FCC Seeks Comment on Implementation of NET 911 Improvement Act
9-1-1 service is critical to our nation’s ability to respond to a host of crises. The New and Emerging Technologies (NET) 911 Improvement Act of 2008 (NET 911 Act), signed into law on July 23, 2008, is designed to "promote and enhance public safety by facilitating the rapid deployment of IP-enabled 9-1-1 and E9-1-1 services, encourage the Nation’s transition to a national IP-enabled emergency network, and improve 911 and enhanced 911 (E911) access to those with disabilities." This Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Notice) marks the FCC's first step towards implementing this new legislation.

DHS Released the National Emergency Communications Plan (NECP)
The NECP defines three goals that establish a minimum level of interoperable communications and a deadline for federal, state, local and tribal authorities:

1.  By 2010, 90 percent of all high-risk urban areas designated within the Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) can demonstrate response-level emergency communications within one hour for routine events involving multiple jurisdictions and agencies.
2. By 2011, 75 percent of non-UASI jurisdictions can demonstrate response-level emergency communications within one hour for routine events involving multiple jurisdictions and agencies.
3. By 2013, 75 percent of all jurisdictions can demonstrate response-level emergency communications within three hours of a significant event, as outlined in the department's national planning scenarios.

APCO APPLAUDS ADMINISTRATION FOR SIGNING OF VOIP 9-1-1 BILL

APCO International applauded the Administration for signing the compromise bill requiring Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service providers to provide 9-1-1 service, including enhanced 9-1-1 (E9-1-1) service, to their subscribers. The New and Emerging Technologies 911 Improvements Act of 2008 (H.R. 3403) was passed by Congress in June and signed into law by the President today.

"The President's action today was one more critical step we are taking to preserve the safety of our citizens, residents and visitors by ensuring that all of the communications technologies they use to seek assistance in an emergency are as robust as they can be," APCO International President Willis Carter said.

APCO STRESSES FUNDING AS KEY TO THE SUCCESS OF THE NECP
In testimony before the House Homeland Security Committee's Subcommittee on Emergency Communications, Preparedness and Response, the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International stressed the importance of full funding for interoperable emergency communications grant programs and the National Emergency Communications Plan (NECP) in order for the goals of the NECP to be successful.

"The NECP is a good first step, but a great deal of work still has to be done to meet the goals of the plan," Mirgon said in his testimony. "The federal government has developed many plans over the past several years, but no matter how good a plan is, unless it gets the full backing of Congress to appropriate the necessary funds, the plan will most likely collect dust and wither away."

FCC EXTENDS 800 MHZ REBANDING NEGOTIATION FOR U.S.-MEXICO BORDER
The Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau (PSHSB) extends the mandatory negotiation periods for Wave 4 NPSPAC (Stage 2) and non-NPSPAC (Stage 1) licensees in the U.S.-Mexico border region until October 1, 2008, and postpones the beginning of the mediation period for such licensees until October 2, 2008.