Sprint PCS said Mon. it introduced first GPS-enabled wireless phone in U.S. designed to support location-based E911 services “as they become available on the Sprint PCS nationwide network.” Company said handset still worked nationwide as PCS phone. Sprint PCS said it was first “and only wireless carrier” to meet FCC deadline of selling GPS-enabled handset by Oct. 1, which is part of E911 Phase 2 mandate requiring carriers to pinpoint 911 calls more precisely. It said Samsung’s SPH-N300 now could dial 911, but GPS-driven location functionality wasn’t available. “This functionality will roll out in conjunction with local public safety agencies on a market-by-market basis,” Sprint said. Carrier said its customers could disable GPS location-based commercial services through menu on handset, although customers couldn’t disable E911 capabilities linked to GPS. Dozens of carriers have waiver requests pending before FCC on E911 Phase 2 timelines, citing lack of commercially available equipment.

CTIA committed to wireless industry implementation of wireless priority access services to support national security and emergency personnel. FCC laid out rules for priority access for public safety and security personnel during emergencies in July 2000, but left it up to carriers whether to provide capability. One source said need for priority system was driven home after Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, which heightened interest at National Communications Systems (NCS) in creating such system for wireless networks. To that end, CTIA wrote to NCS that, at its request, industry would provide priority access service capabilities for 500 national security and emergency personnel in about 60 days. NCS previously had 2 goals, CTIA said: Roll out short-term fix for wireless priority access service and longer-term operational capability by end of 2002. Industry also plans to begin work on larger system that could support 50,000 personnel and launch by end of 2002. CTIA said that because priority access services were expected to be used in disaster areas, wireless industry was interested in making sure enough spectrum existed to support both priority access service and basic 911 calls. “At the heart of this issue lies the matter of how the capacity of wireless networks is constrained by limited spectrum and limitations on spectrum usage,” CTIA Pres. Tom Wheeler said. “Notwithstanding the challenges, we are committed to developing solutions that will balance our concerns with your objectives within the framework of the FCC’s rules for wireless PAS [priority access service].” Any outstanding issues can be resolved quickly, Wheeler said. In letter to NCS Chief-Technology and Programs Div. Peter Fonash, Wheeler said NCS’s “immediate request” that basic PAS capabilities to support 500 national security and emergency personnel was “reasonable.” He said PAS capability that complied with different air interfaces would require NCS to work with industry standards groups. “Because each technology is likely to require differing degrees of handset and/or switch development, the time frame associated with developing PAS standards for the different wireless platforms may not be identical,” Wheeler wrote. He also told Fonash that while plans for interim wireless capabilities might comply with “spirit” of FCC’s PAS order, “they may not comply with the literal, technical requirements” of Commission rules, such as ability to support 5 levels of priority callers. “Should NCS wish to pursue these interim solutions, NCS would need to seek a waiver of the Commission’s rules,” Wheeler wrote. “We would hope that the Commission would act quickly and grant waivers to support this immediate and limited need.”

Several public safety and consumer groups and members of Congress are renewing calls on FCC not to grant leeway to wireless carriers on Enhanced 911 Phase 2 deadline, citing additional urgency of issue in Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Group of 29 House members, led by Rep. Eshoo (D-Cal.), wrote to FCC Chmn. Powell Thurs., urging him to “hold firm” to deployment schedule that FCC set for E911 Phase 2. Dozens of wireless carriers have requests for waivers of Oct. 1 deadline pending at Commission, citing extent to which vendor equipment for planned solutions isn’t yet available in many cases to begin deployment 1 and suggesting alternative timelines. Consumers Union also urged Powell Thurs. not to waive E911 deadlines, or at least to “waive them for as short a period as possible.” FCC decisions on Phase 2 deadline are expected early next week.

