NENA WANTS E911 MANDATES MAINTAINED IF TRACFONE IS DESIGNATED AN ETC

摘要

The National Emergency Number Assn. (NENA) raised red flags about a request from wireless reseller TracFone that the FCC potentially lighten the regulatory load placed on it if it's designated as the first wireless reseller to gain eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) status under the USF lifeline program. The Commission proposed rules that TracFone would have to follow, should it be granted ETC status and TracFone filed a petition asking for modifications. Public safety sources said Tues. they're worried about precedent: While TracFone is relatively small compared to its peers, the issues raised aren't, especially if other resellers also apply for ETC status. nnRick Jones, NENA operations issues dir., told us if the FCC grants TracFone’s request, it must not relax proposed E911 rules. TracFone asked the FCC to relent on a mandate that it only be allowed to serve as an ETC in areas of the country with wireless E911 service. NENA said this requirement should stand. “When you're establishing a communications method for low income families it is important as much as possible to make sure they have the same E911 that others may have,” Jones said.