On March 14, 2024, the Commission adopted interim 911 call and text routing requirements contained in the Single Network Future: Supplemental Coverage from Space; Space Innovation Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (SCS Report and Order) in recognition that Supplemental Coverage from Space (SCS) has the potential to bring life-saving connectivity to remote areas.*
The regulatory framework the Commission adopted will enable collaborations between satellite operators and terrestrial service providers to offer ubiquitous connectivity directly to consumer handsets using spectrum previously allocated only to terrestrial service. The Commission anticipates that supplemental coverage from space, or SCS, will enable consumers in areas not covered by terrestrial networks to be connected using their existing devices via satellite-based communications. SCS is a crucial component of the Commission’s vision for a “single network future” in which satellite and terrestrial networks work seamlessly together to provide coverage that neither network can achieve on its own.
A primary goal of SCS is to promote public safety by expanding the availability of emergency communications to consumers, especially in remote, unserved, or underserved areas. The Commission adopted interim 911 text and call routing requirements for terrestrial providers that use SCS arrangements to extend their coverage service areas. Below, we expand on these interim 911 SCS requirements and provide the timing of compliance with each requirement.
Interim 911 Requirements for SCS
Call Transmission
Under Section 9.10(t)(2), terrestrial wireless service providers who are delivering SCS 911 voice calls and SCS 911 text messages must either:
(i) Use information regarding the location of a device, including but not limited to device-based location information, to route SCS 911 voice calls and SCS 911 text messages to an appropriate PSAP and transmit the phone number of the device used to send the SCS 911 voice call or SCS 911 text message and available location information to an appropriate PSAP; or
(ii) Use an emergency call center, at which emergency call center personnel must determine the emergency caller’s phone number and location and then transfer or otherwise direct the 911 caller to an appropriate PSAP.
- Terrestrial wireless service providers must comply with these requirements when they begin delivering SCS 911 voice calls or SCS 911 text messages.
Maintaining Records
Under Section 9.10(t)(3) of the Commission’s rules, each terrestrial wireless service provider that utilizes SCS arrangements to expand its coverage areas for providing service to its end-user subscribers must maintain records of all SCS 911 voice calls and SCS 911 text messages received on its network and received at its emergency call center.
- Terrestrial wireless service providers must comply with this requirement when they begin using SCS arrangements to expand their coverage areas for providing service to end-user subscribers.
Annual Reports
By October 15 of each year, each terrestrial wireless service provider that uses SCS arrangements to expand its coverage areas for providing service to its end-user subscribers must submit a report to the Commission regarding SCS 911 voice calls and 911 text messages, and its emergency call center data, current as of September 30 of that year. Providers must submit these reports in the Commission’s Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) in PS Docket No. 24-318.
These reports must include, at a minimum:
(i) The name and address of the terrestrial wireless service/CMRS provider, the address (zip code only) of the CMRS provider's emergency call center, and the contact information (telephone number and/or email address) of the emergency call center;
(ii) The aggregate number of SCS 911 voice calls and SCS 911 text messages received by the network of the provider that provides SCS service to its end-user subscribers during each month during the relevant reporting period;
(iii) The aggregate number of SCS 911 voice calls and SCS 911 text messages received by the emergency call center each month during the relevant reporting period;
(iv) The aggregate number of SCS 911 voice calls and SCS 911 text messages received by the emergency call center each month during the relevant reporting period that required forwarding to a PSAP and how many did not require forwarding to a PSAP;
(v) The aggregate number of SCS 911 voice calls that were routed using location information that met the timeliness and accuracy thresholds defined in Section 9.10(s)(3)(i)(A) and (B) of the Commission’s rules;
(vi) The aggregate number of SCS 911 voice calls and SCS 911 text messages that were routed using location information that did not meet the timeliness and accuracy thresholds defined in Section 9.10(s)(3)(i)(A) and (B) of the rules; and
(vii) An explanation of how the SCS deployment, including network architecture, systems, and procedures, will support routing SCS 911 voice calls and SCS 911 text messages to the geographically appropriate PSAP with sufficient location information in compliance with Section 9.10(t)(2) of the rules.