“If there ever was a time for the FCC to get serious and lift the spectrum cap, it is now,” CTIA Pres. Tom Wheeler told reporters Tues. He responded at reporter roundtable to questions on what happens to 3rd generation wireless spectrum in light of military’s new focus on war preparation and following FCC decision to not relocate MMDS and Instructional TV Fixed Service licensees. “It has a domino effect on other decisions the Administration has to make on spectrum,” Wheeler said of MMDS decision. Order added mobile allocation to 2500-2690 MHz band and spared incumbent licensees from relocation threat posed by 3G (CD Sept 25 p1). “The Commission tried to have it both ways,” Wheeler said, referring to fact that it took spectrum off table for relocation and acknowledged that mobile applications in band weren’t feasible in short term but incumbents had option to deploy them at some point. In response to repeated questions, Wheeler said extent to which military community’s attention had shifted since Sept. 11 attacks didn’t mean that 3G talks at Administration level had ceased. How disaster would affect eventual timing of 3G issue is unclear, Wheeler said: “We have all been trying to get our sea legs.” He said, “There continues to be interest in the Administration and Congress in resolving spectrum issues.” Decision by FCC to provide spectrum cap relief “could put a patch” on spectrum capacity problems industry faces in interim, before 3G decisions were being reached. “We have always talked about a win- win solution,” he said, noting DoD is “the first win in that” and industry would be 2nd. Of Oct. 1 deadline for Enhanced 911 Phase 2, for which dozens of carriers have submitted waiver requests to FCC, Wheeler said it wasn’t possible to have one-size-fits-all approach because of wide array of strategies carriers were pursuing. “We will see the Commission and carriers enter into implementation agreements,” Wheeler said. While carriers have been seeking flexibility on deadline, he stressed: “It is the starting line, not the finish line. Everybody will have an implementation plan.” Wheeler said he wasn’t familiar with any of detailed negotiations taking place between carriers and Commission. “The Commission has held everybody’s feet to the fire,” he said. He also continued to express concern about readiness of public safety answering points (PSAPs) on receiving end of more detailed location information required by Phase 2. “It’s a nontrivial challenge,” he said. “We need statewide implementation plans,” he said, noting that effort needs to be at same pace as federal program.

Hughes Network Systems is working with wireless carriers to investigate use of VSATs in new emergency 911 technology facilitating location finding and connectivity to Public Safety Access Points (PSAPs), Hughes Vp-Corp. Mktg. Arunes Slekys said: “Within the next year we expect to be in that space in some form or another… We're working with partners and companies to deliver that kind of capability.” Slekys said Hughes was crafting various performance and cost models, but said it was clear that use of terrestrial backhaul systems would be significantly more costly than VSAT counterpart. “VSAT is a lot cleaner and simpler business model… The way you get to a PSAP is quite expensive. Landline facilities have to be dedicated, and it’s expensive to use a terrestrial backhaul system. Ultimately, the costs are passed on to the wireless customer.” Slekys said Hughes VSATs could reach a “huge audience” and could provide “opportunity for marriage between wireless and VSAT delivery.” Hughes declined identify wireless carriers with which it was working. Spokesperson for Verizon said VSATs “were not something we're actively considering now.” Verizon has detailed for FCC in Limited Waiver Request its plan to use Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) chips in handsets, but spokesman said he “doesn’t know of any additional things that are currently under consideration… We believe that our plan will allow us to provide location technology to vast majority of Americans the fastest.”

In response to concerns of public safety community, AT&T Wireless (AWS) told FCC Mon. that it was revising its location technology choice for Phase 2 of Enhanced 911 on its TDMA network. Earlier this year, company had requested waiver of Phase 2 requirement to use mobile-assisted network location solution (MNLS) for its TDMA system, telling FCC that was only commercially available technology that would meet accuracy requirements. “Despite the substantial evidence AWS has submitted regarding the benefits of MNLS, the public safety community remains opposed to its use,” AT&T Wireless told FCC: “Because AWS does not believe that its efforts to provide E911 service to the public can succeed without the support of the public safety community, it is pursuing an alternative TDMA solution.” Company said it was in talks with TruePosition and Grayson Wireless on use of their network overlay technologies for its TDMA infrastructure. Carrier said it believed it could reach contract agreement with either TruePosition or Grayson by mid-Oct. Both vendors have told AT&T they could install their location solutions in TDMA markets where AT&T Wireless has valid request from public safety answering point (PSAP) for Phase 2 service. AT&T said it had 1,600 cell sites in jurisdictions with pending PSAP requests for service. Agreement with TruePosition or Grayson would require that solutions be installed in each of those cell sites, starting Nov. 1 and ending no later than Dec. 31, 2002, AT&T said. “After 2002, AWS expects to be able to deploy Phase 2 technology within six months of a valid PSAP request,” carrier said. AT&T Wireless said it sought permission from Commission to use either solution in its TDMA markets. In markets that rely on GSM, AT&T Wireless said it would use solution from TruePosition or Grayson or another that complied with FCC rules. “AWS notes that in its previous trials, both TruePosition’s and Grayson’s technologies failed to meet the Commission accuracy requirements for network-based technologies,” carrier said. “We also reiterate that the deployment of any network overlay solution is likely to be subject to the construction and zoning delays associated with the addition of any new RF equipment to a wireless network.” Commitment by Grayson and TruePosition to install solutions in TDMA markets by Dec. 31, 2002, “address these concerns,” AT&T said.

