U.S. House Panel Approves Bill for National Wireless 911 System
Bloomberg News
February 11, 1999, 1:21 p.m. ET
U.S. House Panel Approves Bill for National Wireless 911 System
Washington, Feb. 11 (Bloomberg) -- A U.S House of
Representatives panel approved legislation designed to establish
a national emergency-response system for wireless telephones and
to outlaw the use of scanning equipment for intercepting cellular
phone calls.
One bill would require federal regulators to help states and
municipalities, which now have varying emergency phone numbers
for wireless phones, set up a universal 911 system for cellular
phones. Another measure would make it illegal to use scanners to
eavesdrop on wireless conversations.
The Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association, which
represents wireless companies like AirTouch Communications Inc.,
the largest U.S. wireless company, supports steps to improve the
emergency capabilities of wireless phones. The trade group has
been promoting cellular phones as a life-saving tool in an
advertising campaign.
''Both these bills will enhance the privacy and safety of
wireless telephone users,'' said Representative John Dingell, a
Michigan Democrat and ranking minority member of the Commerce
Committee, which approved the measures unanimously. The bills now
go to the full House.
Similar bills stalled last year. Sponsors have since removed
a controversial provision from the wireless 911 measure that
would have allowed wireless phone companies to lease federal land
for cellular phone towers.
That would have made it easier for companies like AirTouch,
AT&T Corp., Sprint PCS and Nextel Communications Inc. to expand
their wireless operations. Finding places for new towers has been
an obstacle for these companies in their efforts to provide
complete coverage without so-called dead zones.
Municipalities opposed the cellular-tower measure because it
would have allowed U.S. officials to disregard local zoning laws.
Still, that provision would have helped states and
municipalities fund upgrades to current 911 emergency systems.
The measures approved by the House Commerce Committee today don't
offer any way to pay for those upgrades.
--Alan M. Wolf in Washington (202) 624-1880/cct
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