On March 6, 2025, the FCC announced that it will consider at its March 2025 Open Meeting a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Further Notice) to propose rules that would help ensure that emerging Next Generation 911 (NG911) networks are reliable and interoperable. NG911 is replacing legacy 911 technology across the country with Internet Protocol (IP)-based infrastructure that will support new 911 capabilities, including text, video and data. This multimedia NG911 call capability can enhance accessibility for individuals with disabilities.
The Further Notice asks questions about how to ensure the emergency networks can support three-way video for video relay service (VRS) calls, the feasibility of such a proposal, and what challenges may exist regarding such a requirement. The Further Notice also seeks comment about current VRS provider capabilities.
The March 2025 Open Meeting is scheduled for 10:30 am ET on Thursday, March 27, 2025, and will be held in the Commission Meeting Room, 45 L Street NE, Washington, DC 20554. The FCC meeting is also streamed live with open captioning and American Sign Language at www.fcc.gov/live. Other reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities are available upon request. In your request, please include a description of the needed accommodation and how you may be reached if we need more information. E-mail your request to fcc504@fcc.gov or call (202) 418-0530.
Link to the Announcement of the Agenda for the March 27, 2025 Open Meeting:
URL: https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-announces-tentative-agenda-march-open-meeting-12
Link to the Draft NG911 Further Notice:
PDF: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-410027A1.pdf
General information about NG911 is available at https://www.fcc.gov/policy-and-licensing-division/911-services/NG911. For further information regarding this agenda item, contact Chris Fedeli, Christopher.Fedeli@fcc.gov or 202-418-1514, or Daniel Spurlock, Daniel.Spurlock@fcc.gov or 202-418-0212, Attorney-Advisors, of the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, Policy and Licensing Division. Individuals who use videophones and are fluent in American Sign Language may call the FCC’s ASL Consumer Support Line at (844) 432-2275 (videophone).