision of Wireless Enhanced 911 ("E911") Services" by Dale N. Hatfield (Hatfield Report). ATIS' filing, on behalf of its Emergency Services Interconnection Forum (ESIF), applauded the Commission's inquiry into the technical and operational issues affecting the deployment of wireless E911.

"With the important role the Enhanced Wireless (E911) system plays in homeland security and the increased use of wireless phones in reaching the E911 system, ATIS strongly supports the Hatfield Report's recommendation for the development of industry-based voluntary standards needed for the successful rollout of E911 services," said Susan M. Miller, president and CEO of ATIS. "ATIS' ESIF is an established forum comprised of subject matter experts, and is well-positioned to be a resource to the FCC for the coordination of standards activities."

ATIS' ESIF expressed its willingness to serve as a resource to the Commission to address the technical framework for the continued development and evolution of E911 systems. The ESIF is currently functioning in this capacity by providing technical information to the Commission on the issue of callback numbers for non-serviced initialized handsets.

In addressing the readiness of Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs), the Hatfield Report recommended that the FCC continue to support the efforts of ATIS' ESIF. ATIS noted in its Comments that the ESIF has completed a "Wireless E911 Phase II Readiness Checklist," which will provide a national guideline that PSAPs may use in responding to requests regarding readiness from wireless service providers. The checklist will soon be distributed by ATIS to PSAPs.

ATIS also shared the Hatfield Report's recommendation that the Commission suggest to the Administration that a "National 911 Program Office" be established within the proposed Department of Homeland Security, and the creation of organizations at the state, regional and local levels of government that can act as coordinating bodies.

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.

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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