Bill would protect E-911 funds

The Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association praised comprehensive E-911 legislation introduced June 12 by Sen. Conrad Burns (R-MT) and Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY).

The bill would foster coordination at all levels, and through audits and other measures, ensure that E-911 funds are used to make enhanced 911 services available nationwide.

"This legislation injects a good dose of coordination and accountability that has been lacking in the implementation of enhanced 911 services," said Tom Wheeler, president and CEO of CTIA. "Senators Burns and Clinton have shown tremendous leadership and expertise in crafting a comprehensive policy that will promote cooperation, while at the same time clamp down on local and state governments who are brazenly raiding E-911 funds.

"This legislation identifies E-911 as one of the nation's highest communications priorities and rightly so. Scarce resources should be devoted to public safety, not regulatory mandates like number portability that put mere convenience over protecting the public. We urge policy makers and regulators to focus on public safety for all Americans, and to empower the wireless industry to do the same."

Burns and Clinton co-chair the Senate 911 caucus.

CTIA is the international association for the wireless telecommunications industry, representing carriers, manufacturers and wireless Internet providers.