CommScope launches E-911 compliance testing services
CommScope announced today that it is introducing a suite of services designed to ensure that public-safety answering points are in compliance with the Federal Communications Commission’s E-911 location accuracy performance requirements, which were modified last September.
The new regulations require county-level, rather than state-level, reporting for demonstrating E-911 location accuracy compliance, the company said. In addition, milestones were established for wireless network operators, the first of which occurs in January 2012 when operators must demonstrate that they are on the path to full compliance.
CommScope’s services, which will be marketed under its Andrew Solutions brand — the company acquired Andrew Corp. in 2007 — include the following:
- Analysis of existing maintenance test records.
- Drive-testing in selected counties to determine existing location accuracy.
- Engineering recommendations for bringing networks into compliance where needed.
In addition CommScope announced the debut of its GeoLENs portfolio of solutions, designed for wireless network operators, which can be used to ensure that all users on the network are location-enabled, regardless of the device they are using or where they are located. For example, some wireless handsets still are not GPS-enabled. Also, GPS typically doesn’t work well in dense urban areas or inside buildings.
Wireless carriers that leverage the GeoLENs solution—which is compliant with the National Emergency Number Association’s i3 next-generation 911 architecture — will be able to generate vital location data for those users who previously were not location-enabled, data that first responders will be able to use to find them during an emergency. In addition, the solution will enable network users to take advantage of location-based services, which increasingly is becoming big business for carriers. According to ABI Research, worldwide LBS revenues are expected to surpass $13.3 billion by 2013, up from $515 million in 2008.
