HOWARD COBLE 
SIXTH DISTRICT 
NORTH CAROLINA 
2188 RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE 8UILOING 
WASHINGTON, DC 20515-3306 
PHONE: (202) 225-3065 
FAX: (202) 225-8611 
www.coble.house.gov (!Congress of tbe Wntteb ~tates 
J!.)ouse of l\epresentatibes 
wmtasbington, i!Hr 20515-3306 
The Honorable Thomas Wheeler 
Federal Communications Commission 
445 12th St SW 
Washington, DC 20554-0004 
Dear Chairman Wheeler: 
December 9, 20 13 
COMMITTEES: 
JUDICIARY 
CHAIRMAN, 
SUBCOMMITTEE ON COURTS, 
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ANO THE INTERNET 
TRANSPORTATION AND 
INFRASTRUCTURE 
PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER 
I write regarding recent reports filed with the FCC that appear to show that a growing percentage 
of 9-1- 1 calls made from w ire less phones do not contain required location information with 9-1-1 
operators. This data, collected fi·om multiple states across the countly, indicates that the problem may 
extend nationwide. 
As you know, in 1996, the FCC began adopting rules aimed at ensuring that first responders 
could more easi ly locate wire less callers dialing 9- 1- 1. Specifically, the FCC's Phase II E9-l -l rules in 
2001 required the delive1y of latitude and longitude of the caller. These rules took effect more than 10 
years ago, yet these reports appear to show that the share of wireless 9-1-1 calls accompan ied by accurate 
information and delivered to emergency operators is dropping across a ll carriers. 
An increasing number of 9- 1- 1 calls are being placed from wireless phones, with some estimates 
as high as 70 percent. Moreover, a growing percentage of these wireless calls are made from indoors or 
other areas where GPS signals are compromised. These trends highl ight the need for the FCC to examine 
closely all of the data from across the country that was filed in this proceeding, to enforce existing rules, 
and to take additional action where necessa1y. 
I am encouraged that the FCC conducted a workshop "to discuss recent developments in the use 
of wire less technology to contact emergency services and the provision and quality of 91 1 location 
infom1ation delivered to Public Safety Access Points." I look forward ~o learning what steps the 
commission plans to take to address this critical issue. 
Thank you for your leadership and commitment to enhancing the quality and reliability of 9-1-1 
services across the nation. 
124 WEST ELM STREET 
PosT OFFICE Box 812 
GRAHAM, NC 27253-{)812 
PHONE: (336) 229-{)159 
FAX: (336) 228-7974 
2102 NORTH ELM STREET 
SUITE 8 
GREENSBORO, NC 27408-5100 
PHONE: (336) 333-5005 
FAX: (336) 333-5048 
Sincerely, 
[~ 
HOWARD COBLE 
Member of Congress 
1634 NORTH MAIN STREET 
SUITE 101 
HIGH POINT, NC 27262- 2644 
PHONE: (336) 886-5106 
FAX: (336) 886-8740 
107 MIDTOWN COMMONS 
MADISON, NC 27025- 1519 
PHONE: (336) 427-{)040 
FAx: (336) 427-{)480