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XYPOINT Challenges FCC to Strengthen Oversight of Local Exchange Carriers on E9-1-1 Access

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

As the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) considers the acquisitions of Ameritech Corp. and Bell Atlantic Corp., Seattle-based XYPOINT Corp. is urging the FCC to make access to wireless E9-1-1 service a formal condition of these deals. XYPOINT, a leading designer and developer of wireless intelligent network services, is concerned that the lack of access to E9-1-1 networks will block the availability of this life-saving service to millions of customers. The company, which serves as the wireless E9-1-1 service provider for numerous cellular and PCS companies nationwide, is calling on the FCC to closely monitor the compliance of Local Exchange Carriers' (LECs') obligations to unbundle their E9-1-1 networks.

Key Takeaways:

  • XYPOINT, a privately held Seattle company, has challenged the FCC to ensure that SBC Communication's acquisition of Ameritech Corp. and Bell Atlantic Corp.'s merger with GTE Corp. includes access to wireless E9-1-1 service as a formal condition.
  • The company urges Chairman William E. Kennard to monitor the compliance of LECs' obligations to unbundle their E9-1-1 networks, as the failure of SBC and Bell Atlantic to provide access has blocked the availability of new, life-saving wireless E9-1-1 service to millions of customers.
  • Cellular and PCS carriers are obligated under new FCC rules to provide wireless E9-1-1 service to public safety officials nationwide, including a 10-digit call back number and location information with each wireless 9-1-1 call.
  • Wireless customers in a number of states are paying E9-1-1 surcharges averaging $0.65 per month, per customer, but implementation of the improved emergency service has been stalled in SBC and Bell Atlantic territory primarily due to the lack of technical or policy support from the two LECs.
  • XYPOINT has commercial service running in states served by Ameritech, GTE, US West, Pacific Bell, and Bell South, and the company has built relationships with Ameritech and GTE, which have taken their obligations to provide equal access to their E9-1-1 networks seriously.
  • The company maintains that certain LECs are violating Sections 251 and 252 of the Telecommunications Act and is planning a series of formal complaints against them for flagrant violations in key markets.
  • XYPOINT also prepares complaints to various state public utility commissions for price gouging by certain LECs.
  • Wireless E9-1-1 service is essential for public safety, as industry experts estimate that 100,000 wireless 9-1-1 calls are made daily across the nation, and approximately 30 percent or more of all 9-1-1 calls originate from wireless phones.

Statistics:

  • $0.65: average E9-1-1 surcharge paid by wireless customers in a number of states per month, per customer.
  • 100,000: daily wireless 9-1-1 calls made across the nation.
  • 30%: percentage of all 9-1-1 calls that originate from wireless phones.

Sources:

  • "Business Wire", "Seattle company challenges FCC to provide stronger oversight of LECs—XYPNT Corp. today called on the Federal Communications Commission to make access to wireless E9-1-1 service a formal condition of SBC Communication's acquisition of Ameritech Corp. and Bell Atlantic Corp.'s merger with GTE Corp.",

Business Wire, Seattle, WA, Dec. 15, 1998

XYPOINT Corp., "Comprehensive policy paper prepared by XYPOINT Corp.", Seattle, WA,

XYPOINT Corp., "XYPOINT's Web site is www.xypoint.com.", Seattle, WA

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