Sununu Questions FCC Deadline for VoIP E-911 Capability
BOSTON -- “I'm not quite sure what the FCC was thinking when it laid out the 120-day time frame” requiring VoIP providers to offer full E-911 capability by Nov. 28, Sen. Sununu (R-N.H.) told the VON Conference here Mon. Sununu said the FCC may have thought the tight deadline would “accelerate the process” of VoIP providers updating to full connections to emergency services, but it also carries risk.
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Sununu said the FCC’s requirement that providers must drop customers who don’t acknowledge warnings about E-911 limitations of their current VoIP service by Nov. 28 could “risk doing much more damage than any emergency system could benefit… Cutting someone off from their communications service carries enormous risk… I expect the FCC will make some accommodation or extension if it appears necessary.” He said he asked for such action in a letter to the FCC. He told reporters after the lunch he hasn’t talked in person to FCC Chmn. Martin about the issue, but might.
Sununu also leveled criticism at the E-Rate program, saying it mainly acts as a subsidy for incumbent LECs. When VON Coalition Pres. Staci Pies asked if he would support expanding Universal Service Fund (USF) support to add broadband services, Sununu said “be careful what you wish for.” Sununu said he didn’t think it was a good idea because the USF wasn’t working well and it can’t be fixed by expanding it. The universal service program should be simpler, aimed only at the poor or those living in rural areas, he said. “My preference is to let the states apply that money,” which might end up subsidizing broadband, depending on the states, he said. “I don’t know a better way to get resources to those for whom the program is intended.”
Sununu also questioned why massive amounts of money spent since the 9/11 terrorist attack didn’t change the interoperability problems suffered by first responders after Hurricane Katrina. Asked from the audience if he thought IP-based technology should be factored into the solution for the failings of emergency communications, he said it probably should. “There needs to be a fair-minded analysis of what to do,” for example looking at whether it makes sense “to use the same old technology if it ends up with systems that are not performing up to modern expectations.”
During an earlier panel, Intrado Vp Ray Paddock said vendors and providers are “working feverishly” to meet the FCC’s requirements by Nov. 28. The short deadline “came as a surprise” to those involved and, while “in general things are going well,” there is no way industry will have coverage in every single area, he said.
Dana Lichtenberg, aide to Rep. Gordon (D-Tenn.), said the House is trying “to do what Congress can do and the FCC couldn’t” to ease VoIP access to E-911 dispatchers. For example, she said, one provision would give the FCC “unambiguous authority to regulate” VoIP E-911. She said much of the House VoIP measure is in the Telecom Act reform bill which may be on the floor by year-end.