Enhanced 911 Emergency Calling; Use of Non-Initialized Wireless Phones

This document addresses issues associated with the inability of a public safety answering point to call back an emergency caller for further critical information when that caller is dialing 911 using a non-service-initialized wireless telephone. The document requires that non-service-initialized handsets donated through carrier-sponsored programs and newly manufactured "911-only" phones be programmed with an identifying code, and that wireless carriers complete any network programming necessary to deliver this code. The document also requires that such phones be labeled to alert the user to the lack of call-back capability. Finally, the document requires that public education programs be instituted to inform users of the limitations of non- initialized phones. The Commission takes these steps to alert all parties involved in a wireless 911 call originating from an non- initialized phone of the need for quick information as to the caller's exact location, thus increasing the likelihood that emergency services can be dispatched quickly to save lives.