Genachowski Statement on Text-to-911 Trial by AT&T and State of TN

NEWS
Federal Communications Commission

News Media Information 202 / 418-0500

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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. Circ 1974).

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:

September 7, 2012
Neil Grace, 202-418-0506
Email: neil.grace@fcc.gov  

STATEMENT FROM FCC CHAIRMAN JULIUS GENACHOWSKI ON THE 

ANNOUNCEMENT OF A TEXT-TO-911 TRIAL BY AT&T AND STATE OF TENNESSEE

“I commend AT&T and the State of Tennessee for their announcement today of a statewide text-to-911 
trial. This trial represents a significant step forward in migrating our traditional voice-centric 911 system 
to a next-generation system that will enable consumers in need of help to communicate with public safety 
responders by text as well as voice, and eventually to transmit photos, videos, and other data that will help 
improve emergency response.
“In the 5-step action plan that I released last year for accelerating the deployment of Next Generation 911, 
I noted that text-to-911 promises to provide significant benefits for people with hearing and speech 
disabilities and for the general public, and I encouraged carriers and 911 authorities to conduct text-to-911 
trials. Such trials are already under way in Iowa, Durham, North Carolina, and Vermont. The Tennessee 
trial is the largest to date in terms of the population covered, and should provide valuable information that 
will help us to ensure that text-to-911 increases public access to help in emergencies and enhances the 
ability of 911 authorities and first responders to provide life-saving services.”
-FCC-

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