One of the FCC’s top priorities is to ensure that the public can always reach 911. The FCC’s rules require communications service providers to complete 911 calls, notify 911 call centers of outages, and certify that they are taking certain reliability measures.
Completing 911 Calls. Wireless, wireline, and interconnected VOIP service providers must connect all 911 calls and transmit the caller’s location information to 911 call centers.
Ensuring 911 Reliability. Covered 911 service providers, or providers that aggregate 911 traffic from an originating service provider and deliver it to a 911 call center, must annually certify to the FCC whether they have implemented specific measures within the last year with respect to 911 circuit diversity, central office backup power, and network monitoring.
Reporting Outages to 911 Call Centers. Communications providers must notify, as soon as possible, a designated official at the affected 911 facility, of an outage which potentially affects the 911 facility, and must convey all available information that may be useful to mitigate the effects of the outage.
See Frequently Asked Questions: FCC 911 Reliability Certification or contact 911ReliabilityCertification@fcc.gov for additional information.