ComCare lauded commitment of Cingular Wireless to undertake national deployment of Enhanced 911 location technology under Phase 2 requirements of FCC. “Cingular Wireless is demonstrating significant leadership on a critical issue of public safety,” ComCare Chmn. Sue Hoyt said.

Sprint PCS asked FCC Mon. to make decision on local number portability (LNP) forbearance for wireless carriers by year-end, saying quick decision could free up technical resources that operators must use in other compliance areas. Verizon Wireless earlier this year submitted petition for forbearance from LNP requirements under FCC rules that require commercial mobile radio service (CMRS) carriers to support service provider LNP in top 100 metro areas by Nov. 24, 2002. Verizon Wireless didn’t seek forbearance from separate requirement that CMRS carriers participate in thousands-block number pooling by Nov. 24, 2002. It said forbearance was appropriate because LNP requirements imposed complex technical burden, and expense wasn’t justified by economic benefits. Sprint PCS said start date for LNP poses “timing problem” because carriers must sign vendor contracts and increase technical resources for implementation 10 months before deadline. “Sprint PCS submits that the public interest is not served by the industry’s expenditure of sizable capital and systems modifications in pursuit of the LNP mandate in advance of Commission action on the pending LNP forbearance petition,” carrier said. FCC decision by year-end could save nearly $21 million in design, construction, testing and implementation costs, Sprint PCS said. “Inasmuch as Sprint PCS serves approximately 10% of all mobile customers, the resource savings from an early decision on the pending LNP forbearance petition would be sizable,” carrier said. Figure doesn’t represent all LNP costs or expenditures for other wireless carriers, Sprint said. LNP issues are among regulatory requirements that carriers must meet, including Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA) deadlines and Enhanced 911, carrier said. “CMRS carriers are facing a significant strain on technical resources,” Sprint said. If Dec. 31 decision date isn’t practical, company said FCC had alternatives, including suspending LNP implementation deadline for one year after it enters order on forbearance request, without altering pooling start date. “Practical” timing problem carriers now face is that FCC must act on Verizon forbearance petition by Aug. 2, 2002, less than 4 months before implementation deadline, Sprint PCS said. “It is time for the Commission to establish priorities,” it said: “Phase II E911 service is important. TTY capabilities are important. Implementing number pooling is important. The sooner the Commission removes the LNP regulatory mandate, the sooner industry can better focus its resources.”

Ohio PUC adopted new minimum telephone service standards for local and long distance providers. New rules result from PUC review of service standards in light of industry changes over last few years and last year’s Ameritech service problems. Rules won’t take effect until they have been reviewed and approved by Legislative Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review. If approved as expected, new Ohio rules (Docket 00-1265-TP-ORD) will require telecom providers to issue automatic credits for missed installation and repair appointments and issue credits upon customer request if installations or repairs are delayed past state deadlines. Under new rules, it will be up to customer to notify carrier of late installations or repairs. Since old service rules were adopted in 1998, some one million customers have received $13 million in credits due to delays. New rules also will implement customer bill of rights that emphasizes customers’ options for obtaining and retaining local phone service and spells out complaint processing procedures. Rules also require (1) redesigned phone bills that clearly explain all charges and fees and (2) that customers disconnected for nonpayment be allowed 911 access for 14 days after disconnection. PUC also asked staff for recommendation on whether it should adopt standardized format for all Ohio telephone directories to ensure legibility and usefulness.

Verizon was working Wed. to restore some service to its heavily damaged West St. central office, punctured on one side by steel beams thrust down by collapse of World Trade Center’s Building #7, flooded with water, covered with inches of soot and without commercial power. Verizon Vice Chmn. Larry Babbio, who had just returned from visiting West St. facility, told reporters that scene was horrible but technicians were planning to vacuum, clean and dry every piece of equipment on 12 levels, including 5 basements, all waterlogged, in hope of getting some service restored soon. Company is bringing in generators to provide power.