The FCC’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau has issued a Public Notice providing guidance for the implementation of Next Generation 911 (NG911) by multi-line telephone system (MLTS) operators, originating service providers (OSPs), NG911 service providers, and other stakeholders. The guidance accompanies the Bureau’s order granting Verizon a limited waiver to address issues identified during NG911 Phase 1 deployment in Massachusetts, where certain 911 calls from MLTS customers using third-party Private Switch/Automatic Location Identification (PS/ALI) services were not being routed properly because location information was unavailable. The Bureau notes that similar issues may affect other wireline providers and advises OSPs to proactively identify MLTS customers using third-party PS/ALI services and work to obtain the necessary location information before receiving Phase 1 or Phase 2 deployment requests.
The Bureau also reminds MLTS operators that they remain responsible for providing accurate location information with 911 calls under the Commission’s Kari’s Law and RAY BAUM’S Act rules and encourages TDM-based MLTS users to transition to IP-based systems to better support NG911 capabilities. The Bureau also emphasizes that OSP compliance obligations are not dependent on the readiness of individual public safety answering points (PSAPs), provided the relevant 911 authority has made a valid request for NG911 service.
