WASHINGTON – Today, the 9-1-1 Location Technologies Test Bed, LLC, an independent entity established by CTIA-The Wireless Association®, announced a request for proposal (RFP) to select an administrator for the 9-1-1 location accuracy test bed—an important step forward to improve wireless 9-1-1 location accuracy. Separately, ATIS (Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions) was chosen as the program manager for the test bed.

The FCC adopted new rules [PDF] in February requiring wireless service providers to improve 9-1-1 location accuracy when using mobile devices. The FCC’s rules were based on the Roadmap to Improve 911 Location Accuracy [PDF] adopted last year by AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless as well as the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) and the National Emergency Number Association (NENA). CTIA established the 9-1-1 Location Technologies Test Bed to independently and transparently study the performance of new and existing 9-1-1 location information technologies.

ATIS will oversee test plan implementation carried out by the test bed administrator. The two-tiered partnership will ensure the test bed produces unbiased data in a timely manner for the various stakeholders in accordance with the FCC’s rule.

“With Americans increasingly choosing to be wireless-mostly, the FCC’s recent order recognizes that emergency 9-1-1 technology needs to keep up with Americans’ preferences while ensuring the flexibility necessary for wireless companies to continue to innovate. By establishing the test bed and working with ATIS, we are taking key steps toward meeting the FCC’s aggressive timelines. We look forward to partnering with the testing experts who can help industry and public safety stakeholders evaluate the performance of deployed and emerging wireless 9-1-1 location technologies, such as Z-axis,” said 9-1-1 Location Technologies Test Bed Vice President Tom Sawanobori.

“We look forward to collaborating with the Test Bed on this critical vehicle for testing emergency location technologies,” said ATIS President and CEO Susan Miller. “ATIS is proud to serve as the program manager for this activity to ensure the testing is performed in a neutral, efficient and timely manner.”

The RFP is available at: http://www.911locationtestbed.org/