FCC Wants Next-Generation 911 Calls to Work More Reliably
Published Date: 6/4/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
The FCC is updating rules to make sure new Next Generation 911 (NG911) systems are super reliable and work smoothly across states. This affects 911 service providers who manage critical parts of the network, requiring them to meet tougher standards for handling calls, texts, and videos. These changes aim to keep emergency services fast and safe as NG911 rolls out nationwide, with new rules expected to kick in soon and possibly impact funding and oversight.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Explicitly include NG911 functions as covered providers
The FCC proposes to update the definition of "covered 911 service provider" to explicitly state that certain NG911 facilities and functions—such as Location Validation Functions (LVFs), Geographic Information Systems (GISs), Emergency Call Routing Functions (ECRFs), Emergency Services Routing Proxies (ESRPs), and Policy Routing Functions (PRFs)—are within the rule. You (the public) would benefit because these components would be held to the Commission's 911 reliability requirements.
Tougher reliability standards for critical NG911 functions
The FCC proposes updated reliability standards that providers of critical NG911 functions must use to ensure reliable delivery of 911 traffic to NG911 delivery points. You would see these rules applied to entities that support transport, aggregation, and data facilities in the interstate and national NG911 ecosystem to reduce outage risk.
Add specific provider types (including OC3 threshold)
The FCC proposes to expand the covered 911 service provider definition to include operators of Location Information Servers (LISs), Legacy Network Gateways (LNGs), interstate Major Transport Facilities that meet or exceed Optical Carrier 3 (OC3) capacity and carry 911 traffic from multiple originating service providers, IP Traffic Aggregation Facilities that carry segregated 911 traffic from multiple providers, and interstate interconnecting facilities between ESInets. This would apply to facilities meeting the OC3 capacity threshold mentioned in the proposal.
Interstate ESInet interoperability requirements
The FCC proposes NG911 interoperability requirements to govern interstate transfer of 911 traffic between Emergency Services IP Networks (ESInets) so PSAPs can transfer calls and data across state lines with minimal retranslation or reformatting. The proposal would add an interoperability certification to the 911 reliability rules and seeks updated interoperability information by type of service, including services used by consumers with accessibility needs.
Certifications and state/local access to them
The FCC proposes to modify certification and oversight mechanisms for 911 reliability and interoperability and would enable state and local 911 Authorities to obtain reliability and interoperability certifications directly from covered 911 service providers. This is intended to help 911 Authorities exercise their existing jurisdictional responsibilities.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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