Guest Opinion: Let's Get 911 Facts Straight

I have found the recent rash of wireless safety stories in the general press quite disturbing. Many of them are missing the real issues, focusing almost exclusively on blaming carriers for problems related to wireless 911. These stories have virtually ignored the industry's record of processing more than 60,000 such free calls daily, and the enormous value that represents to emergency medical, fire and law enforcement agencies.

In a recent critical ABC News story, the key factual point was that a woman in trouble tried to call 911 but could not get through. Apparently she was in a "dead spot." But the reporter made that into an anti-911 conspiracy by the industry. I don't understand. Wireless companies only make money when subscribers connect to their systems. 911 is a very useful free rider on a commercial communications system. Public-safety agencies now have more than 50 million wireless subscriber "safety sentinels" on our highways and in neighborhoods.

The public policy question is how we can encourage the development of seamless, ubiquitous wireless networks, both for cellular incumbents and the many new wireless competitors. We can only make sure that all 911 calls go through everywhere when all calls go through everywhere. The carriers are spending billions of dollars to do that. The question is, what are public officials and the media doing to encourage it.

For example, why are all federal agencies not aggressively implementing President Clinton's 1995 executive memorandum telling them to expedite wireless antenna siting on federal properties? Why are some localities thwarting safety policy by refusing to site antennas? Localities that block network buildouts through moratoria endanger the lives of their citizens by causing "dead spots" in a carrier's network. A few wireless antennas every few miles are far less unsightly than utility poles every 25 yards.

I have spent most of my career working for city law enforcement. I don't think that federal pre-emption of local zoning rules is required. But local government should not "just say no" to critical, lifesaving communications, any more than we would allow a city to bar new utility poles. All levels of government and the media need to understand this issue.

First, let's implement fully functional wireless networks. One part of that is ensuring that antenna siting is accomplished. Second, let's work to accomplish the critical next step in wireless 911--implementing location technology. This will permit public safety dispatchers to know where these calls are coming from and where to send help.

Unlike other recent demands on wireless carriers, the FCC's enhanced 911 mandate will easily pay for itself. National polling shows subscribers are ready to pay significant extra sums for it.

Several companies are ready to provide it, including mine. But just like those free 911 calls, our receivers need to be placed on the basic wireless network antennas to triangulate the 911 callers' positions.

The formula is pretty simple. No antennas, no 911 call. No call and no antennas, no location.

Michael Amarosa is vice president of public affairs for TruePosition Inc., a leading provider of wireless location technology and services. Until November, he was the deputy commissioner for technological development for the New York City Police Department. One of his responsibilities was the design and management of the city's 911 system.