Providers may submit their completed reports with a cover letter which includes the date of submission; name of the terrestrial wireless service/CMRS provider; and name and contact information of person submitting the report. There is no required form for the submission of these annual reports.
- Terrestrial wireless service providers that use SCS arrangements to expand their coverage areas for providing service to end-user subscribers must submit these reports via ECFS in PS Docket No. 24-318 by October 15 of each year, and the report must be current as of September 30 of that year. For example, the report due October 15, 2024, would cover a provider’s SCS 911 voice calls and 911 text messages, and its emergency call center data, from October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024.
One-time Privacy Certification
Under Section 9.10(t)(4) of the rules, terrestrial wireless service providers that use SCS arrangements to expand their coverage areas for providing service to their end-user subscribers must certify on a one-time basis, prior to the use of SCS location information to meet the Commission’s 911 rules, that neither they nor any third party they rely on to obtain location information or associated data used for compliance with Section 9.10(t)(2)(i) or (ii) of the rules will use such location information or associated data for any non-911 purpose, except with prior express consent or as otherwise permitted or required by law. The certification also must state that the terrestrial wireless service provider and any third parties it relies on to obtain location information or associated data used for compliance with Section 9.10(t)(2)(i) or (ii) of the Commission’s rules have implemented measures sufficient to safeguard the privacy and security of such location information or associated data.
- Terrestrial wireless service providers must submit this one-time certification via ECFS in PS Docket No. 24-318 on the due date of the first annual report made under Section 9.10(t)(3) of the rules. For example, if a provider files its first annual report on Oct. 15, 2026, the one-time certification would be due on that date.
Subscriber Notification
Under Section 9.10(t)(5) of the rules, each terrestrial wireless service provider that utilizes SCS arrangements to expand its coverage areas for providing service to its end-user subscribers shall specifically advise every subscriber, both new and existing, in writing prominently and in plain language, of the circumstances under which 911 service for all SCS 911 calls, or SCS 911 text messages may not be available via SCS or may be in some way limited by comparison to traditional enhanced 911 service.
Such circumstances may include, but are not limited to, potential delay in connecting the call or text to 911, potential inability of the service to determine the end-user’s location and call-back number, the consequences of moving into or out of SCS/terrestrial coverage during a live call, and potential inability of the end-user’s device to obtain a line of sight to the satellite.
- Terrestrial wireless service providers must comply with this requirement when they begin using SCS arrangements to expand their coverage areas for providing service to end-user subscribers.
* The summary of the Interim 911 Requirements for Supplemental Coverage from Space on this webpage does not include the full text of the rules, and does not replace or supersede the rules. Although the Bureau has attempted to cover all parts of the rules that might be relevant, the coverage may not be exhaustive, and the timeline may not anticipate all situations in which the rules apply. This summary represents the Bureau’s interpretation of the rules and is not legally binding on the Commission. Furthermore, the Commission retains the discretion to adopt case-by-case approaches, where appropriate, that may differ from the approach in this webpage. Any decision regarding a particular regulated entity will be based on the statutes and any relevant rules. The full text of the interim 911 rules codified in 47 CFR Part 9 can be found at: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/chapter-I/subchapter-A/part-9
Resources
- 911 Regulations – 47 CFR Part 9
- Interim 911 Requirements for Supplemental Coverage from Space – 47 CFR § 9.10(t)
- Supplemental Coverage from Space Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking – FCC 24-28
- SCS Report and Order - Erratum
- SCS 911 Reports and Certifications Public Notice - DA 24-1049
- SCS 911 Reports and Certifications - PS Docket 24-318
- Small Entity Compliance Guide – DA 24-858
- Wireless Telecommunications Bureau and Space Bureau Public Notice Announcing SCS Rules - DA 24-1223
The FCC will closely monitor any complaints about alleged violations of these 911 rules.
- Consumers may file a complaint via the Consumer Complaint Center.
- Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs), also known as 911 call centers, and other public safety entities may request support from the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau and notify the Bureau of problems or issues affecting the provision of emergency services through the Public Safety Support Center.