Got next?

Oct 1, 2006 12:00 PM, By Donny Jackson

FINDING FUNDING

But the biggest problem in upgrading to next-generation 911 systems may be finding money to pay for the upgrade to IP infrastructure, said APCO President Wanda McCarley.

“I think, by far, the biggest hurdle is going to be funding,” she said. “Remember, we still don't have basic wireline 911 in some places.”

Indeed, securing funding for 911 has been extremely difficult, particularly in rural areas that don't have the customer base to generate significant funds from user fees attached to communications bills. And Congress hasn't been much help, having failed to appropriate a dime toward the $1.25 billion authorization for PSAP upgrades passed in 2004.

With all of these factors in mind, those interviewed expressed a range of timelines regarding the implementation of next-generation 911 systems. All agreed it would be at least a decade before 50% of PSAPs have next-generation technology, even though call centers in populous areas may have the means to make the transition sooner.

“Everybody's talking about it, but there are so many giant holes regarding how we might get something started,” Moore said. “There is no current transition plan that I have seen that says, ‘All we need is one big company to step up and do this, and this is Step 1.’

“There's got to be a path, and the path cannot be, ‘Wait until we auction spectrum and the government's going to give us $3 billion to build this huge network.’ That will never happen.”

Despite this sentiment, it's important that public-safety entities, service providers and vendors continue to pursue solutions that will enable next-generation PSAP functionality, APCO's McCarley said.

“I think we absolutely have to work on it,” McCarley said. “The technology of today isn't going to last forever.”

Indeed, the transition is inevitable, so PSAP managers should make decisions today in preparation for the change in the future, NENA's Hixson said.

“If you're going to replace your equipment in the near term, make sure it works with IP,” he said.