TracFone Wireless outlined ’suggestions’ on how it could comply w...

from participating in the Lifeline program, in response to a TracFone petition -- but imposed E-911 conditions and required the company to submit a plan for implementing those conditions (CD Sept 7 p2). “Strict compliance with a requirement to get PSAP certification [regarding] 911/E-911 compliance for every market where TracFone would offer Lifeline service would be cost prohibitive, duplicative and unnecessary,” TracFone said. It said where it offers service through a carrier using a network-based solution for E-911, such as Cingular or T-Mobile, TracFone would confirm that the carrier has a PSAP certification and ensure that all Lifeline customers in that market are served over that carrier’s network. Where the underlying carrier uses a handset-based solution, such as Verizon Wireless, U.S. Cellular and Alltel, TracFone said it would: (1) Provide the FCC a certification from a phone manufacturer that the handset used to provide Lifeline service has a GPS chip and is E-911 compliant. (2) Make sure all Lifeline customers in such markets get E-911 compliant handsets. (3) Confirm that the underlying carrier has on file with the FCC a current quarterly 911/E-911 compliance report for the PSAP. TracFone also proposed it be allowed to offer Lifeline service in areas where 911 is available, even if E-911 isn’t. It said it’s better if Lifeline customers can call 911 during an emergency and state their locations than if they don’t have phones. TracFone stressed that the suggestions outlined “should not be viewed as TracFone’s proposals for complying with the conditions set forth in the September 8 order.” It said it will submit a detailed compliance plan by Oct. 11.