AT&T Wireless told FCC in comments this week that to promote ’tec...

examine whether to extend E-911 requirements to telematics, MSS licensees and multiline telephone services in facilities such as office buildings. Agency sought comment on whether to require MSS operators to create 911 call centers. AT&T Wireless contended that MSS providers that offered “real-time, 2-way, switched voice service” interconnected with public switched telephone network (PSTN) should have to meet FCC’s basic and enhanced 911 rules. Those rules also should be imposed on telematics providers who offered wireless services that allowed subscribers to place calls directly via PSTN. As for MSS operators, AT&T Wireless said their services had many of same features as terrestrial-based mobile phone services, and callers expected to be able to “access emergency services in the usual manner when they use such services.” Carrier also said FCC recently granted certain MSS operators ancillary terrestrial authority “to provide services that clearly will compete with traditional CMRS offerings in other areas of the country.” It told FCC: “Fairness and logic dictate that providers of such services not be permitted to evade the responsibilities placed on other providers of competing services.” AT&T Wireless acknowledged that FCC further notice pointed to technical and administrative challenges that MSS operators might face if they had to supply 911 service. Carrier said it didn’t believe that demonstration that compliance would be difficult or costly justified “a continuing exemption” for MSS operators. AT&T Wireless said such difficulties wouldn’t be markedly different from those already faced by commercial mobile radio service (CMRS) providers in E-911 arena. AT&T Wireless said subscribers to telematics providers could choose to dial 911 directly instead of going through private call center. “Providers who choose to offer such ‘resold CMRS service capabilities’ should be subject to the same basic and E-911 obligations as operators of competing services,” it said.