NEWS
Federal Communications Commission
445 12
th
Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C.   20554
This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action.
See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Cir. 1974).
News Media Information 202 / 418-0500
Internet: http://www.fcc.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:
November 21, 2014 Rochelle Cohen, 202-418-1162
E-mail: rochelle.cohen@fcc.gov
FCC TAKES ACTION TO PRESERVE RELIABLE 911 SERVICE AS TECHNOLOGY EVOLVES
Washington, DC – The Federal Communications Commission today proposed rules to preserve reliable 911 
service as technology evolves. The proposals address the increasingly complex nature of the nation’s 911 
infrastructure and respond to a recent trend of large-scale “sunny day” 911 outages – that is, outages not due 
to storms or disasters but instead caused by software and database errors.
Technology transitions, including the move to IP-based networks, can vastly improve 911 calling and help 
first responders during emergencies. However these transitions also present potential new vulnerabilities to 
911 service. The process of routing and completing a 911 call now often involves multiple companies, 
sometimes geographically remote from where the call is placed. Outsourcing and consolidation of critical 911 
network infrastructure means that a single 911 outage can affect more people in more places than before, and 
can also complicate restoration efforts. 
In the Policy Statement and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) adopted today, the Commission 
affirmed the core principles that have guided and will continue to guide the FCC’s approach to 911 oversight 
– particularly its policy of working with state and local partners to ensure reliable 911 service. The 
Commission also cited recent large-scale “sunny day” 911 outages, most notably an April 2014 outage caused 
by a software coding error in a 911 routing facility. That outage resulted in a loss of 911 service for more than 
11 million people in seven states for up to six hours, with over 6,600 failed calls to 911. The Commission’s 
Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau issued a report on the outage, citing the importance of network 
reliability and clear accountability throughout the 911 call completion process. 
Accordingly, the NPRM seeks comment on specific proposals in four key areas to set the nation on a path 
towards reversing the trend of large-scale 911 outages:
? Requiring 911 providers to make public notification of major changes to 911 service, so that 911 call 
centers and other stakeholders are aware of potential impacts, and to seek approval if they intend to 
discontinue critical 911 services. 
? Requiring entities seeking to offer new 911 capabilities and services to certify that they have the 
technical and operational capability to do so reliably. 
? Clarifying roles to promote situational awareness, information sharing, and coordination among 
multiple service providers during 911 outages. 
? Updating the FCC’s 911 reliability certification requirements to account for new technologies and 
network architectures. 
Action by the Commission November 21, 2014, by Policy Statement and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
(FCC 14-186). Chairman Wheeler, Commissioners Clyburn and Rosenworcel with Commissioner Pai and 
O’Rielly dissenting. Chairman Wheeler, Commissioners Clyburn, Rosenworcel, Pai and O’Rielly issuing 
statements.
-FCC-