FCC fines operators for missing the Dec. 31, 2005, deadline

^{E911 requirement were not met} FCC fines operators for missing the Dec. 31, 2005, deadline

3 Sep 2007 at 18:25 GMT Timo Poropudas

The US Federal Communications Commission will fine Sprint Nextel Corp., Alltel Corp. and U.S. Cellular Corp. USD 3 million collectively for failing to meet enhanced 911 rules.

The FCC said all three mobile phone carriers missed the Dec. 31, 2005 deadline for ensuring 95 percent of their customer base could use enhanced 911 services. The benchmark applies to mobile phone carriers employing a GPS, handset-based E-911 solution.

FCC Chairman Kevin Martin acknowledged the efforts of the wireless carriers to adhere to the E-911 deadline, but nonetheless said there was no excuse for missing the Dec. 31, 2005, deadline.

“While we recognize the efforts undertaken by the carriers, and encourage the continued efforts of all carriers to enhance these life-saving technologies and work with the public-safety community, the fines issued today are significant and appropriate,” Martin said.

“Our actions today underscore the critical importance that 911 services play in the lives of the public. I continue to believe that one of the commission’s highest obligations is facilitating the ability of the public-safety community to help those in need. Effective enforcement of our E911 rules is a valuable and necessary tool in achieving this mission.”

The penalty for Sprint Nextel is USD 1.3 million, for Alltel USD 1 million and for U.S. Cellular USD 500,000.

“Sprint Nextel has made extraordinary efforts to meet the FCC mandate. In fact, due to an unforeseeable software glitch in Motorola handsets, we have had to do more than any other carrier to meet the FCC requirements,” said Stephanie Vinge, a spokeswoman for the No. 3 cellular carrier accor5ding to RCR Wireless.

“As we have reported to the FCC, based on recent statistical analysis from a study in January 2007, we are at roughly 94.7 percent penetration today.”

Alltel denied being out of line with FCC regulations.

“First, it’s important to note that we are currently compliant with the FCC rules. While Alltel took extraordinary measures to convince our customers to swap phones, many just didn’t want to make the change,” said Andrew Moreau, a company spokesman,” RCR Wireless reports.