FCC to require option of GPS phones for 911 by 2018
updated 07:45 pm EDT, Tue October 4, 2011
FCC wants GPS always an option on carriers
The FCC put forward new rule Tuesday that required carriers to offer phones with built-in GPS. Its mandate will have cellular, landline, and VoIP providers have positioning to help find them in a 911 call no later than 2018. Carriers won't have to limit themselves to GPS-aware phones after the cutoff, possibly softening worries that the government might track anyone with a phone.
The FCC argued that the policy is more to take advantage of existing trends than force a change in attitude. About 85 percent of cellphones, already the dominant form of calling in the US, are expected to have GPS by the 2018 target. VoIP is the largest exception and is being instituted as VoIP is moving away from its original role as an extension of or substitute for a landline, such as with Vonage and many cable providers, to a mobile option. Google Talk, Google Voice, Skype, and other platforms now make mobile the highest priority.
Officials will need to greenlight the new rule.
A call for GPS is part of a much larger 911 modernization drive at the FCC based on newer technology, especially from smartphones. With GPS, the US agency believes that lives could be saved by finding callers faster. Photos, texting, and video might also help by giving better visual references and, in potentially deadly criminal situations, warn the police without tipping off an attacker.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2010
Great news
At least the FCC thinks that the US government will still have employees to take 911 calls in 2018. It shows that they are optimists, or they do not watch the political debates.