FCC approves rules requiring all carriers, interconnected messaging providers to enable text-to-911 service

Wheeler said he would rather risk some consumer confusion than limit the ability of PSAPs to provide text-to-911 service where possible.

“I guess we could sit here and wait until everything is worked out,” Wheeler said. “I guess we could sit here and wait until the all-IP, next-generation 911 calls. But, if one life is one too may—as we have heard today from this dais—what are we going to explain to that life, or to his or her relatives, that we just figured that we would sit here and wait until the best of all possible worlds was possible.

“We’re not doing that.”

Earlier this year, Wheeler received some criticism from within the 911 community after calling for PSAPs to “get with it” in regards to making upgrades necessary to accept 911 texts. Today, Wheeler reiterated his statement but directed it at the state and local government entities that provide funding to the PSAPs.

“We’re doing our part, the industry is doing its part, and the PSAPs need to be able to do it [accept 911 texts],” Wheeler said during a press conference after the meeting. “One of the things that I tried to be clear about today was to specifically direct my comments not necessarily to PSAPs but to those who pay for the PSAPs and say, ‘This is a funding-allocation question that needs to be handled.’”

In addition to approving the order, FCC commissioners voted to initiate a proceeding to examine the policy and technical questions associated with text-to-911 service, including whether text providers that are not interconnected should be subject to similar regulations as carriers and interconnected competitors.