FCC seeks comments on text-to-911 information collection
AI-generated summary for informational purposes only. Not legal advice. See the original source for the authoritative text.
This notice asks the public to comment on an FCC paperwork requirement tied to text-to-911 and real-time text service. It mainly affects wireless providers, public safety answering points, and state, local, and tribal governments that must report readiness, notify the FCC, and share certain service information. For businesses and agencies involved in emergency communications, the practical issue is compliance and recordkeeping, not a new rule. The FCC is reviewing whether the collection is useful, accurate, and as light as possible, and comments are due by June 29, 2026.
AI-generated summary. May contain errors. Refer to official sources for legal decisions.
Key Changes
- Requests public comments on an existing FCC information collection tied to text-to-911 and real-time text.
- Continues reporting and notification duties for covered text providers and public safety answering points.
- Keeps the focus on readiness notices, alternate implementation timing, and consumer/provider notifications.
Obligations
What this law requires
Covered text providers must be capable of supporting text-to-911 service by the initial implementation deadline and must begin routing 911 text messages to a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) within six months of a valid PSAP request, or by June 30, 2015, whichever is later.
Covered text providers must be capable of supporting text-to-911 service by the FCC's stated implementation deadline.
Public Safety Answering Points that are technically ready to receive text messages to 911 may register in the PSAP database, submit a notification in the referenced FCC dockets, or provide other written notification reasonably acceptable to a covered text messaging provider so that readiness is formally communicated.
Covered text providers must begin routing all 911 text messages to a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) within six months after a valid PSAP request for text-to-911 service, unless a later date applies under the rule's 'whichever is later' standard.
Covered text providers must notify the FCC of the dates and terms of any alternative text-to-911 implementation timeframe agreed with a PSAP within 30 days of the parties' agreement.